Introducing the genre challenge

[Bill]

While I did buy a book specifically for the Magical Realism genre, just in case, I think I've got a reasonable enough story for the Young Adult option. I've read it once before but it was back a few years... quite a few years, so it'll be interesting to see if I still find it as interesting. I'm going to read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

[Deanne]

Remember reading the Outsiders at the age of about 14 for English, saw the film to, brilliant book may have to read it again too Bill.

[Andy]

Deanne wrote: "Have to find a YA book I want to read.
Still find MR confusing as some books which have been termed MR seem to be Fantasy or Steampunk. Thought MR included things like 100 years of solitude and Th..."

Wikipedia has "Magical realism is a genre of fiction in which magical elements blend with the real world" whereby genre fantasy is magical elements in fictional worlds.

[Bill]

Deanne wrote: "Remember reading the Outsiders at the age of about 14 for English, saw the film to, brilliant book may have to read it again too Bill."

I think I bought the book because I enjoyed the movie so very much. Mind you I was a bit older than 14 at the time.. ;0)

[Em]

I've got a few YA - one of my fantasy books which I'm still reading is YA also so could count The Sterkarm Handshake by Susan Price for this month instead but also have Holes by Louis Sachar, Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz and The Battle of the Sun by Jeanette Winterson. Undecided as to which to start with...

[Liz, Moderator]

I have finally moved into the new apartment and am wading through boxes and wrapping paper. I don't have any YA books, so I will have to make a visit to the library...

Was thinking of trying The Hunger Games as I know how popular the series has been. But I won't be able to start for a couple of weeks.

I'm flying back to the UK tomorrow; it's my Dad's 80th, so there'll be a gathering of the clans. I'll be sleeping on a succession of sofa-beds, so not sure how much reading I'll be squeezing in...

[Angela]

Em wrote: "I've got a few YA - one of my fantasy books which I'm still reading is YA also so could count The Sterkarm Handshake by Susan Price for this month instead but also hav..."

I really liked The Sterkarm Handshake and A Sterkarm Kiss.

[Angela]

Liz wrote: "I have finally moved into the new apartment and am wading through boxes and wrapping paper. I don't have any YA books, so I will have to make a visit to the library...

Was thinking of trying [bo..."

Safe journey, Liz ...and enjoy the birthday celebrations!

[Bill]

Liz wrote: "I have finally moved into the new apartment and am wading through boxes and wrapping paper. I don't have any YA books, so I will have to make a visit to the library...

Was thinking of trying [bo..."

Have fun on your trip. Are you the type who can read on planes? I manage to get quite a bit of solid reading in whenever I fly anywhere..

[Matt]

Indeed so...but it's a long flight, so maybe a bit of reading time perhaps?? [Notwithstanding if you need to travel with children, so whilst operating as part parent & part feeling like a warder on a prisoner-transfer run!]

I have started Journey to the River Sea and although not my usual thing, am enjoying the 'Mary Poppins in the jungle' story so far. Charming. I guess that's the joy of the GC!

Having got my head around the idea of YA next up is now likely to be...Shadowmancer Back cover says a mix of history, folklore & smuggling...now i like the sound of that!

I think it fits with YA (thought tempted to keep for MR if it wins sometime) but the reviews are pretty bad - anyone know if it's worth a read??? :)

[Helen]

Your welcome Susan. Em, I loved Holes - book and film. I'm sure I read a Sterkarm book, will have to check. Hunger Games is fantastic, I barely got out of bed as I was so engrossed in the trilogy. Enjoy your trip Liz. I'm reading Deadline

[Susan]

Hope you have a great trip, Liz....nice time of year to go.

[Ian, Moderator]

Nice to have you back in the UK Liz.

I've done my bit for the YA challenge this month. Read and I remain puzzled why adults want to read YA books. It was a story for a young mind and just lacked any depth at all. It was a bit like Black Beauty goes to France, meets lots of nice Germans and Brits and they all lived happily ever after bar the lots of people who died.....but it's OK because the horse didn't.

[Em]

I like to read childrens literature and YA sometimes, in part because I like to know what's out there for my own children but also because I enjoy them as a lighter read and don't see why the kids should have all the fun! I've enjoyed Philip Pullman, Suzanne Collins and a couple of my favourite writers eg. Jeanette Winterson and Isabel Allende have written for YA as well as adults and I've felt compelled to read those too.

[Matt]

Ian wrote: "Nice to have you back in the UK Liz.

I've done my bit for the YA challenge this month. Read and I remain puzzled why adults want to read YA books. It was a story for..."

YA is new to me as a Genre. From the books I've looked at I think it really depends on the choice of author or book; and maybe regressing to an earlier mindset! Like 'fantasy' books there seems to be a lot of self indulgent, style-less nonsense out there!!

I have just read Journey to the River Sea and though charming, it is too simplistic, not detailed/complex enough & unchallenging. But I knew it would be and enjoyed it!

My 8 year old lad's bookshelf has some 'older age group' reading which is quite tempting...I have appropriated Scorpia A junior James Bond type MI6 agent(not the rather poor Higson version!) in Venice...now that's gotta be good!!! Will report back...

I am still undecided about Shadowmancer though...

[Helen]

I wouldn't have classed War Horse as YA, to me its childrens - teen perhaps. Hunger Games is YA and that becomes quite deep and involved. It does depend on the actual book in YA as I've said previously, some are 'young' some are 'adult'. YA is supposed to be aimed at 18+ so shouldn't be classed as kid's books anyway.

[Liz, Moderator]

Strey wrote: "Indeed so...but it's a long flight, so maybe a bit of reading time perhaps?? [Notwithstanding if you need to travel with children, so whilst operating as part parent & part feeling like a warder on..."

Spot on Strey. Had the book there in the pocket in front of me, but didn't get the chance to turn a single page, thanks to the little boy in the seat next to me. Don't get me wrong, he's a well behaved lad, but he's only just turning 5....

The real frustration was he didn't want to watch any of the numerous kids TV/movie options (except ONE episode of Tom & Jerry).

I ended up rereading all his books with him at least four times each, playing endless games of Connect 4 and Snakes & Ladders, until he finally fell asleep somewhere over the Middle East...(Hooray!)

[Ian, Moderator]

Hi Helen.....I think you are wrong on this one re your 18+ age range definition for YA. All the online definitions of YA including GR, Wiki, Americal Library Assocn.) say it's a genre aimed at readers aged 12 to 18 (some say 14 to 21), with main characters/themes usually within this age range as well. Having looked at the synopsis for The Hunger Games, this seems to point in the same direction. "The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV."

[Helen]

Some of the YA I've read would be totally unsuitable for under 18s. I'm going with what Waterstones told me.

[Ian, Moderator]

Probably not really YA then

[Bill]

I quite enjoyed my YA book. I had read it once before when the movie came out and it is one of those books and movies where both are excellent. I very much enjoyed reading by again.

[Andy]

Ian wrote: "Hi Helen.....I think you are wrong on this one re your 18+ age range definition for YA. All the online definitions of YA including GR, Wiki, Americal Library Assocn.) say it's a genre aimed at read..."

I would agree that YA is 12 to 18 (although most are also very enjoyable to adults as well). Some of them do cover challenging subjects (The Hunger Games, The Book Thief, Noughts & Crosses etc) but i think this is part of the Genre, to make almost adults think. They do portray these subjects in language suitable for youngsters. It also depends on the maturity and reading level of the youngster.

[Ian, Moderator]

I'm not convinced that The Book Thief is actually YA. When it was originally published in Zuzak's home Aussie market, it was as adult fiction and it was only later on in the US that it was mass marketed as YA. Interestingly, if you go to the author's website there are separate editions available for adults and teenagers. I would put it in the same category as say Lord of the Rings or Catch-22....an adult novel that a lot of bright, older YA's will enjoy, but not a YA genre book that adults might also enjoy.

[Sam]

I must say Ian, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you as having read The Book Thief I would not describe it as adult fiction at all. To me it is definitely a YA book, a more 'advanced' one certainly but definitely YA.

I think it's one of those genres that can be (and is) very subjective and will depend entirely on the reader to make up their own minds. I mean most of my reading when I was that age (12-18) was Stephen King horrors and horror classics, none of which are remotely considered YA.

[Ian, Moderator]

I'll have to re-read it Sam, but talking of Stephen King......couldn't Carrie be YA?

[Matt]

Liz wrote: "Strey wrote: "Indeed so...but it's a long flight, so maybe a bit of reading time perhaps?? [Notwithstanding if you need to travel with children, so whilst operating as part parent & part feeling li..."

LOL...know that feeling...glad your flight was okay though. I guess 5 year old reading isn't considered YA either.

Mind you the jury appears to be out! I am carrying on with my Alex Rider regardless and enjoying it too, whatever age group it's for (though I'm having trouble avoiding my 8YO telling me the ending!!! Go figure!!!)

[Sam]

Ian wrote: "I'll have to re-read it Sam, but talking of Stephen King......couldn't Carrie be YA?"

Personally I would probably say yes given the age of the characters and the setting but that's just me, others may have a different view :-)

[F.A.]

Hi everyone.. I'm new to this thread, but found it very interesting.
I am not a teen anymore, but I read and write YA Fiction, so I'd like to add a few suggestions here if you don't mind:

I know some people might frown at this but I totally recommend the Harry Potter series - it's not just a "tween" story. It has a very entertaining and gripping plot that will keep you interested.



I would also give it a chance to The Book Thief - which is also considered a YA fiction. This is for the ones who don't like the "magical realism".



I could go on forever, but I'm just going to add one more:

The Study Series by MAria V. Snyder:



Happy reading! :-D

[Helen]

Strey, is there an Alex Rider film, I feel like the name is familiar?

[Matt]

Hello. I don't know know to be honest. If not I feel there should be - as the cover blurb says "...being James Bond in miniature is way cooler than being a wizard."

[Helen]

Yes it is, with lovely Ewan McGregor. Although he isn't in it for long. The kid playing Alex is the actor in the film I am Number Four. Is it a good read?

[Matt]

Excellent - may look for that one.

Yes it is good - I admit unexpectedly. Some adult authors might want to look at some of the techniques used by Horowitz. I also like the way rather that than be Bond, the character is able to do some things BECAUSE he's a youngster!

But I get that it's part of a longer, more complex & involved story & sort of wish I'd gone from the number 1.

But as I found it for a few pence & it was set in Venice, I thought I'd give it a go. My lad has them all on CD, so might sneakily listen to them!! Kids have to be useful for something...

[Angela]

I'm not really "doing" the genre challenge, but went to the library yesterday - quite a rare occurance - and found The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Think I'll read it next.

[Polstar]

Angela wrote: "I'm not really "doing" the genre challenge, but went to the library yesterday - quite a rare occurance - and found The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Think I'll read it next."

DO! It's one of my favourite books of all time!

[Angela]

Polstar wrote: "Angela wrote: "I'm not really "doing" the genre challenge, but went to the library yesterday - quite a rare occurance - and found The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Think I..."

I am so looking forward to reading this - I've read so many positive comments about it on Goodreads!

[Ian, Moderator]

Strangely for me, is a YA book I'd quite like to read. Wish it was available as a kindle.

[Bill]

Ian wrote: "Strangely for me, is a YA book I'd quite like to read. Wish it was available as a kindle."

It's a very small book, doesn't take up hardly any space on a bookshelf.. ;0)

[Angela]

I'm really enjoying The Outsiders - well worth reading!

[Helen]

I'm not enjoying Eleganta as much as I thought. Are we voting for next month?

[Deanne]

Read The Outsiders in English at school in the 4th year, loved it.

[Em]

Helen wrote: "I'm not enjoying Eleganta as much as I thought. Are we voting for next month?"

Sure Helen, I think our usual poll setter upper (Liz) is visiting family isn't she?! I'll have a look at it tomorrow so we can start to vote...

[Liz, Moderator]

Em wrote: "Helen wrote: "I'm not enjoying Eleganta as much as I thought. Are we voting for next month?"

Sure Helen, I think our usual poll setter upper (Liz) is visiting family isn't she?! I'll have a loo..."

Just got back! If you haven't done it already Em, I'll set it up. Slacking, slacking. No YA book for me this month :( Hope I can get back in stride over August....

[Liz, Moderator]

Ok, the poll for next month's genre has been set up and should be open for business by the time you all wake...

Just to recap, so far this year we have already read:
Jan: Historical fiction
Feb: Crime/detective
March: Classics
April: Biography/memoir
May: Sci-fi/dystopian
June: Fantasy
July: YA

[Angela]

Deanne wrote: "Read The Outsiders in English at school in the 4th year, loved it."

I finished it a couple of days ago - excellent book! I'd recommend it to anyone.

[Em]

Liz wrote: "Em wrote: "Helen wrote: "I'm not enjoying Eleganta as much as I thought. Are we voting for next month?"

Sure Helen, I think our usual poll setter upper (Liz) is visiting family isn't she?! I'll h..."

Cheers Liz!

[Ian, Moderator]

I'm halfway through another supposedly "YA" book at the moment and am more confused than ever about this genre. I'm reading which is a teenage love story, but between a brother and sister, so the overriding theme is incest and sexual taboos within society. It's beautifully written but doesn't pull any punches. Again, I think this is an adult book that intelligent, older teenagers may appreciate, but not a YA book per se.

[Helen]

There you are, Ian, that is why so many adults read YA because they don't seem very Y. Think mine is too Y and not A enough. Bored of it, not touched it in days.

[Ian, Moderator]

Maybe I'll write my next dissertation on the subject - lol

[Matt]

Today's lesson is brought to you by the letters Y and A. ...a dissertation. I'm sure I had that once? Spent several days in the heads! Aharrr... maybe 'twas Scurvey!

I have glanced at this month's poll. Not voted yet, but noticed there isn't an option for either Crime/Detection related books or Historical Fiction...is there a BM (Before Me!) reason for this or am I just going cross eyed?? :)

[Helen]

They did historical without us back in Jan! Crime was Feb. See Liz's post.