Reel Reading: Fantasy

Do you enjoy a good binge fest over books, TV series or films? Join us to talk about all things binge-worthy in our virtual club just for teens.

Reel Reading is a teen-specific book, film and TV club meeting virtually on the fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. via Zoom. This club is for ages 13-18 and each month will have a genre or theme to explore. Register for our next session here.

Teen Street Team member Aliyah is our guest blogger for this month, and talks about her favorite parts of fantasy novels:

There is something about the Fantasy genre that is really quite special. The perfect blend of myth and folklore intertwined with twinkling magic always guarantees a great read. Fantasy novels have the power to transport you to a world where there are no boundaries and where anything can happen — whether it be unusual creatures or powerful spells.

A fantasy novel that I highly recommend is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Bardugo has a remarkable and detailed style of writing that will leave you hanging on to every word. The fantastic plot and moving characters are sure to keep you reading. This novel is absolutely perfect for someone who enjoys a thrilling storyline with twists and turns where the power of trust and friendship are sure to shine through. This novel includes topics like dyslexia, disabilities, and diversity, which I find very important. Also, I especially love when there are maps in the story; I find it so fun to navigate through the fantasy land, as it makes the whole plot more real and exciting. When taking in the story, you’ll find yourself in Ketterdam with six incredible “outcasts” who will surely win you over.

As I said before, the genre of Fantasy is really something different. Immersing yourself in a magical world through a novel is great, but when you talk with others about plots, emotions, and recommendations in this wholesome genre, you take it to the next level.

Reel Reading is a program through the Plano Public Library where teens from our Plano community come together and discuss our next greatest reads or our next binge-worthy TV show or movie. We meet once a month, and every month has a different genre. All the teens in this program are accepting and diverse individuals who respect one another’s opinions. I can’t wait to recommend Six of Crows to my fellow teens at the Fantasy Reel Reading meeting!

In addition to Six of Crows, here are a few more titles from the Fantasy genre. The links below are just a couple of format options – search the library catalog for others:

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
Shadow and Bone: Print Book and eBook
Siege and Storm: Print Book and eBook
Ruin and Rising: Print Book and eBook

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Print Book and eBook

The Folk of the Air Series by Holly Black
The Cruel Prince: Print Book and eBook
The Wicked King: Print Book and eBook
The Queen of Nothing: Print Book and eBook

The Kyoshi Novels by F. C. Yee
The Rise of Kyoshi: Print Book and eBook
The Shadow of Kyoshi: Print Book and eBook

The Camelot Rising Trilogy by Kiersten White
The Guinevere Deception: Print Book and eBook
The Camelot Betrayal: Print Book and eBook

Legacy of Orisha Series by Tomi Adeyemi
Children of Blood and Bone: Print Book and eBook
Children of Virtue and Vengeance: Print Book and eBook

The Diviners Series by Libba Bray
The Diviners: Print Book and eBook
Lair of Dreams: Print Book and eBook
Before the Devil Breaks You: Print Book and eBook
King of Crows: Print Book and eBook

An Ember in the Ashes Series by Sabaa Tahir
An Ember in the Ashes: Print Book and eBook
A Torch Against the Night: Print Book and eBook
A Reaper at the Gates: Print Book and eBook
A Sky Beyond the Storm: Print Book and eBook

Reel Reading meets next on Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m. Register to join us here. For more Reel Reading recommendations, check out previous blog posts.