My cousin's reading choices?

Question

My 14 year old cousin really likes to read, which is great. The problem is, her genre choice is Christian teen fiction, which sounds like a load of crap. Its great that she's learning values that she feels are important, but it seems like her reading is exclusive to this genre. She also reads Harry Potter, so thankfully has heard some good stories, but this still leaves the problem of being unexposed to good writing, if that makes sense. She is a very smart girl, in all advanced classes, so can anyone reccomend a book that will be entertaining like HP, but perhaps better written. Something that is engrossing but presents more of a challenge for her, I guess is what I am looking for. She is about to start reading Eragon, which is in my opinion one of the worst books ever written. I'd really like to be able to reccommend something better for her to read. Obviously, it needs to be relativley "clean". Sorry if this doesn't make much sense, but I'm really busy right now. :)

By the way, she's not the one asking the question, I am. I will be suggesting to her the choices I find. Oh, and unfortunately I can't recommend His Dark Materials because of the anti-religious theme.

I said that HP is NOT good writing. I said it is a good story. I am looking for books for her that will have a good story (like HP) but have a more elevated style of writing.

Maybe that was a bit too strong to say that Christian fiction is a load of crap. Really what I meant is that she needs to be exposed to better writing and more original stories. I have not read the Left Behind series though, but from what I've hear it isn't that bad.

She has read the Narnia books, as have I.

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And for the last time, I LOVE HP! In no way is it indispensible. Despite the fact that Rowlings writing doesn't rival Tolkien, it is a very good story. :)

I just realized in my previous edit I said that HP is in no way indispensible. I meant to say it IS indispendible then started to say it was in no way dispensible. So what I meant to say is HP is not dispensible. :) I really need to read over what I write before I post. :) LOL

No, I don't necessarily want her to move away from the Christian thing. Just the crap she is currently reading.

Answer 1

First, thank you! Eragon and its popularity annoy me. It's just such GENERIC fantasy, and kind of poorly written.
Let's see... books:
Anne McCaffrey is great. She writes great fantasy. I recommend the Dragonrider series, or Acorna. I read a lot of those at 14. Her Freedom series is also good, or the series starting with "To Ride Pegasus."
I liked Irene Radford at that age, though a read her books in such quick succession that I hardly remember what the individual books are about. More dragons.
I recommend Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card to any one. It remains one of my favorite books.
Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a lot of fun.
The Giver and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowrey. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury...
I also love The Snow Queen and The Summer Queen by Joan D. Vinge, which are extremely well written.

Answer 2

Terry Pratchett, Discworld. Appeal for any age. You have to be a pretty intelligent tween to really understand it, but anyone can enjoy it... Equal Rites is about witches, sort of, but it's not earth, and it's not traditional, it isn't like a heathen thing. It should broaden her horizons, it's really about female empowerment. Do it. Christian Teen fiction sounds like garbage.

Also Eragon is REALLY awful.


EDIT:

C.S. Lewis is obviously amazing, but I was thinking you wanted to move away from the Christian thing a little. The Hobbit is also a great book to read in your teen years.

Again, Eragon is REALLY awful.

Answer 3

There are some very good fictional books in the christian YA relm. The left behind series is well respected.

Remember: all books tell morals. These are the themes. A theme in the outsiders is "Family is impoprtant" and "violence doesn't solve problems" Almost all themes involve the way you should live your life. The only difference is that christian YA looks at the bible directly.

Answer 4

If she likes fantasy, has she tried the Dragon series of books by Anne McCaffrey? Dragon Flight, Dragon Song, Dragon Singer etc.She has, of course, tried J R R Tolkien ? The Hobbit. I first read Lord of the Rings at 15. Mind u, since when has HP been good writing? If she likes Christian writing, has she tried the Left Behind series, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins. I ama committed Christian ,so I must declare an interest. Why is her choice of genre a load of cr-p?
Hope this helps, and God bless u.

Answer 5

C.S. Lewis is the go-to guy when it comes to Christian fantasy. He's a wonderful writer, and his work (unlike Rowling's) actually spans from children's literature (the Chronicles of Narnia) to adult literature (the hilarious satire The Screwtape Letters).

You are correct about Eragon and Harry Potter being more or less disposable, but Lewis is indispensable.

Answer 6

the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
Children of the River by Linda Crew
the Uglies trilolgy by Scott Westerfeld

Answer 7

Well those are you're oppinions but she likes what she likes many people think Eragon was a great book it just depends what you like and just because you dont like these books doesnt mean they are bad books, but there are a few books i think she may like
-the seven songs of merlin by T.A. Barron-The Knight, the Harp and the Maiden by Anne K Bush-A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L'Engle-Fahrenheit 451 by Rap Bradbury

hope that helps

Answer 8

Phillip Pullman's Trilogy.

Answer 9

I think that you should leave her alone and let her make her own reading decisions. Would you like it if someone started telling you what kind of books to read? Or what kinds of movies to watch, or music to listen to?

Different people have different tastes, and if she enjoys her choices then let her be.

Answer 10

eragon is awesome, my favorite book, i'm not going to give you any suggestions because you have insulted me, a lot of people will think this too