Reddit mentions: The best teen science fiction & adventure books

My book is a standalone, loosely linked to a traditionally published series. That does, in some ways, give me a built in marketing as readers from the previous series followed me to the new one. The book is YA sci fi, was released a little over a month ago, and has sold moderately well. Here's a link to compare quality of cover/blurb/see reviews. It should be noted that I came into this with a pretty extensive social network background, which has absolutely helped me.

Goodreads: Did a giveaway of three copies of the book a few weeks before release, and saw about 1k more adds to to-read lists during that time.

Paid promo: Did a few paid promo gigs (Fussy Librarian, Storyfinds, BKnights). I don't think these helped overly much--in particular, BKnights was worthless--but I don't think they hurt. If the book had been more on sale, it probably would have gone over better in the ads. My current plan is to wait until I get 20 reviews and apply for a BookBub ad when I put the book on sale.

Net Galley: Hugely successful. 1000+ downloads generating close to 75 reviews across social media (primarily blogs, but also Twitter and Tumblr), about six of which translated into (positive) Amazon reviews.

Sent book to select early reviewers who I'd worked with in the past on my traditional book release: I think this was generally successful. Most of the people I sent a book to did some sort of post, including some of my best, in-depth reviews, and giveaways that tended to net between 1k and 2k entries.

Joined a group book tour in my area: This was low-cost as everything was in driving distance and required only one night stay in a hotel (which I shared a room with other). In all, I invested only about $150 total in joining the tour (between gas, hotel, etc.), and sold about 20-40 books/day.

Developed special swag to go with physical copies of the books or to be distributed at live events. You can see what I mean by that here. This definitely helped sell at least 300 print books through my local indie bookstore and probably contributed to sales elsewhere.

Included a 50% coupon at the bottom of every monthly newsletter. I work hard to have a newsletter people want to open--sample here. The coupon has been used roughly 20 times or so.

Ran or participated in several linked giveaways on my blog that featured other authors not just me, which generated more interest. Averaging about 2k entries/giveaway.

Upcoming:

• A social media giveaway across platforms
  
• A large, charity-based giveaway to encourage cross-reviews and social media follows
  
• Application for BookBub and ENT in January, accompanied by a reduced price sale.
  
• Working with my agent on audiobook rights and foreign deals
  
  I'm happy to elaborate more! If it helps, here's a few stats about sales:
  
  
• In top 5000 of all books on release day, consistently in top 30-20k of all books
  
• Average 4-star rating with 16 reviews on Amazon
  
• Almost 6k adds in GoodReads; average 3.86 rating out of 255 ratings and 127 written reviews
  

1. Cake or birthday related - For keeping my birthday suit clean
   
2. Simon Pegg - You've got red on you
   
3. A book you are eager to read - Anxiously awaiting its release
   
4. Eating Utensils - Emergency rations need no utensils!
   
5. Animal - Jacque Moosteau fits this!
   
6. Purple - Flameless Lavendar candle!
   
7. A game - I have a whole Tabletop list, but Catan will suffice
   
8. A guilty pleasure - Thai tea, yum
   
9. A Tool - Weights are a tool for a healthier me!
   
10. Something from your childhood - Darth vader sheet set... that I want... even though I'm 36.
    
11. An organizational item - Stackable pyrex dishes organize my food mess
    
12. Hobby - Yarn, for my crochet habit
    
13. Nerdy/ Geeky - I have a whole list, but this TARDIS Nyan cat shirt should suffice
    
14. Something Natural - Mmmm Good Earth tea
    
15. Green - Green lame for stripes for my Columbia shorts
    
16. Something you wear - Tap shoes! Again, for Columbia
    
17. Funny - This is funny if you've seen LOST
    
18. Beads, Bees or Beans - It's no longer available, but still on my list - this fabric reminds me of Bees!
    
19. Gardening - Mooquet came from the garden
    
20. Your absolute favorite item on your wish list no matter the price. - This is one small piece to a big Columbia puzzle for me, I can't wait until our October show!!
    
    Happy happy cake day!!!!
    
    I hope that this is what you'll be getting for yourself because mason jars are SUPER useful in tons of ways! :D

Hey, OP! High school English teacher/book nerd here. Hopefully I can help you find a book that you enjoy! I reviewed your criteria, and the only thing I would like you to reconsider is the length. I know, I know, typical English teacher trying to get you to read more, but I promise you if us Redditors can find you a book you LOVE, then you won't want to put it down! I've read the following list, and think they fit your list for the most part (especially the suitable for a 13-year-old young man, this is essential for my job every day!)

Here's some young adult books that fall into the horror (read: horror, supernatural, psychological thriller, etc) or realistic fiction.


The Replacements: Mackie is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement — left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is slowly dying in the human world.


Asylum: Super creepy, twisting plot line, male protagonist, definitely a great read all around.


Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BOOK ON THIS LIST A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. If you like this book, definitely read Asylum; I found those two went well together.

Unwind: This is a dystopian (realistic fiction) novel that we teach in 7th grade in my school district. Our students LOVE it, and the good news is that it is a series! We do require mom and dad to sign off before they read (and have never had any complaints...), but check with your parents before you delve into this one!

Yay! First ever contest!

I would gift /u/kickballa because she rocks! (seriously love her). I'd gift her Allegiant because it is a great book and she should have the pleasure of reading it!!

I really hope she wins! Thanks for the contest! :)

Oh how I looove reading. Reading is a passion that I want to share with all. To let them know the pure beauty of it all. My favorite story is Alice and Wonderland. It's a beautiful, imaginative story that fueled my love of reading. The scenery, the world. The characters! Oh and the quotes! Why is a raven like a writing desk? I believe Alice and Wonderland lives in us all. I hope you enjoy the end of your book. :) thank you for the contests and bringing up happy memories.


This would be amazing. I have the paperback, but if I got the hardcover I would send the paperback to a loving home!


Or the Percy Jackson would help me see a new world that /u/bookishgeek wants me to dive in!

I think these are all a few years old, but I've enjoyed all of them:

• Jumper by Steven Gould is brilliant, although if you've already seen the movie then I suggest Wildside instead, which is very nearly as good. Can also recommend Blind Waves, set around a floating city, after the icecaps have melted.
  
  
• Garth Nix's Abhorsen trilogy is brilliant fantasy - if you prefer sci-fi, I recommend Shades Children.
  
  I'm sure that, when I started composing this comment, there was someone else I intended to recommend, but I'm afraid I'm a little tired right now, and I can't remember who it was.

My favorite thing I have done in 2014 is come out of my shell. I decided I was going to try to not be so shy this year and I have made so many new friends (both in real life and on this subreddit). It has truly been a blessing and I feel a lot less alone! :)

I would love this book if I won. Thank you for the contest and welcome back!

I'd really like Burn because I have the first two books and I'd really like to complete the trilogy. Also because I can't even find spoilers for the book online and all I want is to find out the ending!

I want Fragments because I am currently reading the first book and I love it so far. I know when I complete it I am going to want to reach for the next one immediately.

If I were a book, I hope that I'd be a great one.

Thanks for the contest!

Extremely happy to read this comment so happy you're enjoying the series!! The second book is available for pre-order right here. It's available for immediate consumption on other sites like Apple iBooks, Kobo, and Nook through this Universal Book Link for The Stars in Our Skies as well - https://www.books2read.com/u/bOAqRJ

Thanks so much for reading I'm ecstatic to have people enjoying this series. It's been floating around in just my head for so long it's crazy to watch other people experiencing this story

For your mom:

• Sounds like she likes dystopian novels with strong female narrators. Cinder and Endgame have movie deals so they'll be out in a few years. She can be ahead of the crowd!
  
  For your boyfriend:
  
  
• Honestly it sounds like you have his gift covered. The only thing you can add to it really are some chocolates or little joke gifts that are inside jokes for you two.
  
  For your boyfriend's dad:
  
  
• I really like the boat Christmas idea. Things you can do with boats... well, an ornament works, but the purpose of it is to be on the tree (right? I'm Jewish) and on Christmas the tree is in its last day. Does he like sushi? You can find a sushi boat place and get him a giftcard.
  
  For your boyfriend's mom:
  
  
• Not weird to get her something from LUSH. Sounds kind of perfect, actually.

Hey feel better!!! Being sick sucks, so get better soon :)

They say laughter is the best medicine! And what is a better way to laugh, then with cats?

And another!

But wait... there's more!

But, books always make me feel better! --- you can select used! :)

Feel better!!!!! <3

"There's a boy named Todd who lives in this weird place called Prentisstown with his dog, Manchee. What's so weird about Prentisstown? Well, there are no women in Prentisstown, for starters, and there's also this weird germ called Noise that makes everyone's thoughts loud enough for everyone else to hear. So yeah, weird place."

I know its not much but its just so good I can't bring myself to give even minor spoilers. If you can ever trust an anonymous person on the internet, trust me. It's rough, fast, and beautiful.

http://www.amazon.com/Knife-Never-Letting-Reissue-bonus/dp/0763676187

Pro tip: get the 2nd book before you finish the first one, cuz the cliffhanger will hit you in the gut, hard.

P.s. if you end up reading it, let me know how you like it!

(Context for anyone else reading this comment: Tuftybee sent me Divergent, by Veronica Roth.)

I definitely recommend it! The idea of this whole society built off what are essentially Hogwarts-like "houses" ("factions" in the book) is really interesting. The protagonist is always analyzing her actions as being part of one faction or another, and constantly trying to figure out where she really belongs. It's really, really interesting so far! If you get a chance, check it out. Thanks again! :) ♥

For elaborate world building, it's tough to beat Dune. Intergalactic politics in the wake of an AI rebellion, deep mysticism and Bedouin-flavored lore, religious fanatics, a drug that makes the universe go round, and giant freaking sandworms!

Ender's Game is another popular suggestion to get you into reading. I preferred Dune, though.

Another good read that I enjoyed immensely was Unwind by Neal Shusterman. After the United States has fought a second civil war over abortion, a new deal is struck - no abortion, but unwinding up to the age of 18. It's dark and twisted and I loved it... especially considering it's a young adult novel, which is not my genre of choice.

Odd Thomas is a fun series, but Koontz can be kind-of hit or miss. I'm finding the odd-numbered books in the series to be better than the even-numbered ones, but that's just based on the first four. I wonder if that was intentional?

Make me smile, Rasta! This book on my books wishlist is prime and would make me happy! The author lives in my town and I would love to support her! Thanks Rasta for being your usual awesome self.

So, basically a movie on a police-state, with the defenders of free speech fighting for their freedom? Hrm, with themes from the Matrix, Cloverfield, Fahrenheit 451, 1984, Little Brother (Haven't read it yet though), and possibly references to Monty Python, this movie would rock!

If it was done properly, I think that it could be propagated solely via word of mouth and the internet as its distributor. I know that I would watch it.


On the other hand, a novel would be better, as one would be able to see what one is thinking.


Whatever the case, this would be an interesting subject to see/read.

These are fairly popular/obvious choices, so forgive me if you're aware of them, but I thought they deserved a mention since you just recently read Harry Potter. I have personally read all of these books and loved them. They're all currently being made into movies so that is a hint about how engaging/accessible they are for teens.

• The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
  
  
• Divergent series by Veronica Roth.
  
  They are both dystopian novels. Divergent is particularly interesting because it's set in a future Chicago and it's interesting to see how the author plays around with that setting. Fair warning about Divergent: the third book in the series has not yet been released (I think it comes out this fall) so you may want to wait on these until next summer when all of the books are out.

1. This book, so I can learn how to knit. Because I really need a hobby.
   
2. Allegiant is my most wanted e-book right now, I've read the first two in the series, and I would really love to finish the series. :D I wanna know what happens! lol.
   
3. If I were a book, I hope that I'd be a great one.

I love reading books!

If you like YA and sci fi like Ender's Game, try The 5th Wave. It's a pretty darn cool alien invasion story.

I'm totally Awesome

http://imgur.com/VN41QmI


Here is a book I would really like to read :)

http://www.amazon.com/Free-Four-Divergent-Knife-Throwing-ebook/dp/B008B11K04/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2S13H6VJDXAGZ&coliid=I31R83PAUAIXIK


[Edit] Redid my pic :) sorry about that.

[This] (http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Dystology-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1BGV2L2FWNXQM&coliid=I2IB05LZCRBV85) book looks like an interesting concept. I have a love for dystopian novels and this one fits the bill. It is about people having the right to "unwind" their children. It sounds like a scary concept and I am intrigued by it. I have quite a few books like it on my [book WL] (http://amzn.com/w/1BGV2L2FWNXQM). I just recently read a great book about North Korea called [Escape from Camp 14] (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=escape%20from%20camp%2014&sprefix=escap%2Cstripbooks%2C282&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Aescape%20from%20camp%2014&ajr=2) which is a great memoir about a man's journey out of North Korea. I used to live in South Korea so the idea of North Korea and how they treat their people fascinates me.

I like big books and I cannot lie. I love to read and have several books to read on my nightstand but sometimes no time to read them. But that is life so it goes!

make me a cake

I had a friend who believed herself to be a very good cook (she wasn't). One year, she gave us all homemade spice mixes. She was very proud of them. They were unusable. Things like cinnamon, dill, and mustard seed. Like, what the hell did I ever do to her?

Item

I am 24 years old and just picked up The Hunger Games after being suggested by a friend. Blew through the first one in a day and am now about to finish the second one and cannot wait to get the third.

They are so great and fun to read and I highly suggest them to anyone who likes YA fiction or dystopian future scifi.

So I'm currently listening to the audiobook for Little Brother, and it gets a whole-hearted recommendation from me. It hits a lot of points we seem to frequently talk about:

• diverse characters (admittedly all in supporting roles)
  
• YA books that appeal to male readers
  
• Male MC in touch with his emotions
  
• embracing technology and social media (and depicting it accurately)
  
• realistic depictions of science
  
  Add to that a natural lesson in math and programming as well as plenty of paranoia, and I'm enjoying it immensely. I may have to flip through the book when I'm done to see if it passes the Bechdel test and its variations though.

• Divergent/Insurgent (First two in an unfinished trilogy)
  
• The Maze Runner (This is a trilogy)
  
• Battle Royale
  
• I've heard good things about The Knife of Never Letting Go (The first part of the Chaos Walking trilogy)
  
  To be honest, these are just some dystopia themed books I recommended because of Hunger Games. However, I could give better recommendations if you tell me more of what she wants. Young adult? Fantasy? Romantic aspect?

11-14

• Hatchet, about a boy stranded in the Canadian wilderness.
  
• Holes, about a boy cursed with bad luck who ends up in a prison camp
  
• Leviathan trilogy, a retelling of WWI where the Austro-Hungarians have mechas and the British have genetically-engineered whale blimps. This is evenly split between a male and female perspective (and a huge hit in a relative's special ed class for the same age group).
  
• The Ranger's Apprentice, introductory medieval fantasy about a boy training to be a ranger.
  
• Incarceron, about a steampunk labyrinth prison and the fake medieval world outside.
  
• The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm, about mutant detectives in future Zimbabwe.
  
  15-18
  
  
• World War Z, about a zombie apocalypse and how different countries and people deal with it. Has a lot to say about geopolitics. (Not necessarily YA, but popular in that age group)
  
• Feed, where everyone has the internet in their heads from birth. While partying on the moon, boy meets girl who didn't get the feed until age 6.
  
• John Green's other books, like Looking for Alaska, etc all have male protagonists.
  
• Little Brother, about a teenage hacker swept up by the Department of Homeland Security after a terrorist attack on California.
  
• Legend trilogy, about a dystopian United States and a police prodigy trying to track down another 15-year old rebel. This is another one split between a male and female perspective.
  
• Kurt Vonnegut and Tim O'Brien are technically adult authors, but very accessible and popular in that age group.
  
  Would also second Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson, Ender's Game, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy that other commentators mentioned.
  
  Also, you may be interested in /r/YAlit and /r/YAwriters.

I haven't read this series yet, but Unwind comes pretty close -- it posits a world where abortion is effectively illegal, but teenagers can be "unwound" and recycled for organ donation. Let me know if it's any good.

This one is next on my list Unwind a lot of my friends have read it and loved it

It's not really apocalypse, but it's a great dystopian fiction series. The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. The first book is called The Knife of Never Letting Go. It's an amazing series.
http://www.amazon.com/Knife-Never-Letting-Reissue-bonus/dp/0763676187

For people interested in this concept, I highly recommend Shusterman's Unwind. It's quick reading but quite interesting.

Try Slam by Nick Hornby, You Don't Even Know Me by Sharon Flake, and Unwind by Neal Shusterman. You may also enjoy graphic novels. I highly recommend Scott Pilgrim and Y: The Last Man.

Kindle Short Story this was not written by Olivia Newton John. ;)

HAPPY HUMPDAY

That's so sick, it's like that book Little Brother I read as a kid, and still cool for anyone who's into this stuff.

But yeah, can anyone tell me how to do this haha. Like how to make a key and where the Soul Nexus people are.

Definitely Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.

The stories in the Steal the Network series are fiction wrapped around realistic computer security themes and exploits. They even include screenshots where applicable. I especially enjoyed the last one in the series.

Wow, I am so glad you mentioned this! Absolutely loved it. You may also want to try Unwind by Neal Shusterman
http://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278536573&sr=8-1

I think you could end up enjoying The Fifth Wave series. It's got elements of both throughout.

Kindle store - I'm on UK but it looks like they're on the US version too.

https://www.amazon.com/Unwind-Dystology-Neal-Shusterman/dp/1416912053

I can't seem to find anyone with it - does anyone have this on their WL?

JK guys, I got this.

Yeah, I'm reading Catching Fire ATM.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow It is hard for me to put this book down once I start. If anyone knows of any books like this, please let me know.

Divergent by Veronica Roth. Second book comes out May 1.

Unwind

Axel

< $5: The Prince & The Guard

< $1.50: Free Four

Hmm

Hmmmmmm

You might wanna try googling.

Made me of the cover of The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0399162410?pc_redir=1409054686&robot_redir=1

Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow http://www.amazon.com/Little-Brother-Cory-Doctorow/dp/0765319853

Something to read $6.99 from his Books list and Hand wrap mesh wash bag from his boxing list. $3.99

• The 5th Wave - After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
  
  Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, ad on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother--or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.
  
  
• The Giver - Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world.
  
  When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does Jonas begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.
  
  

I have The War of the Worlds and a collection of six Sherlock Holmes adventures, if either one interests you. I also have Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, Witch and Wizard, and The Gift by James Patterson.

Have you read the book Unwind? Possibly the creepiest book I've ever read about a society that allows you to "abort" unwanted kids when they're 16. C R E E P Y

I fell your pain. I was destroyed for about a month afterwards...


Hold your mouse over the spoiler tag to see it btw.
[spoiler](#s "But no, it's not another trilogy. It's a four (the number, not Tobias) book collection that is about 270? pages and it depicts the time before Tobias joins Dauntless, some of the experiences he had there, and then a story taking place after the knife throwing scene. And if you haven't read the knife throwing scene from Four/Tobias' prospective I suggest doing so here:")

[Spoiler] Don't click on this link until you've read the spoiler.

http://www.amazon.com/Free-Four-Tobias-Divergent-Knife-Throwing-ebook/dp/B008B11K04

Divergent by Veronica Roth, or the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Both feature strong female protagonists; both have action galore; both were devoured by my fiance who denies he has the ability to read. I think Divergent's better, but all three Hunger Games books are out and the second in the Divergent series won't be out till May.. :'(