Young Adult fiction – are we fans? And Richard Yates vs John Williams.
In the first half of this episode, we venture into potentially controversial territory as we discuss young adult (YA) fiction, and whether or not we think it should be in our reading diet. In the second half, we pit two mid-century American novels against each other: Stoner by John Williams and The Easter Parade by Richard Yates.
Do let us know what you’d choose! The article about Stoner that I mention is on Victoria’s blog here.
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Books and authors we mention in this episode are:
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm by Gil North
Dickens by Osbert Sitwell
Mrs Tim Carries On by D.E. Stevenson
Diana Tempest by Mary Cholmondeley
Red Pottage by Mary Cholmondeley
Point Horror
Sweet Valley High
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Thomas Hardy
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
The Spare Room by Helen Garner
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Anne of Green Gables
The Easter Party by Vita Sackville-West
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Young Hearts Crying by Richard Yates
Time Will Darken It by William Maxwell
Birthday Letters by Ted Hughes
Frankly, after what I’ve read about Stoner recently I won’t touch it with a bargepole, I’m afraid – and it’s being picked up by some charity collection people tomorrow… But each to their own!
I can understand that, but I do think it is a brilliant novel! I’m sure someone will find it at the charity shop and love it :)
Great point about adults who read only YA fiction. I don’t get that at all, although I know several bloggers who review it only, so I assume read it only. I occasionally read a YA book, but usually only when looking for something to give my nieces or nephews. I’m glad someone mentioned fantasy, because that (since The Hunger Games) .It seems to be a major portion of the U.S. YA market, not the books that center of relationships.
Loved Stoner but haven’t read the other book, so can’t vote!
It was really interesting to hear you both discussing Stoner from a positive point of view. I really liked what you both said. The thing that struck me most though was your mention of that test Stoner gave the postgrad – I couldn’t do it either!!! Every so often I find myself trying to count Renaissance playwrights on my fingers (can’t get beyond three). It was very disturbing.
I read a lot of YA when I was in library school, but hardly any since (I guess this means I am destined NOT to be a teen services librarian). Some of it is well-written but I am really not the target market so it mostly doesn’t appeal to me. I am glad that it exists for teens, there was hardly any when I was that age, and then it was mostly “problem novels” about kids with parents divorcing, that sort of thing. There’s a much broader range now which I guess is a good thing. And though I don’t really see the appeal I had many adult library patrons who enjoyed it but at least they’re reading something.
I have read Stoner and liked it, though I just found it very sad. I remember it seemed like everyone was reading it a few years ago and I guess it had really good marketing! I’ve never read anything by Yates so I’ll have to put him on the TBR list. I really like mid-century fiction so I’m intrigued.
I’m personally not a big fan of YA. I very much prefer middle grade novels (age 8-12ish), which also explore big topics but with more innocence and less relational drama. I like that Rachel brought up middle grade/YA novels written in verse. I haven’t read many, but one standout was Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. I appreciate Rachel’s point about YA novels helping teens transition into adult books. I hadn’t thought of that before, and I’m sure that is helpful. I know there are so many adult books I read, even in college and post-college, that I hardly understood because I was so young. (Not that 30 is very old, but my understanding has grown a lot in the last couple years and, God willing, will continue to!)
I haven’t read either Stoner or The Easter Parade, but both sound worth a read. I do have a book group, and we’re always looking for good suggestions. The title The Easter Parade reminds me of an Irving Berlin song that has this hilarious lyric: “Oh, I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet”. Not at all related, but it’s such a random, funny lyric.
I am still so surprised that novels in verse is a trend at the moment – it seems so rarefied to me!
And go into The Easter Parade with that humour in mind, and you might make it a bit further before you feel miserable ;)
That’s a good point about verse novels being a trend. I wonder what brought the trend into being at this particular time.
Thanks for warning about Easter Parade. haha I’ll try to keep sonnets and bonnets at the forefront.
I also have come to appreciate how well written middle school books are. Having worked many a times in the children’s section of a bookstore, I have come across great series-Mysterious Benedict Society, Artemis Fowl, and so many others. I tend to find the angst of teen books to be somewhat grating at times. I am sure I experienced it, but I choose not to relive it over and over thru literature. I believe that many younger books can still deal with real world topics, but tackle them from a less emotional point of view. As an adult it can be rather refreshing to escape that way. I have enjoyed a few great YA fantasy books and was in the crowd of Twilight followers in my 30s. But overall I stick to mystery/suspense, cozy fiction and sci-fi.
Found this podcast late, but so happy I did. It is getting harder and harder to find podcasts for genres I love that aren’t labeled Explicit and are entertaining. Cheers!
Replying to myself. Now wondering what age demographic Sam is in because I too read Sweet Valley. I actually started with Sweet Valley Twins , which I still own my original copies over 30+ years old. I then segued into Sweet Valley High as a teen. Some of which I still own. I also was a huge fan of the Fear Street series and Christopher Pike.