After shying away from the genre discussions these past few days, I thought I should just give it a try and hop into the cold water - since I am not exactly what you'd call familiar with genre classification. From what I read on other blogs today, I figure Literary Fiction - today's topic - is what we'd call life-changing contemporary in YA, yes? Can I please be right and not completely embarass myself?
How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr
I didn't expect to connect with this book a bit as much as I eventually did. It was supposed to be about grief and teenage pregnancy, but a major theme that came along with that was fear. Fear of life, fear of making decisions and being afraid of the future - which was something I could relate to very well. Also, Sara Zarr's writing is unbelievably awesome.
Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
This book should be required reading for every teenager on this planet. The theme of perfection and society's obsession with it is presented in I'd like to say every way possible. It's about body image and living up to your parent's expectations and trying to get into colleges and score scholarships...and the message at the ending is strong, loud and clear - without ever being preachy.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen had to be mentioned. The Truth About Forever is special to me personally since it states very clearly how a new group of friends, a new environment, just one step out of your comfort zone can make your whole life brighter, happier and a nicer place to be.
I need to read some Sarah Dessen, my sis loves her books!
ReplyDeletehmm, I kind of separated literary fiction from YA, but I may be totally off. thanks for sharing these titles
ReplyDeleteI think it's very confusing to a lot of people so don't be embarrassed. It's not just YA related, but I loved your post.
ReplyDeleteAh...Sarah Dressen....love her work! And I think that whatever you classify literary fiction as is what it is for you. As long as you're reading and enjoying what you read, who cares what genre it falls into! Am I right?! :-)
ReplyDeleteI think that literary fiction the way the dictionary explains it is too pompous, and I agree with you! IT should be contemporary books that have the potential to one day be a classic!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Literary Fiction post and my Armchair BEA Giveaway post.
It's weird because I don't usually think of literary fiction as YA... I think of these books as YA contemporary. But I say YOU ARE RIGHT! Because I truly have no idea. And YA can totally be literary fiction!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these! Good post!
ReplyDeleteContemporary books are often hit or miss with me, and lately, they've been more miss. I've been thinking about trying How to Save a Life, and it sounds like it might be worth checking out. I feel like the only person on the planet who hasn't read a Sarah Dessen book, and I've been wondering where to start. The Truth About Forever looks like an ideal choice.
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