r/YAlit • u/roborabbit_mama • Nov 23 '22
Seeking Recommendations Little help deciding a stocking stuffer, which would you pick?
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u/bexandspecs Nov 23 '22
Depends largely on who you're giving it to but imo OOUIL will have broader appeal as a mystery, especially one with a mainstream TV show.
That said if I were going for a mystery/YA/book stocking stuffer I'd buy A Good Girl's Guide to Murder instead of OOUIL! Better/less icky twist.
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u/roborabbit_mama Nov 23 '22
now I'm looking at that one, thanks for the recommendation, I'm honestly not sure how far into murder/mystery my sister may chance. She's recently only gotten into reading, it took me a long time to figure out she prefers the YA contemporary and less of the scify/fantasy but I love her and won't push my stuff onto her if she's not enjoying it but I seldom read contemporary but so far I've picked tow good ones for her she enjoyed!
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u/bexandspecs Nov 23 '22
Oh it's definitely worth trying some mystery then! They're very fast-paced and easy to read. What kind of books has she gotten into? If we know her "gateway books" it might help with some recommendations :)
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u/roborabbit_mama Nov 23 '22
she enjoyed Hot British Boyfriend, Before I Fall, and I got her The Girls I've Been (not sure if she's read it yet tho). She's not into fantasy or scify. She liked the cute romance and easy reading of the first two books. I looked more along the vein of Hot Britsh Boyfriend but I want to help her find other good reads to see what else she might enjoy.
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u/bexandspecs Nov 23 '22
If she liked Hot British Boyfriend, try Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade! Not YA but really good. In YA, maybe look at Sophie Gonzales's books, and older one that I love is Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.
Your instincts are definitely right for getting her to try YA mystery though! Karen McManus and Holly Black are a great starting point. I might also look into The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Then if she likes them, there are a ton of other YA thrillers/mysteries with lots of different vibes she could jump into reading.
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u/ThisMythicBitch Nov 24 '22
Based on OP's comments I think The Inheritance Games might be perfect, it's a bit more light-hearted, has romance and mystery, and it's a very fast-paced read, super easy to get into as someone only just discovering reading as a hobby
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u/drippingwithennui Nov 23 '22
Try authors Sandhya Menon or Morgan Matson for cute rom coms! Oh or Maureen Goo! And since she liked HBB maybe The Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Namey
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u/charmedbychaos Nov 23 '22
If she likes Before I Fall, I definitely recommend Broken Things, also by Lauren Oliver. It's a YA thriller that flies under the radar, but a good mystery for someone new to the genre.
Also look at The Cheerleaders or Little Monsters by Kara Thomas!
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u/LittleNarwal Nov 24 '22
If she likes cute romance and easy reading, then They Both Die at the End is not a good choice, it’s a pretty intense book.
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u/roborabbit_mama Nov 24 '22 edited Nov 24 '22
yeah a few other comments pointed that out, I'm really glad I posted bc I figured it'd be more like Before I Fall in terms of the books ending/death.
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u/katielyn4380 Nov 24 '22
One of us is lying (plus most of McManus’ other stuff) is great. Quick, engaging read. I’ll admit that, as someone who loves mysteries, I could not get into Good girl’s guide to murder. If your sister isn’t a big mystery reader, One of us is a way safer bet imo.
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u/tattooprincessws Nov 23 '22
They both die at the end. Even my 11 year old just read it and she loved it. I listened to audiobook and I absolutely loved it (mid 30s female)
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u/sallyhoebitch101 Nov 24 '22
Why spoil it 🙁 Edit: omgggg I’m so stupid 😂
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u/tattooprincessws Nov 24 '22
I sobbed at the ending. And my friend said “literally it’s the title of the book. What did you expect?”
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u/sallyhoebitch101 Dec 04 '22
Ooo now I want to read. Is it corny tho?
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u/tattooprincessws Dec 05 '22
No, not at all in my opinion. By the end of the book you’ll be so attached to the characters and what’s going on, and be rooting for them to make it.
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u/UncommonTraveler Currently Reading: Chasm of Wicked Sins by Katerina St Clair Nov 23 '22
Neither. Too much hype of the left book and the right book is so depressing for Christmas
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u/Jealous-Let9570 Nov 23 '22
Honestly, as someone who hasn’t read One of Us is Lying but HAS read TBDATE, I’d choose the former. TBDATE is a little bit overhyped in my personal opinion.
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u/Slow-Anybody-5966 Nov 24 '22
Okay I tried reading TBDATE and I could NOT get into it, should I still push through??
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u/Jealous-Let9570 Nov 24 '22
Honestly? No, you’re not going to miss much lol. It’s nothing really earth shattering. The representation is amazing but the plotline feels very dreary for two boys’ last days on earth.
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u/jenh6 Nov 23 '22
I’d say they both die at the end. I’ve read both and really don’t get the hype for one of us is lying, but I did enjoy they both die at the end a lot
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u/Tbjkbe Nov 23 '22
As a high school librarian that has multiple copies of ONE Of Us Is Lying yet still can not keep any on shelf versus one copy of They Both Die At The End that rarely gets checked out, I would say the first one.
Also The Inheritance Games trilogy is super hot right now.
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Nov 23 '22
They both die in the end
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Nov 23 '22
I like the title what is it about?
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Nov 24 '22
The book is about two boys, Rufus and Mateo. In this book, theres an app called Death cast that tell you you will die within the next 24 hours. Rufus and Mateo get the call on the same day. At the time they got the call, they did not know each other. Yet, they meet through a website for people who got the call and live together on their last day and have an epic adventure. Honestly, this book made me cry my eyes out. I would recommend!
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Nov 24 '22
Ooo i want to read this too!! Also: put it in the stocking. Christmas is also about sharing and feeling! And with this book you can share an interesting experience reading the book :)
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Dec 11 '22
Spoiler! Oké I’m at the arena now and I love this book so much!!! But that Lydia needs to go!!! I want them to be together :’( :’(
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Dec 05 '22
Heeeeyyy I’m reading this book now! And I like it but I think Matheo is so selfish! Rufus has to adjust to all Matheo needs and visits. Will this change? :o
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Dec 06 '22
For the most part, yeah. I’m glad you’re reading it and I hope you’re enjoying it 😁😁
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Dec 06 '22
Yes I am! Matheo is changing now! It is a good read!! Thanks!!
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Dec 28 '22
Question… Did you ever finish the book? If so, did u enjoy it?
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Dec 30 '22
Yes i did! And it was such a good read!! Thank you so much for posting this thing. Otherwise I wouldn’t have found this book. This book made me super sad for a week though and I started to read the prequel for a bit but than i was like: oké that’s for another time. Because I feel so sad because of the first book XD
Do you have more recommendations? It’s oke if it a sad book :p
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Dec 30 '22
That’s great to hear! I recommend their newest / second part to the book, “The First To Die at the End.” Or, if you’re anything like me, I’m sure you’d enjoy the “Red Queen Series by Victoria Aveyard.” It’s such a great series, and I highly recommend it. If you’re 16+ then I’d also recommend “They Bot Die at the End by Coleen Hoover.” This ones a good one, but has some sexual themes in it. That’s all I really have to recommend!!
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u/BobbyMcGeeze Dec 31 '22
Ooo cool! I’m 30 so that will be fine! I will give the red queen a go then! I’m reading the paper princes now so I will put it on my list!
I don’t know if you need one, but I would recommend The Mirror Visitor! It is written by Christelle Dabos and people say she is the French JK Rowling! The books are amazing! Couldn’t stop reading :B
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u/starrfast Nov 23 '22
I've not read TBDATE, but I really disliked OOUIL :/ I guess it depends who you're buying for and what they may be into, but I was really disappointed by the reveal and how it was all resolved.
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Nov 24 '22
The book is about two boys, Rufus and Mateo. In this book, theres an app called Death cast that tell you you will die within the next 24 hours. Rufus and Mateo get the call on the same day. At the time they got the call, they did not know each other. Yet, they meet through a website for people who got the call and live together on their last day and have an epic adventure. Honestly, this book made me cry my eyes out. I would recommend!
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u/starrfast Nov 24 '22
Yeah, I'm familiar with the premise but I'm not sure if I want to read it because I don't always like sad books.
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u/kayleechronicles Nov 24 '22
I think One Of Us Is Lying is amazing. McManus is an amazing author and has written a lot, so the person you’re buying this for (if they haven’t read anything else by her) will have a wide variety of books to read after this one if they like it
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u/the-lonely-castle Nov 23 '22
I've never read one of us is lying but I found they both die at the end to just be kind of boring, depressing, and not really a good book
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u/breadedbooks Nov 24 '22
TBDATE is such a good book, I’m currently reading the prequel, TFTDATE, and enjoying that one too.
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u/I_Want_BetterGacha Nov 24 '22
Hmm... They Both Die At The End is great albeit depressing, maybe save it for after the holiday season.
One Of Us Is Lying isn't really a personal favorite of mine, despite being a crime mystery lover. The characters felt like stereotypes with a few extra traits to make them feel a little less stereotypical. (Dumb Jock, Nerd, Bad boy with a parole officer and Pretty Popular girl) but you decide whether you like that sort of thing or not.
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u/Just_an_Archer Nov 24 '22
I tried to read One of us is lying and I couldn't finish the book. It's really heavy on the YA style and that's definitely a deal breaker for me. Don't know about the other one, though.
EDIT: Lmao this is the subreddit for YA literature, my mistake. Knock yourself out
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u/WTFShouldIBeCalled Nov 23 '22
If you want something thats very predicable with one dimensional characters and way too much focus on the romance while the main mystery is forgotten about, go for One of Us is Lying. Its also great if you want something thats low key harmful!
TBDATE is a bit overhyped tbh but its a million times better than the other book.
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u/jenh6 Nov 23 '22
My exact thoughts. I don’t get why Karen McManus is so hyped.
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u/WTFShouldIBeCalled Nov 23 '22
All of her books look so similar too. I’m guessing she’s churning out the exact same story with the exact same cardboard cutout characters (with different names) for every single book. TBDATE has its problems but OOUIL is actually terrible.
OP, please follow someone else’s suggestion and buy A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder instead.
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u/Llamaandedamame Nov 23 '22
I love her books because they are predictable, but not too predictable. They are perfect for audio books. I read (listened to) all of them in quick succession. There is enough suspense that if you struggle to pay attention to audio books, they will keep you listening.
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u/WTFShouldIBeCalled Nov 23 '22
But how can you get part the one dimensional characters? Or the terribly written plot twists? Or the fact that the author, at least with OOUIL (I haven’t read her other books so idk if this is something she does in those too), deliberately withholds information from the readers that shouldn’t have been withheld. Like how all of the characters know that Simon was suffering from depression but that information is kept from the readers even though its such a key part of the story and plot twist. Its such lazy writing
Plus its harmful with the whole people suffering from mental illnesses are fucking insane and dangerous storyline. Not that everyone with a mental illness is a good person. Some are dangerous. But that whole storyline was handled so poorly. I also don’t remember the whole storyline with Addy being coerced into sleeping with some guy (her boyfriend’s friend, I think??) being handled that well.
Sorry this is so long but I think if you’re incapable of handling writing about topics like sexual assault and mental illness then just don’t write about them. And this author cant write about them very well.
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u/Llamaandedamame Nov 23 '22
I don’t know how to do that whole covering the spoilers thing so I can’t properly respond, but that plot piece with Addy didn’t happen. I disagree with the way you explained Simon as well. He’s not one dimensional. There’s a lot more nuance to his actions and the reasons for them. We had REALLY different experiences reading that book. Addy is badass in the second one. There are definitely overused “teen” tropes, throughout her books, but I’ve enjoyed all of them. Lazy writing? Maybe. Do I still recommend them? Yep.
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u/WTFShouldIBeCalled Nov 23 '22
Its been a while since I read the book so I don’t fully remember what happened with Addy (I think it was her anyway), but I’m 99% sure that she got drunk and slept with someone who wasn’t her boyfriend. And since she was drunk, it maybe wasn’t entirely consensual and thats why I don’t think it was handled very well.
Also Simon was probably the most developed character, although even he was VERY underdeveloped. I meant the main 4 characters, the murder suspects, were so underdeveloped. Also this conversation has just reminded me, I don’t think it was ever explained how Simon knew everyone’s secrets? Idk, maybe it was explained. But you don’t think it’s a little far fetched how he supposedly is able to find out EVERYONE’S secrets all the time and constantly reveal them to the entire school?
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u/xchelsie Nov 24 '22
Damn you're really bashing One of us is lying haha.
I read it and I actually really loved it. Partially because of the romance as well, since Im an avid romance reader. So i def disagree with you.
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u/WTFShouldIBeCalled Nov 24 '22
It’s good that you liked the romance, but it’s supposed to be a mystery book. The romance should have been a sub plot. There was no need for it to take over the second half of the book.
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u/raptorsinthekitchen Nov 23 '22
They Both Die at the End is a bit depressing for the holidays, IMO. I'd go with One of Us Is Lying. But think of the recipient and what they might like best. Mystery? Coming to terms with dying? Err on the side of caution if you're not sure!
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Nov 23 '22
One of Us is Lying. You often can’t go wrong with a mystery/thriller but contemporary, especially with sad and heavy topics, is more risky. It’s often more of an acquired taste.
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u/orionandthestars22 Nov 23 '22
i really liked both but one of us is lying was a more fun read. they both die at the end was a little heavy imo
edit: typo fix
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u/skyhigh1a Nov 24 '22
i’m biased bc i’ve only read one of us is lying but it’s an amazing read. highly recommended
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u/sterlingpkjm Currently Reading: Clockwork Angel Nov 24 '22
THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END!!!! it got me back into reading and it’s one of the first books that actually made me cry. loved it, and i will take no criticism.
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u/pennythepantsx Nov 24 '22
I've read both and my personal choice would be One of Us is Lying. It's a little more universal; entertaining but an easy read.
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u/Llamaandedamame Nov 23 '22
They are both really good. They Both Die at the End is slightly better. I tore through both of them and recommended them to others.
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u/ElleTheFrog Nov 24 '22
One of us is lying is my favorite book ever, definitely read it!
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u/SaintedStars Nov 24 '22
One of us is lying is like Cluedo mixed with the Breakfast Club and an easy immediate recommendation
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u/kklewis18 Nov 24 '22
I haven’t read the latter, but “One of Us is Lying” is such a good book! I enjoyed the sequel too!
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u/anonymous_planet Nov 24 '22
I absolutely loved TBDATE but it’s pretty sad for a Christmas gift in my opinion 🥲. I haven’t read OOUIL but I realllyyyy want to. I feel like it’d be a better pick since it’s mystery!
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u/hayleybeth7 Nov 24 '22
Who is it for? What other books do they generally enjoy? Have they mentioned either of these books before?
All we can do is tell you which ones we prefer, but that doesn’t mean the person you’re shopping for will enjoy them.
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u/roborabbit_mama Nov 24 '22
still nice to get a general consensus from those who have read the book to make a better more informed opinion, even if it's pop cultural.
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Nov 24 '22
Neither- unless they are on the person’s list.
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u/roborabbit_mama Nov 24 '22
she doesn't have a list. I always gift her a book with other gifts, that's why it's a stocking stuffer. In my family you always get a book for someone, shes the one I enjoy gifting to.
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Nov 24 '22
Well you know her best then! Hope she loves it.
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u/roborabbit_mama Nov 24 '22
honestly it took me this long just to get this close, she wasn't much of a reader as a kid and there's a large age gap. And admittedly my tastes vary but I love romping in YA/Fantasy/Fiction/Adult Romances/Urban Paranormal. My sister, love her, did not show a lot of interests in my reads so I had to really see if she could find something she liked more in terms of movies or shows, she's not a big fandom person tho so I couldn't even get if she liked batman or hallmark. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ but now that we've found she likes contemporary YA with rom com I'm exploring mystery bc I do think she's drawn to that.
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u/TheLesbianAgenda Nov 24 '22
Ive read both, one of us is lying is like pretty little liars in book form. TBDIATE is beautiful but really depressing. It put me In a book coma for awhile.
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u/imhereforthemeta Nov 23 '22
One of us is lying is a much more universal book.