If you didn't know this about me already, I love contemporary. I love everything about a good dramatic, realistic novel, romance or no-romance, fluff or no fluff, I love it all. However I have begun to notice, not so much in the book community, but in my real life and especially in the books we are required to read in school, that nobody seems to like contemporary! And to me, it's such an important genre!!
I love contemporary novels because they are the most relatable. They bring me back to the real issues, issues of mental illness, relationships, teen stress, and more! They hit you right in the feels and allow you to connect with your problems. Even the fluffiest of romance novels can strike a feeling. I get most of my reading from contemporary novels, because they are easy to get through, rarely boring, and give you connections to your personal life. But it seems like I'm the only one in my school life who actually likes those novels.
Every single book we've had to read for English class has been a science-fiction, fantasy or historical fiction novel. One of my teachers even explicitly said one time that we would never read a contemporary novel. Whenever I've had to pick a book to read on a reading list, there has never been a contemporary novel. And for what reason?! Does everyone else think they're boring? Do they not find them a meaningful as I do?
You are hard pressed to find an English teacher who has made their students study a contemporary novel. To me, I find them the most important genre for young adults to read because we can relate to them!!! I'm not saying that we wouldn't find common ground in a sci-fi or fantasy, but it could be a lot more prevalent in a contemporary novel and they're not even giving us a chance :(
There is sort of a judgement that comes with being a contemporary fan as well. Students and teachers alike have said that people who read contemporaries are boring, and that fantasies and sci-fi's are the only option to keep people engaged. But I just don't think that way. I find contemporaries to keep me more intrigued than sci-fi's or fantasies, and I think it's unfair that my interests are never showcased.
I want to know what you think of contemporary novels. If you were in school, would you prefer to read a contemporary or something else? I do not want to be the only one here that genuinely reaches for contemporaries over anything else. Where are my people at?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
I think Contemporary has great life-lessons most of the time!! I think those are great for students and young adults. Teacher should use the books in their classrooms!
ReplyDeletelike to read a mix up of all kinds of genres. I usually don't stick by 1 genre but read multiple in a month.
I like to think I read a variety of genres but I think contemporary just has an edge over everything else! I do think teachers should use the genre a lot more.
DeleteFor the record, your amazing enthusiasm is basically what got me reading more contemporary! :) So you just carry on Em, you're awesome! XD
ReplyDeleteAww that means so much Cee! I'm happy I could be of enthusiasm :D
DeleteI completely understand your frustration with the choice of books we read in school. Personally, I've had classic after classic, middle-grade award winning stories after middle grade stories...showed down my throat in school.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I can't say I PREFER contemporary over anything else like you, I do still appreciate it greatly..because sometimes when I've read three high-fiction books in a row and I'm going crazy with all the worlds and magic systems getting mixed up in my head, I just want something easy, relatable and cute for a while.
So I understand your frustration here...contemporary does deserve a bit more love than it gets, and I'll make an effort in the future to contribute to that haha.
Great post! Keep up the good work!
-Sam.
Thank you Sam! I actually haven't had to read too many classic books in school, besides Shakespeare! I definitely agree that contemporary is sometimes just what you need after a high fantasy, sometimes you just have to get back to reality! I'm glad you can understand me lol.
DeleteAHHHHH HELLO FELLOW CONTEMPORARY FAN!!! Looks like we are both on the same boat. I prefer contemporary over fantasy or any other genre anyday. It always baffles me as to how no one else seems to think the way I do, like, don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a good fantasy or sci-fi, but contemporary books are always more relatable, and more...fun? At least for me. And they have more scope for great characters and real life stuff. I love everything about contemporary and I wish more people would get as excited about these books like I do :( :D
ReplyDeleteThey are more fun! I'm glad we're on the same page about this, Ruzaika because I was beginning to believe that I didn't know anyone else who prefers contemporary over everything else!
DeleteContemporary is my favourite genre. It is so real and I love that so much. I enjoy my other genres but never just as much as a good contemporary. I totally agree with your post, it feels as though contemporary is almost written off as a legitimate genre.
ReplyDeleteIt is! It's so sad that it seems like an invalid genre anymore.
DeleteContemporary is such a good genre and it is definitely my favorite. I wish more people would appreciate it; not only for being something anyone can relate with, but also for having such beautiful and strong writing without necessarily having huge plot twists and things like that.
ReplyDeleteI understand that so many people may judge "contemporary readers", because people believe that these books don't require a lot of intelligence to comprehend them. I disagree. Most part of these books have very beautiful metaphors that aren't very easy to understand.
I'll definitely share this post with many other friends, hahah. Great one, Emily!
The writing is gorgeous in contemporary! I hate it when people say that contemporary novels don't require much thinking, there's so much to hang onto! Thanks Lais haha!
DeleteYou make a wonderful argument for Contemporary books! Personally I prefer fantasy and have never really gelled with YA Contemp but there are so may out there that I want to try!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's fair for people to put down the genre in any way and I'm sorry that you feel underrepresented! I'm not one of our people, but I can definitely see the draw of contemporaries and I can see why loving them is so easy.
Great post!
Thank you Di! I agree! All genres should have their time in the spotlight and it's unfair to underrepresent anyone!
DeleteI love sci-fi and fantasy, but I also love Contemporary!! I need a little fluffy romance or coming-of-age book every once in a while, and I don't get why people hate on them for not having complex plot. Like, that's the point!! Hahaha. And I totally relate with the English teacher thing! I took a class called "Contemporary Literature" this year, but we're reading Jurassic Park?? It's so annoying...
ReplyDeleteWhat??? Jurassic Park isn't the first thing I think about when it comes to contemporary lol! If only we can get through this crisis!
DeleteContemporaries are one of my favorites. They definitely need more love. Great post, Emily. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jess :)
Delete