Thursday, September 27, 2012

From My Bookshelf


I've been on a Contemporary YA kick lately. Probably because for me, they're harder to write.

Throw some supernatural or magical elements into my reality-based story and I'm walking on water. Take it away and I'm sinking, fast. But I'm learning tons and can't wait get cracking again.

Here's a small list of books I've recently enjoyed, to flex my contemporary writing muscles:



PUSHING THE LIMITS



SUCH A RUSH


MY LIFE NEXT DOOR


SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL


THE STORY OF US



THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER


What are you reading these days?

11 comments:

Stina said...

ROFL We are twins separated at birth. There are only two here I haven't read. But I have My Life Next Door on hold at the library, and I have a Deb Caletti book waiting to be read. The four I have read and loved. :D

I love YA contemporary, but they are much harder to write.

K. M. Walton said...

I haven't read any of these, even though a few are in my TBR pile. I've read a few contemps that you MUST read: SMALL DAMAGES by Beth Kephart, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky and EVERY YOU EVERY ME by David Levithan. All amazing reads that caused lots and lots of writer-envy, which can translate to: reading those books taught me something new about the craft of writing contemporary YA.

And I think the opposite of you, my dear: writing anything with magical elements is WAY harder to write. In fact, it blows my mind.

Christina Lee said...

Kate, I've read PERKS—and can’t wait to see the movie!!!

Thank you for the other two names—now on my list.

I think contemp can fall into several categories (right?): romance, lighter reads, and edgier reads (which you write brilliantly), for lack of better names at my fingertips. I guess my list below is a pretty good mix of those. But definitely want to read more!

Christina Lee said...

Stina, we have definitely been separated at birth! :D

Meredith said...

I heart contemporary YA, especially Sarah Dessen! I need to read Pushing the Limits--I've heard such good things!

Janet Johnson said...

I have read none of these. I tend towards MG and just finished The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. And yeah, if I went on, they'd mostly be connected to fairy tales. I might have a fetish there . . . :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing! I'm not as pulled to contemporary YA, but when I do find a good one, I LOVE it.

Christina Lee said...

Meredith, it's intense and um...HOT (just sayin'). :D

Janet, nothing wrong with that! Off to look that one up!

Caryn Caldwell said...

I have heard so many good things about Jennifer Echols' books. I really need to give them a try. Actually, I need to read a lot of the books on your list. I'm always looking for some good contemporary YA romances, and it looks like you enjoy them, too.

Maddy said...

Haven't been around here in a while, but I always love your book suggestions.

Lourie said...

My daughter and my bestie are STILL trying to get me to read Hunger Games. I am probably the only one left on the globe who hasn't! haha. I did watch the movie on Saturday so now I am intrigued.