A month or two ago, I asked bloggers to send me a short paragraph about why they read UKYA, and this post is the result of those emails. Thank you to everyone who sent something!
Sophie from So Many Books, So Little Time
We have something special in UKYA that sets up apart from YA anywhere else in the world: the combination of insane talent, brave authors and a small community. Our authors tackle subjects and break down boundaries that would make the Americans cringe! We’re known for our girtty realism and sharp, succinct prose and there aren’t many books like that outside of the UK.
Cicely from Cic Loves Books
Since becoming a book blogger, I’ve been reading a lot more UKYA than I ever even knew existed. Heck, I didn’t even know that it did exist before I became a blogger! I was so caught up with the hype of all these American books, and while American books are great, UKYA has a special place in my heart. It just feels so much more real and relatable, and no offense, but I think that overall British books are funnier too. But that might just be my sense of humour… It’s such a varied genre and maybe because I am British it strikes more of a chord with me, but I feel that even in the UK, UKYA isn’t publicised as much as American books which saddens me. More UKYA, I say! 🙂
Kerrie from Read and Repeat
The reason I enjoy UKYA books is because I find that I can visualise a setting better and find that I can relate more to the main character. Also if I think about some of my favourite UKYA books being set outside of the UK I just don’t think they would work (using Hollow Pike by James Dawson as an example I don’t think I could of got as lost into the creepiness of the woods and the story if it hadn’t been set in the UK)
Faye from A Daydreamer’s Thoughts
One of the reasons that I really appreciate UKYA is because, as a UK citizen it gives me a chance to understand where the writer comes from. The humour is easily recognisable and I can easily imagine the places that the authors are talking about. In a way, it roots me to the book in a different way than the books from authors overseas and I find myself enjoying not just the characters, but also the location as well. It also allows me to enjoy certain UK mannerisms – such as mentions of a “good cup of tea” or other less popular British traditions. But I also think that UKYA authors do, somehow, have a different tone and style to their writing as well, a perhaps less “Hollywood” style – not that all other countries books have a Hollywood feel, but UKYA books just seem to be richer and more raw, if that makes sense. We’re not afraid to write about the real nitty gritty parts of life because we know that it would be unrealistic to paint over them.
Hollie from Music, Books and Tea
I love the humour in UKYA, it’s so typically British, and never fails to bring a smile to my face. I love how the authors manage to keep their books funny without the humour feeling forced or just simply not funny. Plus, I just adore the writing style of UKYA authors, it’s so easy to read and enjoy, and I find the characters and the situations they find themselves in a lot more easier to believe. A lot of the books tackle difficult topics, and they don’t shy away from reality, and I have a lot of respect for the authors who write those books.
Fiona from Eventide Reads
For me, the concept of UKYA is quite new. It wasn’t something I was aware of until it started popping up more and more on blogs that I went to. I became more interested in UKYA as it seemed to take a more serious approach to its context, really hitting home to UK Teens, which I think they all need. It’s nice that UKYA has provided this opportunity but it still so diverse. I’ve started to really focus on that at work and especially new UKYA talent such as The Poison Boys by Fletcher Moss (Who is also a Manchester teacher so very close to home for me!) It’s nice that we can really get behind these fantastic writers!
Rachael from Rachael Reviews All
I’m pretty sure the first UKYA novel I read was Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses. I was 12, maybe 13, years old, and just picked it up off the bookshelf at Waterstones. Black and white, it just looked so adult compared to the brightly coloured children’s books of the past. And it completely blew my literary mind. Alternate universes, racism, and love were all dealt with between two covers. It was the first time I had read about real young love, violence, and sex. And looking back, I can safely say Noughts and Crosses encompasses everything I love about UKYA. The authors never talk down to you, they say what is true and they hit home on their themes. In a world filled with slick (usually American) lit, UK YA is refreshing. That’s not to say UKYA cannot be funny. Louise Rennison’s Georgia Nicholson series is another great example. It is simply side-splitting hilarious and deals with a lot of issues teenage girls have. And that’s because it is true. That’s the one thing I can rely on UKYA to be: honest. UKYA is true to its name, it never fails to really truly portray what it’s like to be a young adult.
Why do YOU read UKYA?
I received so many paragraphs that I couldn’t add everyone’s, so I’m very sorry if yours wasn’t included! All were absolutely brilliant! Thank you!
10 Comments
Rachel (Booktastic Reviews) :D
23 July, 2013 at 9:06 amEveryone seems to love the British author’s sense of humour – in all honesty, I’ve never noticed that before! But I do tend to read more of the dystopian/adventure books by UKYA rather than all the chick-lits, so that’s probably why!
Great post! 😀
Lucy Lin
23 July, 2013 at 9:02 amTo be honest, I can possibly love anything from UK 🙂 But technically UKYA books I found very funny xD and I don’t know, I just love the writing style and everything 🙂
Rachael Reviews
23 July, 2013 at 9:07 amI love seeing all these responses! I think your UKYA week is a great idea, Lucy! I also feel honoured that I was one of the paragraphs you picked 😛
Zoe Crook
23 July, 2013 at 1:46 pmOoh, great post! It was really fun to read the opinions of UKYA from other blogger’s perspective. I’ve never really thought about the distinction between UKYA and the rest of YA literature, but I do love British humour. I realised a few days ago that my top three books are all USYA. I’m definitely planning to read more UKYA, thanks to your amazing fortnight of posts 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Rebekah Campbell
23 July, 2013 at 5:48 pmThe world’s feel a lot more real when an author from the UK is behind the wheel, you spot mannerisms and humour that are so familiar and make the whole reading experience a lot more fun 😀
Fab post, Lucy!
Samantha Cartmel
23 July, 2013 at 6:28 pmThis blog has inspired me to read more UKYA books, and this post in particular reveals why. Huge thanks for the inspiration.
Samantha
So Many Books, So Little Time
23 July, 2013 at 8:40 pmThanks so much for picking mine for the post! It’s so great to read other bloggers’ opinions.
Amber @ The Mile Long Bookshelf
24 July, 2013 at 5:46 pmLoved reading other bloggers’ opinions, it’s a good insight! UKYA is awesome. 😀
Cait
25 July, 2013 at 12:47 pmI love these paragraphs! I read UKYA for many reasons: I like to support homegrown authors and I find the books funny and more relatable and less likely to be ‘on trend’ and more about writing a really good story with excellent characters which is something I love! I think they’re usually a lot grittier and a liiiiil bit more controversial than their American counterparts too. Great idea, Lucy!
Cait x
Eileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***
30 July, 2013 at 4:16 amLUCY YOU MOVED TO WORDPRESS I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU <333333 Your blog looks amazeballs and congratulations!
Now, onto your equally as amazeballs post, I really want to read more UKYA now. I don't see it a lot, so I usually never read it, but from all of the quotes, I'm really tempted to start sometime soon I might be annoying you, asking for recommendations, now if only my TBR pile would magically disappear so I could read those recommendations…
Fantastic post, Lucy!
Eileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain*** recently posted…My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick