For the 6th #BroodyBFF Challenge (and the first in like 3 weeks that I’m actually completing on time), we were tasked with writing about YA contemporary.  This seemed super fitting, given that Broody is so often found in this genre, and so it took me a while to think about exactly how I wanted to approach this topic.

 *Cue Jeopardy Music* And now, a word from our sponsors… add Brooding YA Hero’s new book on Goodreads! *End Jeopardy Music*

Well, now that we’re back, I’ve got it all figured out (thank the gods).

In honor of BROODING YA HERO, we’re going to write about all of the reasons why YA Contemporary doesn’t really work well for me.

Don’t get me wrong.  I freaking love it as a quick read to mix in with my other books, but I could never exclusively read Contemp, whereas I could a lot of other genres, if forced to.

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  • It gives you a super unrealistic perception of high school.  I mean, in what world are freshman and sophomores (and even upperclassmen) going to whole school parties every single weekend? The amount of partying that takes place has never really sat right with me, and honestly I’ve never felt like I would fit into a YA contemporary.
  • The love triangles are CONSTANT.  Let’s be real.  At least 70% of my friends are single at any given time, and that’s fairly normal.  It’s weird for someone to be constantly in love with multiple people, and for everything to work out happy in the end (which I guess is a separate issue but oh well)
  • SCHOOL!!! Where is it!?!?! These kids are going to high school (7 hours/day) but yet they still have endless time to hang out with friends, do nothing, or just generally do whatever they want.  Even when the MCs are super smart they still have their entire after-school hours to be free.  That’s not how it works.  School takes time.  Authors should start showing that.
  • YOU CAN TELL WHEN THE AUTHOR ISN’T A TEENAGER/ HAS NO EXPERIENCE WITH THEM.  I REPEAT.  DO NOT WRITE A CHARACTER YOU CANNOT RELATE TO.  This is more of an issue with specific books, but I hate it when an author clearly has no experience with a high school life (which is weird, since everyone does) and then they write things that literally nobody would ever say or do because they think that’s how teenagers act.  The “I can take on the world and never die” stereotype may be true for some, but not every person feels this way.  And contrary to popular belief, most teens know that they can die, and won’t be stupid or say that they’re invincible.

All of this being said, I obviously love YA because who doesn’t, and it has some seriously strong redeeming points, and I would be remiss if I didn’t include them

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  • The love is normally super cute and well done.  If you’re looking for a cutesy non-extreme-romance, it’s the perfect genre. I adore the way that the characters act together, and it makes me smile ❤
  • It’s nice to read about “normal” people in a way that is still removed enough from your own world that you feel like it’s an escape.
  • Sometimes, the author does an amazing job and the characters are relatable in a way that makes you realize that you aren’t the only one who has a bad habit of stubbing your toe on the same table every time you walk through the room or– wait, I’m not the only one who does that, am I? Anyways… it helps you relate to yourself more when you can see a character that is, well , you.  And that’s something literally only contemporary YA can give to high school/college age kids.

Basically, those three points are big enough that I’m still always going to read YA even if I absolutely hate it sometimes… which is contradictory, but, who said human beings have to make sense?

Check out Becoming a Main Character by Brooding YA hero here: Goodreads

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What do you find annoying about YA? What are your favorite parts? Do you love Brooding YA Hero?

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