YA, NA & Adult FYI

What is considered a Young Adult Novel?

Some individuals and organizations judge each YA book differently, but here are some of the overall key points that make a YA different from children's and adult novels.

1. Stories focused for readers 12- 18 years of age. Usually in High School. 
2. Language and dialogue geared towards teens. 
3. Contemporary Themes: Situation that teens may experience: 
• Friends 
• Bulling 
• Love / Crush 
• Family Struggles 
• Abuse 
• Depression 
• Divorce 
• Drug / Alcohol
•  Sex Coming-Of-Age (Ientity) 
• Hobbies (Sports, Drama, School Work, Music) 
4. Science Fiction & Fantasy Themes:
• Parnormal
• Werewolves 
• Vampires 
• Angels 
• Ghost 
• Witches 
• Mythological 
• Example: Twilight, Shiver, Vampire Academy, Harry Potter, Goddess Test 
• Dystopian / Utopian 
• Post-Apocalyptic 
• Example: Hunger Games, Divergent, The Test, Matched, The Selection

What is considered a New Adult Novel?

One thing that people don't always realize is that some books can be both Young Adult and New Adult; or, the series can evolve from a YA to an NA. 

F.Y.I                                                                 

Many NA books have an increase of sexual situations and language.They are more likely to have multiple F* bombs dropped and a little more explicit with the sex scenes.

They are leaving High School, entering College and or the Work Force.  

Different Themes NA may have. 

• They could have one or multiple of any of the following: 
• College Campus
• First Love 
• Engagements / Marriages
• Identity 
• Sex, first time / multiple partners 
• Sports 
• Offices work environment / Internships  
• Professional Sports Teams 
• Living on ones own / Moving Away
• Financial Independence 
• Military 
• Drugs / Alcohol / smoking 
• Balance of personal and social life
• Family strain, New Family 

Some New Adult genre books get mixed up with Erotica. 
For example:​ Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James falls into a few of the above topics - College, moving, entering work force, first love, first time, ages 18-30. 

Though it does fall under many of the typical themes, it not categorize as a a New Adult novel. The themes and sexual situations make the book Adult Erotica. 
New Adult takes teenage issues to the next level. They are still learning and become accustomed to being an adult.

Why are there so many different types of
Adult ​Romance Novels? 

There are two types of themes I believe all books boil down too. Power or Love. Those two words can incorporate so much into them. Romance books main theme is Love; but, there is usually a power struggle within the story line. The main character may be having an internal or external power struggle. You can notice it within each book. All the following sub-genre are love and power based, but with different struggles. ​

Example

Historical Romance: Many time the female character is seeking love, but having a power struggle, e.g. societies restrictions on women, a certain man, her family, herself, etc. These conflicts allow us, as the reader, to gain more depth of our protagnist. Adult novels have Love vs. Power in many of their story lines. 

Sub-genre with in Adult Romance
Contemporary romance
Historical romance
Romantic suspense
Paranormal romance
Science Fiction romance
Fantasy romance
Time-travel romances
Inspirational romance / A.K.A. Christian Lit
Multicultural romance
Erotic romance
 Urban fiction (Some)

Now I do not read all these different sub-genres. I am familiar with all of them, and can list you books and or authors that write for those genres. I will mainly be blogging about Contemporary and Historical. Sometimes I will throw in Christian, Paranormal or Urban, but not that often. If you want me to read one of those genres I am always up for it. 

Romance novels for ADULTS do have sexual situations and language. Not all do. For example, I consider Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen an adult novel, yet it doesn't have sexual situations or language. 

You may want to ask: why is New Adult and Adult in two separate tabs.

To answer your question; because, New Adult and Adult are written towards two different types of audiences.​

Examples:

Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Lisa Kleypas, and Danielle Bourdon all write for women. Most of their books are about women that are settled or are trying to settle. They may have jobs, kids, divorce, being on their own. 

New Adult authors such as: Kaylee Ryan, Jessica Sorensen, and Allie Everhart gear their stories more towards 19-25 year-old. Those in college - entering or leaving.  Check out my NEW ADULT page for more information on this type of genre. 

What about a mix? 

TO be honest I believe many of Nicholas Spark's books are on the boarder of NA and Adult. His books have young characters that are starting out life, in college or new jobs and finding their first love. In the same book he will have an older established couple or characters that are middle aged rekindling. Overall, because of the themes in the novel and the content, they receive an adult romance genre title.