Recently here on Zoie’s Bookshelf I wrote a post about my reading resolutions for 2016, and how my number one goal for the year was to be more diverse in my book selections- more specifically, widen my genre horizons. (Do ‘genre horizons’ even exist? Let’s just go with it, okay?)
In 2015, I was introduced into the wonderful world of Young Adult Fiction, discovering some of my new favourite books, and of course authors, such as Rainbow Rowell and Sarah Dessen. But if you recognize these authors, you’d know that they write for YA Contemporary, or realistic if you will, for the exception of Rowell’s Carry On, which was a fantasy. And it wasn’t that I didn’t love all these stories, but I felt like as a true reader, I couldn’t limit myself to only one genre.
Which brings me to my bigger point: can YA be considered a genre on its own?
There are multiple types of Young Adult Fiction- Realistic, Dystopian, Fantasy, Paranormal… you name it, they’re all there. And I am under the strong belief that YA Literature is a genre on its own; that all of these side ones are more sub-genres than anything.
So it wouldn’t be cheating if I continued to read YA, because these sub-genres would make up for diversity among my bookshelf. One sub-genre I’m particularily excited to get back into would be of fantasy, as I used to be a big reader of it, immersing myself in the newly-constructed worlds authors has mastermindfully created. Because while realistic fiction is relatable, in fantasy there are these whole other rules to live by, complete different ways of life that can have magical realism in them. I can read worlds that I could only hope to one day write. It’s incredible.
Some YA books that I am looking forward to reading this year (that are not contemporary) include Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, A Court of Thorns and Roses and the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey, Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman, and of course Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard. Also, I am currently reading Lost Stars by Claudia Gray, a YA Star Wars novel.
If this list doesn’t prove how I’m trying to be the type of reader that will read any type of genre (or, fine, sub-genre), I don’t know what will. Because even though there are multiple sub-genres out there, I will slowly make (or READ) my way across them all.
So fellow bookworms, what do you say? Want to expand your genre horizons along with me? 😉
Keep on reading!
Zoie 🙂
Zoie's Bookshelf 
I think it can be a genre of it’s own too. Perhaps genre isn’t even the right word. Maybe there needs to be a new word to define this classification. I’ve gotten into YA as well and hope to one day write in it. I have to do my research first and read more though. The first two were on my list. I’ll have to check out the others. Can’t wait to see what else you review this year. Best of luck on your reading goals!
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Thank you! And good luck to you as well as you read more in YA! Let me know if you find anything worth recommending 😉
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Will do!
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We have similar reading lists I see! In regards to YA, I think it can definitely be counted as its own genre. I discovered Rainbow Rowell through Fangirl (which I loved immmensely), but my go-to YA author is still John Green. I devour his books, honestly.
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Yes, yes to all the books on your list. I had such a good time reading Throne of Glass. Six of Crows was up there, too, especially the world-building and the end–whoah, the end.
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I’m so glad to hear that! And so excited to read both!!
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Throne of Glass was amazing, but the fourth book in the series, Queen of Shadows, blew me away! If you were planning on reading them I think the others are awesome too! I’ve been hearing good things about Six of Crows so I’m glad that people are still saying its good!
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I am so intrigued to read Queen of Shadows. Throne of Glass is definitely a series I’m going to read all the way through.
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There are going to be six in all, the fifth will be out in the fall of this this year. I’m very excited!
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Then I’ve got some catching up to do! 🙂
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Thanks for a nice list of additions to my ‘want-to-read’ list. I have been wanting to expand more into YA. As for it’s own genre, I think the truth is as a reader you will expand into different areas as the mood strikes you. If it doesn’t move you out of YA that doesn’t make you a bad reader. What does that even mean??
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I agree! With something as big as YA, there are plenty of options to read. I don’t believe there are such things as ‘bad readers’, but as a reader myself I wanted to expand my selection of books to be more diverse and varied. 🙂
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Great post, but don’t be too concerned about defining genres or sub-genres. The beauty of books and literature (and life) is that you can read and write about anything you want without worrying about putting a label on it, or placing it in a certain category – leave that to the librarians. Read and write (and live) what you love, and let it take you wherever it takes you!
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I think YA could be considered as its own genre. When people ask what my favourite genre is I tend to say YA (or fantasy if I want to be specific).
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