Fabio Bueno’s YAmondAY ~ #YA Contemporary with Julie Glover

The radiant Julie Glover is our guest on YAmondAY today! Julie is a writer (and reader!) of YA Contemporary novels, and she shares with us some of her faves. Keep an eye out for her upcoming novel,  SHARING HUNTER.

While I enjoy  reading paranormal and historical and science-fiction and romance YA, I find  myself drawn to write young adult contemporary. Perhaps it’s because I remember  the impact of novels I read as a teen by authors like Judy Blume and S.E.  Hinton.

I picked out a few  YA contemporary books I’ve read in the last few years that focus on the  significance on young lives of writing—poetry, literature, and  letters.

 The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. Ah, poetry. I  owe Erin Brambilla for suggesting this read, which I  relished. Lennie is a 17-year-old who only knows the role of younger sister to  Bailey. When Bailey suddenly dies, Lennie is thrust into a confusing year of  grief and reconfiguring her identity. She must balance her pain with the daily  demands of school and two guys—one who links her to her sister and one who  challenges her to let go. Throughout the novel, Lennie writes verse to express  how she feels.

 Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar. I owe a  thank-you note to David Lubar for introducing me to Tom Swifties (a wonderful  word game that you can learn about on my blog). However, what compelled me more was the  story of a freshman guy who feels, like many of us did, awkward and unsure of  himself. Scott Hudson’s family is changing, his friendships are changing, his  interests are changing, and his hormones are raging. Lubar weaves humor and  literature references throughout this coming-of-age story. A perfect read for  bookworms and language lovers.

 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson. I read an  earlier novel from Maureen Johnson, and frankly that story didn’t stick with me.  But by the time she wrote 13 Little Blue  Envelopes, Maureen could weave a beautiful tale that kept me intrigued.  Seventeen-year-old Ginny is left thirteen envelopes by her eccentric aunt, each  to be opened in turn as she journeys through Europe retracing her aunt’s steps.  Along the way, Ginny learns about traveling, joy and disappointment, a hidden  side of her aunt, young love, and herself. The scenery of the towns and people  she encounters is described with vivid detail, making the reader feel like she  is along for the journey.  There is  also a sequel to this novel, The Last  Little Blue Envelope.

As for my own young  adult contemporary, I’m currently hip-deep in edits for SHARING HUNTER. I will  be querying the novel when finished.

Some girlfriends share everything. Why  not a boyfriend? Best friends Chloe and Rachel try it out with Hunter, the most  desirable senior guy. Through this unconventional relationship, they discover  what friends can and cannot share.

As a city girl from the Lone Star State, Julie  Glover owns  both go-go boots and cowboy boots; has been to Broadway shows and rodeos; enjoys  chateaubriand and rattlesnake sausage; and likes Led Zeppelin and Rascal Flatts.  When she isn’t daydreaming about a personal chef or wrestling the family’s  laundry, Julie pens mysteries and young adult fiction.
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