books for 14yo DN - not too childish, nor too grown up

[hazyshadeofwinter]

I am always stumped by what to get DN for her birthday. She is about to turn 14 and loves reading and writing (ie writing her own stories and poems) but I can't remember what I loved to read at that age.

Any suggestions for classics that would be suitable or young-adult style fiction for her? She also does school plays and what not, so might enjoy a play to read, but again I can't remember what I enjoyed then and my favourites now are too dark I think.

If she likes fantasy, I second Philip pullman, or the wind singer trilogy by William Nicholson

I think it's too much of a gamble to go with something she might have already read or might hate. Even Wreck This Journal has been out so long that there's a good chance she's done it already (I bought it for loads of pre-teens birthdays a couple of years ago).

Ask for specific suggestions or get her a book token and a lovely journal for writing in.

I was an avid reader at 14 with a long wish list of books, and I would have much preferred to either be asked what book I wanted, or to get a book token.

There's some great books suggestioned above, but the trouble with buying for someone else is the risk of buying a book in a genre she doesn't like, or buying a book she's already read.

How about a book token and a list of suggestions for her?

Bill Bryson - Short history of nearly everything is a great introduction to science and scientific method
Ursula le Guin is wonderful - not so much Wizard of Earthsea as that's a bit young, but Left hand of Darkness could be good.
Maybe Watching the English by KAte Fox - amusing intro to different people around the country doing things differently.

Some Marion Zimmer Bradley like Mists of Avalon
Margaret Atwood - Cat's Eye
Antonia Forest - school stories for grownups
PD James - say An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

Some feel-good reads:
James Herriot
Lillian Beckwith - the Hills is Lonely
Linda Hoy - Your friend, Rebecca
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Has anyone mentioned Agatha Christie, or Dorothy L Sayers? I loved their novels when I was a teenager :) Would be a real nostalgia trip to revisit them now.

Bill Brysons travel books are good.

Poems by Writers Dogs might be worthwhile if she likes quirky poetry

Yy to Dorothy L Sayers

Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence.

Does she have a kindle? Would she like one - could your budget stretch to one if you combined with another family member and made it a joint Xmas and birthday present.

www.amazon.co.uk/How-Live-Now-Meg-Rosoff/dp/0141346566

www.amazon.co.uk/Universe-versus-Alex-Woods-ebook/dp/B008RRH63M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440925147&sr=1-1&keywords=alex+versus+the+universe

I was that age when I read Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor. It's a bit risqué so you might not feel happy about her reading it but I loved history and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact I've loved reading it several times.

I also really loved The Queen and I by Sue Townsend at that age.

I loved Ben Elton at that age

Restoration by Rose Tremain

Dd has just read some EM Forster. Oscar Wilde might be good for plays and short stories.

Not sure about Restoration for a 14 year old, weary. I loved it, and its sequel, Merivel, but it's quite rude in places and there's a lot of rather naughty sex.

Oh Duchess I had completely forgotten there was sex. Sorry.
I read it a long time ago and was thinking it wouldn't be as rude as "Where I found here" when the 14 year old boy has sex with the older woman (when they are trapped together). Hey ho.

"her" not "here"

It would certainly be educational but perhaps not in the way the OP might want :o

I recall enjoying Jean Plaidy and Georgette Heyer as well when I was a teenager. There's nothing risqué in them! And I read Gone With The Wind at around that age too. And To Kill A Mockingbird.

How about some Sherlock Holmes stories or Jeeves and Wooster stuff? J & W is fairly harmless but a bit dated perhaps?

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. That's another one I read and enjoyed then too.

This is a great age for Rebecca isn't it? I loved that and read it loads at that age. I also remember reading Agatha Christie and Nevil Shute (A Town Like Alice) which might be a bit old fashioned now but still a ripping yarn.

Other things I remember enjoying:

My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell
Animal Farm - George Orwell
Frost in May - Antonia White

My 13yo DD loves Edgar Allan Poe, perhaps a collected edition?