Korean Job Discussion Forums

jessie-b · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

I just finished book number seven and am experiencing the usual post-reading lonliness which is augmented by the fact that this is the END of the series. What's there to look forward to now? Anyone care to recommend another good young adult fantasy/adventure series? I've done Lewis, Tolkien, Pullman, Westerfeld, Ursula LeGuinn(sp?), Spinneli, (hate L'Engle), mmmmm...so what else is out there?

How do you guys feel after finishing a book?

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

I suggest the Gormenghast series.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I hate that feeling too.

Try Pullman's "His Dark Materials" -- the movie of the first book should be coming out soon.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

just go to the nearest bookstore and find a series of books you haven't read and buy the whole damn thing and start reading. Or do what I did and borrow from a friend and start reading it about 2 hours after finishing HP.

IlIlNine · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo

George RR Martin
Guy Gavriel Kay
Robert Jordan
Terry Pratchett
Terry Brooks

... there are many more. Like was said, just pick up a book and start reading.

Personally, I don't quite understand the adult fascination of young adult fantasy-fiction. How about trying some adult fantasy-fiction? All those authors above have written (or are still writing) quality epic series some of which, as is the case of Robert Jordan, will take you quite some time to read.

Any other suggestions?

fibergirl · Joined: 01 Dec 2006

Charles DeLint

Urban fantasy written for adults. They are not quite a series but most of his books have the same characters popping up in them.

jessie-b · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

COOL! Thanks, I'll try those series. Right now I'm reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Its not quite a YA novel but the main character is a 12 year old boy. Its really magical and poetic...a great story.

I think a lot of adults like YA fiction because it often holds this element of good vs. evil which is core in so many myths, epics, and fairy tales. The Harry Potter books also follow the formula of the epic hero. All epic heroes have to face death, often going to the underworld and then returning...the whole Jesus story too. I haven't read a lot of Adult Fantasy/SciFi series but Jim Grimsley is one of my favorite authors. He writes SciFi now but he started writing beautiful fiction stories...Winter Birds, Dreamboy.

I'll try some Adult books...I guess I fear that they'll be super male oriented with terrible women characters. Besides Tolkien's books, most YA fiction has really powerful girl characters.

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

I'm also a fan of Young Adult lit... I feel like the authors feel more free to be imaginative and don't have to resort to gratuitous sex, violence & crappy language.

I loved teaching middle school language arts because it introduced me to a lot of new YA authors.

BTW, if you haven't read them yet, I highly recommend Cornelia Funke's Inkheart and Inkspell. There's a third book in the series, but I'm not sure when it's due out.

Oh, and I second Beaver's recommendation of Pullman's books. I've only read The Golden Compass (didn't know until today that there's a movie version coming), but now that I have easier access to English books, I'm going to continue with the series.

grainger · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Location: Wonju, Korea

kiwigirl :O) · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Bundang

cosmicgirlie · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Juregen · Joined: 30 May 2006

There will be more.

She is going to write one more book, explaining a lot of background not covered by other books, and the profit will go to charity.

alfee · Joined: 31 May 2007

The fact that I actually was a young adult when the first book came out is probably why I was still excited to read Harry Potter. After being hooked, its hard to stop. I had to read the last book.

And I dont think anyone should knock people reading books, no matter what kind. Even an adult can appreciate a good story and learn a few words.

swetepete · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Location: a limp little burg

'the Animal Family' if you happen across a copy is pretty much the best 'YA' book I've ever read. It's got it all; death, loneliness, love, improbable happiness, more death, and at the end, improbable happiness.

Plus it's pure, sweet poetry.

The only one who's come to that, for me, is Pullman.

Good for kids too, if they're smart.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

And for a fun little read, try the Bartimaeus Trilogy