Nioniel - One book that I bought recently was The Giver, by Lois Lowry. I really love it, it's moving and inspires a lot of thought. It really leaves me speechless. I definitely recommend it. It's not very long, and a very easy read.
Oh, and Manalive, by G.K. Chesterton. Not quite so easy to read, but it's a really amazing book. If you read them tell me what you think - and if not, that's fine.

*seconds the recommendation for Manalive* Like Elanor said, it's not a super easy read, but it's amazing! It's definitely one of a kind.

I'm afraid that I'm not the best person to recommend 'easy to read' books; I have a tendency to go for the longer books, as well as the 'deep' books.

Okay, here's a question for all of you Ted Dekker fans; how is Green? How does it rate next to the other Circle Trilogy books? Is it really weird or creepy? Does it explain any of the unanswered questions from the other books?

--- flambeau

Nioniel: ooh, have you ever read any Gordon Korman?
here are my favorites from his books:

The Island Trilogy
The Everest Trilogy
The Dive Trilogy
Swindle
Zoobreak
Framed
Schooled
No More Dead Dogs
On The Run series
The Kidnapped Trilogy
The Chicken Doesn't Skate

and here's a link to his official web site!
http://www.gordonkorman.com/

Nionel, I'd grab the list of Newbery Award and Medal books and read some of those. A quick scroll through suggests that some of my favourite books are in the 40's and 50's winners.

Nionel, have you ever read "The Outsiders"?

Flambeau,

Green is a very good novel but not quite on par with the other Circle books. The beginning is a bit sloppily written but it develops into something great. This book isn't that weird (what have you got against weird?) but it's very creative and yes, rather creepy at times. Yes, many of the unanswered questions are answered within but not all. Some of them are answered in the Lost Books of History series (Chosen, Infidel, Renegade, Chaos, Lunatic, Elyon - some great story here, but they varying greatly in quality). Others aren't answered at all (probably by choice).
Green is an important addition to the series. The story is hugely compelling (once you get past the sloppy beginning) and the characters are put through their paces. I think you'd enjoy it.

Warrior, thanks for the information. It sounds interesting.

This book isn't that weird (what have you got against weird?) but it's very creative and yes, rather creepy at times.

Lol. I don't have anything against weird. It's just that my mom isn't a huge fan of Ted Dekker's books (she absolutely hated Three), and so I wanted to know a bit more about it before I asked her if I could read it.

--- flambeau

How can anyone hate Thr3e? It's a masterful effort from Ted. Also, why do you need permission from your mum to read Ted Dekker? (unless your younger than his intended demographic - 15+). He's a Christian who writes speculative fiction. Ted's works aren't safe but they're good (and godly).

*shuffles in*

I have not been in here for simply aaaages. And sadly, it's because I really haven't read much at all . Any reading really I've done has been for school or rereads.

One new series I picked up is The Guardians of Ga'Hoole series and I'm really liking it alot. There's not a whole lot of depth to the books of course, but they're very sweet and magical and I really love the whole curious, wide-eyed view of the world perspective.

As soon as I finish the first three books in that series I'm going to try to read TTT. I'm determined to spend more time this school year reading- I could have read so much more this Summer and I'm really dissapointed with how little I did.

Talking about Manalive, and seeing my brother ordering lots of G.K. Chesterton murder mysteries made me want to read more of him - so the first one I picked up was The Man who was Thursday.
It was indeed just as genius and unbelievable as Manalive, though I may like the latter better. Everything is unexpected and exciting, and so well written. I LOVE Syme.
I finished it in an hour.

Now for some mysteries.

How can anyone hate Thr3e? It's a masterful effort from Ted. Also, why do you need permission from your mum to read Ted Dekker? (unless your younger than his intended demographic - 15+). He's a Christian who writes speculative fiction. Ted's works aren't safe but they're good (and godly).

To be honest, I didn't care for it all that much either. I thought it was an interesting story, but it certainly isn't on my favorites list.
No, I am not too young to read them. I just respect my mom's judgment regarding his works.

@ Elanor, are you referring to the Father Brown series? I personally love those stories (it's where I acquired my username. ), and hope you enjoy them as well! My favorite stories are The Chief Mourner of Marne, The Secret of Father Brown, and The Secret of Flambeau, as well as any of the stories with Flambeau as a thief (and even after that).
And I'm glad you enjoy The Man Who Was Thursday! That is one of his best books, imo. Syme is perfectly awesome. His sense of humor is timed perfectly.

Oh, (to any Dee Henderson fans on here) I was on Dee Henderson's website yesterday and she has Jennifer O'Malley's story available to read online! It's Jen's story from when she meets Tom, up until almost right before the beginning of The Negotiator. It's twelve chapters long, and really good! You can read it here.
Unfortunately, there is still no news about a sequel to Before I Wake. I'm getting impatient! You can't end a book without telling us who the culprit is, and then not do a sequel! It's just not right. I also want to find out whether

Spoiler

Rae ends up with Bruce or Nathan (my vote is for Nathan, personally. ).

According to Frank Peretti's twitter, he is working on a new novel, which is exciting. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, after having been slightly disappointed with Monster and House, but I am anticipating it. If it's anywhere as good as his Darkness series, or even Prophet, I will be thrilled.

--- flambeau

I was referring to all of Chesterton's mysteries. But I definitely want to read the Father Brown one's, I've heard how amazing they are.
And yes, I know you got your user name from them. Which must make them even better.

Just started, "I Capture The Castle" by Dodie Smith (?) yesterday or the day before. Pretty interesting. I was pretty sure I had heard it mentioned a lot around here... I'm up to chapter 10.

ugh! it's so annoying! my library doesn't have book #4 in "The Tomorrow Series" by John Marsden (called "Darkness, Be My Friend")! they have all the others but not that one! ack! so either I have to see if I can inter-library-loan or something.....
argh.

I finished reading Forest Born by Shannon Hale today. I was so excited when I found it because I love her other books. I was disappointed in this one just a little bit. I didn't think it was as good as her other ones, but thats just me. Maybe it's because of the lack of romance...