WHAT KINDS OF PUBLISHED BOOKS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF?
This is inspired by the Twitter hashtag #RBWL (stands for Reader/Blogger Wishlist), which is basically a place for people to post about the kinds of plots/characters/themes/genres/etc they personally would like to see in more published books.
I love this prompt, because as writers it gives us a chance to truly think about what we’d like to read and then to go forth and write it. Anyway, I have been giving this a lot of thought.
So, my list:
1. Books with multiple perspectives / books that follow the story lines of multiple characters.
I’ve found I really enjoy these books that highlight more than one character. If it’s done well, it adds depth to the story and to the relationship between characters. (This includes both first person narrations and books written entirely in third person).
Examples: Raven Boys, Cinder, Sea of Shadows, Panic, Legend, Game of Thrones, Percy Jackson
2. More retellings.
It’s exciting when I’m already familiar with the storyline, because this means there’s a good chance I’ll like the book. And when the author manages to captivate me with a unique spin on the story, I’m very appreciative.
Examples: Cinder/Scarlet/Cress
3. I would like to see futuristic novels that aren’t necessarily dystopian.
(Okay, this was brought to my attention by Emma at Awkwordly Emma. Credit where credit is due.) I love dystopian novels, but for the most part they’re typically about governmental corruption and that gets old. It’s the world-building that excites me every time, so there should definitely be more YA novels with super cool futuristic settings and unique plotlines.
4. Also, while we’re on the subject of dystopia, why don’t we ever see the new (and soon-to-be-corrupt) government being built / constructed?
(Wouldn’t this make for awesome prequels to some of our favorite dystopian novels?)
5. Books featuring healthy family units.
It pains me when so many of the parents/guardians in YA are neglectful, absent, selfish, or abusive. Of course, there is a reality to this. And it makes for excellent conflict. But I would just like to see a healthy familial unit for once, because they do exist. Not to say that “healthy” family units are perfect, because there is no such thing as a perfect person, much less a perfect family.
Examples: Harry Potter (the Weasleys), Raven Boys (Blue’s mother/aunts), Divergent (Tris’ parents), The Book Thief (Hans and Rosa Hubermann)
6. Though I’ve read middle grade mysteries and adult mystery novels, I have yet to read an engaging YA mystery. I think this could be a really beloved genre, if only there were more YA mysteries.
Example: The Cuckoos Calling by Robert Galbraith (It isn’t YA, but it’s a great mystery.)
Be sure to check out the other participating blogs!
May 5th – Sammi Talk
May 6th – Nerds Inc.
May 7th – Against the Shadows
May 8th – The Upstairs Archives
May 9th – The Little Engine That Couldn’t
May 10th – Life of a Random
May 11th – Relatively Curious
May 12th – Hugs & Kisses of Poetry
May 13th – Musings from Neville’s Navel
May 14th – The Looney Teen Writer
May 15th – This Page Intentionally Left Blank
May 16th – Tara Therese
May 17th – Miriam Joy Writes
May 18th – Writer’s Write, Right?
May 19th – Writing Portfolio
May 20th – Magic and Writing
May 21st – Unikke Lyfe
May 22nd – Brooke Reviews
May 23rd – page eight hundred ninety
May 24th – Laughing at Live Dragons
May 25th – Avon’s Babbles
May 26th – The Unsimple Mind
May 27th – The Writing Duo
May 28th – Lily’s Notes in the Margins
May 29th – Sun, Sand, Stars and Dreams
May 30th – Teens Can Write, Too! – We’ll announce the topic for June’s blog chain!