I’m out of town for the weekend, so today’s list is a short one for you.  I sat down and asked myself, “What books have I read that opened me up to a new perspective in a such a big way that I was actually different after reading them?”  I discarded anything non-fiction for now.  Books that teach us things didactically are fine, but they aren’t usually the ones that stick with me.  So these are all fiction.  They are all un-pretentious.  But I’m going to go ahead and claim that they are all so well-crafted that you will understand something after reading them that you never understood before.  (Unless, of course, you have lived what the characters are living.  In which case, I assure you, these books will make you feel understood.)

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver – If you only read one book on this list, it should be this one.  Four sisters.  One mother.  A move to Africa.  Each chapter is told from a different point of view, and each of them has a distinct voice.  See the third world from many perspectives, all of them real.  READ THIS BOOK.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon – This one is short and reads fast.  The solving of a mystery by a boy with autism.  I can’t tell you how much I loved this book.

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery – Did I mention un-pretentious?  This is a light one, and written from a romantic and patriotic point of view that might seem odd, but even after all the many heavy novels I’ve read about WWI since, this is still my favorite.  It’s how the people at home felt.  And the fervor and optimism that seems strange to us now is part of understanding them.

The Brothers K by David James Duncan – Highly recommended for any adult.  Serious issues.  But such a great look at men: brothers, fathers, and baseball.  Men will love it.  Women should read it even if they don’t like it to better understand the men in their life.  But it’s so well-written, you’ll probably love it for itself anyway.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – Yep, it made two lists.  So far.  Understand your kids.  Understand gifted people.  Understand space aliens who are completely different than you think.  It’s all win.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green – I normally avoid this corner of the genre…most books about sick kids are the kind of manipulative schmaltz that I can’t stomach.  This is not that.  This is what it’s like to face a hard, hard reality and still be yourself.  Loved it.

Invincible, Indiana by Nate Dunlevy – When I moved to small-town northern Indiana from the west coast, I could really have used this book.  It’s about high school basketball.  If you went to high school in IN, you’ll get it.  If you didn’t, you should read it anyway.  A huge part of this country is made up of small midwest towns.  This will give you an a peek into what that world is all about.

What books would you put on this list?  I’d love to know what you’ve read that changed you.

Even though my own books (so far) are more middle grade, I read a ton of YA novels for “research.”  Here I give you some of my favorites on the YA fantasy/sci-fi side of things, and, because I couldn’t resist, a few warnings.  Everything on the top part of this list is a book/series I can’t wait for my kids to read.  They’re also all books I’m not giving them yet because, in my opinion, there’s some reason (usually the emphasis on the romance) to make it more appropriate for the 13 and up crowd.  I was a huge fan of The Hunger Games (even the ending), and this list presupposes that you’ve already read that series.  If you haven’t, by all means start there.  That’s certainly the first one I’m handing my daughter when she’s just a couple of years older.  No one else does character development and plot movement all at the same time quite like Suzanne Collins.

If You Liked The Hunger Games (even if you hated the ending)

Divergent by Veronica Roth – You’re probably already onto this one, what with the new movie and all.  Book 1 struck me as the best of the Hunger Games inspired novels.  Loved the character of Tris, was fascinated by the world created.  Then Book 2 annoyed me a bit, but delivered just enough.  Then I hated Book 3.  I’ll do a review sometime to explain.  Suffice it to say, I was mad enough that I haven’t watched the movie.  So read Divergent! But maybe don’t finish the series.  You’ll be happier that way.

The Giver by Lois Lowry – These books are curious.  Each in the series is apparently unrelated and yet obviously in the same universe.  They involve kids making discoveries about their world and breaking away to make life richer and fuller.  They are more cerebral than most in the genre and move a bit too slowly.  I enjoyed them without being moved by them.

Matched by Ally Condie – More dystopian romance.  There isn’t a ton of depth here, though it likes to pretend there is, but if you are a fan of the genre, you’ll enjoy the series.  It isn’t annoying like some.  Not much more to say about it.

The 100 by Kass Morgan – 100 juvenile delinquents are sent down from their space station home to see if the post-nuclear-war earth is livable again.  Complete with a truly smart, pragmatic, kick-a** heroine.  I highly recommend this one.  The new CW series is pretty darn good, but the book is better.  I can’t wait for the next in the series.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card – The rest of the series is probably more for adults than teens, but this book is amazing.  Amazing.  If you want to know what it’s like to be an exceptional child, this is the book to read.  I’m not worried about content on this one.  I’m only waiting for my kids to be old enough to really appreciate it because this one is going to make them feel understood, hopefully right when they’re at the age where they need that.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson – It’s really hard to do the super-hero thing in a way that doesn’t feel recycled, but he pulls it off.  Solid world, interesting characters, fast-paced action.  Here’s one your sons will like as much as your daughters.

Legend by Marie Lu – More dystopian romance, but this is my new favorite (after the Hunger Games).  Mostly that’s because of the awesome combination of Thinker Female Lead and Feeler Male Lead (a la X-Files).  This is one of my favorite things.  I love the rational girls and their intuitive men (probably because it’s my own life dynamic).  I can highly recommend all three books, and the ending was slightly unexpected and perfect.  How often can you say that?

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer – Sci-fi novel about a girl and her family trying to survive in a world where the moon has gotten too close and it destroying everything.  I LOVE survival novels and this one gets all the family dynamics just right.  It’s a gripping read.

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker – Another survival novel, but this time the world’s rotation is slowing.  Not quite as strong as Life as We Knew It, but I still really enjoyed it.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore – This one is fantasy, about a girl with supernatural fighting skills.  It does get a little steamy in places, and takes a moral posture at the end that left me dissatisfied, so maybe save this for older teens?  But.  The main character’s thoughts and motivations throughout most of the book were so resonant for me that on balance I’m calling it a keeper.  For the record, I have read some of the sequels, and the author continued to impress me with her unconventional intelligence while making me a bit uncomfortable with her worldview.  Bottom line – approach the series with your critical thinking turned on.

I’d Skip Them

The Maze Runner by James Dashner – More dystopian sci-fi, this time with lots of boys.  Here’s the thing:  I really liked the world he created, and the plot isn’t bad.  BUT.  The writing is terrible.  Like painfully bad.  I kept forcing my way through and managed to finish two books in the series, but I just couldn’t do any more.  It’s too bad.  It’s an interesting concept.  Maybe the movie will be better than the books.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver – Yet another dystopian romance, this time about a society where love (and any feeling really) is outlawed.  Yes, that’s just as cheesy as it sounds.  And just by telling you the premise, you can already tell me everything about the book.  Let’s just say it involves the discovery of poetry by teenagers.  The writing is decent, but the content is so trite and cloyed that I can’t recommend it.

Don’t Do It!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi – Okay, I started this thinking it was another series inspired by The Hunger Games only to realize that it must have actually been inspired by Twilight (which for the record, I didn’t read and never will).  The first book was bearable because, though the plot was totally unoriginal, it focused on an exploration of a deeply damaged girl who was mostly trapped inside her mind.  Then it completely jumps the shark in the next book and just keeps getting worse and worse as it drags you through endless teenage drama, abruptly redefines characters, and shamelessly rips off the X-Men.  Igh.

If you’re looking for a list for younger kids, check it out here, or click the Book Recommedations Tab above.

I read A LOT.  Like seriously, an embarrassing amount.  It’s how I stay sane in the mundane world of motherhood.  (Also, it’s fun.)  My kids also read a ton, so we are constantly on the hunt for new, awesome books to consume.  I can’t tell you how excited I get when I see pages of book recommendations.  In light of that, I thought I’d put out there a list of our own favorites to help out anyone who’s in the same boat.  Then, you know, if you want to toss some suggestions my way in the comments, we all win!

This will be a running series.  In future posts, I’ll put up my favorite YA novels, my favorite sci-fi, etc.  The complete compiled list can be found on the little tab above that’s creatively called Book Recommendations.

This list only includes title and author and a short description, but I’m going to be working on adding book reviews to the blog, so as I get longer reviews up, the links will be on the Book Recommendations page, too.  Check back from time to time, I’m always reading more (and so are the nerdlings) so this list is going to grow.

If you liked Harry Potter (and if you didn’t, I can’t help you)
For kids of all ages (With a focus on the 7-11 crowd)

• A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket – Just so, so much word play and sibling awesomeness.  Since these are two of my favorite things, I have been smitten for a long time.  And both my girls (even the one who just turned 5) have loved these.

• Who Could That Be at This Hour? by Lemony Snicket – First of a four-book series called All the Wrong Questions which is already genius before you can even get past the title.  Classic Lemony Snicket style with a twist of mystery thrown in.

• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – Not like you wouldn’t have thought of these on your own, but in case you’re wondering, the first five books (original numbers) are as good as you remember (really wonderful and surprisingly short) and the last two…eh.  Do not make the mistake of starting with The Magician’s Nephew.  Also, this is the one case where the movies are as good as/better than the books.

• The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley – Gets five stars as my 9-year-old daughter’s favorite series ever.  Fun and funny and full of fairy-tale references. [end of alliteration]

• N.E.R.D.S. by Michael Buckley – More by the author of The Sisters Grimm, this is a team of geeky kid spies of both genders which appealed to all of my little nerdlings.

• Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown (of Vader and Son fame)- This one is for the younger end of the spectrum, but you can’t go wrong with the Star Wars universe and kids who don’t have a clue.

• Warriors (Start with Into the Wild) by Erin Hunter – I really hate to do this to you, parents, but my 9-year-old and her darling nerdy friends are obsessed.  Warrior cats living in clans in the wild.  Elaborate world-building.  Apparently hundreds of books.  Great intro to future fantasy geekdom.

• On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson – Have you heard of this one?  A little more overt Christian allegory than I would like, but I loved the tongue in cheek style and the fast-paced action.

• Leviathan by Scott Westerfield – Super steampunky, this is a fun kid adventure in alternate history.  Imagine WWI if the Brits had giant flying airbeasts and the Germans had advanced mechanical walkers.  Creative world building and interesting, well-developed characters.

• Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins – I’ve only read the first in this series about a boy who falls down into an underworld adventure with roaches and bats and rats.  So you can see why I quit and also why kids would love it.  Remarkably heart warming and (obviously) well-written.

• The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson- This is an odd one, but if you have a math-obsessed nerdling who isn’t as in to reading, I’d recommend giving it a try.  Elaborate system of fighting with chalk drawings, more mentally stimulating than emotionally gripping.

• Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe- Do you remember reading this series as a kid?  I hope so.  Easy read for those who are just getting into chapter books, and they are so fun.  Plus it inspires you to search for white carrots to freak your kids out.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee – A motley collection of odd bright children?  Mysteries to solve and puzzles to puzzle over?  Yes and yes, please.  This one is probably better for the 9 and over crowd (just based on difficulty, not on content).

• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle- Just read these again as an adult and man, they are weird.  But I can still remember reading about Meg and Calvin and Charles Wallace for the first time all those years ago and feeling understood.

• In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen Lawhead – A more obscure pick from my childhood.  These were my favorite books, my intro to the fantasy genre (went straight from here to The Hobbit), full of kings and sorcerers and brave young men who have to save them all.  Obviously Christian, but leans toward world-view shaping rather than allegory or preachiness.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster- Please tell me you know about this wonderful classic gem.  So smart, so clever, and so resonant and wise.  Kids may need to be older to get into it, but this is a book that will make your life better.

• Stick Dog by Tom Watson – Not remotely in the same genre as Harry Potter, but the concept is clever and the writing nimble and my 7-year-old who loved HP finds these books hilarious.  Tom Watson makes a bid deal about how he illustrated this with his own self-proclaimed terrible drawings, and that’s the kind of creative awesomeness I want to support.

• The Brixton Brothers by Mac Barnett – A modern Hardy Boys.  I haven’t read more than a page or two, but my 7 -year-old son ranks them at the top of his list.  My favorite bit?  There aren’t any brothers. It’s just one kid who is trying to imitate his detective heroes.

• The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau – These books are a really interesting look at human nature and the effects of culture on our choices. So yeah, even though they are definitely for kids aged 9-12, they are serious. A serious adventure. Good books, but not going to appeal to everyone.

• The Book of Sight by Deborah Dunlevy – What? You didn’t think I was going to recommend my own books? I’ve been living with Alex, Adam, Dominic, Logan, and Eve long enough that they’ve become some of my favorite people. Book Three will be out in just a few weeks! For the record, this is the category I would file these under. So far my happiest fans are aged 9-13.