I took a hiatus from YA/Teen Lit for a while and when I was ready to jump back in the waters, TATBILB was my first read and it was SO GOOD. I was so impressed at how fresh and current it was but still retained the sweetness of that first high school romance. Have been a huge fan of Jenny Han since then. For ETL, I also always recommend the Folk of Air series by Holly Black. A truly kickass heroine with an agenda and sizzling chemistry. What’s not to love?
I loved the first movie but can’t say the second and third were as good as the novels. Cute, but the books were better imo. As for the Folk of Air series, I highly recommend holding off until the Fall. The series has a bit of Halloweenish vibes. I always itch to read them that time of year!
Over the last couple of years, I've started reading more YA, but the only one of the books that Bri mentioned that I've read is The Hate U Give. It was a good book with such a powerful message. I really enjoyed it.
Any time you need more YA recommendations, I'm your gal! I studied YA a lot in my Master's program, and I've come to truly appreciate how incredible the genre is. I'm always eager to fangirl about YA :)
I'm a small-town romance writer who's always read contemporary romance and women's fiction. I'm expanding my reading horizons to include a Why Choose (Pucking Around—so far it's great!), and I have the Sarah J. Maas books on my TBR for the summer, too. They are seriously out of my comfort/interest zone. Will they live up to the hype?
I used to read only romance so very long ago, and then I branched out into other genres over the last couple of decades. Bri's newsletter gave me some clarity for why I enjoy some romances and not others. Now that I understand this, I know what I'm looking for in a romance novel in the future.
Many of my favorite people are 'connectors'. After reading this and realizing you are building a bookish community it is now clear why I enjoy your Newsletter Gayla!!!
Thanks Mark! I love the bookish community on Substack. I have met some really nice people here and I just want everyone to enjoy this little corner of the internet as much as I do.
I can't say that I've ever read any F. Scott Fitzgerald, but I do love reading YA novels that aren't full of teenage angst. I especially enjoy YA historical fiction.
I'm a women's fiction writer and that genre, of course, often veers into romance. So I'm a fan of tropes! I loved reading Bri's take on tropes and will check out some of those recommendations. I think my favorite trope at the moment is Second Chances. But that could change tomorrow.
It's so nice to come upon a Substack space that gives some kudos to romance novels and writers. I'm just baffled that some people find the romance genre not as credible as others. I actually had a man say to me that he only reads real books. I asked him about his relationship status, to which he responded that he was single and looking. Mind you, he seemed about in his mid-forties, so I pointed out that maybe he should give romance books a try because more often than not, they give ideas on how to get, treat, and keep a woman. Whether or not he took my advise is still up in the air. But case in point in MHO.
I agree with your comments. Romance is a credible genre, just as much as literary fiction, mystery, YA, etc. are also credible. I don't like when anyone disparages any genre. Readers can and do have preferences in what they read, and that may or may not include romance or any of the other genres. I love your retort to the man that said he only read "real books." I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he goes on a date. lol Thanks for reading!
Thanks for making me a part of your bookish community here!
It was fun working with you!
I took a hiatus from YA/Teen Lit for a while and when I was ready to jump back in the waters, TATBILB was my first read and it was SO GOOD. I was so impressed at how fresh and current it was but still retained the sweetness of that first high school romance. Have been a huge fan of Jenny Han since then. For ETL, I also always recommend the Folk of Air series by Holly Black. A truly kickass heroine with an agenda and sizzling chemistry. What’s not to love?
Sri,
I completely agree that TATBILB walks that delicate balance of relevance with class, high school love. What did you think of the movies?
I've also never read the Folk of Air series, so I'm adding it to my TBR pile for my Summer of Fun Reading. Thanks for the recommendation!
I loved the first movie but can’t say the second and third were as good as the novels. Cute, but the books were better imo. As for the Folk of Air series, I highly recommend holding off until the Fall. The series has a bit of Halloweenish vibes. I always itch to read them that time of year!
That's good to know! I love books that center me in a season. I'm looking forward to reading the series this Fall!
Over the last couple of years, I've started reading more YA, but the only one of the books that Bri mentioned that I've read is The Hate U Give. It was a good book with such a powerful message. I really enjoyed it.
Any time you need more YA recommendations, I'm your gal! I studied YA a lot in my Master's program, and I've come to truly appreciate how incredible the genre is. I'm always eager to fangirl about YA :)
I'll definitely keep that in mind. :)
I'm a small-town romance writer who's always read contemporary romance and women's fiction. I'm expanding my reading horizons to include a Why Choose (Pucking Around—so far it's great!), and I have the Sarah J. Maas books on my TBR for the summer, too. They are seriously out of my comfort/interest zone. Will they live up to the hype?
These are two recommendations I've never read either. I'd love to know your thoughts as you dive in!
I used to read only romance so very long ago, and then I branched out into other genres over the last couple of decades. Bri's newsletter gave me some clarity for why I enjoy some romances and not others. Now that I understand this, I know what I'm looking for in a romance novel in the future.
So lucky to have found you in the Substack's bookish universe, Gayla!
How kind of you to say this, thank you for being here and for reading!
Many of my favorite people are 'connectors'. After reading this and realizing you are building a bookish community it is now clear why I enjoy your Newsletter Gayla!!!
Thanks Mark! I love the bookish community on Substack. I have met some really nice people here and I just want everyone to enjoy this little corner of the internet as much as I do.
My idea of fun lit is F. Scott Fitzgerald's stories about teenagers. They're so funny and they read like YA novels.
I can't say that I've ever read any F. Scott Fitzgerald, but I do love reading YA novels that aren't full of teenage angst. I especially enjoy YA historical fiction.
"Bernice Bobs Her Hair"! It's the greatest American short story ever!
I'm a women's fiction writer and that genre, of course, often veers into romance. So I'm a fan of tropes! I loved reading Bri's take on tropes and will check out some of those recommendations. I think my favorite trope at the moment is Second Chances. But that could change tomorrow.
It's so nice to come upon a Substack space that gives some kudos to romance novels and writers. I'm just baffled that some people find the romance genre not as credible as others. I actually had a man say to me that he only reads real books. I asked him about his relationship status, to which he responded that he was single and looking. Mind you, he seemed about in his mid-forties, so I pointed out that maybe he should give romance books a try because more often than not, they give ideas on how to get, treat, and keep a woman. Whether or not he took my advise is still up in the air. But case in point in MHO.
I agree with your comments. Romance is a credible genre, just as much as literary fiction, mystery, YA, etc. are also credible. I don't like when anyone disparages any genre. Readers can and do have preferences in what they read, and that may or may not include romance or any of the other genres. I love your retort to the man that said he only read "real books." I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he goes on a date. lol Thanks for reading!