Teentopia: Samuel

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 Samuel. Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Sam. I am a nineteen-year-old college sophomore and I like to surf the internet, read, and participate in campus activities for fun. I am a member of Student Senate, a religious life group, a local social fraternity, and a national service fraternity at my current college. I study education and am still exploring what it is that I want to do. I love to socialize and do all sorts of things. In fact, sometimes I’m that person that does a little too much in school.

How many books do you think you read in a year?

I read about five pleasure reading books a year because I take my time reading and I have a lot of academic reading to do. If I included all of my textbooks you could multiply the books I read by five or more. Since I haven’t taken an English class lately, these books aren’t often novels. However, It’s still reading.

What are some of your favorite recently-read books?

One of my favorite books that I have recently read is Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. It’s a real thriller and it includes old-timey photographs that give it a real flare. I love how he made an entire story around them. It’s like a thriller/adventure/fantasy that combines themes from X-Men, Harry Potter, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Percy Jackson in a way that makes it a world of its own. It’s a great book that I had a hard time putting down once I got going.

How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?

I find out in a variety of ways. I go to bookstores and libraries and ask for suggestions, I look up reviews of books, and I even peruse the selections in my favorite areas and read the back sleeves of books. Some books are non-fiction and about history or language, most are YA novels, because I still cannot resist them. I also love classics. I just wish I had the time to read as much pleasure reading as I wanted to.

On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?

I do read reviews.  Look on Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com, and sometimes I search Google if I’m not satisfied. But it’s not too hard to find decent book reviews if you look at the right places. Book stores’ websites tend to have great reviews because they are written by bookworms. ^^

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?

I do read two authors’ social media pages/feeds. I read those of JK Rowling and John Green. The former is amazing and my childhood hero. I love to see what she is doing and what she’s up to next and her Twitter made me borrow a copy of The Casual Vacancy from a friend. The latter is entertaining and I love to read his twitter feed and watch his YouTube videos, however, I have been unable to make the time to read a book of his yet.

What kind of covers draw your attention?

To be honest, anything without a cheesy teenage couple on the cover attracts my attention. It makes me stop for a second and think, hmm, this may be worth my effort and time. But what really catches my eye is something with simplicity, but class and grace. I also get caught by covers that are abnormal, depict nature, or deserve some kind of explanation, which forces me to read the back. Not all of them really affect my attraction to the book, but ones that kind of give away that the genre is one I’m not really into make me not want to read them. I look more at titles and the back of book though. However, I feel like sometimes the covers do affect how seriously I take the books.

Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?

I feel like it accurately represents different groups of teens. I feel that each genre can represent a different culture within “teen-dom”. But one group within teen culture may not agree with what represents them when compared to another. I think there are books for every teen out there, you just have to know where to look for them.

Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?

I would love to see more unique ideas. It gets tiresome seeing the same old thing over and over again. I like entering a whole new world. Some books that are good examples of how I’ve found that world are Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Percy Jackson Series , The Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield, and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

Anything you want to see less of?

Vampires, vampires, vampires. I am done with and not interested in paranormal romance. I hate seeing it crowd the shelves. It was never really good and now it irritates me when I go to Barnes and Nobel and see it covering the shelves.

How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)

I read paper, audio, and e-reader books. I own a Kindle and use it just as much as paper books. I really appreciate all of the formats that a book can come in and sometimes audio books even help me focus on what I’m reading. So really I’m a proponent of all formats. I actually get really frustrated with people who limit themselves to one type out of a form of disdain for change or lack of change. I think many mediums offer many ways to receive books. Plus, e-books are cheaper, which is nice for my shallow college pockets. :)_

What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?
It depends on the book. I loved the movie of The Lightning Thief. I really didn’t like Twilight as a book or movie. It depends on the movie and the quality of the literature, I guess.

What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. It’s really good. Trust me.

What novel are you most looking forward to in the next year?

I never really know what’s coming out until it’s out, but I have a lot on my list. I am excited to read The Hunger Games next, but I know I’m behind by a lot.

Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?

Not really. At one point in time I used this site with shelves, but I stopped using it in high school.

What's the most important element to you: characters, plot, writing style?

To have a new world fold in front of my eyes and be able to journey with the character. I love the mystique and adventure of a world unique to a novel. The character needs to be relatable, though, and the plot and writing style need a flow that can draw you in with each step they take on their journey.

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. Actually, the book Witch and Wizard by James Patterson had an awesome trailer that made me read the book. I think they’re a pretty neat way to get YA’s involved in literature.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful answers, Sam!

Teentopia: Taylor

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.

For the return of Teentopia this month, we have a special guest. Please welcome Taylor, a twelve year old boy from Florida who loves to read!

How many books do you think you read in a year?

About 6 (I read slow)

What are some of your favorite recently-read books?

The harry potter series

How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?

On the computer or friends at school

On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?

No

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

What kind of covers draw your attention?

It doesn’t matter

Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?

Yes they are very fun to read

Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?

No

Anything you want to see less of?

No

How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)

Paper

What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?

I don’t like those movies because they mess up the story

What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?

Inkheart series

Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?

No

What's the most important element to you: characters, plot, writing style?

Plot

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

Teentopia: Kingsley & Milo

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, Kingsley and Milo both between the age of 12-15.

Kingsley in blue.

Milo in red.
 

What are some of your favorite recently-read books?

In Cold Blood
Face
Holes

Wolf Brother

How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?

Go on book websites and read book reviews to see if it is good.
 
My parents give it to me if they said it's good.

On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?

Yes, I read reviews on book websites.

No.

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.

No.

What kind of covers draw your attention?

Adventure and mystery.
 
Scary, horror ones.

Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?

No, because they use a lot of stereotypes such as in Face, they show that youths steal, burn things and are uncontrollable. 


No.

Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?

N/A

No.

Anything you want to see less of?

Stereotypes.

Fantasy.

How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)

Books, phone (blackberry).

Paper books.

What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?


They are good.

They are all quite similar.

What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?

N/A.

Wolf Brother.

What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Percy Jackson.

I'm not sure.

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?

Plot.
 
Plot.

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.
 
No.

Thank you both for answering these questions! 

Teentopia: Aishwarya and Melis

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.
 

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! 

Teentopia: Jesse

On the 18th of every month, we interview average teen readers about books and reading. To see all of the past Teentopia interviews, click here.

This month for Teentopia we have an interview with that rare wild creature we hardly ever get to hear from in the book/writing blogging world: the very occasional reader! 

Jesse is a sixteen year old high school student who likes to go camping, ride dirt-bikes, and hang out with his friends. His mom also added that he spends his time playing video games, doing homework (though not much time), texting friends (mostly girlfriend), driving (just got his license), snowboarding, watching BBC shows about cars, and building computers.

What are some of your favorite recently-read books?
Hunger games, harry potter, artemis fowl series

How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?

friends/ movies

On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?
Never

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

What kind of covers draw your attention?

Nice design, not plain, actiony

Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?

Sometimes, most aren't up to date

Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?
future time, present time, more action

Anything you want to see less of?

romance

How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)
phone, paper

What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?

hunger games was good, most aren't

What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?

black hawk down

What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Not sure

Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?

No

What's the most important element to you: characters, plot, writing style?

easy to understand writing style

Have you ever seen a book trailer? If so, did it make you want to read the book? What do you think about them?

Never have


Thanks so much to Jesse for answering our questions!

Teentopia: Chase and Jamie

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

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.
 

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.

Teentopia: Lucy

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 Lucy, younger sister of our very own Wendy Higgins. Lucy is in the 10th grade and says this about herself: "I'm what most people would call a girly girl. I love doing hair and makeup and I plan on becoming a cosmetologist."

What are some of your favorite recently-read books?


The House of Night Series, Water for Elephants and The Vampire Academy Series.

How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?

My Lovely Sister, Wendy Higgins, gives me most of the books I read. Whenever she finds one that she enjoyed she'll always mention it to me!

On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?

No, I don't think I've ever read a review on 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?

I can't say I've looked on an authors blog either!

What kind of covers draw your attention?

I prefer covers that have people rather then a drawn cover. 

Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so?

I do. I think that since it is written for young adults they capture the way teens now act or want to act.

Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?

I would like books that are a little sad, not depressing though. I love chick flicks so if I cry during a book then it's defiantly a good thing! 

Anything you want to see less of?

Vampires! Even though I fell in love with two series recently dealing with vampires, I think that many authors thought that vampires were an easy way to write a good book. Don't get me wrong, there are many books that are good but the rave for those kinds of books have dropped.

How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)

I read both paperback and on my iPad.

What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?

I'm always disappointed in books that are turned into movies. I always expect too much out of them and end up not liking the movie at all.

What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?

Thirteen Reasons Why. It was a wonderful book and I fell in love with it so fast!!

What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Sweet Evil!! I'm so ready for that book to come out!

Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?

Nope, I have not.

What's the most important element to you: characters, plot, writing style?

 I would definitely have to say characters. I think it's important to be able to relate to them so it's almost like you do know them.

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 not! To be honest, I don't know what a book trailer is!


A huge thanks to Lucy for stopping by to answer our questions! Also, Lucy will be around this week to answer any more detailed questions you have for her, so feel free to fire away!

Teentopia: Maria

For February's Teentopia, I interviewed 19-year-old college student Maria on video!



Here's the link in case the video doesn't embed properly for you.

If you have any questions for Maria, leave them in the comments below!

Teentopia: Taylor and Amanda

For the first Teentopia, we have two incredibly intelligent sisters answering our questions and indulging in our curiosity!

Meet Amanda:

I’m 15, in 10th grade, and homeschooled. I am a Christian; I walk with Christ. Art, of many different forms in general, is a huge interest of mine. I’m also looking into going into the field of medicine, but still debating.

And introducing Taylor:

I’m a high school senior with various interests and passions. I tend to love anything relating to the arts or the human mind. My purpose is to live like Christ, glorifying God and serving others.

What are some of your favorite recently-read books?

Amanda: Some of my favorite recently read books would be: The Hunger Games trilogy, The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Pendragon Series, The Outsiders, and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Taylor: Definitely on my top list of recent books would be Mockingjay (the last book in the Hunger Games series), Book of a Thousand Days, The Shunning, and The Confession (sequel to The Shunning).

How do you find out about and choose books that aren't assigned in school?

Amanda: I usually find out about new books and book series by word of mouth; from friends and relatives. I also learn about or becoming interested in reading new books through seeing movies made off of books and books written by an author I like though.

Taylor: I ask for recommendations from my friends and family, or I just discuss good books with them. Sometimes I even get into conversations about books with people I just met or barely know. Good books make for good discussions, and when someone’s description of a book they love captivates me, I have to go out and read it for myself.

On a related note, do you read reviews before you decide to read a book? Where?

Amanda: No, I actually don’t really end up reading any reviews until after I read a book, ironically. When I do read reviews though, I usually read them through school related websites.

Taylor: About 20% of the time I will read reviews about a book before I read the book myself. I only read reviews if I’m seriously debating on whether or not I want to read a particular book. Everyone’s view is biased, so when I have my mind set on reading a book, I will read it no matter what I’ve heard about it. Most of the time I just skip the reviews; I don’t want another’s view of the book to affect the way I will perceive it. Nevertheless, whenever I do happen to read the reviews of a book, I type the name of the book and the word “reviews” into Google. I don’t remember any particular sites I’ve used the most for reviews, but I do know that I’ve used Amazon a few times.

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?

Amanda: I don’t recall having ever read an author’s facebook or twitter, and I don’t read many authors’ blogs, but I have read a couple blogs for some of the authors I really like. I usually read their blog after I’ve read their book or books however. What I usually like to see on an author’s blog kind of varies. I like to read about updates on books, inspirations for writing certain works, their personal interests or random activities; things like that.

Taylor: I’ve read an author’s blogs a few times, but I don’t do it often. If a series is really, really good, I’ll read some of its author’s blogs on the book’s website or on blogspot.com. So far, the only two authors whose blogs I have read are DJ Machale (Author of the Pendragon series), and JK Rowling. What I’d like to see in their blogs are any current books they are working on, if any plans are being made for a movie in the future (I was dying to know about this with the Pendragon series), and things about their lifestyle, perspective, and surrounding influences and how those things have shaped the book(s) that they have written.

What kind of covers draw your attention?

Amanda: Vivid or creative covers really draw my attention. Since I’m really into Art, neat pictures or graphic designs catch my attention pretty quickly.

Taylor: I have a tendency to be drawn to covers that portray depth and meaning, because those are the types of stories I like to read. Anything from a simple cover of a girl with a conflicted expression to a complex cover of a confusing maze of graphic artistry can draw me in – it just all depends on if I feel depth from the cover. It can be a confusing scene that I want to figure out, or a sad person whose story I want to hear, or a cool design that shows creative sophistication. Whatever it is, it has to make me want to get lost in its story; it has to move me in some way. That being said, a book’s cover doesn’t even have to have illustrations for me to be drawn in – I’m often drawn by the title of the book itself. I think the title of a book is just as important, if not more, than the illustration. Oftentimes, the title is what gives me the most sense of depth and meaning, which, in turn, draws my attention.

Do you feel like YA books accurately represent teen culture? How so? Is there anything (themes, character types, genres, time periods, etc) you'd like to see more of in YA books?

Amanda: I feel that YA books do a pretty good job at representing teen culture. There is a good variety to their books, and a lot of them do seem targeted towards teen audiences. I’m not sure I’d say there is anything I’d like to see more of in YA books.

Taylor: Sadly, yes. I say “sadly” because I feel that a majority of YA books focus on drama, sex, relationships, and image. From what I’ve seen of the teen culture, and what I’ve experienced myself, most teens seem to focus on these four things. I like books that have these things, yet send out morals as well, such as the fact that these things are not all there is to life. However, a lot of books I’ve read seem to have excessive drama without meaning, sex for entertainment, and characters that, even by the end of the book, think that having a boyfriend or girlfriend is the most important thing in life. Can’t we have more books that focus on these things but also show meaning and morals and depth too?

I would like more Christian books, or at least books with Christian themes like loving others, forgiving others, and using your own suffering to help those around you. In other words, I want more wholesome books that you can gain beneficial morals from. I’d also like to see more books about teens struggling with mental disorders. I’ve read one about a guy with autism, but I have yet to read about a teen struggling with an anxiety disorder (like me). Basically, I’d love to see any books about the outcasts, or people that aren’t the norm. We already have enough books a

Anything you want to see less of?

Amanda: Personally, I would like to see fewer books that primarily consist of teenage high school relationship drama. I just feel like I see and read so many books like that, and it begins to get a bit boring after a while. Not that books like that can’t be great, I would just like something new is all.

Taylor: YES. Please, let’s cut down on the drama, relationships, sex, and image obsession. I understand if they are added to progress an idea or theme in the book, but when they are added solely for entertainment purposes, I cannot stand it! I need to see the meaning!

How do you read books? (paper, e-reader, phone, audio, etc)

Amanda: I like to read actual paper books. I like the feeling of being able to sit or lay down and open my book up. I don’t really read books on the computer or anything unless I’m required to. I have enjoyed listening to some books on tape, but I still prefer paper books.

Taylor: I read paper books, and have tried a few audio ones too. I don’t read electronic books because they just don’t have the same feeling – I can’t flip the pages with my hands, use my special bookmarks, and make notes on it. I can’t even drop the electronic “book” without it being damaged (yes, I’m clumsy)! I prefer paper books all the way, and I prefer them over audio too because I like imagining the voices myself and reading at my own pace.

What do you think about all the YA books that have recently been made into movies?

Amanda: Most of the books that are made into movies are ones that I really like coincidentally. I personally always find the books better then the movies.

Taylor: For most of the ones I’ve seen and read, I think that the movies have done a pretty good job at portraying the original books. Of course, I still think that a lot of the movies cannot compare to the books (such as the Harry Potter series). When something is so good and masterfully written, the movie can only become second best no matter how hard it tries to fully capture its predecessor. As for the selection of books that are made into movies, though I’m not too fond of all of them (Twilight, for example, is decent), what I like is that when a book seems to have a huge fan base, companies strive to create a movie out of it. I like this because it makes a lot of people happy. I know the excitement of finding out that your favorite book will soon be a motion picture; it’s quite an amazing feeling.

What book have you read that you think deserves more attention?

Amanda: Definitely the Pendragon Series. It’s one of my all time favorite series and an amazing read. I don’t hear about a lot of people that have read the series though.

Taylor: I think The Shunning and the two books that follow it deserve more attention, quite simply because… they’re just so good! Not only do the books portray a unique perspective and story (they delve into the Amish life, telling of a girl adopted into an Amish family, who struggles with her heritage and seeks answers in the “outside world”). The characters in the story are as dynamic as can be, with flaws, regrets, failures, successes, dreams, quirks, and beautiful characteristics of all kind. The relationship between the main character and her adoptive parents, as well as the various friendships throughout the story, are realistic yet uplifting. Even though the series hugely reflects Christian values, I would recommend it to anybody. It is informative of a culture, it shows a variety of different perspectives, it delves into complex relationships, and it masterfully portrays the struggle of self-discovery and acceptance.

What novel are you most looking forward to in 2012?

Amanda: Surprisingly, I haven’t currently heard about many books coming out in 2012 that I’m too interested in.

Taylor: At the moment, I can’t think of any books coming out in 2012 that I’m most looking forward to, but I do know of some that have already come out that I’m dying to read. First, I can’t wait to read The Reckoning, which is the third book of The Shunning. Also, I’m really looking forward to reading the Game of Thrones series, which was recommended to me by a friend, and the I Am Number Four series, because I enjoyed the movie.

Do you use any book-specific sites to keep track of what you've read?

Amanda: No actually, I’ve never really used any kind of site like that.

Taylor: No I don’t, though that is a really good idea. I’ve always wanted to start keeping track of what I’ve read through a book site, so I plan on doing that soon.

What's the most important element to you: characters, plot, writing style?

Amanda: I honestly think all three of those are incredibly important in a book, but if I had to choose one, I would have to pick the characters. Just one insanely amazing character can make you fall in love with a book.

Taylor: That is a tough question. What usually makes me get into a story the most is when I fall in love with its characters. However, the plot is also incredibly important – it paces the events and shows the story’s purpose. But writing style… I would have to argue that the writing style is the most important out of all of these. I believe that your writing style determines all other things. The ability to organize a good plot is dependent on writing style. The ability to create lovable characters with depth is likewise dependent on writing style. You need to know how to write in a way that will captivate the reader and make him or her feel what you want them to feel from the story. You need to find your own unique voice – one that no other author has. That voice can only be shown through your unique writing style.

I'd like to thank Amanda and Taylor for being my guinea pigs on this new monthly Teentopia feature! Also, the girls said that they will be able to stop by this week and answer your questions, so please leave your questions for them in the comments!

Don't forget: Come back on January 25th to pitch EIGHT editors from Entangled Publishing. Young Adult or Adult; Novels and novellas! Details here.

What about the teens?

I think we all know: The YA online writers community is kinda huge and amazing. It's awesome to see so many people excited about the same things I'm excited about.

We talk a lot about how YA isn't just for teens. We discuss how incredible it is to be an adult and still read YA. Authors, book bloggers, agents & editors talk about what we want to see in YA books, what we're tired of seeing. But sometimes I think: maybe we take it too far.

I think maybe we're so focused on what we (people who are not teens) like and what we want to see, we lose focus on the teens - our target audience. YAtopian Wendy and I were discussing this a few weeks ago and she said, "Sometimes we forget who the YA target audience REALLY is, and that we need to stay in touch with the youth and the fads they're living, etc."

With that in mind, I will be launching a new monthly feature here at YAtopia called Teentopia, where I will interview average* teen readers about books, reading, trends, etc. I'm trying to make these interviewees as diverse as possible, so please let me know if you know any teens who would be interested!

The first interview will be up in January, so keep an eye out!

*I know there are some teen book bloggers - but these voracious readers are also kind of an exception. Personally, I'm most interested in hearing from casual readers, ones who have no idea what "voice" means and know nothing about how the publishing industry works.