Question:
Would you recommend either of the books 'Dear John' or 'The Lovely Bones' to a 14 yr-old?
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:11:38 UTC
I'm fourteen, love to read, and need some new books.
I've heard of both 'Dear John' and 'The Lovely Bones' before they became movies, but now that they're movies (which would mean they're very popular,) I'm more interested in taking a look at them.

I'm trying to get out of the teen genre and into adult fiction. Do you recommend these books? Why or why not?
Do you have any other book recommendations?
Twenty answers:
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:48:20 UTC
Hey there!

Well, I'm also fourteen, and I actually read 'The Lovely Bones' when I was twelve. I did enjoy it and I do recommend it because I think the plot is pretty original and it's a great read. The movie was really good too, although a bit different.

I guess it just depends on your maturity level (because there is some mature content in it) and what kind of books that you're into.



I haven't read 'Dear John' myself, but Nicholas Sparks is a very talented author (I loved 'the Notebook'), so it's on my to-read list.



I say that you should read them both anyway, because you'll never know unless you try. =]



These are just some of my favourite books which I definitely recommend. I'll attempt to write a short blurb about each of the novels (but they won't do the books justice):



1) 'The Time Traveler's Wife' - Audrey Niffenegger.

The Time Traveler's Wife is about how a man, called Henry, and his wife, Clare, try to cope and live normal lives although Henry has a genetic disorder; he unpredictably and involuntarily time travels which often leads to risky events.



2) 'Noughts and Crosses' - Malorie Blackman.

Callum and Sephy are best friends. But Callum is a nought (a second-class citizen), and Sephy is a superior Cross, and Noughts and Crosses simply don't mix, therefore their relationship is frowned upon by society.



3) 'Pride and Prejudice' - Jane Austen

The classic tale about the middle-class Elizabeth Bennet and high-class Mr Darcy. When Elizabeth first meets him, she thinks that he is arrogant and rude, after he snubs her (without realising that she was in hearing range). Mr Darcy, however, finds himself increasingly attracted to her.



4) 'The Book Thief' - Markus Zusak

Narrated by death itself, this book is very original. It is about a girl, Liesel, living in Nazi Germany. She finds a book in the snow near where her brother was buried and from then onwards, starts to fall in love with books and begins to understand the power of words.



5) 'Memoirs of a Geisha' - Arthur Golden.

You'll find yourself in 20th century Japan while reading this extraordinary story about geishas, and the life of one geisha in particular, an orphan, Sayuri.



6)'My Sister's Keeper' - Jodi Picoult.

Anna Fitzgerald was genetically engineered to be the perfect genetic match to her older sister, Kate, who was diagnosed with leukemia, at the age of two. Certain parts of Anna's body have been donated to Kate, but when she is thirteen, and Kate needs a new kidney in order to survive, Anna decides to sue her parents for making her donate her body parts to Kate against her own will.



They are all remarkable novels, and are very well-written. However, the first, second and fifth do have some adult scenes, so be warned. ('The Time Traveler's Wife' especially)



Hope this helps!

Happy reading. =]
Danielle
2010-01-29 14:04:48 UTC
The "Lovely Bones" was undoubtedly an amazing novel. There were so many underlying literary themes, and that is what made it so relatable. I wont say that it is not suitable for a fourteen year old, but I would caution you, this book is definitely not as light as the "teen" genre.



I had a friend who read "Dear John", and she liked it. She said that if you like "The Notebook", it is reminiscent of Spark's old writing style. As I said, I did not read this, my friend did. However, I am going to say that this is appropriate for a fourteen year old.



By the way, I think that you should read the books before you see the movie, because let's face it, the books are always better. :)



Happy Reading!
(: Fortune Cookie :)
2010-01-28 18:20:39 UTC
I'm 14, too, so I know how you feel. Both are very good books, and I would recommend them. It just depends on the type of person you are, really. If you think you would be okay reading that, then, yes, you should read them. If you're questioning if you're ready, then maybe not. But I think you should(: I'd recommend taking a look at reviews or summaries if you want to know more about either books. Check them out, though, read a few chapters, and see what you think. If you are interested, keep reading, if not, don't keep reading. It's not worth spending weeks and weeks on a book that you're not interested in, because that's what will happen.
DON'T EAT ME!
2010-01-28 18:15:27 UTC
Haven't read Dear John, but The Lovely Bones was amazing. However, if you have a hard time with sad books, don't read it, it's very tough to get through.
ComicStix
2010-01-31 07:10:09 UTC
Twilight! Oops wrong answer. Maybe the lovely bones if you like a sad but good book. Or Dear John if you like a sappy O.K book that has love.
Sommer
2010-01-28 18:18:10 UTC
I've read them both. I liked Dear John better than The Lovely Bones. They are both really sad and will probably make you cry (they did with me). But they are both defiantly worth reading!



Some other books I suggest:

Vampire Academy series

Blue Bloods series

The Hunger Games
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:17:21 UTC
yes, i would, although it depends if there are some parts in there that are "gross" to you. but, i have seen the movies and they are really good. so im sure the books are better! i reccomend them because i know people that have read the lovely bones, and it has an amazing story. it will really get your heart pumping, and dear john is just sweet, i've heards it'll make you cry cuz its so good. =3
foxyswagmastap.
2010-01-28 18:15:44 UTC
oh my gosh i read the lovely bones and it was such a page turner, i must say the book was far more better than the movie (it always is) haha but yes i am 14 too and i loved it and same with dear john, both of those books are fabulous!
ajscorpion7
2010-01-30 19:38:02 UTC
the lovely bones..its about a 14 year old girl also.. and gives you a whole new vision of life.. your a bit to young to be reading stories like dear john :)
anonymous
2010-01-30 17:16:06 UTC
Yes! I was wanting to read those before the movies came out.

They're still on my list.

I just watched The Lovely Bones tonight with my friends and it was really good!

:D
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:17:17 UTC
no idea about dear john, but the lovely bones is a great piece of literature. Sad, but well written its good to see more teen like myself reading avidly!
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:16:36 UTC
The Lovely Bones deals with a rape/murder and is actually pretty graphic... I would never recommend it for a 14 year-old... I read it my freshman year in college, it's not something I'd give to anyone at that age.



I do not know about 'Dear John'.
N!C0L3 <3
2010-01-29 13:56:11 UTC
i am also 14 and i just started reading dear john and so far its really good i recomend it. as for lovely bones i have not read that one and do not plan on reading it
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:16:06 UTC
i read the lovely bones before it was a movie and fell in love with it, its powerful and tells a story unlike any other and is a Beautiful explanation of what heaven should be, the ending is a nice simple and sweet one
<3
2010-01-28 18:42:34 UTC
neither

dear john has cussing and violence and a sex part

and the lovely bones is a bit scary and very harsh there is a good lesson in it, but maybe at this point in their lives, the lesson just needs to be said, not read in such a detailed manner

maybe when he or she is older
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:14:52 UTC
Debbie does Dallas
anonymous
2010-01-28 18:18:17 UTC
the lovely bones
Layla
2010-01-28 18:15:21 UTC
lovely bones, hold me tight
wondering?..
2010-01-29 12:40:25 UTC
DEAR JOHNNN!!!!!!

amazingggggg booooooook!!!!!!
christie
2010-01-28 18:14:12 UTC
neither one


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