I Can’t Believe I’m Saying This, But I Need Book Recommendations

My reading tastes are kind of eclectic. It can be difficult for me to find good books about topics that interest me. I thought I’d ask you guys for help because the book blogosphere knows everything about books. Let me know if you have recommendations for books in these categories.

In 2017, I want to read . . .

1. Classic children’s books. “Children’s” can mean anything from picture books to young adult. If you have kids, which classic stories would you want them to read?

2. Non-dense fantasy. Fantasy is a genre I struggle with. I’ve never been able to finish Lord of the Rings or a Brandon Sanderson book because I can’t make myself care enough about the plot or characters to get through the dense worldbuilding. I like V.E. Schwab’s fantasy books. If I like those, what else should I read? Something quirky and violent.

3. Books set during the bubonic plague. Fiction or nonfiction. I want to know what life was like in the 14^th century. I’m especially interested in European religions during this time. I want to know about the flagellant movement, the massacre of the Jews, and the Catholic Church’s reaction to the plague. (This doesn't sound morbid at all, does it?)

4. Newbery winners. This award has been around since the 1920s, so there are many winners. I’ve already read a bunch of them, and I have a bunch more to go. Help me prioritize. Some of my favorites are The Twenty-One Balloons, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Bridge to Terabithia, The Giver, Holes, and Walk Two Moons.

5. Fiction about ancient people. Like, really ancient. Neanderthals or early humans. I already have The Clan of the Cave Bear.

6. Novels-in-verse. Every modern novel-in-verse I’ve read has been written by Ellen Hopkins. It’s time to expand my horizons. Who are some other authors who write really good novels-in-verse?

7. #OwnVoices graphic novels. I’m especially interested in memoirs, but fiction is okay, too.

8. Children’s stories from non-English-speaking places. I’m looking for English translations of traditional children’s stories from around the world. Is there an anthology of these stories somewhere?

9. Horror recent releases. I spent 2016 reading classic horror and didn’t pay much attention to recent horror. What are some good scary books that have come out in the past few years?

10. Nonfiction about old religions. I want to know about old religions, preferably ones that are obscure or no longer practiced. I’d also read fiction about old religions if it’s well-researched.

11. Nonfiction wilderness survival stories or travel stories. Well-written true stories about people who have done extreme things. Books like Wild by Cheryl Strayed or the survival stuff that Jon Krakauer writes.

12. Nonfiction about royalty behaving badly. Maybe I’ve watched too much Game of Thrones, but I want to know about real life royal scandals and murders. Real life is always more twisted than fiction, right?


13. Young adult books set in the 1940s and 1950s. I'd rather not have the books be about WWII, though. I've already read a ton of those. I'm interested in how teenagers lived during these decades.


14. LGBT young adult books. No "coming out" stories or romances. I'm trying to find books about teens who happen to be LGBT but are doing something unrelated to sexuality. Do those books exist?


15. Young adult books from small presses. I want to support small presses. Which ones are the best for YA? 

Thanks for your help!