Month: May 2021

discussion

Let’s Talk Bookish – What Makes You Continue to Read YA?

Fives @ Down The Rabbit Hole

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme, hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books & Dani @ Literary Lion, where they discuss certain topics, share their opinions, and spread the love by visiting each others’ posts.

WHAT MAKES YOU CONTINUE PICKING UP YA/MIDDLE GRADE? OR WHY DON’T YOU? (SUGGESTED BY SAM @ RIVER MOOSE BOOKS)

Prompts: As adults some of us leave YA/Middle Grade behind and some of us continue to revel in it…but what separates us as readers? If you still pick up YA/Middle Grade, what draws you to them instead of Adult Fiction? If you’ve “grown out” of those genres, why do they no longer spark joy in you? If you’re a teen, do you think you’ll still read YA/Middle Grade when you’re in your 20s/30s? 

Welcome to May and our first LTB for the month! A very fun topic to begin with, and something I’ll definitely be looking forward to seeing from all the other responses. After all, most of us are no longer the “target age” of the audiences for which the books we love are written. Yet here we all are!

As most of you probably know by now, I do tend to read mostly thrillers and mysteries if I were just to pick up a book randomly to read for enjoyment. That being said, Andge often has great suggestions for YAs as that is her specialty, and rarely do I regret reading anything she suggests! I loved YA novels and series (Deltora Quest, anyone?) as a child, but I did grow out of some of them.

When the language is just too easy and/or repetitive, or plotlines very very basic, I find it hard to enjoy them as I once did. I am always left wishing for more character development here, or an increase in tension there, something I would not have appreciated as a young child. That being said, some stories feel truly timeless (e.g. Harry Potter), and especially such series that have also “grown” with their audience – and I never tire of those.

As I continue to grow older (so, so old…), I believe there’s always something that draws me back to YAs. YA novels often use the coming-of-age or loss-of-innocence tropes, and generally have a lot of influence of finding yourself and growing up, or young romance as well. These are the kind of idealistic things that I believe most people never truly leave behind. I obviously don’t speak for everybody, but I am guessing that many of us relate to those YA topics in some way, which draws us back time and time again.

One last thing is that YAs are usually less serious or at least most lighthearted. Something to detract from my cynicism of aging or to lessen how jaded I might be feeling. Adult fiction can just sometimes be so heavy, and depending on my mood, I just may not be up for it. For me, I feel like I can read a YA anytime as an escape, or just a light read. The contrast of the average YA from my usual suspense/thrillers are usually quite stark, and I think that adds to the fun as well.

I want to know what you all think! Why do you all read YAs (if you do)? And what keeps you reading them?

3.5 star, YA

Review: The Project by Courtney Summers

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died in a tragic car accident, her sister Bea joined the elusive community called The Unity Project, leaving Lo to fend for herself. Desperate not to lose the only family she has left, Lo has spent the last six years trying to reconnect with Bea, only to be met with radio silence.

When Lo’s given the perfect opportunity to gain access to Bea’s reclusive life, she thinks they’re finally going to be reunited. But it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t want to be found, and as Lo delves deeper into The Project and its charismatic leader, she begins to realize that there’s more at risk than just her relationship with Bea: her very life might be in danger.

As she uncovers more questions than answers at each turn, everything Lo thought she knew about herself, her sister, and the world is upended. One thing doesn’t change, though, and that’s what keeps her going: Bea needs her, and Lo will do anything to save her.

From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit Sadie, comes her electrifying follow-up—a suspenseful, pulls-no-punches story about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister no matter the cost.

This book is everything Courtney Summers has attempted to do for her audience: make them think without judging at first glance. The Project follows a hardened protagonist, Lo Denham, who has been orphaned in an accident that left her with physical (and plenty of emotional) scars. The further loss of her older sister Bea has pushed her more into this impenetrable shell that won’t easily let anything in.

The only thing that seems to wake her up is her pursuit of a story about the group her sister ended up in. The Project. On the surface level, seems like a good group who does a lot of charity work (ie. Giving food and a warm shelter to those who are down on their luck, even if they’re not so poor off enough for city sanctioned help) and helps their members with becoming better versions of themselves – aka more altruistic and in touch with their spiritual faith.

Continue reading “Review: The Project by Courtney Summers” →
3 star, YA

Review: Namesake by Adrienne Young

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Fable #2

Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men.

With the Marigold ship free of her father, Fable and the rest of the crew were set to start over. That freedom is short-lived when Fable becomes a pawn in a notorious thug’s scheme. In order to get to her intended destination, she must help him to secure a partnership with Holland, a powerful gem trader who is more than she seems.

As Fable descends deeper into a world of betrayal and deception, she learns that the secrets her mother took to her grave are now putting the people Fable cares about in danger. If Fable is going to save them, then she must risk everything—including the boy she loves and the home she has finally found.

Another seafaring journey for Fable in this sequel to her titular book, Namesake starts off where the first one ended, carrying Fable farther away from her friends and newfound family into the unknown across the sea.

I didn’t have any particularly strong feelings for book 1 so I wasn’t sure what to expect for book 2. And what I found I enjoyed immensely more here was Fable’s individual journey away from the crew she had just joined. Alone and seeing a familiar face on the ship taking her captive, she didn’t know who to turn to for help or guidance except herself. Her strength came in her decisive actions, whether that be to observe and bide her time or to act with the risk of everything falling apart.

Continue reading “Review: Namesake by Adrienne Young” →