YA stands for Young Adult; it fits snuggly within the Dewey Decimal section of 813 in the library, and I feel compelled to wax poetic about this category of Fiction. I would like to call it a “category” rather than a “genre” because, under the YA umbrella of books, they encompass all of the genres if you will… maybe too much librarian speak but again these are my thoughts about books. 

3 reasons why I love YA:

1. These novels are written for teen readers… technically. I would say that mature 13 and up to adult readers. The themes in YA novels which also fall into the teen realm are super relatable on both ends of the reader’s age spectrum. As a young adult, you stare at such themes directly in the face, and as an adult, you’ve already lived through them! So being able to relate to your characters and their experiences hook you right into their worlds.
2. Let’s talk about the “voice” for a moment. Within the teen world, I find YA books to have a fresh and rich voice, and for that alone, I am a HUGE fan. The characters in these novels are usually between the ages of 15 to 19. I believe for a book to qualify as YA at least one main protagonist must be in that age range. So, the YA “voice” is what I find refreshing because it is very honest and usually possesses a fresh perspective which always makes for a fun read. 
3. THE WRITING… hands down in this category is brilliant. The writers who write the good stuff are literally outstanding and highly regarded writers. Some of my most favorite authors of all time are YA writers, period. John Green, Becky Albertalli, Tim Federline, David Levithan, Adam Silvera, and of course the great Stephen Chbosky, just to name a few. Here are some fantastic quotes to illustrate my point. 

“We Are Infinite.” 

“Let’s Go Be Psychos Together.” 

-Stephen Chbosky

“Maybe there’s something you’re afraid to say or someone you’re afraid to love, or somewhere you’re afraid to go. It’s gonna hurt.
It’s gonna hurt because it matters.”

-John Green and David Levithan

“But when someone is grieving, a genuine smile is
a small victory in the big battle.”

-Adam Silvera

“It’s a weirdly subtle conversation,
I almost don’t notice I’m being blackmailed.”

― Becky Albertalli