Books: Perfect Picks For Science Fiction and Fantasy Readers

They say that romance books are the bestselling genre. But sci-fi and fantasy books don't seem to do too bad when it comes to sales. If I were to choose, I would go with fantasy over sci-fi. But I'm not the one choosing. You are! So here are a few picks recommended by a professional reviewer and moi! Maybe you'll see something that interests you.

BOOKS: Romance Novels are the Best Selling Book Genre: Here are 4 Novels for Your Reading List

Did you know that: Romance is the best-selling book genre in the English language.

That being said, to explore the topic further, the question you must ask is:  What “type” of romance novel do you enjoy reading? 

• The Subgenres of Romance | Writing-World

My preference is historical romance, set in say the 16th to 19th century, in Europe, with an intense plot that keeps you engaged, a passionate romance that unfolds, and where you also learn little tidbits and trivia about life during that period of history.

Here are four (4) romance novel you should add to your reading list:

- A Rose in Winter - Set in 1792 England. Erienne Fleming's father forces her into an arranged marriage with the mysterious and disfigured Lord Saxton to settle his gambling debts. It's almost like a beauty and the beast tale. She begin to see the gentle side of her husband and is drawn to him, although she's never seen him in the daylight. But Erienne also meets Christopher Seton, a handsome American, and is attracted to him. Can she be in love with another man and betray her husband? She feels strongly toward both of them. But which one does she truly love?

- Shanna - Shanna Trahern, makes a desperate attempt to avoid an arranged marriage by contracting a marriage with Ruark Beauchamp, a condemned prisoner, facing the gallows. She reasons she’ll be a widow in a short time, and her father can not easily marry her off. As a widow, she has a certain liberty. However, Ruark does not die. He manages to escape and decides to find Shanna and claim her as his wife. She is legally his wife.

- Skye O'Malley - Skye O'Malley, is a beautiful and strong-willed Irish heiress, who is forced into a marriage with a brutish lout. On her wedding night, the lord claims the droit du seigneur ('right of the lord'), meaning he can be the first to bed the virgin. The lord wanted to do more than bed her, he wanted her for his own. But Skye's life is filled with dramatic twists and turns. She encounters several lovers. At the beginning of the novel, she was a young innocent teenager. By the end of the novel, she was 28 years old and had lived quite an adventurous life, pirates and all!

- The Velvet Promise - Set in 1502 England. A marriage is arranged between Judith Revedoune, a noblewoman, and Gavin Montgomery, a powerful and handsome lord. Their relationship does not get off to a good start, but once they worked through their misunderstandings, they fall in love. Finding their path to happiness is not easy, but once Judith and Gavin learn to trust and love each other, they develop a heartfelt and enduring romance.

(Book cover images found on Good Reads)

Book Suggestions for Those Who Love to Read Ghost Stories

Do you love to read ghost stories?  

If so you might appreciate these suggestions.

PETER ACKROYD

Peter Ackroyd is an award-winning writer. He’s a poet, a biographer, a historian, and a mystery writer. He is prolific.  He even writes ghost stories!  The English Ghost: Spectres Through Time is one of his most popular writings.

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CHARLES DICKENS

Almost everyone knows "A Christmas Carol" is the most famous ghost story written by Charles Dickens. But did you know he wrote lots of other ghost stories?

"Throughout his literary career, he wrote more than two dozen ghost stories, many of which appearing as smaller tales tucked into larger novels, including The Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, and Nicholas Nickleby."  (Source)

The publishers of Oldstyle Tales Press describe their blog as "The Classic Horror Blog".  They published a list of "7 Best Ghost Stories by Charles Dickens (Not Including 'A Christmas Carol')".  But none on this list were buried inside another story.  There is one Dickens' tale that is credited with inspiring Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart.

• Charles Dickens Was a 'Fascinated Skeptic' of the Supernatural | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine
• Complete Ghost Stories of Charles Dickens (Wordsworth Classics)

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SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is beloved for his the fictional sleuth he crested, Sherlock Holmes. But he also published ghost stories. Much like Dickens he had a fascination with the paranormal or supernatural.  Unlike Dickens he is recognized by many as "the writer of one of English literature's best ghost stories".  He has even written "true" ghost stories, i.e. "supernatural non-fiction by Arthur Conan Doyle: "The Ghost of The Moat" & "A London Ghost".

The Midnight Reading: Two (Tru - Fireside Mystery Theatre - Apple Podcasts

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Read these ghost stories any time/ Don't wait for Halloween.

Article Writing Jobs ~ Movies, Music and Books: That's My Entertainment! (UPDATE)

Unfortunately, this writing site shut down.  

The content was republished and the links below are updated or go to the archived web copies of my articles.  

Apologies for the inconvenience.

I enjoy writing and sharing my entertainment articles around the web.  Several articles have been published at Article Writing Jobs.  Here's the links.  Enjoy!

My Top 5 Picks for Contemporary Female Violinists  ✔ 

Five (5)British Mystery TV Series Worth Watching (and Re-watching)   ✔  

NewlywedMoms Should Read Romance Novels   ✔  

Four (4) Recommended Authors of Books Written for Young Adults   ✔  

Music Appreciation: The Harmony of Human Voices   ✔  

Life of Pi - Actor Suraj Sharma   ✔  

My 3 Favorite Cary Grant Movies   ✔  

Come WithMe on My Star Trek Adventures   ✔  

Three (3) Engaging Book Series for Young Readers

People make distinctions between Gen Z kids, Gen X kids, etc. Kids are kids. No matter what generation, all kids should be encouraged to read. Here are 3 book series young readers might enjoy. AGREE?

AI_Generated Image Created Using DreamUP AI Art Tool

The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence 

The goal of the author was to teach students about life in ancient Rome. She accomplished her goal by incorporating mysteries, set during the period of the Roman Empire, that four intelligent, adventurous, and curious kids solved on their own. 

Meet the kids:

• Flavia Gemina, the daughter of a wealthy sea captain;
• Nubia, an African girl who was a princess before being captured by slave traders;
• Jonathan ben Mordecai, a Jewish/Christian boy; 
• Lupus: a mute beggar boy.

This book series won awards, was adapted for television, and many episodes are on YouTube.

Redwall by Brian Jacques (1939–2011) 

There are 22 novels but the TV series was based on only 3 of those novels: “Redwall”, “Mattimeo”, and “Martin the Warrior”. The anthropomorphic animal characters are peaceful creatures who inhabit Redwall Abbey and the Mossflower Wood countryside, must rise to the call and become warriors to defend themselves. As expected in troubling times, a hero emerges known as Martin the Warrior. This book series was adapted as an animated series. Many episodes are on YouTube.

Chronicles of the Stone Series by Fiona Ingram 

These tales written for children were inspired by the author’s own family trip to Egypt. In ancient Egypt, a scarab was a gem cut in the form of a scarab beetle, often engraved with hieroglyphs on the flat underside. They were mainly used as amulets and impression seals. This series is a trilogy and in Book 1 readers are introduced to Adam and Justin Sinclair, a 5000-year-old mystery. The 2 young boys are searching for the 7 ancient Stones of Power.

Books: American Literature: Louisa May Alcott (1832 – 1888)

In Memory Of Louisa May Alcott (Nov 29, 1832 – Mar 6, 1888).

Image credit: Amazon.com

This blog post is in celebration of her birthday. Most people know her as the author of "Little Women", which was adapted for film several times. The film adaptation I remember starred Elizabeth Taylor, released in 1949. There was a much later remake with Winona Rider, { Little Women (Collector's Series) }.  Of course, Ms. Alcott wrote many more novels and poetry; and she also did other interesting things in her life during a time when the movements, actions, and decisions of women were restricted or limited.  She is worthy of double honor.

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania and she had three sisters. Her father made sure that they were all educated. Louisa began her writing career publising poetry and short stories. She used a pen name, Flora Fairfield. Before she became famous she also published Gothic thrillers under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard. At the age of 35, in 1868, she published “Little Women”, an autobiography, which was an overnight success and has become a classic. Her company of friends included successful authors Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.

Her life was far from glamorous and sophisticated, but she lived a life worthy of admiration. She volunteered as a nurse to serve during the Civil War; however contracted typhoid fever and was sent home. She was a suffragette and in 1879 when the laws were passed allowing women to vote in Concord, Massachusetts, she was the first woman who registered to vote. She never married and her health was very poor. Nevertheless she took care of her parents when they were ill until their deaths, and adopted and cared for her niece when her sister died. Louis May Alcott died of a stroke, two days after her father's death. She was 55 years old.

• LOUISA MAY ALCOTT Ultimate Collection: 16 Novels & 150+ Short Stories, Plays and Poems (Illustrated): Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys, ... The Abbot's Ghost, A Garland for Girls...

• A Merry Christmas: And Other Christmas Stories (Penguin Christmas Classics)  A treasury of treasured holiday tales written by Louisa May Alcott, painting a vivid picture of Christmas in America during the 19th century.

glitter-graphics.com

Useful Parenting Tips From Dr. Seuss' Books

Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904–1991), aka Dr. Seuss, understood how children need to be carefully taught about the world and motivated to be the best that they can be. Are you are raising or influencing the minds of young children? Below is a friend link to my article published via Medium.com.  These 5 Seuss quotes are very helpful.

5 Insightful and Positive Dr. Seuss Quotes That Are Useful Parenting Tips

Books and Movies: The Beginnings of Science Fiction

Science fiction is a very popular book genre.

But sci-fi wasn’t always accepted as “real writing”.

Sharing an interesting fact about the beginning of science fiction; how it developed into a recognized and respected form of 20th-century literature. 

Though science fiction enjoys a wide audience of readers today, it’s not the type of story that suits my reading preferences. Would much rather watch a well-done film adaptation of a sci-fi novel. Why? Because a lot of the language in sci-fi books is too complicated for me. (Everybody’s brain works differently.) But to see an apocalyptic catastrophe on the big screen? I totally get it! Additionally, extreme relief washes over me to know that the event is just a product of a writer’s detailed research and his or her overactive imagination. Whew! So it’s great that science fiction book writers have a loyal fan base because, later on, their novels might be made into fantastic movies!

If you are a sci-fi book fan, this information likely comes as no revelation, but it was news to me! According to Kingsley Amis, there are three literary works thought of as precursors of OR that in some way created an opening for the Sci-Fi genre to find its way into the hearts of book lovers:

1. Voltaire’s Micromégas;
2. Shakespeare’sThe Tempest; and
3. Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.

Jonathan Swift’s Lilliputians? OK. I think a land of little people sounds like science fiction. But François-Marie Arouet, aka Voltaire, and William Shakespeare? Writers of sci-fi? Not so sure that I agree. At any rate, Amis published his survey of science fiction in 1960.

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REF: Amis, Kingsley W. New Maps of Hell. New York: Ballantine, 1960.

♦

Other Links of Interest:

• Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745)
• François-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire (1694 – 1778)
• William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)
• Sir Kingsley William Amis, CBE (1922 – 1995)

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Original Source

Book or Film Adaptation: Classic Thriller: Night of the Fox by Jack Higgins

This post is a recommendation of three (3) books written by British author Jack Higgins (1929 - ), who is aptly described as "...one of the best-selling authors of popular thrillers and espionage novels."  I thought the excerpt from one of those books was a great way to pique your interest. 

“Rommel.” Hitler smiled a ghastly smile that was almost one of triumph.

“So, the Desert Fox wishes to play games.”

“I’m almost certain of it.”

“The people’s hero,” Hitler said. “We must handle him carefully, wouldn’t you say?”

“Or outfox him, my Fuhrer,” Himmler said softly.

“Outfox him. Outfox the Desert Fox.” Hitler smiled delightfully.“Yes, I like that, Reichsfuhrer. I like that very much indeed.”

♦ The dialogue above is extracted from “Night of the Fox”, a novel by Jack Higgins.


Almost everybody knows Harry Patterson better known as Jack Higgins. He is an international bestselling suspense thrilling author who is among the world’s most popular writers. He is remembered by many for his novel, “The Eagle Has Landed” (1975); but his book “Night of the Fox” (1986) is equally as impressive. Though his books are a work of fiction, the writer’s efforts to research the historical events on which the plots are based were painstakingly real. For example, part of his research involved actually meeting with and reviewing the diaries of a woman who was trapped in Jersey during World War II.

The book, “The Eagle Has Landed”, was adapted to film (1976) which also starred a few of my favorite actors: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Donald Sutherland disguised as Polish airmen. It was a plot to kidnap Sir Winston Churchill.  Intense!

“Night of the Fox”, was also made into a movie (1990) which starred two of my favorite actors, George Peppard (as American officer, Col. Harry Martineau) and Michael York (as high-ranking German officer, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the “Desert Fox”).

The book “The Eagle Has Flown” is a sequel to “The Eagle Has Landed”. Fans of novels by Higgins consider it worthy as a classic thriller, however, it was not adapted to film.

Nevertheless, if you are compiling a private library of WWII suspense thrillers, this 3-in-1 would be a great addition!

Jack Higgins: Three Complete Novels: The Eagle Has Landed (1975); The Eagle Has Flown (1991); Night of the Fox (1986)

• More books by Jack Higgins

Image credits: Photos found at Wikipedia. General Field Marshall Erwin Rommel in December 1943; and Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-119-08, Erwin Rommel with Adolf Hitler. Book cover at Amazon.



Original source

GOOD READS: Charles Dickens Wrote More Than One Ghost Story

 “Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.” (Wikipedia)

Since readers seemed to appreciate my post about William Shakespeare, I decided to share a short post about another famous British writer, Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870). Unlike Shakespeare, hardly anybody challenges or questions whether Dickens is the true author of any of his works.  He is known by almost everyone as the man who wrote “A Christmas Carol“.  This novel is a literary masterpiece that has been adapted to film numerous times and has become part of the holiday tradition.  Every Christmas people want to see those ghosts! The popularity of this original work has overshadowed the fact that it wasn’t the ONLY ghost story Charles Dickens ever wrote.  Dickens had a fascination with supernatural phenomena and the existence of spirits or ghosts.  Because of his avid interest, he wrote several ghost stories. Enough to have them compiled into one volume for your reading pleasure.  That’s if you like a good ghost story!

Wordsworth Classics: “Complete Ghost Stories” by Charles Dickens

Original source

THE 16 GREATEST CHARLES DICKENS NOVELS

Books: "The Man Who Planted Trees" by Jean Giono

Searching for inspiration?  "The Man Who Planted Trees" by Jean Giono is a beautiful and inspiring tale about a man who single-handedly transforms a barren landscape through his dedication to planting trees.  It is a "timeless eco-fable about what one person can do to restore the earth."

Story Summary:

Set in the early 20th century in the desolate and barren region of the French Alps. The narrator, who is on a walking tour, meets a shepherd named Elzéard Bouffier in a remote and lifeless valley.

Elzéard Bouffier is an elderly man who lives alone with his sheep and his dog. Despite the challenging and isolated life, he is determined to bring life back to the land. He starts by planting acorns, and over the years, he tirelessly plants thousands of trees. He tends to them with care and devotion, and as a result, a lush forest begins to grow.

The transformation of the landscape is nothing short of miraculous. The once-barren valley becomes a haven of greenery, wildlife returns, and the water sources flow again. The forest that Elzéard Bouffier has created is not just a symbol of nature's resilience, but a testament to the power of one person's dedication and commitment to a cause.

The narrator, deeply moved by Elzéard Bouffier's selfless work, visits him again several times over the years. He realizes that the shepherd's actions are not driven by any environmental movement or ideology but by a simple desire to make the land more beautiful for future generations.

The story ends with the narrator visiting the valley again many years later, during World War II. He is amazed to find the forest untouched and thriving, despite the destruction of the war. Elzéard Bouffier's legacy lives on through the forest he planted, a testament to the idea that individual actions can have a profound and lasting impact on the environment.

"The Man Who Planted Trees" is a heartwarming and inspirational novella with two (2) clear takeaways:

1. the importance of conservation, perseverance, and saving planet earth; and 
2. the positive impact one person can have on the world, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

(Content written with the help of the ChatGPT AI tool.)

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LINKS OF INTEREST:

• The Olive Tree has been highly regarded since ancient times ...
• Home and Garden: Sharing My Fascination With Bonsai Trees
• Mother Africa : Trees of Africa : Baobab Tree

Books: Sidney Sheldon, American Writer ~ Master of Suspense

Sidney Sheldon (1917 – 2007) is an American novelist who earned a reputation as a master of suspense. Crime fiction thrillers were his specialty.

If you enjoy binge-reading, you should set a goal to read several Sidney Sheldon novels. Check out these recommendations by vlogger, Shaloo Walia: Top 7 Sidney Sheldon Books. 

If you would like my recommendation on where to begin, start with his novel Master of the Game (published 1982) and follow it with If Tomorrow Comes (published 1985).

“The future was clay, to be moulded day by day, but the past was bedrock, immutable.” ― Master of the Game

“My ancestors survived famine and plagues and floods, and I’m going to survive this.” ― If Tomorrow Comes

The books will either whet your appetite or disappoint you. If you enjoyed reading them, then go anywhere from there. Choose from 18 novels.

• Link of Interest: Books by Sidney Sheldon and Complete Book Reviews | Publishers Weekly

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About Sidney Sheldon

At age 10, Sidney Sheldon wrote a poem and sold it for $10. He sold a screenplay called "South of Panama" to Universal Pictures for $250 in 1941. He lived through the Depression working various jobs while attending Northwestern University. He served in the US military during World War II. No matter what life's circumstances he was always writing. Mr. Sheldon was in the writing game for decades. His first novel was published in 1969/1970(?). But before and after that, he also wrote Broadway plays, books for children, scripts for films and television shows, and more. He was the recipient of several writing awards and is internationally known. Believe it or not, he even has a few English-speaking readers in North Korea. Several of his books were adapted to film.

Mr. Sheldon passed away at age 89 in 2007 (complications from pneumonia). If you want to know a little more about his character or personality you will probably enjoy this intereview published via Digital Journal ~ 'I find women more fascinating than men' - Sidney Sheldon Interview.; and this interesting bio snapshot published via IMDb ~ Sidney Sheldon Biography.

Faith, Fiction, Friends: “Bartleby, The Scrivener” by Herman Melville (Reblog)

Thanks to my high school English teachers I developed an appreciation for American literature and especially for short stories. Below is a link to an excellent review by a fellow blogger who often shares links to his posts via a Facebook Grop called "Authentic Blogger".  Herman Melville was one of the authors my teachers introduced me to; however, I don't remember reading this particular short story. The review has piqued my interest.  If you don't already know, Mr. Melville is famous for writing "Moby Dick". 

• "In two installments in November and December of 1853, Putnam’s Monthly Magazine published a longish short story by Herman Melville (1819-1891) ... It’s a lot of weight for a short story to carry. ..."  Read more: Faith, Fiction, Friends: “Bartleby, The Scrivener” by Herman Melville

Related Links of Interest:

• Putnam's Monthly Magazine of American Literature, Science, and Art Volume II Bartleby the Scrivener. A Story of Wall Street 2 July - December 1853 | Herman Melville
• Free e-Books by Herman Melville

Continuing Education: Introduction to Arabic Philosophy (with Suggested Reading)

When you tackle a topic like this the best place to start your research is in a reputable and reliable encyclopedia like the Encyclopedia Brittanica. A perusal of several EB articles revealed the following eye-opening facts:

 
~ Islamic philosophy and Arabic philosophy, are phrases that are used interchangeably and the beginning of the philosophical movements in the Islamic world dates back to the 9th century.

~ Arabic philosophy combined the Western philosophies of Aristotelianism and Neoplatonism with other ideas introduced through Islam.

~ Al-Kindī is honored as being the first Muslim philosopher. He was known as “the philosopher of the Arabs”. How did he know so much about Western philosophy? Because he was appointed by the Abbasid Caliphs to work alongside his contemporaries, and translate Greek philosophical and scientific works into Arabic.

~ An important distinction must be made between Islamic philosophy versus Islamic theology (or religion). That distinction is that … it is very similar to Western philosophy in that the philosophers sort of try to eliminate God or Divine Intervention from the picture and rely on non-religious secular human reasoning and science to explain TRUTH and the UNIVERSE.

~ In addition to Al-Kindī, others who made significant contributions to Arabic philosophy in the medieval Islamic world include: al-Farabi and Avicenna (Persia); Averroës (Andalusian Spain); and Ibn Khaldūn (Egypt).

~ Curiously, Christian and Jewish thinkers also participated in and influenced the Islamic or Arabic philosophical movements.

~ The first period from the 9th to the 12th (or 14th) century is referred to as classical or early Islamic philosophy. After that time, interest in the movement declined due to lack of supporters. However, there were and are still those who pursued a course of philosophical study to this day.

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The articles in the Encyclopedia Brittanica provided a great introduction to Islamic/Arabic philosophy. Additionally, I would like to recommend one more article published via Encyclopedia.com which is a much easier read. Arabian Philosophy | Encyclopedia.com. ~ www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/arabian-philosophy
- Image credit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_philosophy
- Secondary source link: tinyurl.com/3uze7k9a

Suggestions for Additional Reading:

The Cambridge Companion to Arabic Philosophy (Cambridge Companions to Philosophy)

The Arabic Influences on Early Modern Occult Philosophy (Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic) 1st ed. 2015 Edition

Greek Thought, Arabic Culture: The Graeco-Arabic Translation Movement in Baghdad and Early 'Abbasaid Society (2nd-4th/5th-10th c.) (Arabic Thought and Culture) 1st Edition

Books for Children: The Chronicles of the Stone by Fiona Ingram

In ancient Egypt, a scarab was a gem cut in the form of a scarab beetle, often engraved with hieroglyphs on the flat underside. Their popular use was as amulets and impression seals. In “The Chronicles of the Stone: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab” (Book 1), author Fiona Ingram brings to life a 5000-year-old mystery and introduces us to Adam and Justin Sinclair. 

These tales written for children were inspired by the author's own family trip to Egypt. If you enjoyed reading Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence, you'll probably like this series as well.  Like Ms. Lawrence, Ms. Ingram's books have also won awards.

Visit the author's Amazon page for her books and blog.

For Your Reading List: The Acacia Trilogy

American novelist, David Anthony Durham is the author of a trilogy, which is an epic fantasy; and the name he chose for the empire in this mythical land built on conquest, slaves, and the drug trade is called Acacia. Even though the name of this writer did not have a familiar ring for me, it so happens his novels have been translated into eight foreign languages, he is the recipient of ALA awards (American Library Association), and has had his books recognized as New York Times Notable Books.

• In Acacia: The Acacia Trilogy, Book One – Leodan Akaran, ruler of the Known World, dies, but not before ensuring the safety of his beloved children, in order that they might pursue their own destinies. Against their will, the siblings become separated and must learn to survive on their own, forging their own paths.
• And of course, The Other Lands: The Acacia Trilogy, Book Two, is a tale of their travels to other lands, which are tantamount to eye-opening and amazing discoveries of new worlds, even though it was never their plan to set out on a mission of exploration. Yes, yes, yes! There is an evil wicked Queen.
• Finally, the fate of the siblings is known.  The Sacred Band: The Acacia Trilogy, Book Three is _________. THE END.

Hey!  I’m not gonna give away the ending!  LOL.

♦
Content has been republished from Virily.com.

The Acacia Trilogy by David Anthony Durham
* Acacia, Book 1 ~ https://t.co/5WlyCAxAiI
* The Other Lands, Book 2 ~ https://t.co/jgx3GFXh1l
* The Sacred Band, Book Three ~ https://t.co/RelqyakYAE#trilogy #books #booklovers pic.twitter.com/dr0TCRtWbc

— My Shopping Channel (@goshoppingbees) November 19, 2018

Four (4) Authors of Books Recommended for Juvenile and Young Adults

At one time I wanted to write children's books. But that aspiration was never achieved. In the process of trying to learn how to write books for children, I developed a guilty pleasure. I started reading books for children. There are four (4) authors who writes books for juvenile and young adults. There is no reason why old adults can't enjoy reading their books too.

Madeleine L'Engle ( 1918-2007)

The late Madeleine L'Engle (born in New York City) established herself as a young adult writer. Her last book, The Joys of Love, was published in 2008, posthumously. But I will always remember her for her book A Wrinkle in Time, published 1962. Like Ms. Paterson's book, Ms. L'Engle's book was also turned into a movie . Per Anita Silvey's Children's Book-A-Day Almanac: "On March 12, 1963, the New York Times wrote 'A housewife and an artist today won the nation's top awards for the most distinguished children's book published in 1962.' This statement doesn't even hint at the truth-that the most courageous committee in the history of the Newbery and Caldecott Awards had just announced its results. [...]" There is only one thing that puzzled me about this book. Why wasn't this book listed as "required reading" in my school curriculum? That was then. Perhaps it's different now, as my teenage daughter has Ms. L'Engle's book on her desk, along with other books that were required reading during my school days. Books like: Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird; George Orwell's, Animal Farm; Charles Dickens', Great Expectations, and Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter. Madeleine L'Engle's, A Wrinkle in Time has earned a place among them.

Katherine Paterson (1932 -)

Katherine Paterson (born in Huai'an, China) is another writer of books for young readers who may now be well known because of the movie Bridge to Terabithia , which was based on her book by the same name. I know Ms. Paterson because of her book "Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom", a tale about a secret God-worshipping group and the Taiping Rebellion,set in 1851 in China. Ms. Paterson was born in 1932 in China to missionary parents and was a teacher and a missionary in Japan. No doubt this background was integral to the writing of this piece of historical fiction. Oprah recommends her!

Laurence Yep (1948 -)

Laurence Yep (born in San Francisco, California) holds the reputation as the premier Chinese-American writer. He is best known for his book Dragonwings . Dragonwings is the first in a series of nine books collectively called the Golden Mountain Chronicles . It is a fictional work that combines the historical event of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the experience of Chinese immigrants in California and a flying machine. I'm sure that unique mix sounds intriguing and you want to know more.

JaneYolen (1939 - )

I stumbled upon Jane Yolen (born in New York City), in the juvenile section of the library, when I was trying to get ideas for subjects to write about. To date, Ms. Yolen has authored 300 children's and fantasy/sci-fi books. In addition, she has written thousands of poems and short stories. Ms. Yolen has been called, "the Hans Christian Andersen of America" by Newsweek; and the "modern equivalent of Aesop" by The New York Times. It is very difficult to pick a favorite from her writings, because every time I read one of her works, it easily makes it to the list of "Favorites". I love reading Ms. Yolen's fantasy writing. According to Fantastic Fiction Limited, a UK based website, which provides bibliographies for over 30,000 authors of fiction, "Jane Yolen is one of the acknowledged masters of fantasy today."

Books written for young adults are often a very quick read (less than 300 pages). You should try it. Select any of the books by the authors profiled above. If you would like more suggestions, check Al's Book Club for Kids or the Kids' Reading List published by Oprah Winfrey. Or, if you have an opportunity to go to your local public library, consult the librarian for advice. Go ahead and indulge your inner child.

“A book, too, can be a star, “explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,” a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.”

~ Madeleine L'Engle, "A Wrinkle in Time"

“Houses don’t mean much. It’s the people inside them that are important, ...”

~ Laurence Yep, "Dragonwings"

“Under Heaven all men are brothers....”

~ Katherine Paterson, "Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom"

“The thing I want to know is, if you tell your brain not to do stuff... and it keeps doing it anyway, does that mean your mind has a mind of its own? And if it does, then who's in charge here, anyway?”

― Jane Yolen & Bruce Coville, "Armageddon Summer"

♦ ♦ ♦ REFERENCES:

Paterson, Katherine. Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1983. Print.

L'Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1962. Print.

"Jane Yolen." Fantastic Fiction. Web. 27 Apr 2011.

"Al's Book Club for Kids.", TODAY.com: Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry, Al Roker, Natalie Morales, TODAY Show Video, News, Recipes, Health, Pets. Web. 27 Apr 2011.

"Kids' Reading List - Oprah.com." Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com. Web. 27 Apr 2011.

"Author Katherine Paterson After Bridge to Terabithia - Oprah.com."Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com. Web. 27 Apr. 2011.

"FIND A BOOK: L'ENGLE, MADELEINE." Anita Silvey's Children's Book-A-Day Almanac. Web. 27 Apr 2011.