Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Need2Read Tuesday 3/8/11

Well all, first things first... the Twitter imposter disaster is over!  Twitter was wonderfully kind enough to step up and take care of the problem with such efficiency that I want to send them a humongous <3.

Still feel free to spread the word if you know anyone who has been confused by the matter!

Now, on to Need2Read.


Need2Read is a weekly meme hosted by Offkey wherein you post a list of one or more books you absolutely NEED to read.

Without further ado, here is my newest list of books I Need2Read:

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson


I've heard this book starts a little slowly, but the story is absolutely fabulous.  I haven't seen the movie and I'm thinking I should read the book first.  Opinions?  Have you read the book/seen the film version?

2. I Am J by Cris Beam


Synopsis: J always felt different. He was certain that eventually everyone would understand who he really was: a boy mistakenly born as a girl. Yet as he grew up, his body began to betray him; eventually J stopped praying to wake up a "real boy" and started covering up his body, keeping himself invisible - from his family, from his friends...from the world. But after being deserted by the best friend he thought would always be by his side, J decides that he's done hiding - it's time to be who he really is. And this time he is determined not to give up, no matter the cost.  An inspiring story of self-discovery, of choosing to stand up for yourself, and of finding your own path - readers will recognize a part of themselves in J's struggle to love his true self.

I'm ecstatic about this book because I love literature that challenges its reader.

3. Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones


Synopsis: In her critically acclaimed debut, Tayari Jones explores the tragedy of the Atlanta Child Murders through the eyes of three unforgettable children.

I've never read anything by Tayari Jones before, but she has some of the best quotes on writing I've ever heard/read.  Plus, with regard to this story about the Atlanta Child Murders, two of the victims were Jones' nine and ten year old classmates.  I bet the perspective in this novel is just haunting.

4. After by Amy Efaw


This book is about a mature, straight-A girl who gets pregnant then tries to dispose of her baby in a dumpster and ends up in Juvenile Detention for attempted murder.  This sounds like a deep, harrowing, important story.  On a side note, I love the cover, with the reflection.  Perfect for illustrating the title.

So those are my Need2Reads -- what are yours?

Cayla

P.S. Thanks to the wonderful YA Bibliophile, I now have copies of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen.  A million hugs to YAB!!!  You can follow her on her blog and on Twitter.

3 comments:

Isabel said...

The last book looks really intense... you should definitely read it. I ordered The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan a couple of days ago and I can't wait to read it. I also ordered The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney, and I'm excited about that too. :)

Tif Sweeney said...

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo definitely starts out slow, but if you can make it through the first 50-ish pages, it is really well worth it. I really, really enjoyed this series.

I have seen the first film and thought it was really well done. It stuck pretty closely to the book and I look forward to seeing the next one very soon!

YA Bibliophile said...

Awww, you're too sweet!

I listened to the audiobook of After. It was really intense. There were times I sympathized with the main character and times I wanted to shake her. It was heartbreaking all around! Very interesting and thought provoking!