What would you recommend for a teenager’s take-along reading?
Since, like most people, I spend a lot of time waiting around for various things, I figured I should find some good reading to take along with me. I’m an older teen, but please note that I tend to lack patience with young adult fiction that lacks depth… (yes, maybe not-so-unfortunately, this definitely includes the ridiculous Twilight craze).
I’m looking mostly to become more acquainted with the classics, but I’m also looking for something a little more-fast paced. For instance, The Count of Monte Cristo is my absolute favorite. Jane Eyre is another of my favorites, although it’s maybe a little slower-paced than what I’m after right now.
There are a lot of you seasoned readers here on Yahoo Answers, so I thought I’d tap your experience. What are your recommendations?
Also, if you have any ideas about good short stories, they’d be very welcome! (Possibly something along the lines of Kafka?)
Ooh, if you liked Monte Cristo definitely check out more Dumas, especially The Three Musketeers. And I also second the recommendation for The Catcher in the Rye.
More classics that I’ve read lately… Try W. Somerset Maugham. I haven’t read much by him but I just finished Cakes and Ale and I really enjoyed it.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is one of the few war novels I’ve read and really enjoyed. If you’re interested in that at all check this one out.
Death Be Not Proud by John Gunther is one of the saddest books I’ve ever read. It’s a memoir written by a father about his son who develops a brain tumor.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is one of my favorite classics since I read it this summer. This book stays with you after you read it.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote – So good. Possibly as good or better than the movie, although the movie was fantastic. If you liked the movie, read this book.
Not a classic, but if you liked Jane Eyre you NEED to read Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series starting with The Eyre Affair. One of the funniest and smartest books I’ve read in a long time. Plus, there are several sequels! None of which are quite as good but which satisfied my cravings 
I am also an older teen who has a lot of impatience with idiotic teen fiction (aka the Twilight series…. yuck). Here are the teen novels I’ve read recently that I’ve actually enjoyed:
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan – perhaps not extremely deep, but it was a love story that I could get into – it didn’t involve any abusive vampire boyfriends or whiny girls from Forks, which was nice.
The Book Thief and I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak – Mr. Zusak here is definitely one of my new favorite authors. These two novels represent the highest tier in young adult fiction, in my opinion: well-written, well-thought-out novels written for teens with the quality that can appeal to adults too.
Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines by John Green – I love these books. Try them! He has a new one, Paper Towns, out as well but I haven’t read it yet. It’s on hold at the library, though.
King Dork by Frank Portman – Read this after you read The Catcher in the Rye. So, so funny.
For short stories…. I don’t read a ton, but I am a fan of O. Henry and James Joyce (check out Dubliners) and Edgar Allen Poe’s always good for a creepy reading.
This should be enough to hold you for awhile. Hope this helps! It sounds like we have similar reading taste and I hope you enjoy my recommendations.
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