Skip to main content

Julia's Opinion: Teen Romance Novels



Just scroll through the #bookstagram community or the teen section of a book store. What do you find? Teen romance novels. Lots of them. The Fault in our Stars. Say What You Will. To All the Boys I've Loved Before. I can't tell you how many times I've seen these titles. But what about others? I mean, some people like this large number of romance. Others don't. What do I think?

I don't like the numerous teen romance novels that dominate bookstores and bookstagram. If you have seen the books I have reviewed on this blog, you'll get the idea that I am not a fan of these books. What about all of the other great books out there? What about Symptoms of Being Human? Or Audacity?

Yes, I understand: you like all of this mushy-gushy love stuff. Maybe it is like a happy place for you; an escape; a vacation. By all means, if you enjoy these books, then continue to read them. However, romanch books (and I don't want to break your heart) aren't always so great.

First of all, I feel like these books describe romances and events that would never really happen to teens. When would a teen have a successful romance with their childhood crush? When would a teen really have such a good relationship? How could a teen do all of the crazy things they do in these books? I just feel like it's a bit unrealistic, and might set ridiculous goals and expectations for teens and their relationships, school years, and accomplishments. (Although most books for teenagers do that anyway...)

Additionally, teen romance books might force the idea into our minds that romance is important; that love and being in a relationship is essential, and that we somehow need one to survive. You know, even books that aren't titled "romance novels" have romance in them. This, sadly, includes the books I enjoy. Audacity had the slightest bit of romance in it. So did Symptoms of Being Human, Openly Straight, the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I have to admit that sometimes, when reading other books, I groan when I find romance. Did the author really need this element? Couldn't we do without it? (Yeah, yeah: it helps with sales and attracting audiences. Whatever.)

Why should romance be incorporated in all of these books? What if someone isn't interested in love? Not now, or not ever? Like I said earlier, romance and love are not "everything", and there certainly are other ways that we can be happy in life.

Furthermore, I am not fond of teen romance novels due to some of the ideas in them, and the whole romance element itself. You have to be a really good writer to get me to like a romance between characters in the book, because honestly, I don't really care if they get together or not.

[What do you think?]

Like teen romance novels? Then check out this great teen romance! (Never Always Sometimes)
"'NEVER date your best friend. ALWAYS be original. SOMETIMES rules are meant to be broken.'

The prologue of this book, (and I love prologues!), starts when Dave and Julia, the two main characters in the book, are about to start high school the next day. They make a Never List, so that they will not become high school clichés. In the first chapter, it is March senior year, and they decide to break every single rule they have put on the list. But, secretly Dave has always liked Julia more than a best friend. . ." Read more

Comments

This Month's Popular Posts

Quotes: The Nightingale

I realized that, over a year ago, I wrote a post called "Quotes: Audacity" , and that this post did really well (it's actually Reading is Inevitable's most read post!), and yet I never wrote another post of quotes from a book. I liked writing that post, too. I like sharing quotes I like from books. That's why I started doing it on our bookstagram page . So why did I never write another one of these "quote blog posts"? I don't know. But I intend to write at least another one. And that's why I'm here today. Well, there's that, and then there's also the amazing book that is The Nightingale.  If you've read some of my recent blog posts or have poked around a bit, you would know that exactly a month ago I published my book review on The Nightingale , in which I explained my love for it and why you should read it yourself. And while I actually have another post in the works on that book because it definitely deserves more than on...

Quotes: Audacity

As some of you may know by looking at my posts on our social media page (@readingisinevitable on Instagram), I am currently reading Audacity by Melanie Crowder. It is a beautiful book written in free verse, and follows the life of Clara Lemlich, a female Jewish immigrant who came to America in the early 1900s. (For the full summary of the book, click here .) I absolutely love books written in free verse, or any type of poetry, in fact! This book is so lovely that I have decided to dedicate a whole post to some of my favorite quotes or parts! (Note: I am only on page 294, and there are 366 pages, not including the extra content at the end of my local library's copy.)

Julia's Summer TBR List 2016 Reflection

Whether you want to admit or not, summer is coming to a close. Well, at least the summer vacation part, which is what I'm referring to. (School's going to begin only just around now for us, for anyone who was confused because they started earlier.) That means that I really don't have any more time left to cover my summer TBR list. If anyone doesn't remember or didn't see it, towards the beginning of my summer vacation, I had composed a TBR (to-be-read) list of books that I hoped to possibly read over the summer. Now, dd I completely tackle my TBR list? Partially? Barely? Not even at all? Well...

Easy Sticky Note Bookmark

Something I think that us bookworms or really anyone who is reading a book is that sometimes we aren’t really prepared to read a book. Not in the sense that we don’t know some words or the subject/events of the book are not what was expected. What I’m talking about is bookmarks. We never can really seem to find them when needed, or we don’t want to use that special bookmark we made or bought for $20. Whether it’s because you decided to start reading a book you found at a library/bookstore that you didn’t intend to get, or because you lost your bookmark or some other reason, we all face that big imposing question: Should I try to remember the page number, or should I dog-ear the book? If you’re someone who deeply cares for all books - your own and others’ - then the last option isn’t really an option at all. So here is a solution that might come in handy at school. Do you have a regular-sized square sticky note? Have a few seconds? Well, this little trick might save your book’s...