View source for Luisa Plaja Talks To Bookbag About Contemporary Series for Young Adults

{{infoboxguest
|title= Luisa Plaja Talks To Bookbag About Contemporary Series for Young Adults
|summary=When I read this great post about series at [http://www.yacontemporary.com/2012/09/where-are-ya-contemporary-series.html YA Contemporary], my first thought was, ''But I have shelves full of YA contemporary series! Surely there are lots of memorable ones still being published?''
|date=11 October 2012
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0552556815</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0552556815</amazonus>
|website=http://www.luisaplaja.co.uk/
}}

When I read this great post about series at [http://www.yacontemporary.com/2012/09/where-are-ya-contemporary-series.html YA Contemporary], my first thought was, ''But I have shelves full of YA contemporary series! Surely there are lots of memorable ones still being published?''

I glanced around. A quick scan showed me that I badly needed to tidy my shelves, not to mention the overspill of books all around my shelves and, in fact, all over the house in every available bit of space. Especially in my wardrobe. It’s official: I have more books than clothes. Maybe I should consider wearing books...

Ahem. Anyway. One thing that stood out were rows of matching spines – the sure sign of a series.

And as I largely read contemporary teen fiction, these are mostly contemporary series. Here are some of the ones I spotted:

Sweet Valley High created by Francine Pascal (of course) – as mentioned in YA Contemporary’s original post. Definitely published too long ago to count, though I do have the updated version, which I bought for a school talk I gave about Teen Fiction: Then and Now.

Making Out series, created by Katherine Applegate – Ah, how I love this series, published in the UK in the nineties. I found the continuing saga of this group of Maine teenagers completely addictive and I didn’t stop until I’d read all 28 books. I vaguely remember Meg Cabot herself listing this as one of her favourite series. I’m with Meg.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot – Speaking of the wonderful Meg... I love this series too! Fantastically funny and sweet with an adorable and strong main character. Mia Thermopolis rules!

Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty – My edition of Sloppy Firsts was published in 2001. I still wonder what Jessica and Marcus are up to now...

[[Taking the Plunge (Electra Brown) by Helen Bailey|Electra Brown series]] by Helen Bailey – OK, I’m now firmly in the 21st century! This light, very funny series is aimed at the younger end of teen and highly recommended.

[[My Dating Disasters Diary by Liz Rettig|Kelly Ann series]] by Liz Rettig – Another brilliant comedy series, with many of Kelly Ann’s diaries
having slightly older teen themes. The latest book, My Scorching Summer Diary, was published this year and sees Kelly Ann spending a disastrous/hilarious summer working in London.

[[Stop in the Name of Pants! by Louise Rennison|Georgia Nicolson series]] by Louise Rennison – Are you spotting a comedy theme on my shelves...? There’s a new Louise Rennison series in progress right now, too – the one that begins with Withering Tights.

[[Don't Call Me Baby (Consequences) by Laurie Depp|Consequences by Laurie Depp]] – This is a series of interconnecting, entertaining novels with the theme of fame.

[[Fashionistas by Sarra Manning]] – Four girls share a flat in London in another series of interconnected, and sometimes overlapping, stories of fame and fashion. My favourite of the four is the flighty Hadley, though I might be alone in that...

[[Shiraz: The Fame Diaries (Diary of a Chav) by Grace Dent|Diary of a Chav series]] by Grace Dent – More comedy in these heart-warming, sweet stories.

[[My So-called Life: The Tragically Normal Diary of Rachel Riley by Joanna Nadin|Rachel Riley series]] by Joanna Nadin – Sharply witty teen adventures that start with My So-Called Life.

All About Eve series by [[:Category:Sophie McKenzie|Sophie McKenzie]] – I loved getting to know the characters in Six Steps to a Girl and following the relationships through three books. And this has reminded me that Sophie McKenzie is currently writing another contemporary series, starting with [[Falling Fast by Sophie McKenzie|Falling Fast]]. Burning Bright and Casting Shadows will be out in the near future. Phew – I’m definitely up to date now (depending on when you’re reading this)!

Lucky, Gorgeous and Brilliant by Rachel Vail – These books probably straddle MG/YA as we follow the three Avery sisters, whose lives are changed by the recession. Rachel Vail is one of my all-time favourite writers and I adore this series as much as her other books.

Butterfly Novels by Denise Deegan – Recent favourites! Here’s a contemporary series where the third book is hot off the presses. Definitely recommended to readers who love strong, emotional stories about relationships.

With apologies to the many other great series on (and around) my shelves, I think I’d better stop there for now.

I’d love to hear about other readers’ favourites. Please do introduce me to great contemporary series, old and new, in the comments...

Keep reading the contemporaries!

Luisa Plaja is the author of Split by a Kiss and its spin-off sequel Swapped by a Kiss – so almost a series – as well as standalones Extreme Kissing and Kiss Date Love Hate, published by Random House, and a few other books (including a series). She’s an avid fan of teen fiction and can be found talking about it often at Chicklish.

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