Cami 6/24/20 Cami 6/24/20

This-Then-That: YA Dystopian and SciFi Edition

My dystopian and SciFi stack. And it doesn’t include a ton I’ve read because I left them on a bookshelf in one of my former classrooms for students.

Let’s see. Where to begin. Oh, at the beginning of course.

Isaac Asimov, scientist and science fiction writer said, “The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing.” This never hit harder than having just finished the Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff this week (if you haven’t read them, please, please, please do that right away. Even if you aren’t a dystopian or SciFi fan, if you love stories, the human condition, and people pushing up against great odds for ideas rooted in justice—read it!) and Asimov’s sentiments speak so loudly to the love of reading. We turn the page because we are discovering, experiencing the story unfold. It is a beautiful paradigm.

I did think, however, when I sat down to lead the blog in a This-Then-That (see the premise in last week’s post) bookish delight using dystopian and SciFi as a theme, I would get stuck. I haven’t read many. So as I engaged in a bit of research, checked into my Goodreads list, my mouth dropped open. I’ve read a ton of dystopian. Granted, it was many years ago until the market grew saturated with the same story in different dressings, but it is safe to say that I love dystopian stories nearly as much as I love contemporary. And simultaneously, I rediscovered my adoration for Science Fiction.

Fun Story (maybe I’ve repeated it elsewhere, but forgive me, I’m climbing toward old age). When I was eight, my elementary school librarian suggested a book called We Are Not of Earth by Jean Karl. It tore open my whole universe and contributed to my current love of reading. These last two months as I’ve read several science fiction novels, my love for the genre reignited! What a joy to return to a place and rediscover the magic that opened that door initially.

So with that said, here’s the Dystopian/SciFi This-Then-That. (Thank you to my IG friends who help fill in some gaps).

THAT

THIS

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This book is a classic in the dystopian genre. I’ve read it with students as young as sixth grade, but when you read it again as an adult - wow.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I read this book long before there was a movie. I loved it (though I do think there is much to be desired in the conclusion of the series). Regardless, this book is necessary to mention when talking dystopia and sci fi.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishigura

This book isn’t strictly YA, but it fits in the category due to the age of the protagonist most of the way through and is one we teach in upper high school. This book is a slow burn, but when you get to that end - OMG.

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray

I just read this book recently and was blown away by it. The giant questions posed in the story from what does it mean to be human to what do I believe about life . . . so good.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

If you’re only basing your assessment of this story on the movies, please don’t. This was an enjoyable trilogy (though it has been many years since I’ve read it - I remember a satisfying conclusion). I loved how Dashner just pushed the story…

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Some might call Bradbury a prophet . . .so creepy how spot on he was about some things. I’ve read this book multiple times and it gets better with every reading.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I debated whether to include this title (full disclosure, I’m not a huge fan of the final book in this series so I often will avoid recommending titles I didn’t love) but Divergent is important in the YA Dystopian/SciFi category just like The Hunger Games.

Matched by Allie Condie

As the YA dystopian phenomena raged, Matched jumped into the pack adding the element of romance to the mix.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

How can we skip this book? I couldn’t, which is why it is included (even if it’s old and classic). Stranded adolescent boys trying to create a society asking the audience to consider what it means to be civilized. Chaos ensues…

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

I enjoyed this duology by Roth. Planets, political intrigue, battles to the death (for life), super powers, different humanoids and space ships with a dash of romance. I’m in.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

I vacillated on which title to pair this with, but in the end chose The Giver because I think in terms of literary acumen, Liggett wins. Her story looks at not only freedom like The Giver, but also female empowerment.

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I just finished this entire series (there are three titles and Illuminae is the first), and truthfully as a series, this one kicks most series’s butts as an incredibly constructed story (including The Hunger Games). But in terms of power hungry manipulation, excitement, adventure and action, this is a strong pairing.

Replica by Lauren Oliver

This is an interesting book in that it is two stories in one. One side is Gemma’s story, but it is the other side— Lyra’s story— that reminded me of Never Let Me Go. I could have read Lyra’s story for days . . .

Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Kaufman and Kristoff make the list a second time because this debut book of the Aurora Cycle is magical! The writing is fabulous and the adventure reminded me of Defy the Stars (and the other way around). So good!

The Echo Room by Parker Peevyhouse

This book is fascinating and captures the magic of that first book in the Dashner trilogy, The Maze Runner. The premise is you wake up in a room and have to figure out how to get out until you die trying. Then you wake up and have to try all over again.

More Than This by Patrick Ness

Seth wakes up in his old neighborhood that’s abandoned and overgrown as if the world has ended. Then he begins to get memories that tell him not everything is as it seems. (For fans of The Ugly Truth, Cantos Book 2 — don’t worry, it’s different :)

The Mirror Souls by Julia Scott

Indie Author alert! In this story Earth has nearly destroyed itself and a benevolent alien race has stepped in to intercede. In doing so, the human race is reorganized, but things don’t seem as “utopian” as the aliens would have you believe.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Full disclosure, I haven’t read this book (I tried and couldn’t get past the first 25 pages). My IG users suggested it to go with Matched. I couldn’t think of anything else similar to Matched, so here you go. Comments appreciated.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Want a modern day satire that mimics The Lord of the Flies from a female perspective? This book is for you. I love Libba Bray. She’s great.

Coriander's Light by MJ Vaughn

Indie Author Alert! Coriander is in search of her mother. The only thing she has is a necklace left behind. When she gets an email from a stranger asking about the stone, it takes her on a whirlwind journey (into outer space).

These recommendations popped up on my IG story. I’ve added them to my TBR and I thought perhaps you might be interested in hearing about them as well. For your consideration:

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Cami 6/17/20 Cami 6/17/20

This-Then-That: YA Contemporary Edition

Another week. Another installment of THIS-THEN-THAT. For all of you who commented either here or on Instagram, and in the IG Story for this week’s installment, thank you! Let’s do this again.

A reminder. THIS-THEN-THAT is a game that uses this format: If you liked THIS title, THEN you might enjoy THAT one.

This-Then-That.

The theme this week is YA Contemporary, which I have discovered is probably one of my favorite categories right up with YA fantasy. I didn’t realize it until I started pulling titles from my shelf and watched the stack take shape. So many good stories…

Same format as last week. Left side are the THIS titles and the right side are the THAT titles.

Here we go. . .

This

We Speak in Storms by Natalie Lund

A beautiful debut novel that follows three different teens as they grapple with metaphorical and literal ghosts haunting them. Its beautiful and the prose is moving.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

So, if you haven’t watched the Hulu series (or maybe you have and you want something else to read), this story is moody, angsty, and wonderful.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath—one half of the dynamic twin duo she makes up with her sister, Wren—does better with her computer and the fan fiction she writes. So starting college is throwing her off. This is one amazing read (and I’m not just saying it).

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

This tale about a young man’s journey to discover the keys to his identity is both poignant and lyrical. The prose is beautiful.

Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

This is wonderful tale of exploration when attempting to navigate ethnicity and culture when feeling like an outsider. It’s part coming-of-age, part cultural exploration, and part murder mystery.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Rowell has made the list twice (as she should because I couldn’t choose between Fangirl or this title). This book is about two strangers who happen to sit next to one another on the school bus and somehow magic happens.

Bookish Boyfriends: Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt

This is an adorable romcom with lots of heart. Schmidt develops complex and dynamic heroines more inclined to discover the secrets about themselves (with a dash of romance on the side) - and all layered with the beauty of existing stories. This one is the third in the series about Eliza as she reads both Frankenstein and Anne of Green Gables.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

This was Zentner’s debut novel (he’s since added three more titles to his book stack) and it hit me right in my heart. It’s a male coming-of-age about identity in relationship to fathers. It’s wonderful!

Simon and the Homo Sapians Agenda

“Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.” Powellsbooks.com

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Samantha McAllister looks like every other girl in her class except she struggles with a hidden mental illness, working to hide it from everyone who knows her. She finds solace in poetry club and learns that sometimes you just need the people in your life as a support system.

That

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

One of my favorite books ever written. This is the story about Clay Dunbar and what he does to save his brothers—all of them—from the ghosts threatening to tear them apart.

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

So you’re waiting for your friends to pick you up after work. You text them. Next thing you know, they’ve been in a fatal accident.

Yeah…

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

So you were introduced to Simon and Baz in Fanrgirl. Here’s the story Cath was fangirling about!

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

This is such a beautiful story about grief, self-acceptance, love and friendship. Marin disappears after the death of her grandfather; It takes her best friend Mabel to bring back to the land of the living.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Shirin is a muslim girl in America post 9-11. With racism and prejudice rampant, she’s built some tall walls. Then she meets Ocean, and he threatens to bring them all down.

Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson

Adam’s family is falling apart after the death of his oldest brother. Jolene’s family fell apart a long time ago. Every other weekend, they find comfort in their friendship. But when they take things to the next level, will it all fall apart?

The Best Laid Plans by Cameron Lund

A classic friends-to -overs romcom, Keely is ready to have sex but she doesn’t want it to be with one of the boys she’s known since Kindergarten. When she meets college boy Dean, she thinks he’s the one, but will her virginity cost her the man of her dreams? That’s where best friend Andrew comes in and everything goes awry.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

A powerful narrative written in verse, this story follows Xiomara as she navigates what it means to be a young woman, a daughter, and a person of color amidst the familial, religious and cultural messages that bombard her.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophia Gonzales

This is an adorable Grease retelling featuring Ollie who had a summer fling with Will. When Ollie unexpectedly remains in town and starts high school, the boy Ollie thought was comfortable out, isn’t.

Together We Caught Fire by Eva V. Gibson

An unflinching story that grapples with heavy topics like suicide, mental illness and religion, sex and self-efficacy. This story is tightly weaved together in this story about Lane, her journey navigating complicated relationships and learning she doesn’t have to do it all alone.

For your consideration (because I write YA Contemporary. :) . . .

Earlier this year, a bookstagram friend on IG, Lavinia (@instaraygram) who helped with last week’s post read The Cantos Chronicle (the books I wrote). She said she loved them . . . and asked me if I’d read Brigid Kemmerer? She said, “Your style reminds me of hers.” I hadn’t, but I was immediately intrigued. So I scooped up all of her titles and FELL IN LOVE with her (so what an honor to be compared to her!) So one more This/That . . .

THIS