Hiding Out in the Young Adults Section

Okay. Confession time. I love dystopian teen fiction. That's right - the section just outside the enticing children's play area at Chapters. The very section that contains (and I shudder to think) the Lauren Conrad novels.

While the writing may not be Nobel Prize worthy, and some of the themes are less than mature, the stories really pull you in. And judging by the number of new dystopian YA books being written, I am not the only one being enticed. This genre is growing by leaps and bounds and I leapt on the bandwagon with vigour.


It all started with a series recommended by a colleague (a common theme in my blog - people know I read, they recommend their favourites with varying results) called the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.


These books were amazing. Set in a dystopian world somewhere in the distant future, children are forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of the rich and ruling class. Sounds gruesome (and it is, for sure), but the premise was so well thought-out, I loved the characters and I didn't have to worry about any racy scenes to be read awkwardly on the GO train (in constant fear that someone is reading over your shoulder wondering what kind of smut you are into). I read all three in a weekend and I cannot wait until the movie comes out...it's like Twilight all over again, but thankfully no Robert Pattinson in sight.


Seriously, go get these books (unless you are vehemently opposed to science fiction ... which I thought I was until I read these ... so go get them anyways ... or borrow them as it seems everyone is reading this series).

After reading these books, I found myself in the book store with a friend who was searching for some books for her (12 year old) son. I suggested this series and when the clerk overheard, she recommended another book called The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

In the Maze Runner, the lead character wakes up in the middle of a maze, his memory wiped, surrounded by a crowd of teenage boys (no ladies in sight). These boys have built their own society (a la Lord of the Flies) and work each day to try to solve the maze in which they find themselves, undeterred by the horrors that lie beyond the walls of their compound. And the adventure ensues.

Just like the hunger games, I finished this book in one sitting and went out the next day to pick up the sequel The Scorch Trials (part two of the young man's journey)

These books were not quite as good as the Hunger Games trilogy, but they definitely held my attention, and I liked the fact that they were told from the young male perspective (as the Hunger Games are narrated by a young woman).

Unfortunately, Mr. Dashner's third book is not due out until October so when I found myself book-less with a beach trip on the horizon, I headed back to the bookstore (I know I ought to be using the library, but I will blog about those frustrations at a later date). I was waxing poetic about my new found love of these books to my girlfriend Tiffany, when a clerk overheard and suggested another novel, Divergent by Veronica Roth.

Now, I saved this bad boy (and tried to read some credible literature that my MA could be proud of) until last weekend at the cottage. And what do you know, I finished this one off in one day. This one was DEFINITELY as good as the Hunger Games trilogy. In this book we meet Beatrice Prior, who is born into a dystopian Chicago, in which all of humanity is broken up into five factions - Honesty, Knowledge, Selflessness, Kindness and Bravery. Each 16 year old chooses the faction to which he/she wishes to belong...and it is at this point in her life that we meet this young lady.

I cannot WAIT for the second book of this series to come out...and I will say I love FOUR (how's that for a teaser).

Okay, so that brings us to Monday - I am still in need of a YA dystopian fix so I head to the internet. My search returns a list of the top 50 dystopian Young Adult novels (JACKPOT). I jotted down some of the titles and headed back to Chapters...more on those novels to come.

Up Next: Wither by Lauren DeStefano and Across the Universe by Beth Revis

What I've Been Reading This Year

It has come to my attention that I am the worst blogger in the history of blogging...and I have a flare for the hyperbolic.

Seriously, though, my good pal Carolyn told me to get my act together, so I have committed anew to recording my adventures in literature (and I use that term loosely) - even purchasing a new notebook to log every book and my feelings about it.

So, here is a list, in no particular order, of some of the books I have read over the past couple of months, along with a short synopsis of my opinions.

Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro

Let me preface by saying that I rather enjoy short stories. Let me also say that I REALLY enjoy Alice Munro's short stories. She is amazing (and I am not just saying that because she is from Huron County - represent!)

This collection is just as good as her others (if not better), although I skipped over two of the stories that didn't catch me right away (a big plus about a short story collection is you can pick and choose).  This is a great beach read because you can put it down between stories and hop in the lake, and pick right 
                     back up with a new one.

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

While I have yet to see the movie (even thought my entire family has...), I really enjoyed this book. I am a John Grisham lover, and this was in the same vein. It was not really a "light" read, but it was easy to read and had a good story line.

I will definitely be seeing the movie, as it was the kind of book that really lends itself to an onscreen adaptation.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This book was a gem. I was sure it would not live up to the hype (as hyped up books seldom do for me), but it was really good. I really enjoy books that explore racial relations in the south, and this book does it with real humanity (on both sides of the coin) and humour.

And... is it just me or is every book being made into a movie this summer? I feel like every book on this list...

One Day by David Nicholls

Again...a movie-to-be. This book was recommended to me by a colleague, and I have to say, I did not really enjoy it. I really liked the premise (following a "couple" through their entire lives spent apart and with other people), but the execution left somethign to be desired. I did not relate to the characters, and found the book to be quite choppy...perhaps an intentional device...but alienating all the same.

I will likely to go the film, however, as I think this type of story may be better suited for the theatre.

Irma Voth by Miriam Toews

I love Miriam Toews. Not only is she Canadian, but she is such a witty talent. Her book A Complicated Kindness is the Canadian, female version of Catcher in the Rye (a true classic).

That said, I didn't really love this book. It didn't grab me at the start (although the premise - Mennonite meets Mexico - is interesting) and I didn't feel it carried the same wit that made me fall in love with Toews initially.


The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Two words - awful and awful.


This book was recommended to me by a colleague (as she had heard it was great) but seriously?! I didn't even finish it (and that is a rarity for this gal). Vampire story trying to appear legitimate...need I say more?


Water For Elephants by Sarah Gruen

I heard a lot of hype about this one. Everyone was saying they could not put it down and the ladies were even more stoked to see Edward...er...Robert Pattinson in the lead role this Spring.


While I thought the book was good, it was not a page turner for me and if it says anything about my feelings for the book, I still have not seen the movie. That said, I am told she appeals to the animal lovers out there (in this and her other novels), so if that sounds like you, this one is recommended.

While I spent many of the past months reading these books, I also spent MUCH of my time enjoying the critically acclaimed television series Friday Night Lights. Seriously, one of the best shows around, by far.
If you haven't checked it out, do so. But be prepared to devote some serious time to it.

Next Time: My Current Obsession with Teen Dystopian Fiction