Today is day 1 of the A-Z challenge! What did you choose for your A word?
So let's talk about Angst!! I read alot, and over the years I've discovered that no matter what genre I'm reading in, one thing that keeps me interested in a book is the level of angst the author achieves. It's an amazing skill, in my opinion, to raise the stakes throughout a novel to the point where the reader can actually feel the tension in their chest.
No matter your opinion of the Twilight series, it's a great example of some serious teenage angst.. And it was the book that got me into the YA genre, even though I was 29 when I read it- haha.
What's a book that keeps you up at night with the angst and tension rising to the boiling point?
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What an interesting challenge! I agree I love angst in a book!
ReplyDeleteI recently read a book by Gillian Flynn called Dark Places. LOTS of character angst in that amazing novel! Great first post for the A-Z Blogfest!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read Twilight, I kept thinking how much I would have enjoyed reading it as a teenager! I think it was too much angst for me as an adult.
ReplyDeleteI see from your profile you like crafty things. What kind?
Hi Laura. Love your A-Z post. For me what keeps me riveted is the suspense. I absolutely LOVE not knowing where the story is going and my favorite books are the ones that keep me guessing to the end.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. To answer your question, My A-Z theme is a different poetry form for each letter of the alphabet. I have the forms determined and some of the work written. I always have to make things crazy.
I'll be back to check yours out.
Lisa
Inspired By Lisa A-Z
I think one of my favorite angst filled vampire-type of books are the Matsuri Hino manga serial(s), Vampire Knight. It's a lot like Twilight in that way (but was before Twilight) (Girl likes boy, boy is vampire, there's another guy who is a vampire/vampire hunter....) Lots of brooding..lol.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I ramble. Great "A" post!
Two books I read recently that were full of angst were Clarity by Kim Harrington and The Liar Society by Lisa & Laura Roecker. I couldn't read them fast enough!
ReplyDeleteI've read some great historical myteries by Caleb Carr. They're set in the early 1900's in NYC. Life on the streets there is so brutal for young kids.
ReplyDeleteThe original Roswell High books, by Melinda Metz, stand out for me as great alien angst. (As was the TV series.)
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any right now but I don't think you can wrote a good YA without a little angst.
ReplyDeleteI love YA bc I think I still have some angst hidden inside! One of my favs is YOU by Charles Benoit.
ReplyDeleteGreat A-Z post!
ReplyDeleteA few months ago, I started reading Twilight on a vacation trip, only because a co-worker begged me to take the book. I did it out of curiosity. Without knowing it, I became obsessive not just with that book, but with the rest of the series.
Doris
I'm older than you and I love reading YA. Nice clean fun without the adult stuff. :)
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨ A-Z buddy ¨*•.♥
I don't often read angsty stuff, I like literary fiction more than the fast-paced pop reads, where I can savor the prose. But I've recently purchased Dark Places, as per Nicole's recommendation. Looking forward to it! :o)
ReplyDeleteI like when a book and bring you to the brink of a variety of emotions. Angst is an interesting emotions with is twisty stomach turning abilities.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on angst and the Twilight series. Dawsons Creek also had plenty of angst!
ReplyDeleteEllie Garratt
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ReplyDeleteHi, sorry about that, something went hugely biffo when i posted the last comment, so lets try one more time. I am now following courtesy of the A-Z challenge.
ReplyDeleteMy published book is not YA..however I always enjoy reading them
Stop by my post if you have a moment.
here:
http://sooozsaysstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/a-z-challenge-day-3-c-crocodile-with.html
Suzanne Collins Hunger Games is pretty intense, as is the sequels.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com/
Great post! A book that's kept me up at night like that would be Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Angst is a definate must have in a book plot. Looking forward to reading more of your challenge posts.
ReplyDelete