Difference between revisions of "Top Ten Adult Books That Teens Should Read"

From TheBookbag
Jump to navigationJump to search
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Joe Speedboat
 
|title=Joe Speedboat
 
|author=Tommy Wieringa
 
|author=Tommy Wieringa
 
|rating=4.5
 
|rating=4.5
 
|summary=Life in a Dutch backwater through the eyes of Frankie, severely disabled through an accident. Layers of meaning permeate this eccentric but affecting book and there are plenty of laughs, in both good and bad taste.
 
|summary=Life in a Dutch backwater through the eyes of Frankie, severely disabled through an accident. Layers of meaning permeate this eccentric but affecting book and there are plenty of laughs, in both good and bad taste.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1846271037</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=1846271037
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Raven: Blood Eye
 
|title=Raven: Blood Eye
 
|author=Giles Kristian
 
|author=Giles Kristian
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|summary=A vivid and energetic story set in a Britain just coming out of the Dark Ages and facing waves of Scandinavian raids. It's a vital and visual book, combining romance, violence and adventure as it goes a-viking. Fans of historical fiction will love it.
 
|summary=A vivid and energetic story set in a Britain just coming out of the Dark Ages and facing waves of Scandinavian raids. It's a vital and visual book, combining romance, violence and adventure as it goes a-viking. Fans of historical fiction will love it.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0593061624</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0593061624
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Return to Sender
 
|title=Return to Sender
 
|author=Zoe Barnes
 
|author=Zoe Barnes
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=Holly Bennett is on a mission to find out more about her biological mother, but that isn't the only worry the Bennett family is going through. A warm hearted and enjoyable read about families, trust and love.
 
|summary=Holly Bennett is on a mission to find out more about her biological mother, but that isn't the only worry the Bennett family is going through. A warm hearted and enjoyable read about families, trust and love.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0749939206</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0749939206
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Asboville
 
|title=Asboville
 
|author=Danny Rhodes
 
|author=Danny Rhodes
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|summary=Asboville is a great debut novel from Danny Rhodes. It's a real what you see is what you get number, utterly unpretentious, very sympathetic and also very honest. Do read it.
 
|summary=Asboville is a great debut novel from Danny Rhodes. It's a real what you see is what you get number, utterly unpretentious, very sympathetic and also very honest. Do read it.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1904559220</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=1904559220
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Good Omens
 
|title=Good Omens
 
|author=Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
 
|author=Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=A collaboration of two literary giants of the fantasy world which works far better than you might expect. Gaiman's dark influnence perfectly balances Pratchett's humour.
 
|summary=A collaboration of two literary giants of the fantasy world which works far better than you might expect. Gaiman's dark influnence perfectly balances Pratchett's humour.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0552137030</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0552137030
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Empire of the Sun
 
|title=Empire of the Sun
 
|author=J G Ballard
 
|author=J G Ballard
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=It's not really possible to sum up Empire of the Sun in just a few words if not to simply say, "Don't miss it." It's a book about war. It's about more than just the fighting. In fact, there isn't any fighting. It's beautifully written. It's mesmerising. It provides a revealing background to Ballard's later novels. It's a great definition of that made-up word, "dystopia". Oh, just don't miss it. Ok?
 
|summary=It's not really possible to sum up Empire of the Sun in just a few words if not to simply say, "Don't miss it." It's a book about war. It's about more than just the fighting. In fact, there isn't any fighting. It's beautifully written. It's mesmerising. It provides a revealing background to Ballard's later novels. It's a great definition of that made-up word, "dystopia". Oh, just don't miss it. Ok?
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0007221525</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0007221525
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Mister Pip
 
|title=Mister Pip
 
|author=Lloyd Jones
 
|author=Lloyd Jones
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=Beautifully written with not a word wasted, Great Expectations meets tropical island in this look at the love of reading, the terrors of war, post-colonialism and personal integrity. Highly, highly recommended.
 
|summary=Beautifully written with not a word wasted, Great Expectations meets tropical island in this look at the love of reading, the terrors of war, post-colonialism and personal integrity. Highly, highly recommended.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>071956994X</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=071956994X
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Centurion (Roman Legion 8)
 
|title=Centurion (Roman Legion 8)
 
|author=Simon Scarrow
 
|author=Simon Scarrow
 
|rating=3.5
 
|rating=3.5
 
|summary=More punchy action in Simon Scarrow's long-running Eagle series. This one sees Macro and Cato pitted against the Parthians and a traitor from their past. Historically accurate and great fun, if a little light. Think Cornwell's Sharpe, not his Arthur.
 
|summary=More punchy action in Simon Scarrow's long-running Eagle series. This one sees Macro and Cato pitted against the Parthians and a traitor from their past. Historically accurate and great fun, if a little light. Think Cornwell's Sharpe, not his Arthur.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0755327764</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0755327764
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Red Dog
 
|title=Red Dog
 
|author=Louis de Bernieres
 
|author=Louis de Bernieres
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|summary=Red Dog is a lovely little piece of modern folklore suitable for adults and younger readers just beginning to find their feet with books for grown ups. It follows its eponymous hero's adventure through Western Australia in a timeless tale of the littlest of lives.
 
|summary=Red Dog is a lovely little piece of modern folklore suitable for adults and younger readers just beginning to find their feet with books for grown ups. It follows its eponymous hero's adventure through Western Australia in a timeless tale of the littlest of lives.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0099429047</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0099429047
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|title=Submarine
 
|title=Submarine
 
|author=Joe Dunthorne
 
|author=Joe Dunthorne
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=Funny, naughty, rude and beautifully observed, Holden Caulfield meets Adrian Mole in Swansea for a wonderful debut novel. It's missing the most satisfying of climaxes (no pun intended), but that's all. You can also read an [[The Interview: Bookbag talks to Joe Dunthorne|interview]] with Joe Dunthorne.  
 
|summary=Funny, naughty, rude and beautifully observed, Holden Caulfield meets Adrian Mole in Swansea for a wonderful debut novel. It's missing the most satisfying of climaxes (no pun intended), but that's all. You can also read an [[The Interview: Bookbag talks to Joe Dunthorne|interview]] with Joe Dunthorne.  
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141032758</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0141032758
 
}}
 
}}
  

Revision as of 22:38, 29 January 2024

Do you remember your first foray into adult fiction? We certainly do. There's a whole world of grown up books out there just waiting for you, and it's so exciting. Quality genre stuff is ideal for the child ready to move up a level, and anything involving a young protagonist is also great. Here are our favourite ten suggestions. Why not tell us about your favourites? On the flip-side of the coin, adults will love our Top Ten Teen Books That Adults Should Read.


1846271037.jpg

Review of

Joe Speedboat by Tommy Wieringa

4.5star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

Life in a Dutch backwater through the eyes of Frankie, severely disabled through an accident. Layers of meaning permeate this eccentric but affecting book and there are plenty of laughs, in both good and bad taste. Full Review

0593061624.jpg

Review of

Raven: Blood Eye by Giles Kristian

4star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

A vivid and energetic story set in a Britain just coming out of the Dark Ages and facing waves of Scandinavian raids. It's a vital and visual book, combining romance, violence and adventure as it goes a-viking. Fans of historical fiction will love it. Full Review

0749939206.jpg

Review of

Return to Sender by Zoe Barnes

5star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

Holly Bennett is on a mission to find out more about her biological mother, but that isn't the only worry the Bennett family is going through. A warm hearted and enjoyable read about families, trust and love. Full Review

1904559220.jpg

Review of

Asboville by Danny Rhodes

4star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

Asboville is a great debut novel from Danny Rhodes. It's a real what you see is what you get number, utterly unpretentious, very sympathetic and also very honest. Do read it. Full Review

File:0552137030.jpg

Review of

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

5star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

A collaboration of two literary giants of the fantasy world which works far better than you might expect. Gaiman's dark influnence perfectly balances Pratchett's humour. Full Review

0007221525.jpg

Review of

Empire of the Sun by J G Ballard

5star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

It's not really possible to sum up Empire of the Sun in just a few words if not to simply say, "Don't miss it." It's a book about war. It's about more than just the fighting. In fact, there isn't any fighting. It's beautifully written. It's mesmerising. It provides a revealing background to Ballard's later novels. It's a great definition of that made-up word, "dystopia". Oh, just don't miss it. Ok? Full Review

071956994X.jpg

Review of

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

5star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

Beautifully written with not a word wasted, Great Expectations meets tropical island in this look at the love of reading, the terrors of war, post-colonialism and personal integrity. Highly, highly recommended. Full Review

0755327764.jpg

Review of

Centurion (Roman Legion 8) by Simon Scarrow

3.5star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

More punchy action in Simon Scarrow's long-running Eagle series. This one sees Macro and Cato pitted against the Parthians and a traitor from their past. Historically accurate and great fun, if a little light. Think Cornwell's Sharpe, not his Arthur. Full Review

0099429047.jpg

Review of

Red Dog by Louis de Bernieres

4star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

Red Dog is a lovely little piece of modern folklore suitable for adults and younger readers just beginning to find their feet with books for grown ups. It follows its eponymous hero's adventure through Western Australia in a timeless tale of the littlest of lives. Full Review

0141032758.jpg

Review of

Submarine by Joe Dunthorne

5star.jpg [[:Category:{{{genre}}}|{{{genre}}}]]

Funny, naughty, rude and beautifully observed, Holden Caulfield meets Adrian Mole in Swansea for a wonderful debut novel. It's missing the most satisfying of climaxes (no pun intended), but that's all. You can also read an interview with Joe Dunthorne. Full Review

Bookfeatures.jpg Check out Bookbag's exciting features section, with interviews, top tens and editorials.

Comments

Like to comment on this feature?

Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.