Here are the new books I got this week:
For Review
Tease by Amanda Maciel
Goodreads
The Treatment by Suzanne Young
Goodreads
Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker
Goodreads
Purchased
An Evening with Tanya Byrne and Lauren Kate
On Tuesday I went to a book event at Waterstones Picadilly with Tanya Byrne and Lauren Kate! Both authors were there to sign books, but they also discussed taboos? in young adult books. They also had a fun US vs UK discussion! Some of the questions asked included:
- Are there any topics that shouldn’t be discussed in YA books?
The consensus was: no. YA books should be able to discuss or mention anything, as long as there’s a place for it. For example, throwing in a swear word in YA “just because you can” won’t work. But if the situation calls for it, then it’s totally fine! - Should we talk about sex in YA books?
I loved what Tanya Byrne had to say about this. She really made a point about how she tries to normalize sex. A lot of books, parents, authors, etc. turn sex into a HUGE deal. Suicide is a huge deal. Depression is a huge deal. Drugs are a huge deal. But sex? Sex is normal. Sex is something that happens and teenagers do it. There shouldn’t be tons of drama because someone had sex or didn’t have sex. It should just be a thing that happens (or doesn’t happen) and teens shouldn’t be pressured either way. So in short, sex in books is okay, as long as the message they’re sending isn’t “YOU NEED TO HAVE SEX!” or “YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE SEX!” It shouldn’t even be highlighted as a huge thing. - How do the US and the UK differ with YA books?
The general opinion was that the US is a bit more conservative. UK books can be grittier and be more open about taboo topics.
I didn’t stay around for the signing afterwards because I’d already met Lauren Kate at BEA (and got Teardrop signed) and I wasn’t going to buy Tanya Byrne’s book. But the main reason I didn’t stick around was because I picked up a cold and I was REALLY not feeling that well. I actually almost regretted going because hopping on the tube, being cramped in the underground, and walking around London had made me feel a lot worse (and exhausted!) by the time I even got there. 🙁
I want The Treatment and Four Seconds to Lose too 🙁 Sigh.
I agree with the points made though. =)
I finished Four Seconds to Lose already and it was AMAAAAZING!
I bet it is! I’m reading Me Since You now! 🙂 And I just got Tease too.
Woohoo book events. Like going to Disneyland for book nerds. hehe. I am still waited to see if I got accepted for Four Seconds to Lose. I am scared.
I finished that book in one sitting. Holy shit it was AMAZING. My favourite in the series!
Omg…how did you get The Treatment? Soooo jealous.
I’ve heard it’s really good!!
My request for The Treatment is still pending. Waah! I want it so bad! I also got Tease and am excited to read it. 🙂
I hope you get approved! I’ve heard it’s amazing. 🙂
I’m excited for Four Seconds to Lose!
Have fun at the Susan Ee signing! Hopefully your cold stays away! 😀
Thanks Angie!
I already finished Four Seconds to Lose and it was INCREDIBLE! O_O
Nice event. Have fun at the Susan EE signing. I hope you like the event. It looks like you had fun. Great haul of books.
Grace
Books of Love
Thank you Grace! I’m so excited for the Susan Ee signing. 🙂
I got Tease last week. Haven’t been able to read it yet though.Guess who got The Treatment? Me, that’s who! I actually read it in the past few days and loved it! It was amazing and I really hope you love it.I do agree with the points made though. Sex is a natural thing and I hate when people make a big deal out of it. Teenagers will do it or they won’t do it. People need to be accepting of that.
Woohoo! Congrats on getting The Treatment! I’m glad you loved it. I keep hearing that it’s amazing. I’m psyched!
I totally agree with you about the sex thing. People turn it into a huge deal, but it’s not! It doesn’t matter if you do it or don’t do it.
Don’t feel bad for leaving after the talk and not staying for the signing. I’ve done that a lot. Sometimes I just want to meet the authors and hear them answer questions but I don’t want to buy an expensive hardback and stand in line. I’m looking forward to your post about Susan Ee!
Exactly!
I’m super psyched about meeting Susan Ee. 🙂
Nice haul, I haven’t heard of those books. I wish I lived close to places that had author signings but, alas, I live in the sticks..lol.
http://www.booksmoviesreviewsohmy.com/staking-the-shelves-3/
Ohh The Treatment! I’m so jealous!!!
That panel sounds much like the one I went to with Rae Carson and CJ Redwine. They had the same thoughts: to hell with censorship. They both wholeheartedly agreed on that! I agree too, as long as it’s not excessive. I can’t stand reading a book labeled YA that has the F word too much, or inappropriate sexual content (*coughcough* September Girls) because it has no business being in content that a 13 year old could see. But they’re probably going to hear that stuff (and worse) from their peers, so when called for I think it’s perfectly acceptable.
Wow ! Amazing books ! Tease looks readalicious (I don’t think thats a word) !
And I want ‘One Tiny Lie’ and ‘Golden’ too! So Jealous ! Hope u enjoy reading them !!
– Gayatri @ Notorious Writer
Great books! I’m really jealous that you get to go to all these awesome book events! NONE of my favorite authors do events where I live *sigh*. Enjoy all your books! I’m still waiting to see if I get approved for “The Treatment”.
Woot, so excited for The Treatment, can’t wait to see what you thought!
Yay we both got Tease last week! it better be good! *glares at book to be good* I saw a new cover for Treatment but I don’t remember where. I wonder if it was another edition or if they redesigned it. I just read Golden a few weeks ago and it’s SUCH a good book I’m pretty sure you’ll love it!