After the polarising effect of the Twilight books, YA was both brought more to the forefront of peoples attention and also labelled in what is not always a positive way. When people have asked me what I like to read I have proudly announced “A lot of different things though I love reading YA!” After explaining to them what YA means, I am greeted with a range of cringes, flinches and reluctant fake smiles.
This is a reaction I have never been able to understand. There seems to be this popular belief that young adult fiction is simplified for teenagers and not really respectable as a genre. I kind of want to hit my head against a brick wall every time I come across this kind of belief and reaction. If I did that however my head would possibly be permanently dented by now.
That assumption also relies upon the idea that teenagers are stupid. As a sixteen-year-old girl, I disagree with this. I don’t know everything, there is still plenty to learn, and I love to learn but just because we teenagers have less life experience doesn’t mean we’re stupid.
So based on this, I would like to explain the reasons I love YA. It’s not just the fact that with teenagers as protagonists I can relate easier, though that is a major part of it. The issues and topics discussed in most of these books, even those that like my favourites have aspects of the supernatural and fantastical, are ones that everyone can connect with no matter what your age. Whether you’re experiencing these things now, or it’s a matter of reminiscing, these books have something for everyone.
And they cover all genres. There’s sci-fi, romance, fantasy, paranormal, contemporary, comedy, historical, action—need I go on? It can be light and cheerful and funny or dark and confronting and harsh. Both in the same book sometimes. They have both boys and girls as the leads. And the authors are awesomely indiscriminate for the most part not hesitating to write about boys who like boys or girls who like girls or either who like both. Authors who also don’t hesitate with talking with their fans online! –I can’t believe how addicted to twitter all the authors and YA fans have got me!
There is also so this awesome community. I have made soooo many online friends through twitter and blogs and going to signings and book events. The topic that brought us together? Young Adult books! Friends who I can obsess over the latest cover release with. Who understand it when I start screaming about how much I loved the latest release.
So while not everything is here, this is just a short—yes I classify this as short!—explanation for some of my love of YA!
What do you think? Why do you love YA? I would love to hear what other people think!
Laura H
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