The hobbit I first read was yours...[pls. help in the literary care & feeding of a young gentleman]

[fictional]

As some of you will know, I leave for India on Friday. Part of this traditional bi-annual (or so) exodus is to bring for one of my favorite young cousins books, books and more books. He swallows them almost as quickly as I do, and I've been giving him some of my favorites for a long time now - pretty much since he was born. And also, books that weren't necessarily right for me, but for a 'spiritually' inclined, takes-himself-way-too-seriously, navel-gazing kid, just about hit the spot. [See below, you will probably be able to tell which are which...]This time, however, because I am crazed and have mushy brain, I wasn't sure what to bring. So I asked him what he was into these days and got the following reply:

"About which books I want, I do not have anything specific in mind right now. Please bring whatever you like. I am absolutely fine "swallowing" what you bring, 'cause by doing so I have been able to read books that I never knew were there! Remember the Golden Compass trilogy? You were at work! The Earthsea series that I so love now? You again! The Hobbit I first read was yours.... Ashok Banker's Ramayana? You yet again! I got to know about Harry Potter way before anyone else in India knew about him, when you brought me the first book way back in 199_ something..... I never knew about these.

Tuesday's with Morrie is still one of my most treasured possessions...

So I have no qualms at all with you choosing what I will like to read. Because so far, you have been right all along, whether I knew it or not!"

Okay, I really don't want to break my streak, but can't think of what to offer to continue in the great and mindblowing trend of Tolkien, Pullman, Leguin etc. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

Comments

[calloocallay.livejournal.com]

I assume you've already given him Susan Cooper and HG Wells? How about some Diana Wynne Jones or Joan Aiken? Is he too old for those now? You could always try him on some Lone Wolf and Cub or Top 10, if you are willing to go graphic.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

I've definitely given him the H.G. Wells; about Susan Cooper, I can't remember, which is infuriating! He might be too old for Wynne Jones/Aiken - but maybe not. It's a definite thought. I knew you'd have ideas!

btw thanks for your call! I am SO crazed right now that I meant to call you back but I forgot. And sadly craziness continues, so shall we make a date to buy each other that congratulatory drink post Jan 24th? (When I get back.) I miss you! Also, presents! (that I wish to impart). Also, we'll be taking Eve's course together. Weekly Emily Infusion! I can hardly wait.

[moony]

Dark Is Rising!!

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

It certainly leaps to mind! I'm just afraid I already gave it to him, and I just can't remember.

Of course, that would mean embracing the possibility that I did, and it didn't make the list! I don't know how I feel about that...

[rm.livejournal.com]

The first Dune book. I mean, it might be bad crazy for a serious young boy, but he'd be totally into it.

Imajica by Clive Barker, which has lots of spiritual, is pretty awesome, presents a non-white fantasy world and can be read as very queer or very not as the reader needs. It's also 800 pages.

Er... Cyteen, maybe. It has politics in a way I think would totally grab him based on the other books you've listed. But it also has really insane teen sex drama and some pretty veiled queer stuff. I also have no idea how a boy would take to it.

How old is he?

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

I think I've already passed along Dune.

I was pretty seriously thinking of Imagica.

Do you know I've never read Cyteen?

What about Swordspoint? Is it too mannered?

There's actually two cousins here - I conflated for ease of delivery; one's 15 and the other 21.

[coyotegoth.livejournal.com]

George RR Martin? Fritz Leiber? Dark Tower series?

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Good ideas! Thanks :-)

[askeladden.livejournal.com]

John Bellairs!

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

Do you know that I do not know who that is?

I fail.

[askeladden.livejournal.com]

He's wonderful! He mostly wrote YA stuff -- very spooky and arch, much of it illustrated by Edward Gorey. But what I've read most recently is his book for grownups, The Face in the Frost. Perfectly appropriate for a teenager, though.

http://www.bellairsia.com/

[magnetgirl.livejournal.com]

Hello? Neverwhere? Perfect for a young man on a journey :)

I was also thinking Fool on the Hill for the same reason.

[kalichan.livejournal.com]

He didn't like Gaiman! Shocking, I know. I almost disowned him on the spot. Fool on the Hill's a great idea though.