What makes you love YA?

The way the YA genre has exploded in recent years has been quite the phenomenon. Luckily for me, it's what I've always written (before I knew what "YA" even was). Well, other than that one unfortunate attempt at writing an adult fiction novel. With the knowledge I have now, I know I could go back and make it a much better book. Maybe someday. But my passion is YA, and for now, I'm sticking with it.

In any genre, there will be books that don't live up to your hopes, and others that far exceed them. In my opinion, the best books are the ones that you are dying to finish so you can find out what happens, and yet simultaneously wish could go on forever because you love it so much. One of the most interesting (and sometimes frustrating) aspects of the publishing industry is that different people can and do have completely different reactions to the same book.

What I'm interested in hearing today is why YOU love YA? (Assuming that you do...) What makes YA something you want to write or read? What sets YA apart from other genres in your opinion?

What makes you fall in love?

I'm not talking about with a person in real life (although that could be an interesting discussion), I'm talking about falling in love with characters, a world, a plotline--with a book.



What makes you fall in love with a book or a series? We all know what that's like. The insatiable need to keep reading, to find out what happens, to breathlessly await the kiss, or the epic battle, the triumphant ending... while still wishing you could go slower and savor the wonderful world you've escaped to. It's different for different people, a book that one person just adores might be one someone else didn't like at all.



So what is it for you? What are some of the books at the top of your list? Books you wish you could have the pleasure of rereading as though it were the first time all over again? I'd love to know!