Quiz: What YA novel should you read this summer?
Summer YA Reading Quiz
We’ve passed the mid-May mark, and summer is almost upon us. Candy-colored nail polish, cute flip flops and huge beach bags just waiting to be filled with magazines and books. Now’s the time when the young adult novels of the season are released, and this year there are some awesome contenders for your best YA beach read. But how to choose? Take this quick summer YA reading quiz to find out which young adult novel you should stash in your beach bag:
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Who do you want to hang with this summer?
(a). Friends from your fandom, either at a binge-watching marathon or online.
(b). Yourself as you embark on a journey of self-discovery.
(c). Your significant other and your friends.
(d). Intriguing people who want to fight absolute power and organize for social justice.
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Where do you want to go on vacation?
(a). To a fan or comic convention of course.
(b). Somewhere dreamy and scenic.
(c). You’d love to go on a vacation, but you promised yourself you’d spend time on college applications and resume-padding this summer.
(d). You want to take a trip to meet your best friend from the Internet in real life.
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What’s your ideal summer job?
(a). A gig where you can work on your writing or read during the slow moments.
(b). A job that doesn’t feel like work and where you can be outgoing and meet new people.
(c). Something that would look really good on your college applications or on your resume.
(d). Ideally, a job where you can take chances and make real social progress, so perhaps a nonprofit or volunteering on a political campaign.
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What are your feelings on summer romance?
(a). It’s not what you’re looking forward to the most, but you do have that crush…
(b). You’re not opposed to it, especially if you meet someone at work or on vacation.
(c). You already have a significant other, and you’re planning on spending every minute with them.
(d). No time for romance; you’re trying to change the world.
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If you could do anything this summer, what would it be?
(a). Finish your novel or writing project and send it out for publication.
(b). Visit a new part of the world (or even just your state).
(c). Make a difference, especially by helping someone close to you.
(d). Unplug from your computer and focus on your issues and causes offline.
If your answers were mostly A’s… Your summer read is Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw
“Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here” by Anna Breslaw
You think school is way lame, and your middle-of-nowhere town is just as bad, but they do prove to be amusing. You draw on school and your location for material when you’re thinking up fodder for your future bestselling novel or TV series. But this summer, you want to rewatch your favorite shows, hang out with your best friend, and be a total fangirl. If this sounds like you, pick up Anna Breslaw’s Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here, a YA contemporary about friendship, fandom, writing, and New Jersey. Scarlett Epstein was a die hard fan and fan fiction writer, but her all-time favorite supernatural show got cancelled. Can she use her boondocks town and weirdo classmates as inspiration for her first writing that isn’t fan fiction? Find out this summer in this hilarious yet moving novel.
If your answers were mostly B’s… Your summer read is Wanderlost by Jen Malone
“Wanderlost” by Jen Malone
It’s been a crazy busy year at school, and this summer you just want to relax and chill. You wouldn’t mind if there’s a little romance in your life, though you want to use the summer to go on a path of self-discovery and personal transformation. It’s all about rest, relaxation, and routine. On the other hand, you could see yourself going on a vacation if someone were to give you free tickets to go anywhere you want (and, for the record, you’d want to go to Europe). You’re not completely opposed to spontaneity. If this sounds like you, your perfect summer read is Wanderlost by Jen Malone. This breezy summer read combines all the good stuff: romance, travel, an actually not-boring job. It’s the perfect book to sink your teeth into whether you’re staying home this summer and looking for some escapist reading or you’re traveling abroad and want to get psyched for the trip. And romance? Oh, yes. Who hasn’t wanted to fall in love over the summer? One thing’s for sure. You’ll definitely be falling in love with this delicious summer read about Aubree, who steps into her sister’s summer employment on a bus tour in Europe and meets a cute boy who captures her heart.
If your answers were mostly C’s… Your summer read is Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
“Highly Illogical Behavior” by John Corey Whaley
Your goal this summer is to have a goal and stick to it. You tend to set your aspirations in terms of other people. For example, this summer you want to get closer to your best friend or you want to make that guy fall for you. You want to spend more time with your sister before she goes to college. You are searching for a real human connection, be it with friends, family, or the one you’re crushing on. Summer, when you don’t have school to distract you, is a great time to concentrate on being around people you choose to be around. If this sounds like you. Try John Corey Whaley’s Highly Illogical Behavior, a novel about an ambitious teen, her boyfriend, and the agoraphobic boy she tries to fix. Highly Illogical Behavior is a deep read that will tug at your heart. This contemporary dramedy finds the absurdity in everyday life and also shows our capacity to change and connect with other people in a real and meaningful way.
If your answers were mostly D’s… Your summer read is Bluescreen by Dan Wells
“Bluescreen” by Dan Wells
Maybe you’re stuck at home all summer. Everyone else is going on vacation, but you’ve got a summer job. So you find yourself on the Internet more out of sheer boredom. If only there was more magic in your life. So you get lost in dreaming about other worlds. You might also feel a rebellious streak. You take an interest in social justice and politics, and you use the summer as a time to learn more about political action and learn more about taking a stand for what you believe in. If this sounds like you, your summer read is Bluescreen by Dan Wells. This genrebending dystopian-fantasy-sci fi hybrid is wildly entertaining and deals with interesting themes like cyberpunk, internet addiction, and conspiracy theories. Try reading Bluescreen when you’re looking for a novel that you cannot put down. It will make you happy you’ve disconnected from the Web and help you re-engage with the world and maybe fan the flame of your fight-the-man MO.
Now … time to go find a bigger beach bag. Happy summer reading!