More:
1. LGBT characters- I'm not sure if this is really a TREND... but I'm reading Will Grayson, Will Grayson right now, and of course, I'm a big TMI fan, and I love reading about queer characters worked into the story, sometimes main characters, sometimes supporting, but present and not victims.
2. Steampunk- I really want to see MORE steampunk, because it's not something I'm super familiar with. I really like what Julia said about it on The Broke and the Bookish for today.
3. Magic! I love reading about magic. So does most of the rest of the YA audience, apparently. I love reading to escape, and reading about magical people with power and large scale problems is a good way to get out of my own life and into someone else's.
4. Cool covers- Beauty Queens by Libba Bray might be my fav cover ever. It's cool and striking- it definitely grabs your attention with the bikini clad girl wearing a bandolier of lipsticks! There are also a lot of beautiful covers on the paranormal books- pretty angels, glitter, shining lights.
5. YA pride! YA hasn't been around for that long- I love that the YA section of my local library is growing and the books are getting bigger and prettier!
Less:
6. Series. I imagine that lots of people will include this under the "Less" category. Series are great, if it's a world so amazing that you would want to live there and immerse yourself, but for books that are a) really sad or b) iffy in plot intrigue, I'd rather get it over in one book. Example: personally I found Matched by Ally Condie to be SO DEPRESSING... and I know a lot of people loved it, but it just made me so sad and so angry... and when it ended with a "to be continued" I almost went crazy. I might have thrown the book. I know that I like binged on happy food or something because I just was so sad! I don't know if I want to read Crossed, because Matched made me so upset! It's like The Giver by Lois Lowry... clearly another book could have been written all about Jonas, but she LEFT IT ALONE. Instead, she wrote about two other characters in the same world- the three books have different tones and different main characters and you can even enjoy them as stand alones! I wish more books were written that way, without these epic "Friends" length romances and love triangles.
7. Mega angst- I'm just sick of teens whining for the sake of whining. If something is really wrong, that's one thing, but if you are just feeling moody (like HP circa book 5... well, things were bad for him, but not as bad as they would be later!) then I don't want to read about it. I had a Xanga... In fact, it's still up, I think, and I can't stand to read about how lame I was in high school. Get over it.
8. Creepy faeries- Personally, I am not the biggest fairy fan. I like my good and evil distinct, not mixed together in a cold but beautiful way. I enjoyed Tithe by Holly Black, but it's not something I'd like to immerse myself in (like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson).
That's all I can think of! Thanks for visiting- leave a comment so I can check out your list as well!
Series and trilogies seems to be a issue on the lists that I have read. I don't mind either, but prefer shorter series. Upon further reflection, I think the companion novel may be the way to go. Carrie Ryan did with The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Gayle Forman also did it well with If I Stay and Where She Went. I wish I had thought of this before I posted my list! http://wp.me/pzUn5-w3
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about mega angst. What is with super-duper upset kids who can't get over themselves?
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog about use of books in the library verses the Internet. I know it is a challenge to find enough books for every kids, but I work pretty hard to have a variety of resources for my students if I know about assignments ahead of time. When I was writing the Top Ten list I was specifically thinking about the English teacher that had the kids using the Internet to look up poems rather than utilizing the fantastic poetry books that I have. But often I buy books as resources and kids will use them if the teachers require that they use at least least one book for their report. I work with teachers.
Oo! I've been wanting to read WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON. I agree, I really wish they had more LGBT characters that were confident and good role models.
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks for visiting my blog! I followed you back :)
-Jenna @ the book element