Teentopia is a monthly feature here on YAtopia where we ask real teens questions about what they like to read and how they choose the books they read. For more information and more Teentopia posts, click here.
This week, we're interviewing two brothers, Chase and Jamie.
Chase is turning 17 on the 27th (Happy Early Birthday!) He's a junior in high school and likes to play video games and build models. After high school he plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Jamie is a college freshman studying computer engineering. In his spare time he plays video games, ultimate Frisbee, and goes out with his friends.
What are some of your favorite recently-read books?
The Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy
The Gone Series by Michael Grant
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
The Son of Neptune – Rick Riordan
The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex – Eoin Colfer
How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?
Actually, my mom recommends them to me.
Either by word of mouth, or by seeing an interesting title or cover.
On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?
No.
I do not read reviews before reading a book.
Do you read author's blogs/facebooks/twitters? If yes: before you read their book or after - and what kind of content do you like to see?
No.
After I read a good book I will check the author's blog for future release dates.
What kind of covers draw your attention?
I don’t have a preference.
Covers that show a scene from the book.
Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?
I think that YA books more closely represent preteen culture, they are too innocent for teen culture.
Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?
Sci-fi, comedy, fantasy and horror
I'd like to see more Sci-fi YA books.
Anything you want to see less of?
Romance
Vampires.
How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)
The old fashioned way—those paper things that have covers and that aren’t powered by batteries.
I read hard copies of books, preferably paper back.
What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?
Most YA books I've read that were made into movies are good books, but with the exception of the Hunger Games none of the movies have accurately represented the book.
What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?
Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves
The Red Pyramid – Rick Riordan
What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?
Fear by Michael Grant
The Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy
The Gone Series by Michael Grant
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
The Son of Neptune – Rick Riordan
The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex – Eoin Colfer
How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?
Actually, my mom recommends them to me.
Either by word of mouth, or by seeing an interesting title or cover.
On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?
No.
I do not read reviews before reading a book.
Do you read author's blogs/facebooks/twitters? If yes: before you read their book or after - and what kind of content do you like to see?
No.
After I read a good book I will check the author's blog for future release dates.
What kind of covers draw your attention?
I don’t have a preference.
Covers that show a scene from the book.
Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?
I think that YA books more closely represent preteen culture, they are too innocent for teen culture.
Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?
Sci-fi, comedy, fantasy and horror
I'd like to see more Sci-fi YA books.
Anything you want to see less of?
Romance
Vampires.
How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)
The old fashioned way—those paper things that have covers and that aren’t powered by batteries.
I read hard copies of books, preferably paper back.
What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?
Most YA books I've read that were made into movies are good books, but with the exception of the Hunger Games none of the movies have accurately represented the book.
What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?
Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves
The Red Pyramid – Rick Riordan
What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?
Fear by Michael Grant
Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan.
Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?
No
No.
The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan.
Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?
No
No.
What's the most important element to you: characters, plot, writing style?
They’re all important, but if I had to choose one, I’d say, plot.
Plot, with likeable characters being a close second.
Have you ever seen a book trailer? If so, did it make you want to read the book? What do you think about them?
No.
I have never seen a book trailer.
They’re all important, but if I had to choose one, I’d say, plot.
Plot, with likeable characters being a close second.
Have you ever seen a book trailer? If so, did it make you want to read the book? What do you think about them?
No.
I have never seen a book trailer.
Great interview. None of these answers surprise me. They confirm what I already know/suspect. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, guys!! :) I giggled about the "Romance" and "Vampires."
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing several trends in these monthly teentopia posts...
YES! We need more YA sci-fi... :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Chase and Jamie, this is excellent! And happy birthday Chase!
ReplyDelete