February Genreflecting: Romance: The Details

Based on the Collins English Dictionary, a subgenre is "a category that is a subdivision of a larger genre." (Source) Romance is a complicated and yet fundamental part of the young adult experience. There are so many changes going on during that time in a young person's life, so naturally we have a whole genre dedicated to it! Primarily, romance books tend to fall into one of these subgenres: contemporary, chick lit, historical & serial. While the others are self-explanatory, that last one actually covers two types of serial romances: the first type follows one character's love life while the other one follows a different individual from a specific group during each book.

One of my absolute favorite contemporary romances is Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by David Leviathan & Rachel Cohn. These two created an incredible book that volleys between its two protagonists to tell the story. Here's a snippet about how this awesome book came to be:

One day David and I were having lunch together and I mentioned that I had a vague idea for a book: I wanted to write about two New Jersey, straight-edge characters named Nick and Norah (after the Thin Man movies) who would meet at a music club in Manhattan. I wanted to follow their adventures throughout the one night, and just see what would happen. ... We didn’t plan any of the book out in advance, we just picked up each chapter where the other left off, and I think the fun David and I found in writing to challenge one another translated into a true adventure for Nick and Norah – just like a real first date, where there can be great chemistry, but you really have no idea if it will turn out well or not. You can only dive in and hope. -Rachel Cohn's website

And while I'm not an outright fan of romances, almost anything set in a historical time wins my vote. That's why Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series was so perfect for me. In an interview on Galleysmith she explained why she liked writing historical books:

When I was a bookish teen, I loved novels set in other times, other realities, other universes. So that’s part of it—being able to create this world that looks and smells and sounds different than the one my readers and I walk around in every day. I want to transport them, and myself. And then, once you’re there, the historical setting means that the realities of life, the situations my characters are going to find themselves in, will often be ones you couldn't have in a contemporary setting, which is exciting stuff for a writer! Very plot-friendly.

So there you have it. A little insight into the world of romance books. What are your favorite types of romance? Do you enjoy a heart-wrenching roller coaster or a more subdued novel? Be sure to check back next week when I review Forever by Judy Blume. 

Nostalgic Friday: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Chon and David Levithan

Welcome back to Nostalgic Friday! Since I love all things historical (culturally, physically, and personally) I do a post on Fridays honoring some awesome book that is a bit older. Many of them are books I enjoyed in my teens and others are books that I discovered as an adult that I think are relevant to YA readers.

This week's pick is Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. I found this book not long before the movie came out. The movie, starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, came out in late 2008. As soon as I heard that it was based on a book, I ran to work (remember I work at a library) to snatch up a copy before they were all gone. I was not disappointed at all!

When you are coming off the heels of a painful break-up, your first reaction is probably not going out to hit the club. At least, not in this sense. Nick and Norah are both lively, energetic, passionate people who LOVE music. After their personal realtionship tragedies, they head out on the town (seperately) with friends to try enjoying company.

A chance meeting at a particular club lands these two together on a whirlwind adventure all over the city. They learn a lot about themselves, each other, and what their futures hold for them. Little do they know that they will find exactly what they were running from in each other.

A witty, fast-paced read, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is told in alternating voices giving wonderful perspective and depth on two different viewpoints of the same situation. While Norah is notorious for her foul mouth and in-your-face attitude, Nick is her counter-part as he is rather quiet and observant. All of the characters are dynamic and likeable to the point that I kind of wish they were my friends. Not to mention the fact that these teens actually seem like real teens. The authors did a fantastic job capturing the essence of these personalities. Just an all around fun read that will leave you wanting more. Give it a shot!