I can totally relate- this was a tough reading period for my DD as well. All her friends seemed to love the YA stuff and she couldn't stand most of it. I also think we had some (subconscious) resistance to anything mom-reccomended...
I love polarbear's suggestions for sources; there are also good lists to be found on goodreads and other book sites, but you have to dig around to find what suits your needs. Also, you have probably tried this, but cultivating a relationship with a good librarian is priceless.
I know this is YA, but has she read The Book Thief? Another, that i believe is listed as "adult" fiction but is similar, is All the Light We Cannot See (Doerr). Both are Holocoaust/WW2 themed, but with great characters and beautiful writing.
What about Geraldine Brooks? I love her work; Year of Wonders is great, but she might enjoy People of the Book, Caleb's Crossing. I remeber enjoying March, but don't rmember it well enough to know if one has to have read Little Women first to really get it.
Definitely second Agatha Christie and PG Wodehouse, Amy Tan. DH recommended Michael Chrichton and Tom Clancy to our kids- i haven't read them so can't comment directly.
Peter Mayle has some lively, light travel stories, like a Year in Provence, which might be fun.
I have not yet gotten DD to read Barbara Kingsolver, but think she would love her work. I loved Poisonwood Bible, but would have to revisit it to make sure there is nothing objectionable- off the top of my head i think it would be fine.
Some random thoughts-
Abraham Vergese's My Own Country (about an Indian Infectious disease physician's alienation and assimilation into a Tenessee community, but also about the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic, so depends on your comfort with that).
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks- not fiction, but a great story (but is centered around cervical cancer and racial issues).
Life of Pi- kind of dense, with a lot of religious ruminations in the first part, but my DS is enjoying the philosophical ideas.
The Selected Works of TS Spivet- about a 12yo cartographer, kind of convoluted, but uses imagry/illustration heavily, visually really neat.
Louise Erdrich, Margaret Drabble- it's been a while since i read their work, but i think it would be appropriate.
Three Bags Full (Swann)- a mystery told from the perspective of a flock of sheep; quirky, funny.
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society- a great British character story set during WW2
The Help- you might need to read to check, but i don't think there is anything objectionable in it (other than a lot of racism); my DD loved it, and must have been fairly young, because she had to ask what sh*t meant (and it's integral to the story...)
Ruth Reichl, Garlic and Sapphires (non-fiction, but a great read about her time as a NYT food critic) and Delicious, a novel
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle- beautiful writing, about a boy's deep comnection with his dog, but too slow for my DD at that age
Donna Leon mysteries- set in Venice, wonderful characters and descriptions, murders, but fairly gentle/benign violence-wise
I can check in DD's room for more favorites when she gets up, but that's all i've got for now. Good luck!
Last edited by cricket3; 08/31/15 05:35 AM.
