It's no secret on this blog that I have a love/hate relationship with contemporary fiction. Throughout my time book blogging though, I've come to learn that I don't actually hate the genre as a whole. I was simply reading the wrong type of contemporary fiction for me. In the past year, I can honestly say that one of my favourite books was a contemporary novel, and that really means something, considering I used to avoid it like the plague. The key, for me, was identifying the types of contemporary fiction that will and won't work for me. For example:
When I read Hate List, I was absolutely floored by the depth of despair that not just one, but many characters, faced in their lives after the impact of a true-to-life event. The shooting and the list set the stage for a powerhouse drama that makes you search deep within yourself, wondering how you might react in such a circumstance. Sometimes it Happens errs on the side of fluffier relationship dramas that, for me, don't work. In many ways though, it too explores the lives of the characters after a true-to-life event and chronicles the depth and magnitude of it all. But for me, I found that it was much more limited in scope, and the emotional connection just wasn't there.
I've learned that I need my contemporary novels to be gritty, raw and real. I want them to evoke emotions and embrace the reality of life - good or bad. I don't read contemporary for escapism - I have fantasy and paranormal for that. I read contemporary novels to understand myself and the world around me better. This isn't a hard and fast rule though because there are softer stories that work for me, too. However, if you find yourself looking for more realistic contemporary fiction, here are a few of my favourites:
And, as one who doesn't love softer, more heavily romantic contemporary novels for the most part, there are exceptions to every rule! Here are some of my favourites that don't necessarily fit my own self-imposed ideal:
^^^ And yes, there are issues in these novels, too, but the relationships take center stage.
What are your thoughts on contemporary fiction? Is there a specific genre that you, too, struggle to read but have found the exceptions to the rule? I'd love to hear it!
I really prefer a mix of hard stuff as well as fluffy. I think I prefer fluffy a little bit, since so many fantasy books are hard hitting that contemp is an option for some fun. But a good, hard novel feels more real than most fantasy every can.
ReplyDeleteI had the same kind of struggle with YA books for a long time, and it's only in the past year that I've picked them up again. And yes, I've found that I was reading the wrong books at the time, and the genre has since become my favourite ever! :D
ReplyDeleteWith regards to contemporary fiction, I tend to gravitate towards the more intense, gritty ones, but I always like to throw in a fluffy read every so often to lighten things up!
I have the same issue, Melissa. I need gritty, truly realistic contemporary fiction in order to enjoy it. I haven't read Hate List yet, but I hopefully will soon. It sounds exactly like my cup of tea!(:
ReplyDeleteThis song will save your life was one of my favorite of 2013!! I agree - I don't do the fluffier, lighter contemps. There are some very popular YA authors that I just cannot get into their books. It's so ... Whatever.
ReplyDeleteCheck out "The F--- It List" by Julie Halpern and "Don't Breathe A Word" by Holly Cupala. I think you'd LOVE those. ;)
I actually don't mind reading any kind of contemporary fiction, but it all depends on my mood. Sometimes I just crave for a fluffy romance book, and other times I'll want something intense. I try not to read dark books where the main characters die because these leave me depressed for days then and it just doesn't make me a fun person to be around, you know.
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm not a huge contemporary fiction reader either Melissa, but like you, I've been finding more and more books that make saying I'm not huge fan of the genre a bit of a lie. I tend to be a sucker for the more romance heavy contemporary reads, though of course I need them to not have a ton of ridiculous drama. Give me harder-hitting romances:) I still need to read This Song Will Save Your Life, I heard AMAZING things about that one:)
ReplyDeleteI think I find it harder to get into contemporary because if I don't connect with the drama, there's nothing else around to hold my interest. At least in a YA sci-fi-fantasy if the drama is bad, there's spaceships or magic knights or something. But when contemporary, there's just the drama. And I'm not a teenager anymore, so the things that would matter to them don't always matter to me.
ReplyDeleteWhich isn't to say that NONE of those issues would matter to me (many things are universal, after all, or I have strong enough memories to get the feelz), but like with anything it's hit or miss, and since the misses are *complete* misses I don't even bother.
But I'm thinking I should try out a few of the ones you listed, since the good ones do tend to be really good.
Contemporaries are generally the last thing I pick up. I don't like too much drama, I don't like too much angst, I get annoyed with too much teenager-y-ness...Yeah, I'm picky. But I loved TFiOS, loved This Song Will Save Your LIfe, and most definitely enjoyed Dare You To. I think it all depends. I'm willing to take a chance and pick up a contemporary, just to see if I like it. (And all those things that I'm not a huge fan of, my high school students adore. Go figure.)
ReplyDeleteI am primarily a fantasy/historical fiction reader, but I've been getting into contemporary over the past year or so. I think, like you, my contemporaries need to have really great characters for me to be able to really like their stories. And lucky for me, there are really a lot of good ones that are on the market!
ReplyDeleteI used to also avoid contemporary like the plague, but I've slowly found myself warming up to the genre. I love that you said that you read contemp to understand the world around you. I've never thought of it like that, but I think I do that as well. It's books by authors like Katie McGarry who take characters that society has labeled as "bad" and makes them so crazy likable. I like how these kinds of books take my understanding of the world and completely twist it. But I also read some contemp books as a distraction, for something light to make me laugh and melt away in someone else's problems for a while.
ReplyDeleteI actually just checked out This Song Will Save Your Life from the library, after hearing such great things. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much, and I can't wait to read it now!! =)
Lovely post, Melissa! <3
I love contemporary romances, especially ones like The Summer I Turned Pretty (my favorite series ever!!!) and Dare You To. I also love hard hitting ones like TFIOS and Eleanor & Park. As long as I can relate to a character or the author can get me hooked on a particular character, then I am a fan! Great post, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI think contemporary fiction is my favorite, possibly because it's a lot more realistic to me and a lot more relatable.
ReplyDeleteI read anything whether it be contemporary or otherwise for the sake of distraction and escapism so the fluffier reads are right up my alley. I don't like anything to be depressing but I can understand why it appeals to others.
ReplyDeleteI loved Dare to You and Rules of Attraction as well, Melissa. I have no desire to read Sometimes It Happens. Don't like the whole cheating with my best friend's BF scenario.
Great post, Melissa! :)
I am really loving contemporary fiction as of late, the fun, fluffy romances and the raw, intense emotional ones. I think it is coming back, maybe with the help of New Adult, who knows. Thanks for the article Mel!
ReplyDeleteJeann @ Happy Indulgence
I'm so happy to see The Summer I Turned Pretty on your list Melissa. I'm a huge contemporary fan Melissa, but I have to agree I am getting really nit picky about what I read these days, sweet neatly wrapped endings don't do it for me anymore, but ones which have me contemplating for days afterward, are definitely up my alley. I also like my reads to be a bit raw and gritty! Fab post as always!
ReplyDeleteContemporary is my main love especially when it's a romantic comedy (the kind you don't necessarily like). I try to be pretty open to all genres in YA but when I'm looking for comfort, that's where I turn.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It's so relevant to me (fantasy fangirl all the way here). In terms of what I look for in my contemporary fiction, I'm on a very similar page to you. I get all the escapism I need from fantasies, so I also look for character-driven contemporary stories. I also have this vendetta against romance-driven contemporary books (not against romance as a whole or books that market themselves as romance, but as the ones that pretend to be about more but really aren't). Of all the books you've listed, I've only read The Fault in Our Stars, which I enjoyed but didn't love. Recently I've loved the Courtney Summers books I've tried and also Sara Zarr's How to Save a Life. I'll have to look into some of your other suggestions!
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with you! I'm much more of a fantasy girl, but if I read contemporary I've noticed that the dark/raw books are more my thing. The romance contemporary genre is not something I'd go for, because I don't like stories solely about romance.
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