Today's question: Bookish Trends. What trends are you noticing in the YAworld today? Is there a trend you'd like to see more of?
My answer:
YA Trends That Are Hot and May Get Hotter:
Dystopian and Post-Apocalyptic Books. We've known about the Hunger Games for years, but the rest of the world is just discovering the series -- and they're loving it. I think this trend is still on the upswing. As long as dystopians are well-done, blending strong characters with smooth plotting and detailed world-building, I'm all for it.
Time Travel books. I've read several of these lately and think that there will be more. The jumping around sometimes gets a little confusing for me, timeline and plot-wise. But, again, if these books are well-written, I'm in!
Historical fiction. I'm excited to see more page-turning historical fiction. There's nothing more satisfying than reading a book that entertains AND makes you feel smarter! May be combined with Time Travel, above.
Hot YA Trends That May Cool Off:
Unnecessary Cliffhangers: I'm hoping that publishers may cool off this trend. I understand why a high-concept book needs to be a trilogy with a cliffhanger, but not every book fits in this category.
I'm also not sure that-- overall -- the cliffhanger trend is a good thing. I'm seeing a fair number of books one and two in trilogies heavily discounted by Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Why? If book one in a trilogy hasn't really caught on (sometimes positive word-of-mouth takes time to spread) then later books may be at risk of being completely overlooked. In addition, I'm hearing complaints about trilogy fatigue. Readers are maxing out on the number of unresolved plots they can remember.
Unnecessary Love Triangles: I have nothing against love triangles. But again, not every book needs to have one. They're feeling a little overdone, especially the ones that don't seem organic to the story. I think what readers reject are the "OMG -- I woke up one morning and two hot guys were madly in love with me" love triangle.
Talk to me! What YA trends do you see? What trends would you like to see more of? Less of?
Total agreement about the unnecessary love triangles! If it's done well it can be a great addition to the story, but you are right, not every story needs one. Almost seems like a crutch sometimes, you know?
ReplyDeleteYeah. Like a box to tick on a YA checklist!
DeleteBut sometimes I like them and think they can make the story more exciting or moving.
I agree with the love triangles. I enjoy them when there is a good reason for them, but most of the time it seems like they are just there to be there.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. Don't get rid of all of them!!!
DeleteI've only recently discovered Dystopians (just got back into reading in the last year after being addicted to video games for 5 years) and I have to say that I'm loving them!! They are pretty awesome, as long as they are done right.
ReplyDeleteI've never read anything time travel, so no opinion though. Are there any that you loved that you'd recommend?
Historical fiction becoming trendy is something I can live with. I <3 Historical fiction. One of my favorite series is an adult historical fiction going right back to the Ice Age (Earth's Children)
I agree with you about cliffhangers and love triangles, not every book series needs an extreme cliffhanger for me to continue reading it, it just needs to be well written. Although, I'm not against them either. As for love triangles, some are ok. But honestly, if the main character gets up one day and suddenly there are two guys going head to head for her.. something's wrong :P I don't think people instantly fall in love just by looking at someone..
This is actually a pretty good topic, I like to see what trends people are enjoying and what they are getting sick of :)
Video games and dystopian fiction go hand in hand!!!
DeleteI have never read any Ice Age fiction.
Time Travel books: Breath of Eyre is historical plus time travel -- check it out!
Thanks, I'll have to check that one out!
DeleteI agree with both the cliffhangers and love triangles. I actually really hate it when a book is set up for a sequel ... I love sequels, don't get me wrong, but I love a book to be able to stand on its own 2 feet.
ReplyDeleteAnd love triangles ... bleh! I could do without those. For sure!
Happy TGIF! :)
If it fits the story, I'm good with it.
DeleteIf it's just the "I'm Doing it Because _____ Book Did That," then I think it annoys readers.
I agree! I HATE stories where there are two hot guys after one girl and the girl is like, "I can't believe they like me! I'm just average looking."
ReplyDeleteHa ha! That leads me to believe the girl is one of those annoying beautiful girls who pretend they think they are unattractive.
DeleteI find the love triangle thing is definitely being overplayed. Between The Hunger Games, Twilight (ick), and other things like Matched (and now Delirium)... I'm getting sick of it. Can't there just be ONE guy??
ReplyDeleteI do see the Dystopian, Time Travel/Historical Fiction trends starting (again... it seems Dystopian has blown up because of The Hunger Games). Anybody have any fresh ideas out there? :D
Some love triangles are annoying, but the one in Pandemonium seems interesting because of the situation. Those who read Delirium will know what I am talking about and I don't want to mention it and spoil it for someone. Most stories are of two guys falling for a girl at the same time.
DeleteHave you read Pandemonium yet? I got a copy and I totally regret opening the book. Why? Because the first thing I did was taking a sneak peek at the last few pages and ruined the surprise for myself. Now I don't want to read it until the last book comes out so hopefully, I forget the surprise.
I regret it when I do that! Although sometimes if I'm scared a book wont turn out like I want it to, I peek.
DeleteAwesome post! I don't have such a big opinion on any of the trends since I don't read as fast as most people do. I enjoy (or at least I try to) every book I read and appreciate a good story :) I'm a sucker for love stories and YA fiction so those things you mentioned that would cool off don't really bother me.
ReplyDeleteThis is also why I'm hesitant to do memes because I'm so indecisive! haha thanks for stopping by the blog :)
Oh, forgot to mention, I haven't read a time travel story yet, not sure if I want to..
DeleteTry one -- you might like it!
Delete"OMG -- I woke up one morning and two hot guys were madly in love with me"
ReplyDeletehahahahahahaha I agree with this. Love triangles are okay but they are just way overdone. Also in some books that is their whole storyline. I need more than that. Dystopian books are definitely on the rise. They have been around forever but they seem to be so popular lately. I do enjoy them although they can be a bit depressing so I can't read too many of them in a row.
Good point. I love a funny book now and then to balance it out.
DeleteThee are some great Dystopian & YA books around. In fact, I think they seem to be at an all time high. I do like those that don't seem to follow a formula. As for love triangles - I avoid them like the plague.
ReplyDeleteMarybelle, you crack me up!
DeleteI do agree that love triangles are to be avoided. Just makes life so much smoother...
I absolutely agree about cliffhangers and trilogies. It is such a relief sometimes when a book is stand-alone! Also, sometimes I choose not to read new books until the whole series comes out so that I don't have to wait to see what happens and so everything is fresh. I would love to see more historical fiction in YA and more stand-alones. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you can hold off and wait, that is a genius idea!!
DeleteRight now I am re-skimming a couple of books so I can review subsequent books in a trilogy. I really can't remember the plots. Sometimes I can't even remember the characters' names.