An SSA student explores what teens are reading

I was wondering what type of books my friends were reading lately, so I got the idea to interview 30 high school students from eighth through 12th grade on their favorite types of books and why they liked them.

With decreasing attention spans, about 38% of interviewees said that they chose books largely based on eye-catching titles and cover designs or the quick blurb on the back. 24% said that BookTok and even BookTube were important factors in choosing which books to read as well. “BookTok” is a TikTok niche that focuses mainly on book reviews and recommendations that make it easy for Gen Zers to connect with other passionate readers while spotlighting minority authors.  BookTube is similar to YouTube. Older books are making a comeback on bestseller lists thanks to BookTok, along with newer books, and authors’ sales are rising tremendously as a result.

When asked why they liked a book, interviewees had a long list of interests. Positive and healthy relationships (romantic and platonic) were a must. The majority said that they’d rather well-developed, flawed and complex characters with a less-than-worthy plot any day over boring characters with an interesting plot.

Among the more obvious points, they appreciated books being well-written and engaging to finish. Diverse representation was also a plus, with stories featuring characters in all shapes and sizes and of different cultures and ethnicities, along with strong female characters.

The most popular genre was teen romance at 30%. This genre is relatable and ideal to teenage readers, especially titles like “Love & Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welsh, which all my friends have been reading.

Fantasy ranked second at 27% due to its room for creative freedom. Teen romance books are susceptible to falling into cliches and a blueprint plot, but with fantasy, anything can happen in a new world.

Mystery and dystopian fiction tied for third at 10%. Mystery was high-ranking thanks to its quick-paced and exciting nature. It’s a favorite of those who get bored easily, although a plot twist is a must – nobody wants to know who the killer is by the fifth chapter!

Dystopian is a modern genre of fiction in the technology age that often takes place in a hypothetical future where prospects for humanity are bleak. Often the world at-large seems fine – the grass is green, the sun is shining – but the people are ultimately being controlled by a corrupt system or government.

Other genres – historical fiction, sci-fi, nonfiction, etc. – came in lower on the poll.

Although teens’ attention spans may be short, that doesn’t mean their reading standards are lower. Quick-paced books with early-on plot hooks and relatable or modern topics are increasingly popular in the YA scene right now. While the classics will always be there, it’s only natural that today’s popular books are fast-paced to match the time they’re written in.

Grace Hartdegen is an eighth grader at St. Scholastic Academy in Covington.