Members Post - Kaylie Ashton

Well here is my Members Bio interview for the #YABluewater reading group. Even though they're my questions, it is still hard! lol



Name.


Kaylie Elizabeth Ashton


Age


27

What was the first YA book that you read?


The Twilight saga. I had put it off for over a year as there was a lot of hype surrounding it. My best friend finally convinced me to give them a go in the end. I loved them so much that I reread the whole saga four times in a row!



If you could be any YA character who would it be and why?


I think that there are a lot of very strong female characters in YA lit at the moment so it would be hard to choose!! Gun to my head though, I think it would have to be Tessa, from Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices series.

She is strong and smart and has a kick-ass power! I like that she doesn't put up with Will's rubbish and that she treats Jem with respect and kindness even when others might not. I found that I connected with her more than Clare's other leading lady, Clary, in The Mortal Instruments series.


Whats the one YA book you wish you had written?


Oooh! now there's a Question! lol As someone who has just started to write my own YA book, I would have to say any book! ha, but that's cheating ;) Its a long process and I hugely admire any authors who have made it to the end of their book and had it published!

If I had to pin it down to just one book though, it would have to be Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. It is a contemporary romance that is dark, gritty, scary, real and full of emotion. Its a wonderful study of the darker side of love, with trust and obsession being two major themes. I think that McGuire has done an amazing job in illustrating the pitfalls of emotional baggage in Abby and Travis' relationship. Its not healthy, functional or even rational, and at times just plain scary! If you haven't read it yet give it a go. (It is not for the younger of the YA age range mind you! I would put it at 16+)

Whats your top 5 YA books?


Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Sabriel by Garth Nix
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin


If you had to suggest just one book, to someone who has never read YA fiction before, what would it be?


No?! Just one? ummmm....

Nope can't do it!! Have you ever met a Bookseller who could stop at one suggestion?! lol

There are so many great books in YA Fiction! There really is something for everyone. If you like paranormal romance then anything by Cassandra Clare is great. If you like fantasy then Garth Nix is awesome. Or if you're struggling with your teen years there are so many great books that tackle all kind of issues. From coming out, depression, addiction, mental illness, finding yourself, growing up and everything else many teenagers go through. There is a bit of everything under the YA umbrella so my advise is just dive in! Its all great! :0)



If you have any questions for me or any of the members of the #YABluewater reading group, leave a comment and we will get back to you.

See you next post,
Kaylie :0)