Sometimes I’m all like, “I don’t like that. Don’t be silly.”
And then I realize I do like that. And I sit there wondering: when and how did it happen?
Through my first six or so months of book blogging, I maintained that I don’t read YA. I’m not a YA reader. I’m just NOT. It is ALL teenage angst and blah blah blah. Did I mention I like my adult books? I don’t read YA!
WRONG.
I was in denial.
I don’t read YA.
I read a lot of YA.
I’m not a fan of YA.
Some of my highest rated books are YA. The only two books I’ve rated 10 are YA.
I love YA.
What are YOU in denial about?
56 Responses to “In Denial: Reading YA”
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I have recently dealt with my YA denial. At least privately and on my blog… But I sometimes feel self conscious with my friends who all are into “more mature” reads (for lack of a better term!)
Most of my blogging and reader friends are into YA, so I was really just the opposite. It took me awhile to really get over that stigma, though.
I know the feeling. Used to say that all the time, I am so mature come on why would I read YA? Pfft.
Boy was I wrong. I love YA, but as long as it’s paranormal or anything supernatural.
I won’t even give the time of the day to a non-sup YA book. I guess I am in denial with bob-para YA!
Yeah okay, I second this. I won’t touch contemporary YA. It needs to be spec fic.
Hannah, you need to read some John Green. I demand it.
Yeah. I said that, too. Then I started picking up some contemporary YA books, and I enjoyed those…
Nice! Everyone comes around to the dark side eventually. Jen was like this until she started hanging out with Isa and I. ♥
#BookBully!
This is true. So like you, I was in denial about YA. *shakes fist at Ash and Isa*
There’s no one I’d rather be in denial with than you, Jen.
LOL! I love you too so much. ♥
Too. Two. Whose judging. Oh yea. Amanda is. And I probably just used whose incorrectly. lol
You did use it incorrectly. But I still love you.
We love you, too!
I would love to say YA but I am still not quite there (I will read 12 of them this year though)! I will say that I am in denial about Paranormal being something I can’t get enough of. In fact, I used to say that 90% of the books I read were paranormal and that I would never EVER tire of them. This year it looks like I hit my paranormal wall—-I think only 10% of the books I have read so far are paranormal. I don’t know if I needed a break or I was just ready for something different. I am finding that suspense/thrillers/mysteries are lately my cup of tea. Also I am finding my love for historicals again….*sigh*
PS I have to note that I hope I am going to break down the wall because there are so many amazing PNR books that are coming down the pike. I don’t know if I will ever get there with YA but there are a few that I have really liked. UF is like YA to me —-it is hit or miss but both for the same reason (oddly)–I don’t really like Love Triangle plot devices (something both use extensively).
No! Not the love triangles!
I think variety is good. I’m thinking that could be why I burnt out on reading in college. I read myself out in a single genre.
For the longest time I wasn’t a YA reader either! Sure.. I read it. But most of it’s tripe, right? Totally in denial. I’ve recently come to realise that sod it. I like YA as much as I like adult fiction, sometimes more, depending on my mood.
Yes! Exactly. I like a mix of both.
I am an English major and in my first day of Literary Criticism class we all had to talk about our favorite genres. I was so disappointed that I was the only one would even admit that they read and enjoyed YA.
In my opinion, YA authors have it hard. To capture a teens attention these days you HAVE to grab them in the first few pages. If you don’t, they’ll probably put the book down.
I wish more readers and bloggers would give YA it’s due credit.
Thank you for coming out. ;)
I think that YA is gaining enough popularity, though, that eventually it won’t have such a stigma. I mean, YA books aren’t just for young adults anymore.
Hahaha Nice of you to finally admit it!! But it would be fairly obvious to anyone who reads your blog! :)
I’ll admit to liking an erotica read every now and then, which I will NOT review on the blog, lol. ;)
Yes. I know. I was going through my reviews one day and realized the overwhelming number of YA books, and I was just like, “Oh. Maybe I do like YA.” DUH.
Nothing wrong with erotica, either.
YEAH AMANDA!!!! Way to own up to your love of YA books:) I think it’s easy to think all of them are too full of angst and teenage drama and love triangles (which, granted, many are), but there are some wonderful stories out there too that have appeal no matter your age. I’m in denial over historical fiction or historical romance. For some reason I’ve convinced myself I don’t like historical novels, but two weeks ago I read pretty much every single historical romance Elizabeth Hoyt has written and loved every one of them. I seriously didn’t move the entire weekend and read 6 of her books. Win.
Ooooooh, I love historical fiction (especially historical romance)! I haven’t read much lately, but I’ve always been a fan.
And yes, that would definitely qualify as a WIN.
Lately, my relationship with YA has been Love/Hate. I’ve been trying to stick with mostly contemporary YA because it usually avoids those tropes I’m sick of, cliffhangers, love triangles, insta-love. That stuff runs rampant in Supernatural YA, so, for my mental well being, I’ve decided that it’s best to just avoid it…most times. LOL
I think paranormal YA is starting to become over-saturated with books, so that it’s difficult to come up with something that is unique. I’ve just recently branched out into contemp YA, and while I still have some reservations, I’m content for now to take recommendations from bloggers that I know and trust.
I wouldn’t say I’m in denial about it, but I don’t advertise that I read romance. Heck, sometimes I know my tagline is “anything with a smudge of romance,” but it took me a long time to be willing to admit that, with such a preference, I should probably read romance. And so I did and I do.
Well, I think there is a difference between reading something with romance in it and reading books where romance is the central plot. Though I’m glad you do read romance. Good stuff, that.
I am not in denial about how awesome I am.
Ruby! Not funny. (though I am awesome)
Should I have left a comment from you about how great I am?
That would have been more funny I think, yes.
Okay, last time, ever!
RUBY IS SO RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME! NO ONE CAN DENY HOW MUCH THEY LOVE HER AND WANT TO HAVE HER BABIES!
I should have known better than encourage you, Ruby.
Lol, probably not.
Every time I finish replying to your comments there is a new one from you! It’s just like on Twitter!
Oh! And here’s another one!
Hey! That wasn’t me!
No?
Romance. I read it all. the. time. And yet I tell people that I read almost exclusively YA, sci-fi and fantasy. Who am I kidding?
Yay for romance! That’s what I originally started off reading.
I used to be an anti-romance snob, but I think it was really because the cover models always used to have long, flowing hair a la Fabio. Yech.
I started reading romance novels as early as 8th grade. I lurved them.
I suppose the Sweet Valley High books could probably be counted as romance novels for teens, so maybe I did?
I don’t think I read any of those so I wouldn’t know.
It was like a soap opera in book form. Comas, kidnapping, babies switched at birth, identical THIRD twins who tried to steal the identity of one of the original twins, blackmail, amnesia, motorcycle accidents and personality reversals. Fun times.
Clearly I missed out.
Oh my god, yes! Don’t worry, there’s still a chance for you to read them before you die.
Oh, gee. But I have all these other good books to read.
I love YA! It’s fabulous–so many good books. But try telling that to most of my friends. If only they’d listen to me. I know what I’m talking about!
There is a definite stigma attached to YA. It took me some time to realize that YA books can be for people of all ages.
I think I’m in denial about my current review pile. I know it is huge and yet I keep accepting more and more self pub authors’ books for review. It is a problem and an addiction!
I’m glad you gave YA a chance!
I am going to go out on a limb here and say that you’re probably not alone in being in denial about your review pile. ;)
I’m in denial about romance, definitely romance! I have mentioned so many times on my blog that I don’t read romance, yet many of my reviews are tagged with “romance”.
I still believe that I don’t enjoy books that focus only or mainly on romance. But. There are exceptions, I can’t deny it anymore. One of my favorite books last year was “Anna and the French Kiss”. I guess I love romantics stories, but not what is labeled as traditional “romance”, maybe?
Getting out of denial-land is confusing!
To be fair, it does seem like romance is something that pops up quite often in books, even though it’s not the main focus of the book.
I say embrace the romance! (but then, I am biased)