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My teen son read a book over the weekend!! If you / your teen enjoyed “The Bunker Diaries” please recommend another as desperate to keep up the momentum!

52 replies

thanksicloud · 11/11/2024 18:46

It was a joy to behold this weekend…. my 15 year old teen son reading. In fact, utterly absorbed. Phone was no where in sight, no gaming, every time i strolled past him he had his nose in the book and finished it in one weekend!
He said it was “a one off mum, don’t get excited”.
but i want to have some follow up books just lying around on the chance he picks up as he did this one!
if you liked the Bunker Diaries or your teen… what else did you / they enjoy?
Thank you

OP posts:
1WanderingWomble · 11/11/2024 18:59

Will Hill 'After the Fire' is good (based on the Waco siege in Texas)
Maybe Lord of the Flies?
Stephen King books?
Black Rabbit Summer, also by Kevin Brooks
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The Bunker Diary is so gripping but incredibly grim so I'm trying to think of something that might appeal - the plot is fairly unusual so hope these at least hit some similar notes.

thanksicloud · 11/11/2024 19:08

1WanderingWomble · 11/11/2024 18:59

Will Hill 'After the Fire' is good (based on the Waco siege in Texas)
Maybe Lord of the Flies?
Stephen King books?
Black Rabbit Summer, also by Kevin Brooks
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

The Bunker Diary is so gripping but incredibly grim so I'm trying to think of something that might appeal - the plot is fairly unusual so hope these at least hit some similar notes.

you 🌟
thank you i’ll google now!

OP posts:
Lovelyview · 11/11/2024 20:31

My 15 year old enjoyed Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer. It's a sci fi horror as far as I can gather.

MsAmerica · 11/11/2024 21:49

Why didn't you ask what he liked about it?

LunaNorth · 11/11/2024 21:52

God, the ending of The Bunker Diary haunts me.

Try Stephen King’s Misery? The Silence of the Lambs? Martyn Pig (same author as TBD)?

thanksicloud · 12/11/2024 05:45

MsAmerica · 11/11/2024 21:49

Why didn't you ask what he liked about it?

“i dunno, i just liked it”

OP posts:
Dappy777 · 12/11/2024 14:42

How about the short stories of MR James? Or Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker? They’re perfect for a boy that age.

dayswithaY · 12/11/2024 14:50

Holes by Louis Sacher
Z for Zachariah

thanksicloud · 12/11/2024 14:54

dayswithaY · 12/11/2024 14:50

Holes by Louis Sacher
Z for Zachariah

he loved them both! but a few years ago

OP posts:
dontmindthegap · 12/11/2024 14:57

I used to tell my teenage brothers not to read my books because the themes were too adult. They read every single one.

thanksicloud · 12/11/2024 15:00

dontmindthegap · 12/11/2024 14:57

I used to tell my teenage brothers not to read my books because the themes were too adult. They read every single one.

ok

any recs?!

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 12/11/2024 15:05

Good Lord. I just read the plot synopsis of The Bunker Diary.
It's several steps on from The Hunger Games, isn't it!

noblegiraffe · 12/11/2024 15:06

The Gone series by Michael Grant is Stephen King-esque horror for teens, without the weird sex stuff.

BaronessBomburst · 12/11/2024 15:11

How about Kuldesak by Richard Cowper.
I'm not sure how well it will have dated but I read that several times as a young teen.

minicrocodile · 12/11/2024 15:22

Grasshopper Summer is similarly grim and one I've not been able to stop thinking about since I read it. Originally published the same kind of time as the Bunker Diaries

thanksicloud · 12/11/2024 15:35

minicrocodile · 12/11/2024 15:22

Grasshopper Summer is similarly grim and one I've not been able to stop thinking about since I read it. Originally published the same kind of time as the Bunker Diaries

age on amazon is only 8-12 though? looks good though but won’t suit him if an 8 year old would read

OP posts:
minicrocodile · 12/11/2024 15:43

That is entirely because I got the name of the book wrong, I'm sorry.

It's Grasshopper Jungle, by Andrew Smith. An apocalyptic coming-of-ages novel featuring a lot of violence and plague of giant indestructible bugs.

It's actually really good and well worth a read.

JetskiSkyJumper · 12/11/2024 15:50

What's it about ? Would the wool, dust, shift trilogy be similar? (The book versions of Silo)

MsAmerica · 12/11/2024 22:16

thanksicloud · 12/11/2024 05:45

“i dunno, i just liked it”

Okay, I guess in my family, we gently push for better answers.

CurlewKate · 13/11/2024 09:52

Patrick Ness and Michelle Paver both gripped my ds at this age.

LunaNorth · 13/11/2024 17:30

MsAmerica · 12/11/2024 22:16

Okay, I guess in my family, we gently push for better answers.

Any need?

Meem321 · 13/11/2024 17:53

Black Rabbit Summer - yes. Love Kevin Brooks.

Cerialkiller · 13/11/2024 18:01

' I am not a serial killer' by Dan wells. Dark themes with a psychopathic (but decent) teen main character. Mystery/crime solving elements. Done blood but box sex.

GrammarTeacher · 13/11/2024 18:31

If he liked Bunker Diary (and it's awesome) I'd go for anything else by that author.
I'd also recommend anything by William Hussey as well (his YA or adult books).

GrammarTeacher · 13/11/2024 18:31

But also another vote for Patrick Ness, he's fantastic.

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