Young Adult Novels.

Posted On June 24, 2015


          There are readers who love to read classics. Some are into crime and mystery. Many are only fond of romantic love stories while a few read the most recommended books. Most teens and tweens love young adult fiction. I’m a reader who somehow fits in all these criteria. As much as I love Shakespeare, I love John Green, J.K. Rowling and Sidney Sheldon. Sometimes I even love to read books by Nicholas Sparks or Sophie Kinsella which are chilled out and fun novels filled with romance and humour. Yet, somehow I tend to bend more towards young adult (YA) novels. I have read so many of those that I absolutely love them. Many people are of the opinion that YA is just for children who don’t have a life and read to escape into a fantasy world. They think that such books don’t bring out any message and only fill our heads with nonsense crap. There are so many wrong beliefs about YA readers that I cannot overstate its existence.

          Firstly, I know for a fact that YA novels build character and send a message. If the reader is consciously reading, they will understand that there many messages conveyed in such books. The entire story may seem like just a plain prose charmed with romance, tragedy and humour. But, there is something to be learnt in every page and every chapter. For example, ‘Looking for Alaska’ by John Green isn’t only just about hostel fun followed by mystery. There are so many quotes which are thought provoking such as:

“The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive”
“You just use the future to escape the present.”

There are these brilliant lines from ‘Anna and the French Kiss’ by Stephanie Perkins which state:

“Home isn’t a place, it is a person.”

Some favourites from ‘The Perks of being a Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky are,

“We are who we are for a lot of reasons and maybe we’ll never know most of them.”
“Don’t feel stupid if you don’t like what everyone else pretends to love.”
Such is the power of YA literature. It not only resembles us but also gives us a confidence for standing up for ourselves. After reading a book, a reader can never just carry on. He just sits in his place with the book in his hand and thinks about it. At least that happens with me when I read a really great story. These trend-setting books are the next generation’s emotional and intellectual thinkers. Readers will cry with Hazel Grace. They will wonder about the note which Eleanor gave to Park. They will wonder about fate after Adam meets Mia. And they will forever wait for their Hogwarts acceptance letter. They will think about the what-ifs and could-bes which will make them think about everything that is to this life, the people and the world.

          Secondly, I’d like to say something about YA dystopian novels. Dystopian novels are basically wherein the circumstances are unsafe and protected by some kind of heroes. Dystopian novels are getting so popular now a days. ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy has taught me how to be brave, smart and yet never forget about my loved ones. It has taught me how important it is to live and how somewhere someone is dying to live my life. ‘Divergent’ series has taught me to go for what I’m passionate about and fight against all the consequences. ‘Shatter Me’ series has taught me to accept myself the way I am.  These books might be termed by adults as something for kids but they are the best fit for the young adult generation. This YA generation is going to be so much more aware of everything going on around them. YA readers are those who learn something while having fun.

Some dystopian novels.

          Apart from the marvelous quotes and bravery of dystopian worlds, the third thing about YA is that they are fun. These books don’t make you open the dictionary after every 10 words. It’s more like after 5 pages. I’m not saying that learning new words is boring but if there are alien words frequently then it just takes out the fun from it breaking the reader’s link. For readers looking for new words, there are other books after all but YA is all about enjoying the reading experience, learning between the words and winning that war against evil. I hope I won’t ever give up on young adult fiction and I hope I never grow out of it.

Do you read YA books? Which are your favourites?

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About The Author

Aishwarya Shenolikar

Hello! I'm Aishwarya, an Introverted bookworm & writer. I have been reviewing books since 6 years on my blog - Mindscape in Words. My favourite genres are Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers, Magical Realism, Poetry, Fantasy & Memoirs. I like the kind of books which evoke emotions on several levels leaving me wrecked, but also incredibly content. I'm dreaming for the world to paint a landscape full of words, more like Mindscape in Words. Hope you enjoy the view.

8 Comments
  1. Robin Follette

    I just last week heard that nearly as many adults as young adults are reading young adult fiction these days. With the world being what it is, it's no wonder we enjoy light reading more now.

  2. Rosemond

    I do! I review all kinds of kid lit, so I often don't have as much time to read all the books I want, but I did just read The Mermaid's Sister by Carrie Anne Noble and really enjoyed it!

    Rosemond
    http://www.bighairandbooks.blogspot.com

  3. Miss Angie

    I still love YA novels, even as an adult. I read a lot more adult contemporary now, but I still find time for some of the good YA ones.

  4. Unknown

    Yep, I'm a not-young adult who reads YA fiction, and I love it! I read lots of other genres as well, but this is one of my favorites.

  5. Ali

    I love YA fiction. I even read the middle-grade books that my daughter brings home as well. I enjoy all different genres of books too.

  6. Unknown

    I taught high school English for a while and in order to keep up with them and be able to have books to recommend to them, I read so much YA lit. It's definitely my favorite genre. Even though I'm 25, I still relate to YA characters way more then regular fiction!

    xo, Chelsie @ Life with Rosie

  7. Colleen Cadiz

    Great list! I was a children's lit specialist for 17 years before I became a SAHM & Pastry Chef so I always appreciate adults who aren't afraid to read & share kids lit as well 🙂 xoxoxo

  8. Unknown

    Great piece. I love YA fiction by Rick Riordan.