Friday, April 12, 2013

Guest Post: Molly McAdams + The New Adult Genre


Today I have the pleasure of welcoming author Molly McAdams to the blog to talk to us a little bit about the New Adult genre and what it entails. The New Adult genre is one I'm completely in love with, and I've been devouring as many books that fall under this label as I can get my hands on. As a slightly older reader of YA fiction, it's sometimes difficult for me to connect to the younger characters, so the New Adult genre and its myriad of upper-teen/early twenties men and women and their corresponding life situations just makes me happy. Take it away Molly!

People have many ways of defining the New Adult genre; whether it’s the general age group that you’ll find in the stories, the problems the characters may face or the intensity of the steamy scenes…different readers and authors see it their own way.

I feel the New Adult genre is about the experiences we’ll have, the freedom we’ll finally taste and the lessons we’ll learn…most likely the hard way. It’s all about the time in your life when you’ve just legally become an adult and you’re learning what exactly it means to be an adult. People are excited to hit that age, and to finally be able to say they are “legal”; but going into that time in your life can be more overwhelming than you’re prepared for. Bills start coming, you are suddenly responsible for things like buying your own food and, if you went the college route, actually getting yourself out of bed and to class.

For a lot of “new adults” you’re finally free from the parental units and with that freedom comes the time to find who you are. And that’s what we’re all wanting to know, isn’t it? Who we really are, where we want to go in life, and what paths we’ll take to get there.

It’s the time in our lives when I feel we learn the most that will help us in life. It’s almost like when your parents told you not to touch that burning stove when you were a child, but until you touched it yourself, you had no idea just how much it would hurt. Our parents and people we look up to can tell us countless times to do this…oh, but don’t do that! But until we’ve experienced these things ourselves, we aren’t going to truly comprehend exactly what will happen if we do decide to “touch the burning stove” – whatever it may be.

New Adult is really all of these things. The epic highs and terrifying lows of becoming an adult and becoming who you want to be. We get to follow heroes and heroines through journeys that a lot of us often face during those incredible years of eighteen to mid-late twenties. I can’t say there is one thing that defines the genre, and as I said, other people may have a different view on it. But for me, it’s all about the thrilling time in our life that we get to learn about who we are, and it’s those steps and paths we take figuring that out, that make up the genre.

• • • • • • • • • •

MOLLY MCADAMS


Molly grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband and furry four-legged daughter. Some of her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling and long walks on the beach…which roughly translates to being a homebody with her hubby and dishing out movie quotes. When she’s not diving into the world of her characters, she can be found hiding out in her bedroom surrounded by her laptop, cell, Kindle and fighting over the TV remote. She has a weakness for crude-humored movies, fried pickles and loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm...or under one in a bathtub if there are tornados. That way she can pretend they aren't really happening.


• • • • • • • • • •

TAKING CHANCES


Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing.

She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled...they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy.

Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.

• • • • • • • • • • 

FROM ASHES


Aside from her dad, who passed away when she was six, Cassidy Jameson has only ever trusted one man: her best friend, Tyler. So of course she follows him to Texas when he leaves for college. She just didn't expect to be so drawn to their new roommate, Gage, a gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl. The only problem? He's Tyler's cousin.

 Gage Carson was excited to share an apartment off campus with his cousin. He didn't mind that Tyler was bringing the mysterious friend he'd heard about since they were kids . . . until the most beautiful girl he's ever seen jumps out of his cousin's Jeep. There's something about Cassi that makes Gage want to give her everything. Too bad Tyler has warned him that she's strictly off-limits.

Despite everything keeping them apart, Cassi and Gage dance dangerously close to the touch they've both been craving. But when disaster sends her running into Tyler's arms, Cassi will have to decide whether to face the demons of herpast . . . or to burn her chance at a future with Gage.

41 comments:

  1. Hey Molly that is a great post!! As a big big BIG lover of New Adult I could only nodd while reading your post.
    I think many people missunderstand New Adult and like to label it YA with Sex - clearly most of them haven't read too many NA books yet. I love the intensity of emotions in most of these books and I also love that it goes beyond what most authors are able to do in YA.

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    1. It's like the New Adult genre was made for us Danny! <3 <3

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  2. New Adult is something that I really enjoy reading. Adult novels aren't interesting for me but new adult novels are. I can easily connect with the characters. I really like the definition that Molly gave us. Great post Jenny :)

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    1. Me too Tanja! I love adult novels as well, but I'm so excited about everything that's coming out in NA:)

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  3. This it’s all about the thrilling time in our life that we get to learn about who we are, and it’s those steps and paths we take figuring that out, that make up the genre is so spot on. With all the New Adult novels cropping up everywhere and everyone rushing out to get their hands on a copy I've always wondered what exactly do they offer, and I think Molly has hit the nail on the head with this post. Thanks for sharing such a great post with us Jenny! :)

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    1. Have you read any NA Jasprit? I have some awesome recommendations for you if you haven't:)

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    2. I've read some, so far I've had great success with the Aussie ones! I would love some more recommendations though! Thanks :)

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  4. This is exactly what I think about NA - legally becoming adults, but it doesn't necessarily mean that we are adults in our head + we experience everything from a different angle than we did as teens and yes, it is a lot steamier in literature, but isn't it in real life as well? I love this guest post! Amen to everything LOL;)

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    1. Yesssss. Love that they're steamier ;-) And also that the boys are a bit older, I don't feel as skeevy as I do when I read YA and the guys are 17. Yikes.

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  5. I do love the concept of NA -- how long have we asked for college-aged stories before NA finally started to be a "thing"? What's the saying? "Old enough to know better but young enough not to care" or something like that? To me, that's NA. Great post!

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    1. I know! And how many authors wrote NA stories but had publishers tell them there was no market for it and they need to make their characters 15-16-17? So glad we got over that hurdle though. MORE NA!

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  6. What a great guest post! I really need to read one of her books soon. I have heard they are pretty darn great and very emotional!

    I, for one, am loving the NA genre! For the most part I have loved every single book I have read in this genre (so far).

    Have a nice weekend!!

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    1. I'm loving this genre too!!! Easy was my first foray into it and it will always be my favorite for that I think, but I've loved almost everything since as well. So good.

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  7. My understanding of the New Adult genre is pretty much the same as Molly's. It's about that first taste of independence, and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with sex, steam or whatnot. That's just a consequence. I haven't read that many New Adult books, although I plan to, but my favorite by far was Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar.
    Thank you for sharing this great post, Jenny! I agree 100%.

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    1. RAW BLUE!!!! I loved that book so much too Maja, even though at the time I just considered it YA. I think a lot of YA books I've read would actually fit better under the NA heading.

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  8. I'm not sure about reading her books. I have friend tell me the plots and instead just got me angry. I love that it is new adult but if the characters going to be going back and forth....no.

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    1. There's a lot of drama in them for sure Savy, and while they weren't necessarily for me, I think a lot of people will love them.

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  9. I'm with you, Jenny - I am loving this new adult genre. And I am excited there will be so many new adult authors at BEA because then it seems like the industry is recognizing this is a change that is here to stay.

    It's like Molly said: These books are about that first rush of independence and adulthood, while still holding to the idealism of youth.

    And let's face it: I love YA, but sometimes a girl wants a little more heat in her romance. ;)

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    1. YES YES YES!!! Can it be next month already? I need to go to BEA:) And yes to the heat. Yes, yes yes, please.

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  10. Great post! I love the new adult genre. I really enjoyed Taking Chances as well. I think that this time in a person's life is so interesting. I know it's when I had my most fun! :) I'll have to check out From Ashes soon.

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  11. Great guest post. I just love the NA genre. I have both of these books for review and I'm looking forward to them.

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  12. This is a really great guest post about NA. I love that the genre is really about the transition into adulthood and like Molly said a freedom that you didn't have before. I think the genre is misrepresented a lot as just being YA with sex but it really is so much more than that. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I really want to read more NA books. At first I was sort of wary of it as just being a marketing ploy, but I actually do think the distinction helps me with expectations of reading a bit better. I love this post, and think Molly did a wonderful job describing the spirit of NA. "The epic highs and terrifying lows of becoming an adult and becoming who you want to be." <--these are the kinds of stories I absolutely LOVE reading, no matter the age, but it just so happens that NA books do this really well. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. For some reason I've yet to feel the urge to delve into YA, but I loved this guest post...gave me a lot to think about and although I don't know that Molly's books would be a good fit for me, I am more tempted to test out the genre!

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  15. I need to read more NA as well. I have this author's first book and I want to get it read sooner than later. Yes that transition into adulthood is definitely full of ups and downs and lots and lots of new experiences! Great guest post! Have a wonderful weekend, Jenny!

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  16. The post really makes a lot of sense to me. I was thinking the NA genre was all about drama but with the POV that it is about that transition time, it makes sense why they have a lot of drama with it. I am thinking about more NA. Will have to check out you books!

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  17. Yes, very much agree with Molly's thought here! I'm loving NA books, and I can't wait to see the genre grow even more.

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  18. I've the covers of these books around a lot although I haven't read them but I do love this guest post. I do think New Adult is all about exploring mistake and finding yourself, so I love that so much of that is this series - I wish it was there in more books! Thanks for sharing, Jenny!(:

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  19. I haven't read a ton of NA books, though a lot of the 'adult' books I have read in the past would fit in the NA category. I do love reading about that age and remember being that age so well! And I'm with you Jenny, since I'm older it's sometimes easier to connect with the characters and understand them a little better. Sometimes teen drama is just a bit too much. ;)

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  20. I love NA as well! College is such a fun age. I've heard wildly discrepant reviews of Taking Chances so I want to try it for myself!

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  21. From Ashes is the book you really didn't like, isn't it?
    The story line is vaguely familiar.

    I liked Molly McAdams' definition of New Adult, but then it sounds like all New Adult is only contemporary. No paranormal or fantasy? I'm still confused.

    Heather

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  23. Great post, I think New Adult has always been around mixed into adult fiction, and I am glad it has a class of its own now and new authors to inspire it.

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  24. I think Molly's post tops everything else I have read about New Adult. Although it's not a label that is particularly helpful for me (I seem to be pretty good at jumping straight from YA to adult in my head), I do think Molly's view is one I agree with the most. I don't see what sex has anything to do with it. Brilliant post!

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  26. You know I love the idea of the New Adult genre but I haven't really enjoyed any of the NA books I have skimmed. I think it's great that authors are finally incorporating college-aged protagonists and more mature subject matters, but it seems like NA books ultimately have the characters repeatedly having sex and it stops being about the other stuff. I don't know, that's just my two cents.

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  27. I've read a couple of New Adult books and I admit to enjoying the genre. It hasn't completely won me over, yet. I wonder if the genre will expand and ooze past new adult to "slightly less new adult" and then "mostly adult" and, finally, "Adult, but still doesn't feel adult." That's where I am now.

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