Teen Fiction Books : An Interview with Bizymoms Top Blogger 2010 Recipient Luisa Plaja

1. What made you decide to start a blog featuring teen fiction books?

I've always loved reading "coming of age" novels and stories about teenage relationships and identity, and I didn't give up reading this kind of fiction when I stopped being a teenager myself. I was talking to my author friend Keris Stainton one day about the way that teen fiction didn't seem to get as much coverage in the UK as it did in the US, and we came up with the idea of a site where we could discuss the teen books we loved. The original focus of the site was teen chick-lit, our favorite genre, but over the years the site has evolved to include a variety of teen/young adult genres. As the site's editor, I frequently send books out to reviewers, many of whom are teenagers. I love the idea of keeping teenagers reading and discovering the pleasure of books. I also think this type of fiction deserves as wide an audience as possible, and there's no reason why it shouldn't be enjoyed by adults too.

2. What fascinates you about teen fiction books?

The teenage years can be a time of significant "firsts" - first love, first job, first major argument with a friend, first taste of independence. Emotions can be heightened and the smallest issues can seem major. It's often a time when many and varied paths are still open to people, and they have yet to make important decisions about their futures. All in all, it's a fascinating time of life to read about - and to write about, too.

3. If a certain author wants his or her book to be reviewed by you, what should he or she do?

Contact us at chicklish@googlemail.com and we'll happily consider your request! Please bear in mind, though, that we're a UK-based site and sending a review copy may involve international shipping.

4. Which teen fiction book authors would you recommend and why?

This is a difficult question to answer because there is such a variety of great fiction out there! There really is something for everyone. I know the kind of fiction I prefer - my favorite authors write about relationships and romance - but I also know that others have different tastes. I like to think that anyone can visit our site and find details of a book that might interest them. Readers do also frequently write in with queries such as: "I loved this book, please can you recommend another book like it?" and I'm always happy to figure out an answer and reply by email or in the blog comments.

5. How do you get your hands on the latest news relating to teen fiction?

We are often sent press releases by publishers and authors. I also naturally listen out for news, as it's something I'm very interested in. I follow a lot of other fantastic book-related sites, podcasts and Tweeters.

6. What do you think is essential for a teen fiction book to be a good read?

I think it's important for an author to capture an authentic teen voice and tell a compelling story that's relevant for a young audience.

7. What advice can you give our mom readers in choosing good teen fiction books for their kids?

There's a lot of information online, on Chicklish and other sites like it - see the links under "Chicklish Places.” They can also look for first chapters or book extracts on publishers' sites or online bookstores, or read the first few pages of books in "real" bookstores. These should give parents a very good idea of the flavor of a book and whether it's something their child might enjoy. Lastly, I'd definitely suggest reading some of the books themselves. They might be pleasantly surprised at how readable, relatable and just plain entertaining so much of teen fiction is.