Oh, if I could imagine up super-awesome book ideas and get authors to write about them, that would be awesome. Only, it wouldn’t really be fun thinking up specific plot ideas because that’d ruin the surprise of reading. Nevertheless, there are some things I’d like to see more prevalent in the book market.
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- A novel where the story and characters haunt me after I’ve finished reading: It’s rare that I find a book that leaves me speechless and filled with wonder after reading, and I treasure every single one of these reads. Some of my favorite books of 2013 did this: How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler, Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher, and The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black are a few examples.
- A contemporary book that makes me feel all sorts of things and which portrays very real characters: Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher and Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery are two stories that portray real characters going through real troubles. They aren’t perfect, but they do their best to right things in the way they know how.
- A series that starts with awesome and just keeps getting better and better: the Sky Chasers trilogy by Amy Kathleen Ryan being a recent example of such awesomeness. Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books are another.
- Speaking of… I’d LOVE to discover a medieval fantasy series to rival Tamora Pierce’s Tortall books. The Song of the Lioness quartet especially is a classic. I haven’t found anything like it.
- A good Martian read: I haven’t read many books with aliens in them, much less set in an alien world, and would like to give this a try.
- Something new and unique: As my brother puts it, he didn’t really like the Harry Potter series in the end, but he has to give it credit for bringing something different to the YA market. I agree with him.
- A book about growing up and being yourself. A book to pass on in the household: Anne of Green Gables is a book that I loved as a child and still love today. It is a book that I’ll pass on to my children and hope that they’ll do the same. I want to see more household classics like this.
- A fantasy with solid world building, interesting real characters, and a compelling plot: It’s really hard to find a decent fantasy out there, probably because it requires the writer to build a whole new world. And being the fantasy lover that I am, I’d love to see more fantasies in the market.
- A story where paranormal / mythological creatures aren’t romanticized: Something about the YA market today makes it given to churning out books with super hot, sexy, romantic paranormals. As swoonworthy as these are, right now I really just want a good old dark fantasy where they really show off their dark, dangerous side. There aren’t nearly enough of these out there! (The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black is the most current example I can think of at the moment.)
- A book that captivates me from beginning to end: really, that’s all I want when it comes down to it.
How about you? What kinds of books would you like to see in the market?
Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Doris says
Awesome list. I would love to see more fantasy books as well, I really liked Falling Kingdoms and I haven't found anything else that stands out yet.
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Doris @ OABR
Reviews from a Bookworm says
Great list! I NEED to finish the Sky Chasers series, I really loved the first too but I still need to get my hands on Flame! Is it amazing??!???
My TTT 🙂
Erin says
I love this! For #5 I DEFINITELY recommend The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Erin @ Something Catchy About Books
Diantha Jones says
I added #5 to my list too! Besides JLA's Lux series, there aren't any others. #10…I think we all just want that 🙂 Great list
DeeJay @ DJ's Book Corner
Jenea Whittington says
Books that I still think about character wise long after I finish are definitely ones that I wish I come across more often. 🙂