Book suggestions for nearly 15 yr old boy who's had enough of the made for teens stuff

[duchesse]

I've posted this on Dadsnet as well, but would be very grateful for any suggestions.

Formerly bookworm son has waned a little in his enthusiasm for reading over the last year . I think it's because he's exhausted children's fiction and the made for teens stuff.

I just wanted to pick the brains of you dads out there about what you enjoyed/ were inspired by at this age, particularly if you were on proper grown-up literature.

My husband wasn't much of a reader at this age, and I was a girl, so not much use at guiding the reading of a boy. My father is attempting to guide him, but seems to favour cold war/ spy stuff (eg Island of Sheep, 39 steps etc...)

If he likes a bit of fantasy then it is a great age to read The Belgariad by David Eddings.

The first book is called "Pawn of Prophecy" and follows the journey of a boy called Garion as he grows from a young boy into an adult and his destiny. It is a series of books enjoyed by adults and teenagers and a great Fantasy fiction series.

Has he tried Terry Pratchett's Discworld series yet? Starts with 'The Colour of Magic' but you can pick up any one as they do stand alone.

My twin brother was a fan of detective literature at this point - I seem to recall Agatha Christie and PD James. Oh, and Alistair McLean, though I think your dad will have sent him this way already. Sorry, can't think of any more - 15 yo was a long time ago for my twin and me

Oh, and NappyValley can probably tell that I am a fan of David Eddings from my name and can also tell that I am not a bloke

Not a dad but - The Catcher in the Rye?
Also Robert Cormier, especially I Am the Cheese

DS2, also 15 and never a reader of fiction until now, has recently enjoyed Catch 22 and the Godfather.

I do remember Stephen King appealing to my boyfriend when I was a teenager.

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The Hornblower books by C.S. Forester - they are thrilling, and some of the only books I have kept and reread often. (I'm not a man btw but did/do have very "male" tastes in reading). If he likes those, then the Sharpe books by Bernard Cornwell are similar though land based.

The entire set of James Bond novels are currently on sale for £15 in tesco at the mo or same price from the book people. my dh is currently reading these and enjoys them - would also recommend terry pratchett and bernard cornwell

Raymond Chandler
John Steinbeck
Scott Fitzgerald

• get them all in Penguin Modern Classics editions & then let him forage out from those into the rest of the PMC list.

DS (16) is enjoying Andy McNab's books at the moment.

on holiday recently DS1 enjoyed

catch 22
A prayer for owen meany - john irving
hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
1984
and Agatha christe (which rather surprised me)

The Crow Road just sprang to mind, for some reason

might he like the Patrick O'Brian novels ?

I started Iain Banks at 15-16. "Walking On Glass" was quite mind-blowing, although the end was a bit of a let-down, and I read "The Wasp Factory" next and never looked back. I also read "The French Lieutenant's Woman" at 16, and a novel by Richard Adams called "The Girl In A Swing".

Heritage of the Star by Sylvia Engdahl. It was a great book when I was a teenager, it's still one of my favourites. It's slightly sci-fi, good plot flow and really makes you think.

oh yes, Wasp Factory !

I would buy him a book token and let him loose in Ottakars or Waterstones.

FWIW I read all the French existentialists at 15 eg Camus

If you try the David Eddings ones which are Fab, then try Robin Hobbs Assasain, Liveships and Tawny Man trilogy's which are all excellent.
Dean Koontz is also good in the Horror vibe of Stephen King.
Am also assuming he has done the Lord of the Rings, but that should really be compulsary reading before anyone leaves secondary school

could he go to your local library and have a look for himself and see what kind of books he likes? then if he doesn't lke something you haven't forked out for it.

I'm not a dad or a boy, but I loved Nevil Shute at that age.

Iain Banks good. Martin Amis, or is that too grown up? I also really enjoyed autobiographies.

Did Nevil Shute do On The BEach ? I loved A Town like Alice..
also I remember giving my brother ( who only read things like Andy McNab SAS stuff ) a copy of Martin Amis's Dead Babies which he really liked - he was prob. a bit older though. How about A Kestrel for a Knave - Barry Hines ?

defintely Sharpe series - bernard Cornwell

I think Patrick O'Brian is quite heavy for a teenager (those I like them myself) I think of Sharpe as Obrian Lite!

maybe - my grandmother loved the Patrick O'Brian books which used to surprise me (she was in her 90s)