Episode 81: Young Adult
Summary: Whether you’re young or just young at heart, the explosion of Young Adult novels in the last decade has made an impact on the publishing industry and readers alike. Today, Holly and Devin review YA stories from their wheelhouses, showing us the breadth and depth of YA stories - they can get intense, both romantically and horrifically.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (6:23): Devin discussed I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuinston, a YA romance following Chloe Green after her rival and prom queen Shara Wheeler kisses her and then disappears from their small Alabama community. Chloe teams up with Rory Heron and Smith Parker, who Shara also kissed, to find her. Along the way, they also realize they’re finding themselves. Devin’s key takeaways were:
The characters embark on a journey of self-exploration, grappling with their sexuality, ambitions, and the expectations imposed by their conservative community. McQuinston highlights the complexities of discovering and embracing one's true self, especially in a setting that demands conformity.
The story explores the tension between individuality and societal pressures, especially within the confines of a rigidly conservative environment. Shara’s mysterious game becomes a form of rebellion, challenging the rules and norms of their community while encouraging others to question them too.
Through the unlikely alliances and shared experiences of Chloe, Rory, and Smith, the book examines the power of understanding and empathy. It underscores the importance of building authentic connections, healing fractured relationships, and finding common ground with others—even those you least expect.
The Dagger (16:22): Holly discussed The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, a YA dystopian horror set in the fictional Garner County, in which a patriarchal society teaches girls they have the power to lure grown men from their beds and drive women mad with jealousy. As a result, each girl is banished from the community when they turn sixteen - they must release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. Tierney James dreams of a better life, but as her own grace year draws near, she realizes that she has a lot more to fear than the brutal elements outside Garner County. Holly’s key takeaways were:
This story was particularly well suited for a young adult audience even though it clearly can resonate with anyone of any age. Liggett takes things that teens are dealing with, especially expectations and limitations on girls and women throughout history to today, and shows them in a new light by dialing them up to this extreme, dystopian level.
The Grace Year critiques societal systems that oppress women through fear, control, and systemic violence. The story explores how women are pitted against each other under patriarchal systems and how solidarity can emerge even in dire circumstances.
The concept of "magic" is used metaphorically to explore how fear and myths are wielded as tools to control and subjugate populations. Tierney’s struggle to survive physically and emotionally highlights themes of resilience and self-reliance inside of the restrictive bounds of that “magic.”
Hot On the Shelf (31:52):
What’s Making Our Hearts Race (36:21):
Devin: Athletic Brewing NA Beer
Holly: Conclave
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