Young Adult Book Reading Challenges discussion
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Excuse me while I rant...
I would say as long as the HYPE for Harry Potter did, and was replaced by the Twilight HYPE> Once somebody does something orginal and teens get hooked, word of mouth will get them to move on from wolves and vampires.
Interesting rant. I looked through all the books I had tagged YA and only Scott Westerfeld's The Uglies Trilogy series had no werewolves/vampires/supernatural element. Also Evil Genius by Catherine Jenks. Could just be me, though.
I agree with your rant. As a HS librarian as well, I understand your frustration. I have a group of students that are so absolutely sick of anything/everything supernatural that they want to scream. But I also have a group, usually younger, that are still heavily into the genre so will have to continue to purchase those titles that I, personally, am tired of reading.
I laughed when I read your rant - as someone who has always loved fantasy fiction and enjoys supernatural themes - even I think the market is a little oversaturated with the stuff. Now this would be one thing if these were good solid stories but sadly a good bulk of it fall into what I like to refer to as the 'ain't nothing going on but the rent!' type fiction. Mass produced and shovelled out to YA audiences (and okay quite a few adults too) as quickly as their printers can spit them out complete with a pretty image slapped on the cover - because unfortunately publishers have now clued in to the fact that the old adage of 'don't judge a book by its cover' is crap - that is absolutely how we judge (at least at the beginning) a book! I have this image of multitudes of malnourished authors crammed into a publishing factory in some developing country, hunched over their typewriters, fingers hammering out these stories as fast as they can, regularly injecting descriptions like 'then he turned into a wolf before her adoring eyes'...'His beautiful vampire face froze in anguish, he loved her so much he didn't know whether to cuddle her or bite her'...'she was amazed, why had no one told her she was half fairy, she thought everyone could talk to trees!'..
Publishing sweatshops - I swear I wouldn't be surprised if I turned on the TV to hear the local news reporting on it one day.
I still enjoy fantasy but when I walk down my local bookstore aisle I can't help but roll my eyes when I catch the latest vampire high school offering. Where are the author's scruples over using the same formula?? Drowned out by the ringing of the cash register methinks, well either that or leached out of them by cruel factory working conditions (ref above to pub. sweat shop theory) Oh so cynical you'd say, but sadly true.
It's like Mills and Boons for young people only these days when boy meets girl, boy has to resist the urge to eat girl - Tragic?? Yes, absolutely, just not in the way I think it was intended.
Kristi wrote: "The last 2 books looked like they were going to be good mysteries. (Liar & I Am Not a Serial Killer.) Just when I'm 1/2 into the story, BAM! the author introduces a random WOLF/MONSTER!!!! I was so disappointed in the turn of events, I put the books down & refused to read them! ähm you sure about that? I absolutely loved "I'm not a serial killer" and "mr monster", the sequel. If I were you I would give it a second try, the "monster-aspect" doesn't play an important role in the book and in fact it isn't even clear yet whether there is even a monster at all... still possible that the protagonist is a sociopath with a high imagination...I agree with you, all the mystery and fantasy elements start to bore me too, but at least in this series it doesn't really make a difference... so what I'm trying to say is simply: give it a try and don't make the mistake of avoiding a great book only because the author uses the phrase "monster" in it ;)
Ryan, I think the displays are part of the problem. Fantasy and paranormal are supposedly hot right now so that's what is pushed when everyone i getting sick of it.I actually liked I Am Not A Serial Killer, but the supernatural twist bothered me. It worked in this book better than some (as a symbol for what a monster really is) but I don' think the story needed it. It was good enough without having to go that route.
Ryan wrote: "Kristi, I completely agree with you about getting tired of supernatural creatures in YA. After being bored silly by the last several book like this that I've read, I'm not reading any more of them...."can you send me a link thanks
I think that what most frustrated me about Serial Killer is that I thought it was REALISTIC FICTION, maybe even a psychological thriller on a YA level (like Cormier's Tenderness). I believe I purchased the title based off of what I read in a SLJ review & I don't remember there being any allusion to a supernatural element. I was REALLY enjoying the book. I liked how the character was having to deal with his inner conflict, and I thought his dangerous obsession was actually was going to be put to good use to solve a mystery ~ a potential teenage serial killer who solves serial murders is a great storyline. I agree with Annalisa that the book was good enough w/o a monster. Simply put, it was disappointing b/c now the book is just another supernatural story that I won't be able to recommend to the majority of my students because they are just as sick of this trend as I am...
Btw, I appreciated all the responses. I'm usually reluctant to post so thanks for your input!
Teresa,I haven't read Beautiful Creatures yet, but it's still fantasy. At least you know that going into it. Serial Killer (and I'm sure Liar) aren't formulaic and they're well-written, good stories. It's that the supernatural elements aren't expected. When you want to read realistic fiction and it sneaks up on you, it's disappointing. There's so much of it in YA that we don't want it in books that are sold as realistic fiction.
Annalisa wrote: "Teresa,I haven't read Beautiful Creatures yet, but it's still fantasy. At least you know that going into it. Serial Killer (and I'm sure Liar) aren't formulaic and they're well-written, good stori..."
so you are looking for realistic fiction and no more supernatural anything?
Yes, well kind of. I don't mind reading some books with supernatural elements, but I am largely over the genre. I agree with what Jillian said about it being the formula I'm sick of, but it makes me sick of everything in the genre. I am leaning toward realism in the YA I read. And if there are supernatural elements, I'd like to know that going into it, instead of it sneaking up on me.As Kristi wrote in her original post: "I am completely OVER any supernatural-related content. "
Annalisa wrote: "Yes, well kind of. I don't mind reading some books with supernatural elements, but I am largely over the genre. I agree with what Jillian said about it being the formula I'm sick of, but it makes m..."okay haven't read it, but this is getting recommended a lot
Perfect Chemistry
I did read Gracelingwhich I find to have a very STRONG female character, nothing supernatural BUT the characters have different gifts, but no vampires, werewolves, etc, I gave it a 5 and I DON't Read this type of book
will keep thinking, I have a couple teenage girls who read nonstop and always has books I NEED to read to discuss with thm.
Teresa,I've read Graceling and heard of Perfect Chemistry, although I'm not sure I'd like it (all that cheese). I've had Beautiful Creatures on my night stand forever. I'll get to it one of these days. Thanks for the recommends though. I've gotten some great read ideas off our "What are you reading this month" discussions and the master list too. I'm one of those people who read nonstop too :). I usually mix up my reads with fantasy or dystopia and more realistic settings. My daughter's only 8, but hopefully when she's a teenager, I'll be able to give her some direction and discuss the books she is reading.
Annalisa wrote: "Teresa,I've read Graceling and heard of Perfect Chemistry, although I'm not sure I'd like it (all that cheese). I've had Beautiful Creatures on my night stand forever. I'll get to it one of these ..."
I am lagging in my reading this month, no time for kids to swim until summer schedule kicks in ( conflicts with work schedule), so hopefully it will pick up soon.
I read 2 chapters of Perfect Chemistry when I stopped reading it and threw it down in disgust. It contains so much graphic sexual dialog between the two main characters (foreplay ect.) that it really bothered me for a YA book.
It makes me wonder if we are now entering into an era where it takes more and more to "shock" audiences and so the levels are getting pushed way too far to cause "reactions" that it's becoming over done.
(take for instance this year's MTV movie awards...it seemed like everyone from presenters to the performances where all centered around who could shock the most that it all became rather silly and stupid instead of entertaining....same thing seems to be happening with some television shows and books....the whole story line is centered more around "shocking actions" and "how-far-can-we-push-it" than character development or plot to the point where it almost become routine and boring)
It makes me wonder if we are now entering into an era where it takes more and more to "shock" audiences and so the levels are getting pushed way too far to cause "reactions" that it's becoming over done.
(take for instance this year's MTV movie awards...it seemed like everyone from presenters to the performances where all centered around who could shock the most that it all became rather silly and stupid instead of entertaining....same thing seems to be happening with some television shows and books....the whole story line is centered more around "shocking actions" and "how-far-can-we-push-it" than character development or plot to the point where it almost become routine and boring)
The problem I had was reading too much YA supernatural fiction back to back. I ended up hating all of it.Personally, I don't think I'd care for Perfect Chemistry because it's a Romance novel.
Here's an amazing YA book where the supernatural element sneaks up on the reader in a wonderful way: Impossible.
These are realistic YA books I quite enjoyed:
Blue Boy;
Because I am Furniture;Angry Management; King of the Screwups; Ash- is very realistic for a fairy tale retelling...
The Girl Who Chased the Moondon't know if this would work, it is about 95% realistic fiction, one thing happens in the book, that couldn't happen in the real worldIt is a sweet story of a girl moving South to live with her grandfather after her mother's death, and learning about a small town life, and her mother's life. Nothing really about the death or greiving, I found it to be a sweet read that i read fast and I normally dont read books from this genre.
Hate List only 150 pages into it, but most realistic fiction I have read for YA so far this year. It is about a school shooting, but it is so much more. The POV is from the girlfriend of the shooter, it shows how people keep going on after a violent attack like this.
Loved the Hate List....highly recommend this book.
LOL i so get your rant.....i do love a bit of wolf or vamp but it truelly is everywhere..... i read whisper recently and although the 'special power' reminded me of Edwards from twilight i liked the idea, the only thing that let the book down was i felt it was poorly written.Hope you find something worth reading soon xxx
Oooooh Thanks for that Ryan
Ryan wrote: "Here's the YALSA site, and it's been helpful to me in finding realitic YA titles, and I like that they're listed by subject. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yal......"
I always uses the YALSA site for awards. Had NO idea it had lists of books based on themes/topics.
Thanks Ryan!!!!!!!!
Kristi, I agree with you. I have been so frustrated with this YA Supernatural crap. But, whereas you dislike the whole idea of the genre, I just dislike the writing style. I hate how it's almost always a young normal girl who likes a mysterious boy. It turns out, the mysterious boy is actually a supernatural creature.... and hes DANGEROUS! Then they fall in love. I don't mind the genre at all, as long as its good writing and they present it to me in a unique way. I have been so frustrated with YA writers lately! I loved how Bess pictured it as a sweatshop and each writer furiously pounding the cheesiest, over-used lines into their computers! That was hilarious, and totally true!
Brenda wrote: "Loved the Hate List....highly recommend this book."I am around page 300 and I can't read it fast enough, going hopefully read for a couple hours tonight.
Jessica wrote: "Kristi, I agree with you. I have been so frustrated with this YA Supernatural crap. But, whereas you dislike the whole idea of the genre, I just dislike the writing style. I hate how it's almost al..."for the total opposite try Beautiful Creaturesit is a supernatural girl and a normal boy,
I read Hate List earlier this spring & I thought it had a unique viewpoint on school shootings. I recently read & enjoyed Todd Strasser's Wish You Were Dead that kind of ties in with that bullying/cliques/retaliation theme.I've had some luck within the last couple of weeks in reading some decent books that didn't have "surprises." I use ALA lists & the Mo. Gateway list. I also am trying to read b/w the lines when reading the book cover, looking for vague references to a supernatural twist that might sneak up on me!!! Ryan ~ thanks for the Yalsa site. I had forgotten that this was out there!
Some titles I've recently read include Shift, The Good Thief, The Book Thief, and Unwind. On my waiting list are Last Night I Sang to the Monster, The Juvie Three, and A Certain Slant of Light. I'm going to head to the bookstore today...
Has anyone read A Northern Light? I think I might get that next time I go to my library.
Just like Jillian, I am not tired of supernatural, I am SICK of the same story told over and over again. How many poorly written books can I read about a regular girl and a supernatural boy who is dangerous but oh so irresistible? Sorry to say it, but Beautiful Creatures also uses exactly the same formula, only the roles of boy and girl are reversed. I have pretty much given up on these run-of-the-mill books and now try to concentrate on the YA books that have literary merit to them. YALSA website is a good source of quality books of various genres. I've enjoyed almost all of the books listed on their best of the year lists.http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yal...
Yes, down with vampires and werewolves!" a regular girl and a supernatural boy who is dangerous but oh so irresistible" This too doesn't interest me in the least and seems to be popping up everywhere.
yeah I read Beautiful Creatures and I didn't like it. It seems all these books are the same. A boy and girl meet, instantly fall in love and discover their "soulmates". Oh and one of the two (usually the boy) is a dangerous supernatural creature but they still love each other. ugh so boring and typical nowadays
Jessica wrote: "yeah I read Beautiful Creatures and I didn't like it. It seems all these books are the same. A boy and girl meet, instantly fall in love and discover their "soulmates". Oh and one of the two (usual..."Okay I agree on the concept but I still love the book : )
I do think Hate Listis very realistic, and all teenagers should read it, just to understand how bullying can go to far and for paretns to read it to be aware of the world there child is growing up in .
I havent finish it yet but I can recommend The Body FinderBUT to me it is not supernatural ( no crazy creatures) but the main character can sense/smell dead bodies and the imprints it leaves on a character, I do have issues with the boy/girl best friends all of sudden becoming quite serious with each other.
Body Finder was awesome! A really well written book.
AH wrote: "Body Finder was awesome! A really well written book."I loved the book execpt for 2 things, how Jay and Violet's relationship changed so quickly and the ending was a little abrupt, otherwise I HIGHLy recommend it.
I loved the book execpt for 2 things, how Jay and Violet's relationship changed so quickly and the ending was a little abrupt..."There is a sequel planned, not sure what it is to be called. And Jay was way too perfect....
Just finished The Body Finder and I felt it was a
just Okay book. I would put it in the category of "summer beach book on a lazy day." The book had a great concept but was dragged down with too much emphasize on the relationship (almost two sickly sweet and I'm sorry but I would never allow my teenage daughter to have her "best friend" of the opposite sex in her bedroom with the door closed all the time or not be upset to see them groping each other every time they are together). I also didn't like the ending but don't want to go into that much detail because I don't want to ruin the book for others.
just Okay book. I would put it in the category of "summer beach book on a lazy day." The book had a great concept but was dragged down with too much emphasize on the relationship (almost two sickly sweet and I'm sorry but I would never allow my teenage daughter to have her "best friend" of the opposite sex in her bedroom with the door closed all the time or not be upset to see them groping each other every time they are together). I also didn't like the ending but don't want to go into that much detail because I don't want to ruin the book for others.
i agree. i found the body finder is that kind of book you would bring when your waiting in the doctors office. just something to pass the time or read on a lazy day. I'm not sure if I will read the sequel...
Brenda wrote: "Just finished The Body Finder and I felt it was ajust Okay book. I would put it in the category of "summer beach book on a lazy day." The book had a great concept but was dragged down with too m..."
I agree I wanted more about finding bodies and less about jay/violet. As a parent, I would of made boundaries a few years ago and when they turned serious, the rules would of changed again.
Since we are ranting, why is it in a lot of books for the teens, the parents are either conviently gone somewhere, or not present in the lives of their teenagers?
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Since we are ranting, why is it in a lot of books for the teens, the parents are either conviently gone somewhere, or not present in the lives of their teenagers?"Because for a great deal of teens today, that's exactly how it is. Many live in single-parent homes, much more so than when I was 16, and a protagonist coming from a similar home-life resonates better with teens. It's easier to accept a MC whose life isn't perfect than one whose is.
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Since we are ranting, why is it in a lot of books for the teens, the parents are either conviently gone somewhere, or not present in the lives of their teenagers?"I started a thread with that question a while ago. I cant remember if it is on this group or the Adult YA book club group. Interesting answers. If I find it, I'll post the link.
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Since we are ranting, why is it in a lot of books for the teens, the parents are either conveniently gone somewhere, or not present in the lives of their teenagers?"I think it is so, because it is an easy way for writers to concentrate on writing about making out. Why bother with realism, right? It is so much easier to just write that parents are so caught up in their problems that they don't know their daughter has a live-in BF. I know this would have never happened in my home, 'cause as much as lax my parents were, they were not stupid.
I think it is the same reason why you never see younger kids on any television shows except when it is needed to make some joke. It's not really reality but it used to advance the story line or character development.
However, in Body Finders: there are numerous incidents where the author talks about how the parents ARE around and/or in the house while Jay/Violet are left alone in her room making out. Or how they are in the same room or area and yet make no notion or comment when Jay "expresses" his undying love for her. That was the issue that bothered me more than if the author said the parents were gone and left their teenage daughter alone in the house.
However, in Body Finders: there are numerous incidents where the author talks about how the parents ARE around and/or in the house while Jay/Violet are left alone in her room making out. Or how they are in the same room or area and yet make no notion or comment when Jay "expresses" his undying love for her. That was the issue that bothered me more than if the author said the parents were gone and left their teenage daughter alone in the house.
Teresa in Ohio asked:Since we are ranting, why is it in a lot of books for the teens, the parents are either conviently gone somewhere, or not present in the lives of their teenagers?
AH, I'd really like to read that thread, if you can find it.
Personally, I think that it's *easier* to have the parents, teachers and other adults like Charlie Brown adults, who we only hear saying "waah, waah, waah." And I think it is also adolescent fantasy.
Also, adolescence is when kids start to separate themselves from their parents and become their own individual. YA lit almost always has the whole bildungsroman thing going, and if the characters are going to come of age, it needs to be done on their own or with others of equal status as themselves, ie other teenagers.
Brenda wrote: "I think it is the same reason why you never see younger kids on any television shows except when it is needed to make some joke. It's not really reality but it used to advance the story line or ch..."I had the same problem and then I read
Hush, Hushat the same time and Mom was always away on business and the housekeeper left at nine, so leaving a 16 yr old home alone for hours even days like that just bothers me.
S.L. wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Since we are ranting, why is it in a lot of books for the teens, the parents are either conviently gone somewhere, or not present in the lives of their teenagers?"Becau..."
This I get when the parent is off working, but in many books the parents are just plain gone.
Having the parents around a little more, but no clue on the teenager life is a little more realistic to me.
I much prefer the single-parent absentness or homeless wandering/surviving child to the ones who have overly permissive parents. Shiver, for instance, had two parents at home and yet Grace had a boy sleeping in the room with her? I know at 15 I would have gladly had no parents at all. I felt like a grown-up. They were just those people who wouldn't let me do things. (But I used them to say "no" when I didn't want to go places too.) :) Even though everyone is over the boarding school books, this is a pretty realistic absent parent scenario. Having gone to a year if BS, we really weren't that well supervised. As long as you were there for bedchecks, you could have snuck out. My roommate was a big pot-head, so you could do that too.
Young Adult Book Reading Challenges
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Please Ignore Vera Dietz (other topics)Please Ignore Vera Dietz (other topics)
Hush, Hush (other topics)
Hate List (other topics)
The Body Finder (other topics)
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Hello everyone...I am a hs librarian who reads a lot of ya fiction, and usually I love it. Lately, I have been straying off some award lists & trying to read some random titles of my own based on book descriptions. The last 2 books looked like they were going to be good mysteries. (Liar & I Am Not a Serial Killer.) Just when I'm 1/2 into the story, BAM! the author introduces a random WOLF/MONSTER!!!! I was so disappointed in the turn of events, I put the books down & refused to read them!
I am completely OVER any supernatural-related content. I avoid the teen ailse of the local bookstore because I am SO sick of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, ect. How long do you think this trend will last?