By FPL_Amy
If you love Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta as much as me, then the December announcement of a TV drama series adaptation of the award-winning Australian YA book fills you with joy and maybe a little trepidation, because seriously, how can any adaptation live up to the perfection that is Jellicoe Road?
While the adaptation has been announced, and writer’s have signed on to the project, it’s still too soon for a release date.The rational part of me recognizes that time is needed to do this adaptation justice, the fangirl in me wanted this adaptation five years ago! To distract myself, and every other bibliophile longing for the Jellicoe Road adaptation, I’ve compiled a list of recommendations for killing time while we wait.
Read Jellicoe Road again. Without fail, I read this book at least once every year. I always find something new and fresh with every rereading. (And if you’ve come to this post, without ever having read the book, stop what you’re doing now and read it. You’ll thank me later.)
Travel to Australia. Explore the country where Jellicoe Road takes place. Sure, it might put a dent in your wallet but imagine reading Jellicoe Road on a liveaboard in the Great Barrier Reef or while exploring one of Australia’s many rainforests. The library has a travel backpack to help you plan your perfect Australian vacation.
Read More Books by Melina Marchetta. If you loved Jellicoe Road for it’s writing style and voice, then there’s a very good chance you’ll love Melina Marchetta’s other works. You’re already aware she writes YA contemporary fiction, but did you know she also writes YA High Fantasy, and Adult Mystery and Suspense?
Explore Similar Authors and Titles. Now that you’ve read the entire Melina Marchetta collection, you’re ready to move on to books that are reminiscent of Jellicoe Road, but written by other authors.
Furyborn by Claire Legrand: On the surface, these two books would seem to have nothing in common, one is high fantasy and the other contemporary fiction. But dig deeper and you’ll find fierce female protagonists who are not immediately likeable, but who you will sympathize with nonetheless. Like Jellicoe Road, there are two stories from different time periods being told simultaneously. One in which you can see tragedy ahead and know there is nothing that can be done to avert it.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo: Both Xiomara and Taylor are fierce protagonists who refuse to back down from anyone as they navigate difficult family situations. The writing in both books is lyrical and moving, with passages that resonate and stay with you long after finishing it. I recommend listening to The Poet X to fully experience the poignancy and emotional depth that Acevedo brings to her award-winning debut novel.
Find more author and title read-alikes using the library’s NoveList database! In addition to read-alikes, NoveList provides reviews and annotations for over 135,000 fiction titles as well as Book Discussion Guides, BookTalks, and Annotated Book Lists.
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