Young Adult Science Fiction literature... is it Creating Pessimism in the next Generation?

My Friend Diane Nelson posted this link - http://planetpailly.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/pessimism-the-next-generation/ - Don't worry I'll wait while you read it... you'll need to read it to understand what I am about to talk about.
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 All done? Okay then, I'll carry on with what I was going to say.

I think the current SF Trend reflects the world this generation live in. 

Far too many parents now don't police what their children watch, play or do. I know 11 year olds that play Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty and Resident Evil  style games (all rated or should be rated 16+) while their parents watch soaps and drink in the other room. Some of these kids have younger brothers and sisters that sit in the room with them and watch them play the games!

Older Kids watch movies that deal with aspects of human nature that they shouldn't be aware of yet - Rape, Murder, Gore, Terror. They think movies like Final Destination and Saw are funny. Many are sexually aware far too early (consenting 11 year old mum anyone?) and they are bombarded by air brushed / ideal beauty images through the TV shows aired when they are likely to be watching and magazines aimed at them.

I'm not saying that children should be cotton wool wrapped until they are sixteen, but the more disturbing areas of Humanity should be introduced gradually at a rate that is right for the child , not the parent.

YA Literature is one way that these areas can be introduced; Books like Uglies, Hunger Games and Matched do this. The problem lies with how early this kind of literature is introduced.  If you go with when they are capable of reading these books, that brings the faster, brighter children in at 10 (sometimes younger) when they are at their most thirsty for knowledge and at their most absorbent. Some of these kids will not be emotionally mature enough to understand the concepts - no matter how fast they learn or read. But they will absorb the messages contained in the stories and it will change the way they look at the world.


So as a Parent (which I am) can you tell? 


....I don't know...


...I'm hitting that age with my son now.


He's been allowed to play games which are rated slightly older than he would normally, and I have noticed a change in his behaviour. His reading age has improved by a whole year over the last six months and he's now reading Rick Riordan. I've read the books, I know there isn't anything in them that is going to upset him and he always asks me if he comes across things that puzzle him.


I'll let you know how the rest of the teenage stuff goes as and when. My daughter is a different matter - she's one of the faster kids and I'm getting worried I won't be able to keep up with her!


What do you think? Carefully controlled introduction or let them do what they want?

Christmas Present List - Part Three

Yes, it's the final part of my recommendations for your gift buying this Christmas. You'll have noticed that a few of the books are available on digital format. If you have a gadget mad member of the family, why not buy an e-reader for them and download some of these books onto it?

That will keep them quiet for a few hours...

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Christmas is the time for fun and laughter and I can guarantee that “Banana’s Bumper Xmas Book” by Michele Brenton will provide plenty of both.

“Banana’s Bumper Xmas Book” comprises over 200 poems from Banana’s first three Alternative Poetry Books plus a preview of the fourth edition due in spring 2011. Michele also shows off her prose prowess with a Christmas themed story and an anecdote of how she and her family towed a boat across Europe, with pictures no less!

Michele’s poetry reminds me of Pam Ayres with a little Roger McGough mixed in. Her stories are hilarious and this is one book sure to cheer up anyone’s Christmas. But don’t take my word for it, pick up a copy for your friend’s Kindle and enjoy it together!

Available in digital form from Endaxi Press

http://www.endaxipress.com/?P=18

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Yes, I know, this the second book I have reviewed by Poppet, but believe me, her writing is worth it! “Seithe” is the story of what can happen when you allow your emotions to get the better of you.

Storming out of her boyfriend’s house one evening, Phoebe finds her way into Pravus, seemingly a gothic nightclub inhabited by various strange looking individuals. One of them, Seithe, is seemingly obsessed with the senses. One date after another, Seithe leads Phoebe from her incredibly blind human existence into a world of sensation and danger.

Poppet’s writing is highly erotic and massively sensuous, taking the reader in an intellectual and emotional roller coaster through the reality we live in. “Seithe” is a book to be devoured over and over again, it’s beauty and power drawing you back for more… This comes on the highly recommended list, so go forth and buy it!

Available in Digital format from Sony and Barnes and Noble,

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?r=1&isbn=2940011127557&itm=1&usri=seithe+poppet&if=N&cm_mmc=Skimlinks-_-k186085-_-j12871747k186085-_-Primary

http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/poppet/seithe/_/R-400000000000000303165

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That's it for now - if I come across any more books that I think are worth shouting about, I will be posting them on a Tuesday...

So, if you want me to review your book, drop me a line!

Christmas Present Book List - Part One...

I've got a lot of writing friends around the internet, (some of whom are even nice enough to say that my writing is pretty good) and they all seem to have had a seriously amazing amount of success this year.


No, I'm not jealous... well, yes okay, I am. But my time shall come...


Anyway - For those of you who are hunting for presents to buy for various members of family and friends, I am going to edify you and possibly even inspire you, by presenting my best Christmas Present Picks..

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First up is Wizards by John Booth.

John’s style of writing is highly entertaining and Wizards would make the perfect present for the older teenager in your life. In fact I will go so far as to say that you will probably be fighting over who gets to read it first!

Jake is a kid when he discovers that he can use Hopscotch to jump to different worlds. And that he can use the same power to find people. So, when at eighteen, he is asked to find Jenny, he agrees reluctantly. Within a few months all hell has broken loose and not just because of his unusual pet!

“Wizards” is an entertaining, funny, light-hearted and serious look at growing up into your own powers, be it magic or muscle, something that many teenagers will be able to empathise with.

Currently only available for Kindle - Soon to be available in Print

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wizards/dp/B004C44GN2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3TVV12T0I6NSM&qid=1291292708&sr=1-1

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Exploits by the highly talented author, Poppet is very definitely for the adult reader only.

Written from the point of view of Stef, you are taken on a graphic exploration of her descent from Good-Girl to Love Slave. All of this is in pursuit of the goal of a man.  The story is so engrossing, it doesn’t matter if you’re reading an electronic copy or a print copy, you’ll be sucked in and carried along for the emotional rollercoaster ride.

Perfect for any female friends you might have, reading “Exploits” is just like having a bottle of wine accompanied, in-depth talk with a friend you haven’t seen for ages; and like one of those conversations, “Exploits” leaves you with a happy smile on your face.

This is book is highly recommendable – I had an electronic copy and I had to drag myself out of it to write this review…

Currently only available for Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Exploits-Poppet/dp/1456357239/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

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I shall return shortly with my next two scorching reads - Happy Shopping!

Funny what you find on Amazon...

One of my friends from Webook - MJ Heiser has recently achieved the state which so many of us are struggling / longing to reach - she has become a PUBLISHED Author!

*pauses for Cheers and Applause*

Her book, Corona, is a stunning Fantasy set on the world of Jaenrye. It is one that I am desperate to own, but I had thought it would only be on the US version of Amazon. I did a little digging and found this on the UK version of Amazon -

Corona by MJ Heiser

I immediately put it on my wish list, so that ANY FAMILY that might read this can ACCESS and BUY it for me... (hint, hint)

Then I noticed the line "2 new from £10.12 ; 1 used from £14.61 ". This shocked me. Corona has only been out since May - it hasn't quite cooled from the press yet, how could someone buy the book, read it and sell it again as a used copy?!!!?!!!!?

But there it is - being sold for nearly fifteen quid! You could have knocked me down with a feather...

Okay, now we get to the real reason I am yapping about this. If anyone from the UK wants to read Corona (and believe me, it's worth buying!) please buy the proper copy! MJ Deserves your support!

Besides - a brand new copy will cost you less than the second hand one! *grins*