Summer Reads: Contemporary YA

I love offering good reads. For me, the most difficult part is knowing when to shut-up already.  I have a hard time limiting my list. With summer here, I’ve chosen a dozen books to recommend in the same genre that I write: contemporary, young adult fiction. However, you don’t need to be seventeen to enjoy these reads. I’m not a book reviewer, so search the internet for best reviews, but I promise—you won’t be disappointed reading any of these books.

 

Two Boys Kissing:  David Levithan

Fangirl: Rainbow Rowell

Wild Awake: Hilary Smith

Hold Still: Nina LaCour

Virtuosity: Jessica Martinez

Just One Day: Gayle Forman

Roomies: Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Panic: Lauren Oliver

Doll Bones: Holly Black (this is actually middle grade)

Out of the Easy: Ruta Sepetys (this is historical fiction- but recent history)

Sex and Violence: Carrie Mesrobian

Charm & Strange: Stephanie Kuehn

 

Happy summer reading!

Fear of Self

I recently had an enlightening conversation with a new-found friend and fellow writer. My friend, let’s call her Jo, writes professional blogs and articles, does press releases for various companies as a freelance writer, and is a ghostwriter. She’s successful.

What Jo doesn’t do, is write for herself. Not only that, but she told me that she’s afraid to write her thoughts, her emotions, and her own stories for publication. Jo’s no dummy and knows she could and probably should write for herself. So what’s holding her back?

Fear.

Fear that her voice is not worthy. Fear that her words will mean nothing. Fear that she’ll be mocked. Fear of her own self. Fear of her power. Fear of  success.

I too, suffered from such fears. For me, I was afraid to speak up, so I wrote instead. After good hard living and a few slaps of snow in the face, I can happily say, I speak and write with no abandon. Do I get mocked and rejected? You bet. It’s part of the process just like it’s part of life. I’ve also come to realize that my words matter. Everyone’s do. If fear is holding you back, embrace it and strike forth anyway!