Just Contemporary: What I'd Like to See in YA Contemps

I'm sad to say it's the last week of Just Contemporary month hosted by Basically Amazing Books and Chick Loves Lit.  I have thoroughly enjoyed all the attention my most favorite book genre has gotten among the blogosphere.  I hope you've taken the time to check out both Ashley and Shanyn's blogs because they have done a FABULOUS job of putting this together.

This week's topic: What I'd Like to See in YA Contemp

Is everything too broad of an answer? Haha One of the reasons why I adore contemporary fiction so much is because it's not nailed down to just one topic. A book can touch on happy times, as well as sad times. The range of characters is off the charts. But for the purpose of this week's topic I've decided to pick a few things I'd personally like to see MORE of in the contemporary YA's that I read.

1. The old(er) protagonist.
I know that young adult means the teen years; however, we don't always get to read stories about those later teen years. I would love to read more from a character who is 18 or 19, post high school. I feel as though they are prime years for such incredible stories. What a "teen" decides to do with their lives after high school is endless. Whether it may be the road to college, getting a job, traveling the world, or staying in tune with their hometown. Their capacity to absorb grows a bit and with it comes more conflicts... and I for one LOVE a conflicted character in my contemporary YA's.

2. The "not so pretty" girl.
One of my favorite stories to read about involves the girl who DOESN'T turn all the boys heads in the cafeteria. I know that girl, I can identify with that girl, because I WAS that girl in high school. There is so much pressure on body image and how a young girl needs to look a certain way these days. I'm all for a story that focuses on what a girl can offer with her mind, and not so much her looks. Reading a story about the girl who isn't drop dead gorgeous is refreshing from time to time. It's real.


3. The unhappily ever after.
Yes, I just said that. Though I love the fairy tale ending as much as anyone, sometimes I'd rather read about the realistic ending. Not everything is always tied up nicely with a bow. Sometimes things are messy and ugly. It happens. It's life. I want a story that delivers finality, but not necessarily with a smile on it's face.

4. The broken boy next door.
He is my favorite male lead to read about in contemporary YA's, so I wouldn't mind reading a lot more about him. There's something about beautiful broken boys that pull me to them, and I feel the need to fix them. What makes it even better is when they're literally right next door. It's as if you can witness their car crash of a life just through an open window. Somehow coming over with a freshly baked pie won't always fix the problem. But it does open up possibilities for more deliciousness to come in later chapters.

5. Music.
If you know me, then you know I love a contemporary YA that incorporates music in to the story. Whether it be one of the characters who plays an instrument, has a passion for bands, or the author writes the story with music in mind. I love it all. 9 times out of 10 if I know a book involves music, I am likely to pick it up and want to read it. So of course I want more, more, more of it!!

What about you, what would YOU like to see in contemporary YA?