Friday, July 22, 2011

My Newfound Love for Contemporary

For a long time, the only books I would read were paranormal. And it was a big genre, and definitely the most popular, too. So I didn't see any reason to leave it.

Then, paranormal got...well, boring. There were still some books that I would find enjoyment in, but they quickly became few and far between.

And sure, I found dystopia, and I loved it and still do. Sure, sometimes I'd find one or two that just weren't for me, but I was quickly beginning to crave some different.

Who would've thought that the "something different" I needed would be stories about everyday teens?

Seriously, I am loving this genre. It's characters and writing and stories and...just...yeah. These books can be so amazingly profound and touching. Not all of them, of course, but lots of them.

I guess the reason I'm writing this post would be to tell readers that broadening your horizons can be the best thing to ever happen to you. You discover some great stuff when you do, trust me! (Of course, it can also lead to sucky books, but whatever. You get what I mean.)

Here are some of my favorite contemporaries that I would highly, highly recommend:


And there are still so many more that I cannot wait to read. Are you a fan of contemporary? Why or why not? If so, what are some that you'd recommend?

Peace, love, and John Green,

7 comments:

  1. HELL YES CONTEMPORARY.

    You totally need to read any books by Stephanie Kuehnert or Courtney Summers if you haven't already. Ballads of Suburbia is my favorite of Stephanie's, and I can't pick a favorite from Courtney. All of hers are fantastic.

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  2. Yay! I LOVE Jellicoe Road! I recommend all of Melina Marchetta's contemporary novels (Saving Francesca, The Piper's Son, Looking for Alibrandi). :)
    And really...any Aussie YA contemporary is great! Like...
    A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley
    Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar
    Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
    Stolen by Lucy Christopher
    :D

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  3. Thanks for the recommendations! I like branching out to get out of my "comfort zone" every once in awhile when reading... Just read "Don't Breath a Word" by Holly Cupala. Not one of my favorites, but it is a great look into the word of homeless teens in Seattle. :) Check it out!

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  4. YAYYYY CONTEMPORARY! Totally agree with AJ-- you definitely want to check out those books :) I LOVE them!

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  5. I L.O.V.E. contemporary. I'm not sure why; I just always have and probably always will. You've got a good list already, I've read and enjoyed each one of them.

    I have three favorite favorite contemporary authors (two of them you've already named!): John Green, Melina Marchetta, and Gayle Forman, but I could probably name a hundred who's books I've read and really enjoyed also. Let me know if you ever want more suggestions :)

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  6. Contemporary is my favorite. You get a lot of variety, and it's just addicting. Definitely read Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehenert. It's a favorite of mine. I also really love-

    Willow by Julia Hoban

    John Belushi is Dead by Kathy Charles

    The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky


    -Lauren

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  7. I love love love John Green :)

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