What I’m In the Mood For
You know how when your body is deficient in certain nutrients, it will start craving foods rich with said nutrients? There must be a serious lack of literary contemporary YA in my reading diet, because lately, that’s all I’ve been craving.
Today my colleagues and I were discussing the vague sense of ennui that had fallen over us when it came to reading, submissions and published works alike. It isn’t that the works we’re getting aren’t good or exciting or whatnot; it’s just that what we’re getting is not satisfying that particular craving. And in my case, that craving is so bad it’s starting to overshadow everything else.
I like commercial books and always have, but recently I feel as though I’ve glutted myself on them. Fantasy and science fiction and high concept are all well and good, but they are fast-paced, involved, and a little exhausting. What I need now is something else, something that delves into the meaning of our existence as human beings, something that sinks itself into my ribcage to tear at my heart. I want to feel now, and I want my feelings to illuminate greater truths about life.
You know what I want? I want a book equivalent of that small indie film about “one great summer” that changed our lives forever. That intense, coming-of-age longing that comes with a great story about growing-up. I want it literary and affection and funny and—OMG.
You know what I want?
I want a book equivalent of Now and Then.
THE TRAILER SAYS IT ALL.
Somebody please get on this! I want a book equivalent of Now and Then, or something very much like Lorrie Moore’s WHO WILL RUN THE FROG HOSPITAL, or a girl John Green. I would very much like a girl John Green because John Green is John Green, while and does the boy’s bildungsroman so well, I want a girl’s coming-of-age. Oh please, oh please, agents. Get on this.
Omg I looooved NOW & THEN.
Hmm, so, it’s not funny, but HOLD STILL by Nina LaCour is really good contemporary YA. I think you could call it literary. Either way I highly recommend.
Ditto IF I STAY by Gayle Forman. FLASH BURNOUT is boy still, although it’s written by a woman. Ditto the forthcoming PULL OF GRAVITY by Gae Polisner.
What about Elissa’s book again? Lol. Does that fit the bill?
Rate:
0 
0
Elissa’s book still counts. :) Thanks for the recs!
Rate:
0 
0
Great Contemporary? Girls coming of age? Summers that change your life? Sounds like what you want is some Sarah Dessen maybe? “The Truth about Forever” or “Along for the Ride” or “That Summer” maybe? I went with those three because they’re the three I own and have read so far as I make up for years of somehow surviving without Sarah Dessen.
Rate:
0 
0
Sarah Dessen is a LEETLE more romance-based than what I prefer, but I’ve only read THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER. :)
Rate:
0 
0
Maureen Johnson!
That is all…
Rate:
1 
0
Aieeee! I cannot wait for THE LAST LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPE.
Rate:
0 
0
I’m not going to say you’ll love it, but I’m curious what you’d think of Louisa Luna’s Brave New Girl. http://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-Girl-Louisa-Luna/dp/0743407865
Rate:
0 
0
I LOVE NOW & THEN. I always cry at the scene at the end with the old man… Oh Lordy.
Rate:
1 
0
I’m in a funk, but I don’t exactly know what I’m in the mood for. Everything just sorta feels like “eh.” I don’t know.
BUT… I do LOVE your new design, JJ! Totally awesome! Wow, I think this is my favorite!
Rate:
1 
0