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 students, Aishwarya and Melis both between the age of 12-15.
Aishwarya in blue.
Melis in red.
What are some of your favorite recently-read books?
Jane Eyre
Anderson's Fairytales
Ghost Box
Danni Minogue autobiography
N/A
How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?
Sometimes I see them on adverts and sometimes when I go book shopping and I read the summary, I might like it.
By friends recommending books or I just buy one from the shop.
On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?
No, I first read the summary.
No, because everyone has different views on books.
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, I don't.
No, because if I read a blog about a book, I think it ruins the experience of the surprise of the book.
What kind of covers draw your attention?
Something intriguing like a scary picture or something. Or a famous celebrity because I love autobiographies and Jacqueline Wilson books with bright colours.
Ones that don't give away too much information about the book.
Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?
Not really because if you're a teenager, you can read an adult book if you want to.
No, because some Young Adult books are too childish and some are too inappropriate.
Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?
N/A
Not really.
Anything you want to see less of?
No.
Less inappropriate stuff because they stereotypically describe and make out bad things about teenagers.
How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)
Paper.
I like the feeling of touching and reading paperback or hardback books.
What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?
Really good because some people might see the movie and want to actually read the book.
I think they aren't good because it ruins the experience of visualising the characters the way you want to because they are already there.
What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?
Hans Anderson Fairytales.
N/A
What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?
A book by Chanelle Gray 'My Heart Be Damned' - *please note that I totally did not bribe her into saying this*
Any good ones that aren't boring and ones that can easily make you feel like a part of the story.
Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?
No
No, but I use an app on my phone that helps me keep track of the books I have read.
Jane Eyre
Anderson's Fairytales
Ghost Box
Danni Minogue autobiography
N/A
How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?
Sometimes I see them on adverts and sometimes when I go book shopping and I read the summary, I might like it.
By friends recommending books or I just buy one from the shop.
On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?
No, I first read the summary.
No, because everyone has different views on books.
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, I don't.
No, because if I read a blog about a book, I think it ruins the experience of the surprise of the book.
What kind of covers draw your attention?
Something intriguing like a scary picture or something. Or a famous celebrity because I love autobiographies and Jacqueline Wilson books with bright colours.
Ones that don't give away too much information about the book.
Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?
Not really because if you're a teenager, you can read an adult book if you want to.
No, because some Young Adult books are too childish and some are too inappropriate.
Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?
N/A
Not really.
Anything you want to see less of?
No.
Less inappropriate stuff because they stereotypically describe and make out bad things about teenagers.
How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)
Paper.
I like the feeling of touching and reading paperback or hardback books.
What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?
Really good because some people might see the movie and want to actually read the book.
I think they aren't good because it ruins the experience of visualising the characters the way you want to because they are already there.
What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?
Hans Anderson Fairytales.
N/A
What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?
A book by Chanelle Gray 'My Heart Be Damned' - *please note that I totally did not bribe her into saying this*
Any good ones that aren't boring and ones that can easily make you feel like a part of the story.
Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?
No
No, but I use an app on my phone that helps me keep track of the books I have read.
What's the most important element to you: characters, plot, writing style?
Plot, because that's the whole point of the story.
Everything, because if the plot is a let down, then the story isn't good, even if there are really good characters.
Have you ever seen a book trailer? If so, did it make you want to read the book? What do you think about them?
Yes, once in my English class and it looked really good and I wanted to read it.
No, because I have never seen a book trailer.
Thank you both for answering these questions!
Plot, because that's the whole point of the story.
Everything, because if the plot is a let down, then the story isn't good, even if there are really good characters.
Have you ever seen a book trailer? If so, did it make you want to read the book? What do you think about them?
Yes, once in my English class and it looked really good and I wanted to read it.
No, because I have never seen a book trailer.
Thank you both for answering these questions!
Thanks ladies! That's great that she's so excited for your book, Chanelle!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post. My daughter, perhaps like Melis, finds it difficult to find books she really loves. I've been persuading my Min to write. Aishwarya is reading widely - fiction including the classics and non-fiction - wow. Thanks to the girls for their time and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I'm glad to see paper is winning over ebooks, hehe. And that's great for you, Chanelle :) Thanks for this interview!
ReplyDelete