I just finished reading Julia Alvarez's Before We Were Free. This YA historical fiction takes places in the Dominican Republic in the 1960's when revolutionaries were plotting to murder Trujillo, their dictator.
It's written from 12 year old Anita's point of view and Alvarez does a fantastic job of deciphering clues through a 12 year old's eyes. She exacts Anita's fear, anxiety and joy.
I've read other "adult" novels by Alvarez, including Yo!, In the Time of Butterflies and How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. They are all amazing depictions of strong women of Dominican descent whose culture impacted them long after leaving the island.
My grandmother was Dominican, so Alvarez's work has always interested me. But if I had to label myself with a "type" when it comes to reading, I'm all about mainstream YA. Give me a Sarah Dessen novel and the shade of a palm tree and I won't move until the end.
What's your book "type"?
xoxo,
Suzanne
About Me
- Suzanne Casamento
- Author of Fingerprints, Choosing Tally, and All the Moments in Between. Tweet me @suzannecasamento
Hmmmm, I read mostly Stephen King adult books. I just got back from the library and brought back three picture books (for myself and of course the kids will read them) and Smekday so I'm into YA now. Humorous is always good too.
ReplyDeleteScience Fiction.
ReplyDeleteI'm drawn to historical fiction. Especially books that take place in India. I'm not sure why.
ReplyDeleteScience fiction and fantasy (but not so much high fantasy) at a MG/YA level. I love a good ghost story -- to read or write -- 2 of my 3 WIP's are ghost stories. And Kelly mentioned the next book in my to read pile (The True Meaning of Smekday)
ReplyDeletePicture books! Loved them as a kid and still love them as an adult.
ReplyDeleteWhen I buy books though, they're most often nonfiction about animals, parks, flowers, etc.
Historical novels are probably my favs, but I have thoroughly enjoyed nonfiction too.("Three Swans" a real story of 3 generations of Chinese women, was totally absorbing and "River of Doubt" about Teddy Roosevelt, read like fiction but was TRUE!) Reading about people in other cultures in the daily lives is also fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI also like novels that take place in your own "backyard".
I've always loved nonfiction..."The Year of Magical Thinking" and "The Glass Castle" are among my favorites. I also love anything funny - fiction or not...anything by Jenn Lancaster keeps me laughing page after page.
ReplyDeleteI love travel memoirs that include an element of humor!
ReplyDeleteI like autobiographies. Also picture books for the storytelling sessions with kids.
ReplyDeleteMysteries and thrillers; most especially about serial killers and by great authors like Greg Iles, Michael Connelly, Jeffrey Deaver, etc. But I'm also into Nelson DeMille and Pat Conroy who are more mainstream.
ReplyDeleteExcellent writing is my criteria.
Political and historical. Anything by David Horowitz. He's the son of communist immagrants from Russia which led him to become a marxist and leader of the New Left in the 60's. He is now a leader in the conservative movement and his insight of the left is unmatched. His autobiography Radical Son is the most honest read ever.
ReplyDeleteEclectic. I love contemporary YA, but I also love Chuck Pahlaniuk, John Irving, Sue Grafton, etc. One of my favorite things to do is to discover new authors in the New Fiction hardcover section at the bookstore, too. I start reading first paragraphs, and if I can't stop, I wind up buying.
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