Trilogies: The Hottest Trend in YA Lit

Since becoming a librarian I have noticed that the more I recommend books the more I see that I am recommending the first book of a trilogy. When did this happen? Does every good book have to continue on? Here are my thoughts on this:

The trilogy did not start with Hunger Games, although I think that is why my students like them so much. One of the most popular trilogies is The Lord of the Rings, and that came out way before Hunger Games. Why do students like them so much? I think that it is because they see a defined beginning, middle, and end. And there is also an end in sight. When books are put into a trilogy, there is no dragging out. Most of the time it is straight to the point.

I also think that authors like trilogies because it builds their fan base, but they do not have to write 10 books with the same characters. By labeling it a trilogy, the reader knows what to expect.

I personally have read a lot of trilogies, but I have noticed that many authors are struggling to fit the story into three books. Take The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. This trilogy was intended to be just three, but because of popularity and more story to tell, has been turned into a six book series. You will also notice that a prequel for a trilogy is finding its way onto reading list. The Maze Runner series is an example of this.

So whether you like them or not, three seems to be a magic number when it comes to young adult books.  Below you will find a list of some of my favorite trilogies, in no particular order:

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (Book 2 just came out.)
3. The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer
4. Uglies by Scott Westerfield (There is technically four, but Extras is kind of an extra book.)
5. Airhead by Meg Cabot
6. Graceling ( Only three books right now...I do not know if there are plans for more.)
7. Crispin by Avi
8. Maze Runner by James Dashner
9. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
10. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
11. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
12. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
13. Matched by Ally Condie
14. Delrium by Lauren Oliver (I believe this is meant to be a trilogy.)
15. Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
16. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
17. Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (Only three right now. Could be more and bump it out of the trilogy race.)
18. Divegent by Veronica Roth (One of my favorites.)
19. Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry (Right now only three.)
20. Ashes by Ilsa Bick
21. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
22. Ruby Red by Kerstein Gier
23. Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

That is just the ones I read. There are plenty more trilogies in the library. Come by and check it out!

2013 Lone Star List

So, here it is. This list is a little early this year, but I am so excited to share it. I have underlined the ones that I have already read. Keep in mind that I might not have all of these yet because they are on order. Enjoy!

·      Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

·      Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

·      Almost Home by Joan Bauer 

·      Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal

·       How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg

·      Planet Tad by Ted Carvell

·      Outlaw: A Novel by Stephen Davies

·      Bewitching by Alex Flinn

·      Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

·      Keeping the Castle: A Tale of Romance, Riches and Real Estate by Patrice Kindle

·      The Lions of Little Rock by Kristen Levine

·      Legend  by Marie Lu

·      Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

·      Cinder  by Marissa Meyer

·      An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

·      The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

·      Wonder by R.J. Palacio 

·      Ripper  by Stefan Petrucha

·      Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip by Jordan Sonnenblick

·      Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Summary (From the Publisher):

What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular.Between the Linesmay be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.

Mrs. Lassley's Review:

During this time of year, I need a good girl book. With Between the Lines, I got it. With the point of view going back and forth, we are able to see so much. For me the ending was too neat and, as always, I want to know what happened after "Happily Ever After." Over all, I would recommend this book to any girl who wants her story book characters to come to life.

Lincoln's Last Days by Bill O'Reilly and Dwight Jon Zimmerman

Summary
Lincoln's Last Daysis a gripping account of one of the most dramatic nights in American history—of how one gunshot changed the country forever. Adapted from Bill O'Reilly's bestselling historical thriller,Killing Lincoln, this book will have young readers—and grown-ups too—hooked on history.
In the spring of 1865, President Abraham Lincoln travels through Washington, D.C., after finally winning America's bloody Civil War. In the midst of celebrations, Lincoln is assassinated at Ford's Theatre by a famous actor named John Wilkes Booth. What follows is a thrilling chase, ending with a fiery shoot-out and swift justice for the perpetrators.
With an unforgettable cast of characters, page-turning action, vivid detail, and art on every spread,Lincoln's Last Daysis history that reads like a thriller. This is a very special book, irresistible on its own or as a compelling companion toKilling Lincoln.

Mrs. Lassley's Review
I am a self proclaimed lover of fiction. BUT this book will make you love nonfiction. Bill O'Reilly created a story that you want know the ending to but you are biting your nails for the ending. There are lots of historial photos to help you visualize the events. This is one of those books you must read!