In keeping with my YA themed week, I’m going to use this Friday Five to talk about 5 things I love about YA!
1. First and foremost I absolutely love that there are these really well written, well thought out books out there for teenagers to read that kind of meet them right where they are at. While some of these books are challenged and tore apart because they deal with pretty deep issues and drugs and bullies and whatever, I think that is great that there is this outlet where teens can see what is normal/what works/what doesn’t. The great thing about novels is this opportunity to experience things that you would never get to normally and I truly do think that readers have a level of empathy that non-readers don’t, just because they have been able to take on the perspective of so many characters. I love that there is a legitimate teenage version of this out there.
2. I love the YA community. YA authors take a true interest in their fans and work to grow that relationship. I love it. I love hearing back from authors after I review their books, hearing what is going on with different authors on Twitter and reading a zillion different reviews in the blogosphere. So fun. I know that there are other authors that are involved like this, but I think that the YA community as a whole takes it to a new level.
3. Speaking of community, YA readers are pretty great too. Think of all those Harry Potter release parties. Awesome, right? YA readers are passionate about the books they read, the authors who write them and the other people that love those books too. Seeing people really passionate about books is always fun, of course, but seeing kids/teens excited about books? Maybe the greatest thing ever.
4. Since the YA genre as a whole is growing so fast, it is fun to see new sub-genres start to form. I love that whatever genre you are into, there is a very, very good chance that you can find a YA book that is to your liking. Seriously, if you haven’t checked out a YA shelf in awhile, do it now.
5. I think that the real draw to YA by adults is just that that time- between the ages of 14ish to 18ish are these really huge time in anyone’s life. For the first time you are free to make big decisions for yourself, and through that you start to form into the person you are. Of course after 18 there is lots and lots of growing up to do, but I think that during those formational years you really start to pick the kind of person you are going to be. Reading books that capture that change and that decision making is great…. to think back to the person you were then and re-experience all of that through other eyes. There is just something so compelling about a good coming-of-age story, ya know?