Thursday, August 9, 2012

Like, Try, Why

by Michelle Gagnon

My publisher has a new community called, "Epic Reads," which has an awesome feature. Every week they post a "Like, Try, Why" where they pick a few uber-popular books (or TV shows, or movies) and offer suggestions for the perfect follow-up read. This is so perfect for someone like me, who tends to start reading more and more slowly as I approach the end of a book that I'm loving; and I get downright teary when the book ends and there's nothing else like it on my TBR pile.

So here's an example of one of their recent "Like, Try, Whys":


Too perfect, right?  Because once I'd run through everything Kristin Cashore had written, I was in such a fantasy groove I really wanted something similar, but for once Goodreads wasn't coming through for me.
And now, I know: The Girl of Fire and Thorns.



So for a fun exercise today, see if you can come up with at least one, "Like, Try, Why." Doesn't have to be long, in fact the more concise your "why" is, the better!

Anyway, here's mine:

If you Like:                                 Try:                                                                                            


WHY:
Because Banished is dark and so well-written, with a slightly misfit heroine who's just discovering that she not only has powers, but that there are evil forces keen to use her for them, and that in fact she's part of a powerful legacy. And the sequel, Unforsaken, is awesome too!

Really hoping this provides more fuel for my TBR pile!

xoM







8 comments:

Anita Grace Howard said...

I LOVE this Michelle! I saw one kind of like it a few weeks ago, where they did the Hunger Games, and showed compatable books to read after it. They even gave the option of male or female POV, etc... Great post!

Michelle said...

I saw that, too! SUCH a great idea, and definitely added to my pile. I wonder if I can find the link to that somewhere...

Jordan Dane said...

I love ANYTHING by Sophie Littlefield. Such a great writer...and person.

Gwen Gardner said...

What a great idea. Off the top of my head I'd say, Like Hunger Games, Try Divergent, Because they're both the fight for survival in a dystopian world.

Jordan Dane said...

Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series looks good. Does anyone know if it compares well with Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series? I can't wait to see the movie. Loved Clare's series.

Jordan Dane said...

If you like contemporary social issues YA books: Try:

Sara Zarr's Story of a girl
Jay Asher's Thirteen Reason Why
Anything by Halse-Anderson but I thought Winter Girls was very strong
Carol Tanzman's YA contemporary thrillers
Gayle Forman's If I Stay

I'm also looking forward to reading Michelle Gagnon's DON'T TURN AROUND, book 1 in a series that is getting early starred reviews & is tauted as a teen version of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Anita Grace Howard said...

Michelle, here's that link for the Hunger Games flow chart.

http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/2012/07/if-you-liked-the-hunger-games-3/

Michelle said...

Definitely, Gwen. And for Hunger Games, I'd add Legend, Blood Red Road, & the Chaos Walking series, too.

Awesome, Anita, thanks!