Fortnight of Guests: A Novel Paradise (Rediscovering Reading Through YA)

Hey everyone! My name's Felicia and I run A Novel Paradise, a YA book review blog. That sounds like I'm important or something but really, I'm just your average bookworm armed with a passion for YA (and an unfortunate talent for lame jokes). I read under my desk in class instead of paying attention, I visit the library more than anywhere else, and I just love talking books, even when my friends start playing deaf. So a big thank-you to Megan for giving me the opportunity to guest-post on your wonderful blog! (:

I initially intended to write this informative essay on how we can rediscover reading through YA, but in the end, I realised that what I really wanted do was to share my thoughts about how awesome books can be for teens. Or somewhere along that line, at least. Hope I'll be echoing the sentiments of teen readers out there!

I've been a bookworm pretty much all my life. Ever since I was a little kid, I chose to read over watching cartoons or playing video games like my brother did; I was completely mad over Enid Blyton books and The Boxcar Children series! While growing up, I had tons of interests, including scrapbooking, swimming, painting, baking...you name it, I did it. But reading is the only hobby that has stuck with me as I grew from a silly, giggly and talkative child to the moody, sulky and angst-ridden teenager I am today (LOL).

A huge part of the reason why I was able to keep up my passion for books has to be because of the diversity of Young-Adult and teen novels I have to choose from. What else can you read when your taste has evolved beyond children's fiction, but is still not yet mature enough for the world of adult literature? To me, YA books are the stepping stones for us teenaged bookworms. Some titles are more suitable for tweens, while others would appeal more to older readers in the demographic, but with the vast sea of books available in the market, there's ALWAYS a book for everyone. There are so many different genres to choose from that you will probably stumble upon something you like. Hater of contemporary? Move over to fantasy, or a whole new paranormal world. Tired of romance? Get yourself an edgy, creepy psychological thriller!

When I tell my classmates that I like reading, some of them would give me the "What are you talking about? Books? Isn't school enough?" look, like I was stuck in the dinosaur era or something. But I think they still haven't discovered The Book yet: the novel which will tug at somewhere in their souls and kickstart their love for books! My best friend's a real life case study right there; she used to hate reading when she was a kid because she just wasn't interested. But as a teenager thrown into the world of boys and dating...hello hot-male-love-interests-who-are-head-to-toes-perfect! That moment when I first saw my book-burning bestie burying her nose into Twilight was priceless.

That's why I believe YA literature has become a sort of life-saver for teens who have never liked reading, or are put off by books thanks to the monotony of textbooks. I'm sure there are tons of other people out there just like my bestie, which is why if YA were a person, I would throw my arms around him/her and plant a huge, wet kiss on the cheek. Because books are totally awesome (Well, to be fair, not all of them are. But that's not my point. Ahem.) and I would hate for anyone to miss out the experience of enjoying a great read! I just can't imagine life without books, especially when they've been there for me when no one else was.

So if you've got an addiction to YA, be proud of it! And if you're a teen who rediscovered reading through YA, know that you're a very, very lucky person (:

Thanks again Megan for having me here today; I feel so honored as this is my very first time haha. Hope you guys didn't fall asleep while reading my rambling! :D

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No still wide awake!  ;)  Thanks for the brilliant post, Felicia!  And I completely agree: books save lives... from boredom.  :D