Tell Me Something Tuesday is a fun weekly meme hosted by Heidi at Rainy Day Ramblings that gives bloggers a chance to chat about everything from books to social issues and get to know each other better. It’s a big ‘ol group effort meme, so anyone who has an idea for a topic is encouraged to either email Heidi or leave a comment during the week’s stop.
This week’s topic comes from me!
What do you think of the New Adult category? Have you ever read a New Adult book and are there any you’d recommend?
When I hosted a stop last month for the Fiery Hot Reads for Icy Cold Nights hop, I welcomed author M. Leighton, who writes a New Adult series. Reading some of the comments, I thought that it still wasn’t always clear what the difference was between YA and NA, so I thought I’d pass along some general guidelines, some of my favorite NA reads, some that I’m looking forward to the most and a few great resources for picking out some for yourself!
- NA characters are:
- Over 18 and out of high school or if the book is a paranormal/fantasy/etc., the equivalent in that world.
- The upper age range can vary. The hard limit is 30, but I personally take the story into account before I call it NA. Is it a college or coming of age story? Is it a story that an immature adult would be involved in? I would consider those NA. Some people classify 50 Shades of Gray as NA and technically it is, since both characters are under 30; I personally wouldn’t claim it as one, especially since Christian is a billionaire and under-30 billionaires are…rare, but that’s my opinion.
- What NA isn’t:
- If the majority of the book is set in high school or if in a paranormal/fantasy/etc. situation, the characters are in a comparable environment, it’s best categorized as YA.
- Even if one character is older than 18 and the other is younger, it’s YA.
- The exceptions:
- If the character/s turn 18 during the story and the subject matter is something serious/heavy and/or there’s an amount or degree of sexual content that would make it unsuitable for a typical YA audience. The characters have to turn 18 in there! Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry is a good example of this one.
Some of my favorite New Adult reads so far:
Easy by Tammara Webber
Mercy by Misty Provencher
Someone to Love by Addison Moore
I’d also recommend Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinksy and Slammed by Colleen Hoover.
I’ve got a list longer than my arm (that grows longer weekly – the list, not my arm) for 2013. Every week there are new books popping up on my recommendations lists and going on friends’ shelves at Goodreads, so if you want to dip your toes into NA, there’s plenty of water!
Here are just a few of the things I’m waiting for this year:
Down Dublin Road by Samantha Young
Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Out of Play by Jolene Perry and Nyrae Dawn
For a list of over 400 2013 NA releases (there are a handful on it that are 2012 and aren’t NA), you can check out a Listopia at Goodreads that has nearly 1,000 votes: 2013 New Adult Releases.
There are several New Adult Groups at Goodreads that have discussions, read-a-longs, special events, review link-ups and recommendations, including the New Adult Reading Challenge Group. And, you know you can always sign up for the Challenge, any time you like, and read as few as 5 or 6 NA books! (sales pitch over)
So that’s my NA primer for anyone who was wondering what on earth all of the fuss was about. I hope I’ve piqued your interest and given you a lot of ideas for your reading and shopping lists.
I guess I get it. I’ve seen books with character as young as 16 labeled NA, so it’s the content, too? Or maybe they turn 18 in the book at some point. I pretty much want to read the ones you mentioned, except Mercy (read it already). I’m trying to mix more of them into my reading. Gonna go check that list out…
Nope, 16 is definitely not NA, regardless of content. If they were 17, almost 18 or turned 18 in the book someplace, then I’d say yes. Like in Pushing the Limits, Echo turned 18 (eep, can’t remember the dude’s name, but he did too). They were 17 for most of the book and in high school, but dealing with some heavy stuff. So even though they were in high school, they 1. turned 18 and 2. had the issues. So I’d grandfather them in.
16, regardless of the issue (and some realistic fiction is brutal) is still YA.
I have really enjoyed the NA books that I have read. Sometimes it is the content more so than the age in some that I have read. Either way, I like it.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
It’s fun!
You are waiting for Walking Disaster? :O :O
That’s it. We can no longer be friends.
Bye.
HAHA! I never said I didn’t like the occasional craptastic snack. I haven’t judged you for what you read. Well, okay, I have judged you, but I still <3 you.
I know I shouldn’t WANT to read it for many many reasons, but damn. I still probably will. At least I’m being honest!
I cannot wait for Walking Disaster either, so don’t let Nick make you feel bad!
Sisters UNITE! Nick can go poo on something.
Thank you for everything you put together a fantastic post for my blog. I hope you are feeling a bit better today. Hugs! I am looking forward to Down London Road as well.
Thanks, Heidi! Eh, getting there. Cleaning up was hard, but as the week goes on, it’s getting a little less raw.
Down London Road should be great!
Don’t forget about Flat-Out Love, the book that introduced me to the New Adult genre. If you haven’t read that one, you should!
Yes – Jessica Park is wonderful too – I haven’t read it yet, but it was one of the first NAs I purchased. Ugh, why is that the story of my life? lol
I love Tammara Webber. I’ve been reading her books since the Between the Lines series (older YA but not NA)
I really enjoy NA but I need to take a breather from them sometimes. They tend to be gangster than most genres.
I am looking forward to Out of Play.
I know exactly what you mean about taking breaks. Sometimes I get that angsty, back and forth relationships and usually cliffhangers fatigue. I have to remember that I like reading YA and adult genres too – how silly! Then I have to be dragged back to NA.
I quite like the whole ‘new adult’ thing, not sure I’d read walking disaster though, isn’t it the same story all over again? I kinda want to read it, but don’t want to all at the same time!
I sooo love the NA genre
I can’t wait for Down London Road!! On Dublin Street was amazing, one of my faves.. You’ll have to try The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay and Wait for You by J. Lynn, both truly wonderful and I still need to read Mercy!
A great post!
Hi Barbara!
I agree with this article, I love New Adult and Adult books! I have Easy and On Dublin Street on my ‘To Be Read’ pile and can’t wait for Walking Disaster either!
Thanks!
-Bec
http://www.becboots.com/books