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Books for a 14yo boy?

31 replies

Pumpkintopf · 06/10/2017 22:46

Hi all, am I in the right place to pick your brains for recommendations? DS is pretty well read, and has moved on to some non-YA books-Poirot, a bit of (less scary) Stephen King- are there any series out there I may have missed for him? Thanks very much!

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MrsOverTheRoad · 07/10/2017 00:35

Doesn't he go to the library? At 14 he should be sourcing his own books OP.

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 18:50

He does go to the library, book shops and on his kindle. However he’s read his way through most of the YA options in the first two venues and online options like Amazon can be hard to see the wood for the trees. Was simply wondering if anyone here had suggestions their boys had enjoyed for me to suggest, is all.

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CakeBeTheFoodOfLove · 07/10/2017 19:21

I'm 32 and my Mum still 'sources' books for me occasionally so don't worry about the pp's response. I remember really enjoying the 'adventure' books by Willard Price, I might have been a bit younger than 14 but I think they would still be appropriate for your DS.

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 19:42

Thanks Cake! felt a bit bad for asking when I read the previous post! I’ll check those out, thanks for the suggestion Smile

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sarahjconnor · 07/10/2017 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GetHappy · 07/10/2017 20:51

Have you tried the Patrick Ness Chaos Walking trilogy?

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IroningMountain · 07/10/2017 21:12

Well I look for books for my 14 year olds as I buy them for all sorts of things. I also welcome recommendations for myself. Not entirely sure why 14 year olds are supposed to only read books they've found themselves.Hmm

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backintown · 07/10/2017 21:18

Ben Aaronovich - Rivers of London series (poss read first yourself!). Just brilliant, my 13 year old onto the second book. I waited a while before recommending them as there are some adult themes but I think they're great.

As for 'sourcing them himself', I still take recommendations from parents/friends and I'm more than 30 years older than him!

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 22:05

Thanks everyone!

He’s several books into the epic saga that is the Dark Tower series, seems to be enjoying them!

Thanks for the other recommendations (and not telling me off for asking Wink) -I’ll check them out.

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CakeBeTheFoodOfLove · 07/10/2017 22:46

What about The Hobbit and The Lord if The Rings trilogy?

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CakeBeTheFoodOfLove · 07/10/2017 22:47

*of

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Fekko · 07/10/2017 22:47

Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy?

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MrTurtleLikesKisses · 07/10/2017 22:49

They might be a bit dated now but I LOVED the Stormbreaker books by Anthony Horowitz when I was about that age. I have really good memories of reading them as my friends all read them too.

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 22:52

He loved hitchhikers guide and the stormbreaker series. Not sure he’s tried LOTR, good call that’s certainly worth a try.

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7Days · 07/10/2017 22:52

I'm in the same boat. My ds is quite well read and has moved ahead in terms of age. He is ready for adult books but I would live to 'leave out' some books that would be adult, adventurous enough for a teen boy but with no sex or else very mild respectful sex. Iykwim.

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Fekko · 07/10/2017 22:59

I'll have a poke on DSs shelves tomorrow. He loves Orwell and recently read Ready Player One which he enjoyed.

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 23:14

7days that’s exactly it! For example we have noughts and crosses but I found it very shocking when I read it so have steered away from it for now...this age can be a bit of a minefield, just because he can read it doesn’t necessarily mean he should...

Thanks, my DH has ready player one, that might be worth a go!

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loveisasecondhandemotion · 07/10/2017 23:17

My ds is 14 and unfortunately does not share my love of reading :(

I'm never without a book or five on the go.
He's doing his GCSE English literature next year ( whilst in year 10 ) and I'm struggling to get him to find interest in his 3 texts which are Romeo and Juliet, Blood Brothers and A Christmas Carol.

Any idea what I can suggest to him book wise to pique his interest?
Thanks and sorry for hijack op

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 23:21

No worries @loveisasecondhandemotion , pile in! The more the merrier!
(I’m just glad no one else has told me off for asking for recommendations Grin)

Umm- has he read the Shakespeare in a modern translation? They’re cracking stories when you get past the language which I think sometimes gets in the way...

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 23:28

There’s a few modern retelling / interpretations of Shakespeare incl R&J on this link- I’ve not read them but some look interesting-

www.bustle.com/articles/151790-13-shakespeare-inspired-young-adult-novels

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 23:31

Also-could you take him to see any of these performed live? Seeing Hamlet really helped my understanding of the play when I studied it many many years ago.

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MsJolly · 07/10/2017 23:34

Has he read the Gone series by Michael Grant? DS has devoured them.
Also Phillip Pullman?

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Ttbb · 07/10/2017 23:39

1984
Brave New World
Slaighterhouse Five
Of Mice and Men
Nicholas Nickelby
Day of the Tyrphids
The chrysalids

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Fucky · 07/10/2017 23:40

Talisman andvthe green mile Stephen king
Curious incident dog
Yy to Patrick ness chaos walking (manchee!)
Lee child jack reacher
Wilbur smith lion feeds etc
All quiet western front
Guns of navarone
The cruel sea
Silver sword
Book theif
All creatures great and small
Christine
I am not a serial killer

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Pumpkintopf · 07/10/2017 23:58

Has he read the Gone series by Michael Grant? DS has devoured them.
Also Phillip Pullman?

Yes to both although he didn’t get on with Philip Pullman His Dark Materials-which is a shame as I loved them. Maybe should encourage him to try them again as he tried them a couple of years ago. Excited about the Book of Dust launch!!

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