He started reading Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’ for school, came to me for help, so I shared an audiobook he could listen to while reading at the same time
He’s at page 63 and we’re planning on finishing it tonight at the time of posting
Great news is, he’s officially hooked on reading. Bad news is I don’t know where to go from here
I read ancient Greco-Roman classics, and classic sci-fi and fantasy. Stuff along the lines of Dan Simmons, Gene Wolfe, Dunsany, Leiber and Peake
Not only is my stuff above his reading level, (and not to his taste) he specifically said he doesn’t want ‘simple-story books’ like he’s read before, that being Diary of a Wimpy kid and Dog man
After, I’m gonna hand him Tolkien, Narnia, Earthsea and maybe Gilgamesh to keep him occupied long enough to get some more for him
I’m very happy that he’s finally enjoying reading for fun as much as me, and while it’s a bit of a challenge to avoid rolling my eyes when he’s deeply moved by Coelho’s ‘live-laugh-love’ esque philosophy, I don’t want to buy his other works
I would very much appreciate any recommendations that match my brother’s request of ‘more than simple story books, I want books with meaning’, that also keep his age in mind
I myself am at that Adult stage where I can’t remember children’s ages anymore, so I’m gonna say he’s 14 years old
So any ‘meaningful’ books that a 14 year old boy would like?
I know his attitude toward fiction might rub some of you the wrong way, but let’s excuse him, he’s young
by sultan9001
5 Comments
When I was 14 I loved ‘The Thief Of Always’
Its the only Clive Barker book I read that wasn’t gruesome. It’ actually has a positive message over all. Just have to tread through the mystery and fear to get there. Much like life.
I loved the Golden Compass at that age
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Hoot/Scat/Chomp by Carl Hiaasen if he likes animals.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin if he likes puzzles.
Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar for a book about a male protagonist navigating his freshman year of high school
>I would very much appreciate any recommendations that match my brother’s request of ‘more than simple story books, I want books with meaning’, that also keep his age in mind
* [The Graveyard Book](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2213661.The_Graveyard_Book), like The Jungle Book but about a human child raised by ghosts instead of jungle creatures.
* [The Book Thief](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19063.The_Book_Thief), about a young girl whose family shelters a Jewish man in WWII era Germany.
* [Lord of the Flies](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7624.Lord_of_the_Flies). I also read this for school and thought it was fascinating.
* [Blood Red Horse](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/398328.Blood_Red_Horse), historical fiction about the Crusades that I read for school.
* [The House of the Scorpion](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13376.The_House_of_the_Scorpion), sci fi but with lots of big ideas still suitable for teens.
* [A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54369251-a-wizard-s-guide-to-defensive-baking). He may be put off by the silly title, but this is a book that is definitely not simple and has meaning.
* [A Country of Ghosts](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58564202-a-country-of-ghosts), political speculative fiction that’s very similar in style to Ursula K. Le Guin’ adult books like The Dispossessed, but at a slightly lower reading level.
* [Running Out of Time](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227658.Running_Out_of_Time). I read this for school and liked it a lot. About a girl whose community sends her to get help when they become trapped in a eugenics experiment.
Books I loved at around his age:
* [Singularity](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24876.Singularity), sci fi coming of age.
* [Dragon and Thief](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216445.Dragon_and_Thief), first in a series. If he likes Star Wars at all, he may like this author who has also written about a billion Star Wars books.
* [Foundling](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210250.Foundling), first in a trilogy. Fantasy with *incredibly* unique worldbuilding. There’s illustrations by the author and a mini encyclopedia at the end of each book.
* [Sun of Suns](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77887.Sun_of_Suns), first in a series. Sci fi with *incredibly* unique worldbuilding, though not nearly as rich as Foundling.
* [Have Space Suit, Will Travel](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20417.Have_Space_Suit_Will_Travel). Sci fi about engineering.
* [Leviathan](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6050678-leviathan), WWI but if it was robots vs. monsters. Beautiful illustrations, and an afterword that explains the real history. I was a bit too old for it when I read it, but he may like it.
>I know his attitude toward fiction might rub some of you the wrong way, but let’s excuse him, he’s young
he sounds great.
he might like illusions by Richard bach. fair warning: I came to think Bach is a typical self-centered-asshole-turned-new-age-wift-merchant over time. the kind of guy who justifies all his own shit with “if that upsets you it’s because you *choose* to let it upset you”. but your little bro sounds like a thinker and he might like illusions for what it is anyway.
wind, sand, stars by Antoine de Saint-exupery. also night flight.
I often recommend Paul St Pierre’s collection Smith and Other Events. every story is unique, so if he dislikes one he can move on to the next. some are hilarious. some are dead serious. they all require you to really get your head around each character and some aspect of life. plus, hell discover one part of Canada.
if he likes animals, white fang and call of the wild by Jack London.
edit: adding a fine and private place by Peter S Beagle.