Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Wishlist #2

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This topic was used first three years ago, and I'm excited to again discuss what I'd like to see more of in books (particularly YA).

Here's my first reading wishlist, in case you were wondering.

1. Realistic homeschoolers

As a former homeschooler, I live for characters who share my educational background, but only when done realistically. Lucky Few by Kathryn Ormsbee is a great example of how homeschoolers don't always fit the stereotypes and how diverse we can be.

2. Less drinking in YA

I'm sure this is personal taste, but I hate it when teen characters do drugs or drink. I'm not naive enough to think teens never do those things, but I also know a vast majority of them don't. Besides, neither is a safe choice for developing minds, so why are we promoting such behavior to teenagers?

3. YA Shakespeare retellings

I don't care if they're historical, contemporary, or even fantasy. Just please, more books like The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You or Exit, Pursued by a Bear.

Addendum: I want more YA Shakespeare retellings of his plays that AREN'T Romeo and Juliet.

4. More deaf main characters

Disabilities are starting to be better represented in MG/YA lit, but I want even more deaf characters, because they have a whole different language and community. So, please, more books like Song of Summer, You're Welcome, Universe, and Tone Deaf (which I haven't read yet, but want to!).

5. Anne of Green Gables retellings

I can only think of one (and I didn't love it), but there have been two great literary web series inspired by Anne, and YA authors should definitely capitalize on this. Plus, Gilbert Blythe is one of the ultimate book boyfriends.

6. More light fantasy

As much as I love a good high fantasy novel, one of my favorite trilogies is The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski, and this is due in part to the fact that it is set in a world that definitely isn't our own, but there's no magic.

7. History geek characters

As a self-proclaimed history geek, I'd love to see more main characters get all excited about history. Plenty of them geek out over pop culture or nerd culture, but history can be exciting and fascinating, and there have to be enough teenagers who like it to declare history majors when they enter college.

8. Jane Austen retellings*

*That aren't Pride and Prejudice.

I love P&P, I really do. But it seems to be the only Austen novel people bother to remix. I'd love to see retellings of her other works, especially Sense and Sensibility and Emma (who is perhaps the ultimate unlikeable heroine).

9. More POC protagonists

Always. Especially in #ownvoices books. I can't wait to have my horizons broadened by all the different experiences I'll be exposed to as the Diversity Renaissance continues in YA lit.

10. Books set outside the U.S.

Don't get me wrong, I love books set in specific U.S. states, especially because certain states have such a distinctive culture that it creates a good book setting. But I want to learn more about other countries, both in contemporary and historical settings.

What do you want more of in books?