What are some really great books for an overacheiver teen?

Question

Ive read lots of books that have touched me. Im looking for really inspirational, easy-to-read, surprising, unpredictable, "interesting" books to read this summer. I dont mind fantasy. I just dont prefer it. The only kind I dont mind reading is Harry Potter. I love real-life situations. Any ideas?

Answer 1

If you truly are an overachiever, then you shouldn't settle for an "easy" read. That being said, "Ceremony" by Leslie Marmon Silko is an amazing read, my senior AP students read it this last year and they all loved it. Also, another great book is "Night" by Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Peace Prize winner. It is short and quick, very good, but very very sad.

Another good, easy, but very funny book is "Good Omens" by Terry Prachett and Neil Gaimon - it's about an angel and a demon teaming up to stop the apocalypse - laugh out loud funny - as are Terry Prachett's Disc World Series (at least 25 of the by now...if not many more). He's hilarious.

Answer 2

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a definite. The book is better then the film, so don't say you know what happens! He He! ;) I read it when I was 12

Night by Elie Wiesel. You can only read this one if you are mature. It is kind of gruesome, and not something to laugh about. I read it when I was 12.

You might want to try Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, but I couldn't finish it at 13, and I WAS an over achiever. Now I have and its great though!

Read the Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank even if its below your level. It is touching and mature in theme, if not in style. I read it when I was 11.5

Have you read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott? If you haven't do! It is touching about family and love. If you have, read the 2 companions: Little Men and Jo's Boys. I read the first when I was 11, the other two 11.5.

Read some poetry! I recomend the works of Poe, especially Annabel Lee! He is haunting and beautiful, I think you would enjoy it. I read a short book of his poems at 12.

You will probably LOVE Emma by Jane Austen! It is hilarious! I read it at 13... (You might as well get The Complete Novels of Jane Austen! And it does exist.... 1,142 pages!)

Try The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. FABULOUS! It is fast paced but good. It has excelent suspense and not too much romance. I read it at 12.

READ YOUR SUMMER READING BOOK!!! At such an advanced reading level, you probably have assigned reading. If you read it at 9, read it again! You will pick up more info! A tip: READ IT ALONE! DON'T read it while juggling other books, YOU WILL GET CONFUSED!

P.S.: If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, there are many sequels (including the one I am working on!) I reccomend Pemberley by Emma Tennant. There is also a trilogy telling it from Darcy's view point. It's called Fitzwilliam Darcy: Gentleman. I have yet to start the trilogy, but hear it is fabulous! Reminder to read the first P&P before Pemberley and Trilogy! A smart girl like you dosn't need reminding, but just so I said it! LOL! Happy Reading!

Answer 3

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien is a great book. It's easy to read, really makes you think, and easy to relate to. It's a wonderful book and is based on the author's own experiences in the Vietnam War. It's simple, yet complicated. Totally recommend this book.

The Night by Elie Wiesel is about the author's experiences in the Holocaust when he about 16. Another awesome book. Very emotional.

Some other ones are The Kite Runner, Anne Rice novels, Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons (if you haven't read them yet), Memoirs of a Geisha.

You can go to the Barnes and Noble or Amazon sites to look at books and read reviews. Here are some "recommendations" from the site. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bookstore/index_cds2.asp?PID=10783&z=y

Bestsellers
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bestsellers/top100.asp?PID=3950&z=y

Answer 4

Try books by Francis Parkinson Keyes. She wrote during the 40's and 50's. Particular favorites are: Came a Cavalier, Crescent Carnival, Dinner at Antoine's, Blue Camellia, Steamboat Gothic, The Heritage and more. They are all out of print but your local should have copies of them. Sometimes you can also find them in paperback book stores. All of these books are inspirational without being preachy. Ms. Keyes has the ability to make you feel that you are truly part of the story. Enjoy your summer.

Answer 5

I just finished "Middlesex" by Jeffery Eugenides and I can't stop talking about it. I am a social relations major, so this sociological book really hit the spot for me. It is about a family with some gene disorders and how it effects the little girl. I would tell you more, but I don't want to give it away!
Also, anything by Steinbeck is GREAT and for a bonus will probably get you a head for school. East of Eden and Cannery Row are 2 of my favs. Anyways, eventhough they give you the classics to read for school, they really are good books. We study them and look up to them in high school and college because they are great. Some of my very favorite books and classics, Steinbeck, Austen, and even Twain.
Good luck.
Also, for something that feels classic with a modern twist try some Bret Easton Ellis. Right now I am reading "American Psycho," but one I've already read is called "Less Than Zero." He pretty much writes about spoiled rich kids in LA who waste their lives doing drugs all day. Then usually his part in the novel is the outsider that can see their misfortune. Good stuff.

Answer 6

"Jude The Obscure", Thomas Hardy's best, and least celebrated work, displaying how desire is the core element that forms any personal tragedy.

"A Separate Peace", displaying how life is composed of certain types of knowledge that only time and maturity can begin to comprehend.

"A Wrinkle In Time", we are linked together, yet we seldom clearly see those closest to us.

"The Dubliners", (short stories) by James Joyce. In this time of hyper obese celebrity, we need to be reminded that life is composed of small people, doing small things, while nobly trying to survive the crippling decisions of those around us.

... and lastly ... as you probably already know: any real book lover, as well as any truly great book, both meet at the crossroads of the second and third reading. In other words, these are all books you can read at least twice.

Answer 7

Dresden file book series by Jim Butcher.There are 8 books in the series beginning with stormfront.It narrates the story of Harry Dresden,chicago's only professional wizard.He stands between the general population who is ignorant about the supernatural world and the monsters-vampires,werewolves,fey.He is aided by Bob,a talking skull.Karrin Murphy-a police officer and Thomas-a white court vampire.

Count of Montecristo by Alexander Dumas.Its about a young French sailor who was unjustly imprisoned for 14 years before he escapes and ultimately takes revenge on his enemies.The author did a great job describing the emotions of the prisoner.Disbelief,denial,self pity,madness,apathy and finally hope.

The door to december by Dean Koontz.A psychiatrist's daughter was kidnapped by her ex-husband years ago. When the daughter is finally found, the real fight begins. One by one the people who held her captive become mysteriously tortured and killed. Everyone is afraid the young girl will be next.

The mystery unravels as to what happened to the young girl while she was kidnapped. The young girl, Melanie, is unable to speak, but her mother soon learns that the young girl went through extreme torture as her father used her for a rat in his experiments.

Answer 8

Isabel Allende has a series of books for teens full of interesting characters: City of the Beasts, The Kingdom of the Golden Dragon, Forest of the Pygmies. I really think you'd like them:

For synopsis on the first book to see if you're interested go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_the_Beasts

Answer 9

When i was 18 i loved 'The 7 habits of Highly Effective Teens' by Sean Covey. its really cool. but that was like 9 years ago.. :P AND Jane Eyre is a good read - it should be made compulsory to ALL teenage girls obsessed with physical attractiveness. Also, if u are really ambitious, read religious books (of various religions), and ONLY THOSE WRITTEN by BELIEVERS of such religion. This will allow u true perspective of that religion. Happy Reading !

Answer 10

"A Child Called It" and any other books by Dave Pelzer are about his abusive childhood and some of the tortures his mother put him through. It is quite remarkable and moving. The fact that he could sit down and write these books about terrible incidents like that is quite amazing. For instance, his mother forced his head into a dirty diaper for no reason. She also made him lie naked in the bathtub for hours, leaving only his nose above water.