Over the last year the Edge authors have been working on a very exciting idea!
It was an idea that grabbed us all. It made us think about writing in a different form, a form that might be interesting and exciting for us as well as teen readers, young adult readers, schools, libraries, and pretty much anyone who loves to read teen or young adult fiction.
We've almost reached the final stages of taking the original idea and developing it into something new and different.
Things we can tell you now:
There will be books!
There will be events!
There will be EIGHT stories!
But keep it under your hat for now.
Much more will be revealed later, so stay tuned...
Showing posts with label teen/ya fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teen/ya fiction. Show all posts
Monday, 30 May 2016
Friday, 10 April 2015
A New Library Teen Reading Group by Savita Kalhan
I’ve been a member of the library since I was about
five years old. Wycombe library had an amazing children’s library and I made
use of it every Saturday morning throughout my childhood. Then, when I was
twelve, I joined the adult library where
bookshelves went right up to the ceiling. The reference library, upstairs, was
well stocked and quiet, with lots of rows of tables and desks, and that’s where
I ended up doing a lot of homework. Being the eldest of seven kids, our house
was noisy and chaotic, so the library was the perfect refuge and I really don’t
know what I would have done without it.
I’ve been going to a few Save Barnet Libraries,
where there are threatened closures and down-scaling have put the libraries in
jeopardy. We all know how important libraries are, how invaluable they are to
local communities, and how one central library serving a huge area cannot serve
the needs of library users. Local library branches are essential.Save Barnet Libraries Facebook page
With the booming teen/YA market, there is obviously a demand for new books. The teen sections of many libraries vary greatly in size and content. Some councils and boroughs have been forced to reduce their spending on books, which generally means less books and therefore less choice. I think it’s important for kids to have choice when it comes to books. In my local library, the teen section is a very small area, although it’s still used by teens to borrow books. They often study in the library too. More books and more choice would be good though. So I thought why not volunteer to start a Teen Reading Group? It would be no more than an hour of my time once or twice a month, and if it promotes reading amongst teens and introduces them to a wider variety and more diverse books, then I’ll be a very happy person.
After a meeting with the manager of the library,
the project was given the green light, and we will, hopefully, have our first
meeting in a couple of week’s time. I hope the word will spread and more teens
join. I hope the library can buy more books, offer more choice, and continue to
inspire kids to read.
I'm starting with the CILIP Carnegie shortlist, and from there to a world of books!
And I hope the council sees how important
libraries are and the part they play in peoples’ lives.Savita's website
Savita on Twitter
Savita on Facebook
Friday, 2 January 2015
Fifty-Five Books by Savita Kalhan
I gave myself a challenge in January 2014 – to read 55 books
in a year. I read a lot, and I read a huge variety, but until a couple of years
ago, I have never bothered to count how many books I read in a year. I’ve used Goodreads
to track what I’ve read and when I’ve read it. Some of the books I’ve read have
been for ‘work’, some for research and others for sheer pleasure.
Well, by the end of December 2014, I made it to the magic 55
books read mark. Amongst the huge variety of books I read there are some books
that have really stayed with me. I wanted to share some of my favourite teen/YA
reads amongst them.
Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman
The Hob and the Deerman by Pat Walsh
Fans of the Crowfield Curse, like me, will love
the Hob
and the Deerman. Pat Walsh’s story-telling is beautiful, magical and
dark all at the same time. I’m eagerly awaiting the next Hob Tale.
Lockwood and Co – The Case of the Screaming Staircase by Jonathan
Stroud
It’s the first in a series of the adventures of the three agents
of Lockwood & Co. Mysterious and enigmatic Anthony Lockwood, fearless Lucy
Carlyle and geeky George Cubbins, the three teen ghost-busters tackle London’s
epidemic of ghosts and ghouls. It’s funny, scary and completely entertaining.
Wish Me Dead by Helen Grant
Set in the little German town of Bad Munstereifel, Steffi
and her friends visit the old witches house in the dead of night. This is a
creepy, thrilling story with the message: be careful what you wish for...
Between Two Seas by Marie Louise Jensen
Marianne has promised her dying mother that she will search
for her father on her death. But her father is in Denmark. Set in the late 19th
century, Between Two Seas is the
story of Marianne’s brave journey from Grimsby to an inhospitable and strange
land in search of the truth about who she is.
The Unicorn Hunter by Che Golden
Set in Blarney, on the doorstep of the faerie world of Tir
na nOg, orphan Maddy comes to live with her grandparents and tries to come to
terms with the loss of her parents. As in The Feral Child, she once again
becomes embroiled with the dangerous games and treachery of the faerie world –
but this time they threaten the balance of the world. A great read!
Apache by Tanya
Landman
Apache is the
story of orphan Siki of the Black Moutain Apache tribe and her quest to become
a warrior. It’s also a story of death and of revenge, set in a time when the
settlers arrived and fenced off huge areas of Indian land. Brilliant!
Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
I’ve just finished this YA read and really enjoyed it. It’s
pacy, it’s very evocative of a different time and place, and there is a
wonderful cast of real characters. Set in 1950’s New Orleans, Out of the Easy is the story of Josie, the
daughter of a prostitute, struggling to find a way out of the poverty of the
Quarter to follow her dream.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
Quite simply a beautiful read.
I’ll be attempting the same target of 55 books again this
year. Although with so many books on my to-be-read pile I fear I’ll always be
playing catch-up!
I really hope you’ll share some of your stand-out teen/YA
reads of the year in the comments – the more book recommendations the better!
HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us here at the Edge!
Savita's website
Savita on Twitter
Friday, 23 May 2014
#WeNeedDiverseBooks Savita Kalhan
Last week
was the 8th anniversary of Teen Librarian Monthly, run by the amazing
Matt Imrie, @mattlibrarian. All the Edge authors were invited to write a piece
on ‘Getting Kids Reading’, which is becoming more and more important in a world
bursting with social media: You Tube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Instant
Chat – the list is endless. Factor in all the other distractions of being a
teenager, and it’s easy to see how reading a book begins to fall way down their
list of priorities.
My piece for Teen Librarian Monthly was about diversity in children’s literature. I’m cross-posting it here because it’s important to highlight the problem as many times as possible.
I recently blogged the lack of diversity in children’s books - Black and White and Everything in Between:You can read it here.
It was one of very many blogs on the subject – on both sides of the Atlantic. The subject seems to be gathering momentum – particularly in the States.
Following BookExpo America’s (BEA) BookCon line up of an all-white-all-male panel of ‘luminaries from the world of children’s and TEEN/YA writers’, an online campaign was conducted with the hashtag #WeNeedDiverseBooks.
Here’s the link to their Facebook page.
And this link is to their Tumblr page
#WeNeedDiverseBooks ran a three day event. Most of it was online on Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook, but from the photos on Tumblr you can see that librarians were very much involved – as were readers, who took photos of themselves saying why they felt the need for more diversity in books
The American Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) also initiated a programme to address the lack of diversity in libraries in the States. The letter, below, was posted by Alyson Felman-Piltch, a librarian at Indiana University:
Dear Colleagues:
Many of you have already read ALSC’s White Paper entitled “The Importance of Diversity in Library Programs and Materials for Children” (available here). If not, I highly urge you to read it, as well as participate in the “We Need Diverse Books” social media campaign.
In the UK, the Guardian also followed the debate as authors added their voices to the call for more diversity. You can read it here here.
As a direct result of the campaign, BEA decided there was a need for a panel discussing diversity in children’s literature and consequently invited authors and librarians to a special event at the Convention.
What’s very
clear is a call for more diversity in children’s literature, from picture books
to books for young adults, diversity in not only colour and race but in
everything. In Malorie Blackman’s words, “diversity in literature fosters knowledge
and understanding of others outside our own sphere of experience. It is only
through knowledge and empathy of how others live that we can attempt to
communicate and connect with each other.”
Setting aside the other factors that might contribute to teens generally reading less, are teens partly reading less because there isn’t enough diversity in the books available to them? And does it start when they are much younger, when they are frustrated by not finding a voice they can identify with or a character to relate to?
Savita Kalhan website
Twitter @savitakalhan
My piece for Teen Librarian Monthly was about diversity in children’s literature. I’m cross-posting it here because it’s important to highlight the problem as many times as possible.
I recently blogged the lack of diversity in children’s books - Black and White and Everything in Between:
It was one of very many blogs on the subject – on both sides of the Atlantic. The subject seems to be gathering momentum – particularly in the States.
Following BookExpo America’s (BEA) BookCon line up of an all-white-all-male panel of ‘luminaries from the world of children’s and TEEN/YA writers’, an online campaign was conducted with the hashtag #WeNeedDiverseBooks.
Here’s the link to their Facebook page.
And this link is to their Tumblr page
#WeNeedDiverseBooks ran a three day event. Most of it was online on Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook, but from the photos on Tumblr you can see that librarians were very much involved – as were readers, who took photos of themselves saying why they felt the need for more diversity in books
The American Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) also initiated a programme to address the lack of diversity in libraries in the States. The letter, below, was posted by Alyson Felman-Piltch, a librarian at Indiana University:
Dear Colleagues:
Many of you have already read ALSC’s White Paper entitled “The Importance of Diversity in Library Programs and Materials for Children” (available here). If not, I highly urge you to read it, as well as participate in the “We Need Diverse Books” social media campaign.
In the UK, the Guardian also followed the debate as authors added their voices to the call for more diversity. You can read it here here.
As a direct result of the campaign, BEA decided there was a need for a panel discussing diversity in children’s literature and consequently invited authors and librarians to a special event at the Convention.
What’s very
clear is a call for more diversity in children’s literature, from picture books
to books for young adults, diversity in not only colour and race but in
everything. In Malorie Blackman’s words, “diversity in literature fosters knowledge
and understanding of others outside our own sphere of experience. It is only
through knowledge and empathy of how others live that we can attempt to
communicate and connect with each other.”Setting aside the other factors that might contribute to teens generally reading less, are teens partly reading less because there isn’t enough diversity in the books available to them? And does it start when they are much younger, when they are frustrated by not finding a voice they can identify with or a character to relate to?
Savita Kalhan website
Twitter @savitakalhan
Friday, 6 September 2013
YA INTERROGATION WITH GUEST BLOGGER MEGAN
This week, we’re delighted to introduce Megan from Book
Addicted Girl blog.
Hi everyone! It’s
great to be here today! My name is
Megan, AKA The Book Addicted Girl, and I’ve been blogging since December 2010. I’m addicted to YA fiction – especially
anything related to the paranormal! – but I read anything and everything really! I’m always up for talking about books, but in
my spare time I love to watch crime drama, mess about making fanpics and spend
time with my family and friends.
Why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?
Well, I guess I read YA because I am a teenager. When I
started blogging, I was only fourteen, so obviously I was already reading YA
books without even really realising it (saying that, though, my first post was
a review of A Christmas Carol)! But even if I wasn’t a teen, I’d still be
reading YA books. Why? Because they all just have this magical feel
to them – something about YA books is just so much more interesting and addictive
than adult books. I think it’s because
they’re faster paced, often funnier, and with characters I can really relate
to.
And, of course, I write about YA because I read, love and
obsess over YA. I just love sharing my
views with all my poor, unsuspecting followers who just weren’t expecting the
rambling, excited and insanely long review of a book I loved to pieces!
What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you
have read?
Ooh, good question…
Um, paranormal wise it just has
to be Vampire Academy by Richelle
Mead: her spin on the vampire genre is just absolutely awesome! I want to go to St Vlads and train to be a
Guardian. Or maybe I just want to be a
Moroi…
As for fantasy I have to say the most original is Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Why?
‘Cause it rocks! Seriously,
though, there is nothing normal or mundane about the Grisha series: there are
guns, cannons, magic, old-timey Russia, The Darkling and a whole new genre:
Tsarpunk!
Throne of Glass by
Sarah J. Maas is also very, very
original. I mean, c’mon. Assassins. That’s awesome. But female assassins in a world where magic
once ruled? Awesomely original.
Shadows by Paula Weston is brilliant too. It is original for many reasons, but I’ll
list the top three. One: Its angel lore
is absolutely awesome. Two: It’s NA – my
first paranormal NA too! Three: The lead
girl has lost almost everything but she doesn’t sit around and mope – gotta
love that! And I know it’s cheating
because it’s NA not YA but I just had to mention it!
Um… I can’t think of
any more off the top of my head… But we
all know that I’ll click ‘send’ on the email to you guys I’ll think of a
million others!
What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?
Whiny characters or stupid ones that always need saving – be
they male or female. And my old and most
notorious foe: Instalove. Drives me
insane. I get instalust or
instaattraction, but insta-I-love-you-and-will-die-with-you-love just doesn’t
exist. And even if I’m reading about
angels and demons, I still like my reality…
That makes no sense, does it?
Moving swiftly on…
What makes for a great YA book?
Strong characters, witty writing, a unique plot and real
emotions. Throw in a kickbutt girl, a
funny and hot guy and one heck of a world and you’ve got yourself a best seller!
Which YA characters would you most like to take
OUT TO DINNER and why?
Ooh… First on my guest list would be Daemon Black from the
Lux series by Jennifer Armentrout.
Why? Because he’s H-O-T hot and
also really funny – though the night may end with him being punched: he can be
a bit obnoxious sometimes too...! Magnus
Bane would be invited because he’s funny too and because I love him to pieces. Rose Hathaway would have to come, because
she’s one of my favourite YA leading gals – ditto for Celaena Sardothien. Also, I just really want to get the two of
them in the same room – they have a few similar traits and I think the initial
meeting would result either in friendship or insant-nemesis, both of which
would be really really interesting
and funny! Adrian Ivashkov and Jace
Wayland would come because they’re hot and funny… Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery Pleasant
because that would just liven the table up…
And Augustus Waters because he’s Augustus Waters. Duh.
Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?
My ideal heroines are probably Rose Hathaway and Celaena
Sardothien – they are strong, feisty, kickbutt and snarky – the embodiment of Girl Power. Billi SanGreal is brilliant too because she’s
so… different from the normal
heroine: she’s strong and brave but also alone and kind of weary too. And, of course, totally kickbutt as well. Saying that, I also love Tessa from Before I
Die because while she doesn’t go around killing off demons or just killing
people off, she’s strong – so, so strong.
I could never be as brave as her: facing cancer, finding love, accepting
the inevitable…
What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?
Daemon Black and Katy Swartz. Why?
I’m in love with Daemon. Wait a
sec – maybe I shouldn’t root for them
because then he can be mine…
Ok, I change my mind: Malec.
AKA Magnus and Alec from The Mortal Instrument series. They are soo perfect for each other! And so
cute. I heart Malec!!
What makes you uncomfortable or question the
BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?
Good question… I hate domestic violence – it makes me so
angry and I want to kill the offending person.
I don’t really like wanting to
kill people, even if they are evil sons of banshees. But I don’t think it makes me uncomfortable
because I question YA boundaries. I just
don’t like domestic violence full stop and I think it should be written about. And
sometimes… sometimes I think we need
to feel uncomfortable because it shows us how horrible some people are and how
badly others have it. The real issues –
the horrible facts of life – are meant to be uncomfortable, meant to be hard to read, and I think
it’s important that young adults read about them.
Ok, other things that do make me uncomfortable… Swearing.
Hate it. But I know lots of
‘normal’ teenagers swear a lot so I accept it – if rather reluctantly. Same goes for sex and drugs and alcohol and
whatnot. Real teen issues.
But non-teen things, like undying declarations of devotion
and instalove? No thanks. Just not gonna happen ever in the real world and lots of teens might get a bit of a shock
later in life!
What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over
the next five years?
I’d like less instalove, more ethnic minority action books
where ‘being part of *enter ethnic group here* isn’t the main focus but instead
all the kickbutt action is (like the amazing Ash Mistry series by Sarwat
Chadda)’, total equality between girls and boys, boys reading ‘girl’ books like
girls read ‘boy’ books, disappearance of gender expectations of what you can
read, more original paranormals, less love triangles, more books about less
mainstream paranormal beings… Wow, that
is a lot of want. I should probably stop there. You know what they say: if wishes were
fishes, am I right?
What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big
thing in YA fiction?
I
have no idea. It’s pretty hard to judge
these things. And I’ve never been that good at predicting the future. (Or have I…?)
I think that ‘boy books’ and ‘girl books’ will prevail, we’ll get more
love triangles, instalove, lots of books about the same paranormal beings and
lots of cookiecutter paranormals.
Ooh,
maybe there will be more superhero books though! I love
superhero books. Fingers crossed!
Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please,
Megan
Nooo,
this is EVIL! I hate picking faves… I have to?
Okay… Give me a moment… Alright, got them!
1)
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
2)
Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout
3)
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
4)
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Septys
5)
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
And finally, Megan, if you read ONE book
this year, read THIS...
Oooh,
good one…
The
Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey! Why? Because it’s fast-paced, exciting and perfect
for boys, girls, teens and adults alike!
Megan, thanks so much for submitting to the
EDGE INTERROGATION!
If you’d like to read more of Megan’s
reviews, you can find her here: The Book Addicted Girl
And you can follow her on twitter @BookAddictedGirl
Friday, 16 August 2013
YA INTERROGATION WITH GUEST BLOGGER JESS
This week, we’re delighted to introduce Jess from Jess Hearts Books blog
Hi guys, thanks for having me! I’m Jess - a twenty
something, British Nerdfighter with a love for all things Disney. I’ve been
blogging on my book blog Jess Hearts Books for three years now. I mainly blog
about YA but there is some Chick-Lit and New Adult on there too for good
measure! It’s bizarre to be interviewed; usually I’m the one interviewing the
authors!
Why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?
I love to read YA books as I think it’s the
most diverse and interesting genre around. One minute you can be reading a book
set in the future with robots and aliens and the next be reading a love story
about an ordinary girl crushing on her best friend! I blog because I love
discussing books with other readers. Nothing makes me happier than receiving a
message from one of my readers saying they’ve enjoyed a book I’ve recommended
or reviewed. I like to blog about YA because I think it’s important to get
teens reading. At this age with plenty of required reading for school I know it
can make or break a teen’s relationship with books. I like to highlight the
amazing books out there that they can relate to with characters going through
the same, or similar, struggles as them. It’s very easy to feel alone and
isolated as a teenager and reading can not only provide a great escape but can
also provide role models to take inspiration from and look up to.
What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you
have read?
I think the most original series I’ve ever
read is The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer it’s about fairytale creatures,
cyborgs, people who live on the moon, an evil queen…it’s bizarre but utterly
fantastic and unique. Ultraviolet by R J Anderson is a book that I wouldn’t
even know what genre it fits into it’s that different! I guess the best way to
describe it would be a YA Psychological Thriller - with a twist! Cat Patricks
books also have some unusual and undiscovered concepts.
What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?
A pet peeve of mine with any book would be
poor editing. It just comes across as very careless, sloppy, and half-hearted
and in my opinion can ruin what could be a brilliant book. Series that are
ridiculously long with eight or more books I usually just end up giving up on.
I’m also not a fan of most love triangles unless they are done really well and
have purpose to the story.
What makes for a great YA book?
My favourite YA books are books that are
strong in Plot, Characterisation and Prose. I think you can write about pretty
much anything and if the writing is engaging, the plot well explored and paced
out, and there are characters that feel real and relatable then any story on
any subject has the potential to be a great one.
Which YA characters would you most like to take
OUT TO DINNER and why?
I’d love to have Will and Jace from The
Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments - although they are from the same
world they are alive in different time periods and I’d love to get them together
to see how they get on! I’d also like to invite Kat from Heist Society - I
think we’d get on really well and it’d be pretty awesome to pick the brains of
a teen criminal mastermind!
Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?
I like heroes and heroines who are strong -
not necessarily physically but mentally. I like characters that are
intelligent, brave and compassionate. A side of nerdy and witty is also very
much appreciated! Simon from The Mortal Instruments I feel has all of these traits
and even though he’s not the main hero in the story he’s my hero. One of my
favourite heroines of all time is Rose from Vampire Academy she’s intelligent,
funny, a loyal friend, and is strong in every way possible.
What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?
Rose and Dimitri from Vampire Academy are
my all-time favourite YA couple. They have this amazing chemistry that sizzles
off the pages and they respect one another hugely. They make an incredible
team.
What makes you uncomfortable or question the
BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?
I’m all for the controversial reads that
put hard, or even taboo, subjects under the microscope. No matter how
uncomfortable a topic is you can bet that there is a teenager somewhere going
through it and I think these books are important for teens and parents to read
and discuss together. I’ve found time and time again that books that are banned
or controversial or make for uncomfortable reading are the books that provide
the biggest lifeline to teenagers who are experiencing similar things.
What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over
the next five years?
I’d honestly like to see more standalone
novels! It seems like everything is part of a series these days and it’s hard
to keep up with them all! I’d also really like love triangles to become a thing
of the past and perhaps see some stories that have no love story at all. I
enjoy romance as much as the next person but I find it unrealistic and
unnecessary that every single story and situation requires one.
What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big
thing in YA fiction?
I’ve been seeing a few books based on
Japanese Mythology this year and Parallel Worlds. These seem to be the hot new
topics in YA.
Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please,
Jess
I’ve just took a peep at my favourites
shelf and these books jumped out at me! There’s some Fantasy, Contemporary and
Historical Fiction in there but despite genre I’d recommend these to anyone who
simply loves good YA!
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie
Perkins
And finally, Jess, if you read ONE book
this year, read THIS...
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey is my favourite
book of 2013 so far and is something I’d recommend to anyone! The characters
are fantastic, the plot is mind blowing, there are so many twists and turns and
the writing is so incredibly powerful. I think it has all the ingredients that
make a great book (as mentioned above!) - I couldn’t put it down!
Jess, thanks so much for submitting to the
EDGE INTERROGATION!
Phew! *Wipes sweat off brow* I think I’m
going to go have a little lie down with a book now after that!
If you’d like to read more of Jess’
reviews, you can find her here: http://jessheartsbooks.blogspot.co.uk/
And you can follow her on twitter @JessHeartsBooks
Friday, 21 June 2013
YA INTERROGATION WITH MICHELLE FROM FLUTTERING BUTTERFLIES BLOG
This week, we’re delighted to introduce Michelle from Fluttering Butterflies book blog.
Thank you so much for having me here on The Edge! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Michelle, and I blog at Fluttering
Michelle, why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?
As for why I write about them, that began in response to the isolation that I felt after my eldest child was born. I used to work as a manager in a bookstore but gave it up in order to care for my son. I missed the atmosphere of the bookstore in which I was conversing about books all day every day with colleagues, customers, publishing reps and everyone else. I missed being surrounded by books, selling books and talking about books. Though my blog wasn't always centred around what I'd been reading, the transformation into a book blog feels like a natural progression. I'm very passionate about books and reading and I hope that comes across on my blog.
What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?
That is a tough question. I think the books to me that feel the most original are when I read a story that should be simple - about teen pregnancy, say or a love story between two people - and everything ends up very different to what I've expected because of the twists that the author places on the story. I love it when I can think differently about a subject after reading a book. This has happened over the years with Malorie Blackman's Boys Don't Cry which looked at some of the prejudices facing a teenage father. With Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma, which made me think differently about love as she has written about a consensual incest relationship. And most recently, Laura Lam's Pantomime had me falling in love with a beautiful story that included something I've never come across before...
What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?
I've been reading about a lot of unhealthy relationships in YA books which makes me incredibly sad. I don't want teenage girls to think that these relationships are something that is okay or worth striving for. I particularly don't like when serious topics are included into a storyline for (what feels like to me) entertainment value. Obviously cheesy dialogue is a turn-off, as are sexist and shaming language towards female characters.
What makes for a great YA book?
I would say that for a book to be great, I would have to connect to it on a really strong emotional level. It's really personal for me. That if a book makes me laugh or cry or cringe in embarassment or makes me loathe a character or fall in love then I think it's pretty great. And to do that the characters have to be rounded out and flawed, there have to be some good relationships - not just romantic but also platonic and familial relationships. Good dialogue and an interesting plot. Extra special points for making me fall into a story or characters or setting so fully that it feels as though I'm there too. It's not much to ask, is it?
I'd love to have Magnus Bane from Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. I think he'd have the most interesting things to discuss over dinner. As would Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. I think the two of them could bring something wonderfully unexpected to the table.
I'd invite Mia Thermopolis from the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot and Ruby Oliver from the Boyfriend list by E Lockhart as I think they're both awesome and I think we'd all really hit it off.
And finally, I think Tiny Cooper from Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan would be the life of any dinner party.
Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?
I really struggled to answer this question. I think there are lots of YA heroes and heroines that I admire but I'm going to pick Carly from Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar. I think that for most people the obvious choices for an 'ideal' character going on a heroes journey is somebody who is already strong and brave and good. But when I stopped to think about this, the journeys that I respond to the most happen when characters like Carly (or Echo from Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry or Daisy from Saving Daisy by Phil Earle) are at their lowest points physically, mentally or emotionally and they are at the stage where they can choose to give up or choose to struggle on. And these amazing characters manage to find hope and strength within themselves to continue fighting and striving for something better. And that sort of courage appeals to me so much more.
What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?
The relationships between Will, Tessa and Jem in The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare was done wonderfully. Especially in the ways in which she challenges most people's beliefs about love triangles. The three of them are beautiful together. That's been my favourite romance to follow lately.
What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?
Speaking of romance, I think the thing that makes me the most uncomfortable within YA are insta-love relationships in which the characters feel like this love consumed them, almost outside of their control, and that it will remain forever. That makes me uneasy. Both in that the love between two people is not a choice to be made but something that takes over and also the idea of there never being another choice available. I don't like either of these concepts. I don't think either patricularly questions the boundaries of YA but it sure makes my skin crawl.
What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?
I would love for there to be more standalone stories. Series books make me weary. I'd like to see a bigger variety of characters populating teen stories - LGBT characters, people going through mental illness issues, characters that are non-white or are of mixed race or that have physical disabilities. I think a lot of these minority views need to be more prominent.
From a personal perspective, I really like stories involving sports. And stories that include supportive parents or family members are pretty refreshing. And as I'm a big supporter of books by British authors, I'd like to see UKYA reaching a wider audience.
What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA ficton?
I think the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer spurred many paranormal romances to be published and the success of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins meant a wealth of dystopian fiction. Both were made into film adaptations. I'm not great at predicting trends or anything but I wonder how the release of big film adaptations this year and next might influence what we see being published in YA over the next few years? Perhaps more urban fantasy along the lines of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare? I'm not really sure!
For me personally, I really hope psychological thrillers are the next big thing. I've really enjoyed the books I've read of late that were a bit heart-pounding and twisty-turny.
If I Stay/Where She Went by Gayle Forman
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick NessHeart-Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne
And finally, Michelle, if you read ONE book this year, read THIS...
My favourite book that I've read in 2013 has been Undone by Cat Clarke. Cat Clarke consistently brings us edgy books with wonderfully flawed characters and emotionally charged stories and this book made me questions everyone's motives and wonder what's right and wrong. It made my heart hurt and my eyes were sore from crying.
Michelle, thanks so much for submitting to the EDGE INTERROGATION!
If you’d like to read more of Michelle’s reviews, you can find her here: www.flutteringbutterflies.com
And you can follow her on twitter @cloverness
If you think the Edge Interrogation is easy - try naming YOUR top 5 Teen/YA books in the comments section...
If you think the Edge Interrogation is easy - try naming YOUR top 5 Teen/YA books in the comments section...
Friday, 14 June 2013
YA INTERROGATION WITH SISTER SPOOKY
This week we’re delighted to welcome Laura from Sister Spooky blog as our guest.
Thanks for asking me to take part. I usually just stick to ASKING questions on my blog in between reviews not answering them and these questions were surprisingly hard but easy at the same time!
Why do you READ and WRITE about teen/YA books?
I always found reading a big challenge as a teen and because I have dyslexia it meant that as much as I enjoyed reading and writing it was an uphill battle at times. I rekindled my passion for reading through YA in my 20s and once I began reading other book blogs I decided to start my own as a small place for me to talk about books and hopefully where I could inspire some people to read something outside of their comfort zone.
What are the most ORIGINAL YA books that you have read?
At the time when I first encountered it in my early teens, The Secret Life of Adrian Mole aged 13 and 3/4 was a major revelation for me because it was a book from a boy's point of view that wasn't all about action packed adventures. Compared to current books it's not an original really but when it first came out it was amazing. More recent original YA I've read are Heart Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne, Undone by Cat Clarke, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David LevithaN. I better stop now before this list goes on and on.
What is a TURN OFF in YA fiction?
I'm not sure what the actual term is but I just refer to it as the "easy out". When things are written off with magic or just something happening at the right moment but for no real reason other than it would be helpful to the plot. I don't want the love interest to suddenly get they are in love with the MC just at that vital moment or that the one tool the MC needs to get out of a pickle is in their pocket. If it's believable then YES but otherwise it just gets my back up.
What makes for a great YA book?
Characters with a voice. If I'm reading about a MC or group of characters that have clear and honest voices and personalities then you can throw whatever you like at them and I'll love it just to see how they deal with it.
Which YA characters would you most like to take OUT TO DINNER and why?
Skarper from Goblins by Philip Reeve. He'd be a real rascal and funny to talk with. Magnus Bane from Cassandra Clare's TMI and TID series because no dinner parties are complete without Magnus. Oscar from Emma Hearts LA by Keris Stainton because geek boys own my heart and Jody from Rockoholic by C.J.Skuse because we'd gab about music for hours.
Who is your ideal YA HERO/HEROINE and why?
Hester from The Mortal Engines series by Philip Reeve because she's such a broken person which such strength and weakness that I can't fault her even with all her flaws.
What is your dream YA ROMANTIC PAIRING and why?
Anna and Abel in The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis. I can't even begin to tell you how fantastic this book is. Totally blew my socks off and a surprise treat.
What makes you uncomfortable or question the BOUNDARIES OF YA fiction?
If I'm honest it's New Adult. I don't mind there being sex in YA and in fact I think there should be more when it's believable and honest to reality rather than overly sickly and romantic because it's not always like that. It's important for YA to embrace sex because teenagers have so it's not a shock to them. New Adult is fine but I think the uncomfortable level for me is when it's a blurry line in terms of how it's being pitched to YA markets. I think NA and YA is hard to separate at the moment to the point that even authors don't know if they are technically going into NA grounds. I once heard about a 50 Shades of Grey type book aimed at YA audience. I mean….seriously?
NA is great for a NA audience because there is a big difference to sex in YA and sex in NA.
What would you LIKE to see happening in YA over the next five years?
MORE FUNNY! I love to laugh and the funny books I've found over the last year or two are stunning reads but often are few and fair between. I would LOVE to see more UKYA authors getting audiences in the USA where there is a big market for it. Plus I think that it seems like USYA authors when being "sold" to bloggers etc they get a lot of energy and cash thrown at them and UK ones get much less. Might be just my own personal opinion but the playing field is no where near equal in that respect.
What do you think will ACTUALLY be the next big thing in YA fiction?
There seems to be the taste for fairytales of late but I'm not sure how long that will really last. I think there will be a lot more contemporary books about big issues like alcoholism, drugs and mental illness because when they are done well they are hugely moving as well as amazing to read.
Give us your top FIVE TEEN/YA books please.
TOP 5 OF ALL TIME!! ONLY FIVE!!!
You guys are so strict!!
OK, in no special order
Heart Shaped Bruise by Tanya Bryne
Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
If you read ONE book this year, read THIS...
Geekhood: Close Encounters of the Girl Kind by Andy Robb. I go on and on about this one but I found it so funny and clever and had wonderful messages about dealing with divorce, teen existence, girls, geeks, friends and family. Even made me shed a tear or two when a few moments hit home with me. Plus it's UKYA!
Thanks so much for submitting to the interrogation, Laura.
Or follow her on Twitter: @sisterspooky
Next Friday Michelle from Fluttering Butterflies undergoes the Edge Interrogation!
Next Friday Michelle from Fluttering Butterflies undergoes the Edge Interrogation!
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