Some Reading Rants feedback…

For ten years, we have been receiving and saving email from teens, so we thought we’d share some of our favorites. Some made us laugh, and some just made our day. Unfortunately, I don’t have dates for when these were sent, but if you recognize your email, please let us know! We’d love to reconnect.

From teens (we think):

“Hello, I am a middle school student who must do a report on The Acorn People by Ron Jones. I was just wondering if it would be too much trouble to send me any information about Ron Jones and his work. Thank you for your consideration. P.S. This info is needed and very important. Today is Friday, Sept. 15. I need the info by Monday. I am counting on YOU!!!!”—Justin

“I think this is a very cool website. But I need your help. I need one of you to write a review of The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I need it before 8/23 at 3:00. And then I will tell everyone how great your website is!” –Kerry

“I think this is the one of the best sites for teen books anywhere. I am a seventeen year old girl and love to read more than anything, except music that is…I used to work in a library but I needed to talk more and be loud, and it wasn’t happening, so I quit, but anyways I just love your site!”—Nina

“Wow, you sound like a very cool person. Are you sure you’re an adult?”—Xelra

“I love your site, but you should be able to play the games without a plug.”—Claire

“This is quite an interesting site, but I did notice some categories lacking. I’ll probably end up being the only one who notices, especially since these books aren’t read very often, in spite of the fact that they are some of the most well written novels I’ve ever read. I’m talking about the Science Fiction and Fantasy categories. I’m serious, read something by an SF or F writer (Orson Scott Card, Anne McCaffrey, etc.) and you’ll know why they deserve their own slots on your web page. Keep up the good work.”—Jason

“I’d like to know where the reviewer got his or her information regarding ‘Go Ask Alice’. They stated that it was actually written by an author and not a true diary. If this is true (and it’s a fictional book) then I feel proof needs to be given/referenced. If it cannot be proven then I feel that those comments should be removed since it affects a persons view of the book. I understand that not all information on the internet is true but some effort should be made to prevent outright falsehoods. Thank you.”—Tracy

“I was just wondering how much it would cost if you have a really overdue book, say 9 months overdue? Well I am not giving you my screen name ’cause that’s not my name its’ a pen name.”—Chloe

“I think you are the coolest person I have ever not met.”–Sophia

“Thank you very much for this site! I am so sick of pushing aside all the series’ of 1/4-inch-thick Babysitter’s Club-esque books to get to the treasure at the back of the shelf!”—Sonya

“I just wanted to thank you for your site. It has helped me so much. My english teacher just told us to find ANY book and do a book report and then speech on it and we have one month. He and our parents just have to approve the book, but it can be anything. I’ve never had this broad of an assignment before and I was totally lost. Your site has been my guide. It helped me find exactly the book I wanted PLUS a book that I can buy for my aunt for Christmas. Thank you so much!”—Janine

“I would just like to say that your site is fantastic. I have never found a site that seemed to give all kinds of books that we (teens) actually like. Not just the stuff that mom and dad would want to see us reading.”—Jenny

“I just wanted to say thanx and tell you what a great job you’re doing. I am one of those teens who is more depressed when I don’t have a good book to read then when a boyfriend breaks up with me. You have so many good books here. I saw a lot of books that I’ve already read and loved. (I totally agree with the number one book of all time being Watership Down. It is the best book in my opinion.) So tomorrow I plan to go raid the library for all the great picks I found here. Thank you SOOOO much!!!” –Niki

“I just wanted to say thanks for such a great site! I was getting so tired of not being able to find good books….at my library and most book stores around me, the young adult section consists mainly of Sweet Valley High and books about Britney Spears–not exactly top quality literature. And a lot of adult fiction is hard for me to identify with. I was starting to think I had read all the good young adult books out there. But your site has so many good recommendations! And I think it is so cool that you enjoy working with teens and reading young adult literature.”—Christine

“Your site kicks ass. I know what I’m gonna read next thanks to you! I just got back from library and got Lovely Bones, Monster, and Alice’s Tulips. I’m a guy who reads all kinds of books even if they look girly I’ll read them to try them out. Like Born Blue I thought it was going to be girly and stupid but it’s not that book is my favorite book and the author is my favorite author (Besides Janet Tashjian, she wrote The Gospel According to Larry).
Well thanks for your book help and your site is now my home page!”—Levi

“i like your site. i keep hoping you will add new categories to your list. i also have a big problem. some of your reviews are really exciting and i would love to get hold of the books but you see i live in another country and may never find some of these authors in any library in India!”—Natasha

“Hey people @ Reading Rants. You guys are true geniuses. I had searched soooooo many websites for lists of books that teens would enjoy, & let me just say that your website was the best out of all of them (I know that might sound a little bit corny, but I don’t know how 2 express it any other way).” –Camille

“I was happily surprised at this website. My school makes us do a summer reading program which I usually read because none of the books on the list seem to interest me. I love reading but only if its not a complete drag. This year though my school said that if you don’t like the books on the list you may read one that you recommend, one your parents recommend, or one that your library recommends. Since your site is on my librarys teen section I get to read anything off this site that I want. Instead of reading the two books I have to read I think I might end up reading 10 or 11 that I wouldn’t have ever heard of if it wasn’t for this site.”—Brianne

Have some more feedback for us? You can email me at swampophelia27@yahoo.com, or you can leave a comment anywhere on the site under your favorite titles. Tell us which books you love and which ones left you cold. We love to read your comments and so do other teens who read this site and are looking for a good book. I can’t wait to hear from you!