Bookanista Feature: Recommended Reads

So yesterday, I talked about how hard it is to really recommend a book to someone, especially if you don't know that person.

Well, today I'm going to try to do just that.

Here's my list of "if you like one, you'll like the other." I tried to come up with some specifics on why someone would probably like both titles--each book is individual, but each has similar elements, so that if you liked the elements in one, you'll probably like the elements in the other.

Let me know if you like this feature--I may do some more of them :)

First up:

DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth and LEGEND by Marie Lu. You're going to have a little while to wait for LEGEND--and I'll do more of a review on it later, closer to its pub date--but I think fans of DIVERGENT are going to love LEGEND.


Second on my list of comparisons:

THE NEAR WITCH by Victoria Schwab and CHIME by Franny Billingsley. If you recall my review of CHIME, you'll know that it was one of my favorite reads of last year. It truly created a whole new world where the magic seemed real--and so does Victoria's debut.


And third:

THE LAST LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPE by Maureen Johnson and the S.A.S.S. books published by Penguin Young Reader's Group (various authors). The SASS books (School Across the Seven Seas) are exactly the kind of books I wish I had when I was a kid--a whole series of books that feature girls who go on study abroad trips. They discover new worlds (there are books that feature many different settings--Europe, South America, a cruise ship, and more) and they typically involve a personal mystery or goal for the girl to solve. THE LAST LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPE is one of those rare books where the sequel is even better than the first book--and it's the epitome of its genre.

I hope you like these suggestions! If you liked one of the books in the list, you should definitely check out the other--and if you're looking for something new, try both! :)

To see what the other Bookanistas are raving about this week, check out these links:

• Elana Johnson revels in Ruby Red
• LiLa Roecker  is nuts for I’m Not Her
• Christine Fonseca  interviews picture book author Michelle McLean – with giveaway
• Beth Revis reveals her reading recommendations
• Jessi Kirby discovers Where Things Come Back
• Shannon Whitney Messenger swoons for Supernaturally – with giveaway
• Shelli Johannes-Wells features “guestanisto” author Matt Blackstone
• Carolina Valdez Miller is bedazzled by Between – with giveaway
• Shana Silver wonders at The Near Witch
• Stasia Ward Kehoe celebrates Selling Hope