This is my Genre, Tell Me Yours: Book Tag

By Birdie

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I was lucky to be tagged by three lovely ladies; Heather at The Sassy Book Geek, Ava at Reads, Rhythms, & Ruminations, and Jackie at Death by Tsundoku.  They all have really wonderful blogs that you guys should all go check out.

This is My Genre, Tell me Yours was created by Drew at The Tattooed Book Geek, which is another blog that you shouldn’t pass by checking out.

I’ve been looking forward to being tagged in this one, since it’s an awesome platform to squee about my favorite genre, and favorite books.  It’s a dream opportunity, if you ask me, so thanks for the tag, Ladies!

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The Rules:

  • Credit Drew @The Tattooed Book Geek as the brilliant creator of the tag, either use the created tag name graphic or create your own and link back to his blog, after you go give him a follow (if you don’t already).
  • Answer the questions
  • Tag as many people as you want

What is your favorite genre?

I guess you’d probably call it YA Contemporary, but I like to call them YA Gritty Realistic books.  Their not just Contemporary reads, they’re the ones that hit the hard topics.  They don’t shy from being real.  (And sometimes they contain a bit of romance, but it’s not a requirement.)

There’s also something about them being Young Adult novels, even though I’m very much an adult.  When I read similar real world topics in adult novels they don’t hit with the same impact.  Perhaps it’s because, despite the heavy story-line, YA books usually have a thread of hope.

 Who is your favorite author from that genre?

That’s really tough, since it’s more about favorite books than it is favorite authors.  I guess I would say Melina Marchetta, because even though they may be softer than others, they are still about depression and loss, and I’ve loved every single one.

What is it about the genre that keeps pulling you back?

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I think it’s the genre’s ability to make me think, or to examine topics from a new angle or even to see them more clearly.  While reading Challenger Deep I walked side by side with Caden as he came to grips with his Schizophrenia.  Then, while reading Your Voice is All I Hear I felt April’s fear and love with her while she tried to understand her boyfriend’s Schizophrenia.  Reading them gave me a unique duel perspective.  Books like that leave their mark on me, they make me a more compassionate person.  (And they’re just really darn good.)

What is the book that started your love for your favorite genre?

It seems like I’m always talking about the same books, when I do a Book Tag.  It’s not on purpose though, it’s because you ask a question and I have to give my honest answer.  I think that it was probably Jellicoe Road that angled me toward the darker YA contemporary books.  (As opposed to the YA Contemporary books that are lighter, like Anna and the French Kiss.)

If you had to recommend at least one book from you favorite genre to a non-reader/someone looking to start that genre, what book would you choose and why?

There are so many good ones, but if I could only pick one I think I’d go with The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian.  While it directly talks about Juniors life on the reservation, and how he was treated off the rez, I think it directly relates to anyone in a minority.  It’s also hilarious, and sweet.  It’s the perfect well rounded YA Gritty Realistic read.  And there are illustrations!

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Why do you read?

That’s like asking why I breathe.  I’ve been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember.  Before I bought my Kindle I kept multiple books on me at all times, just in case I finished what I was currently reading.  So, I can’t tell you why I read, not with any real accuracy.  I just always have.  It’s my favorite activity/hobby/relaxer.

 

Time to Play Tag!

If any of you have done this tag before, please feel free to point me in its direction so I can read!

Books & Beauty Are My Bag

Meghan’s Whimsical Explorations & Reviews

AwayinNeverland

Lost in a Story

Chicnerdreads

 

About Birdie

Don’t look for her in any bar, club, crazy raging party, or anywhere there may be a large gathering of strangers. She’s more likely to be found tucked into the corner of the couch watching one of her favorite shows, or preferably under a comforter with her current novel.

35 Responses

  3. tcriggs

    Okay, okay… I give. I will read a YA novel over Christmas break. Looks like “Part-time Indian” is a hit? I will try that one! Thanks! (And my girls thank you too! lol)

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  4. Whimsically Meghan

    Thanks for tagging me! 🙂 Answering these questions is going to be so hard for me haha, I don’t really have a favourite genre, although I’m sure I’ll come up with something! 🙂
    The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian was such a good book! I remember reading it and just the story telling keeps you hooked.

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  5. ChicNerdReads

    Thanks for tagging me!! Have you ever read Ellen Hopkins books? She’s a favorite of mine when it comes to YA”contemporary”…she writes in verse but they’re very hard hitting topics as well. She has books about suicide, religion, teenage drug use, mental illness, abuse, family dynamics, teenage prostitution, and just so much more topics. I’m very interested in reading the books you spoke about.

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      1. ChicNerdReads

        She has some series and standalones. Identical is one of my all time favorite standalone of hers. Then there’s the Crank series which is inspired by her daughter who’s an addict. Crank is heart-wrenching especially since it’s so personal.

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      1. Lia

        I think I know, but I didn’t know whether there is actually a name for it. I think I found it (thanks to google) : Contemporary Fantasy. 🙂

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      3. Lia

        I had never heard of it either because I didn’t know it was a genre, but I think you can define it as fantasy stories that take place in the real world, so for example Harry Potter or The Mortal Instruments.

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