tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post2780638759113836795..comments2023-09-27T15:04:15.227+01:00Comments on Books of Amber: Why I Don't Care About the Female to Male Ratio in YAAmber (Books of Amber)http://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-34948077048814792292014-02-19T23:00:04.299+00:002014-02-19T23:00:04.299+00:00Fantastic post! Great thoughts--I love it, and it&...Fantastic post! Great thoughts--I love it, and it's so true. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05023102267569027108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-43193901806940567452014-02-14T09:19:47.055+00:002014-02-14T09:19:47.055+00:00Thank you for this post! I, too, think that women&...Thank you for this post! I, too, think that women's stories are important, more important than they get credit for, and that's why I LOVE YA books. It's girls' stories! And you know what else? Not all of it is romance, and even if it is, boys shouldn't be afraid of reading that. God knows women have been subjected to mens' stories for literally THOUSANDS of years!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-69369747045915589582014-02-11T17:04:25.806+00:002014-02-11T17:04:25.806+00:00Great post! I love how there's an abundance of...Great post! I love how there's an abundance of strong female protagonists in YA literature. And, let's face it, most readers of YA are female...so it only makes sense to cater to that audience. But on the other hand, I feel like it's important to get teenage boys more interested in reading. And more male protagonists would probably help do that. But there ARE a bunch of good male-centered YA novels out there, like the few that you mentioned, I'm just saying that a few more wouldn't hurt. I think it's good that it's mostly focused on girls, though — I love reading about the strong girls like Hermione and Katniss.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-27266955644857249522014-02-09T14:31:49.297+00:002014-02-09T14:31:49.297+00:00I agree with you Amber . I just want a tad more ma...I agree with you Amber . I just want a tad more male protagonist . And specifically more person of color male protagonist and some trans , bi and gay or asexual male protagonists <br /><br /><br />Tnx for the post rorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01492185365572906987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-4813920396340320022014-02-09T08:18:36.099+00:002014-02-09T08:18:36.099+00:00Yes, this post! *bows* While male perspectives in ...Yes, this post! *bows* While male perspectives in YA are cool, I'm not really impressed with ~super awesome~ male heroes. I want a heroine that can save herself and hold her own. I hate that females in YA are portrayed as needing a guy to save them, which is ridiculous. It's why I loved Frozen so much -- they took the whole true love trope and made it something that completely changed what Disney does. No more boy-saves-girl, but instead it was sisterly love. And the growth in both Elsa and Anna! Such a great movie. I really applaud Disney for writing it the way they did.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04109527480775466764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-72325338820190364192014-02-08T13:07:28.121+00:002014-02-08T13:07:28.121+00:00YES, there is much more variety nowadays, and if g...YES, there is much more variety nowadays, and if girls can't connect with one character, they have dozens and perhaps hundreds more to choose from. They're pretty much guaranteed to find their idol in YA. Perhaps several idols.Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-69013310382482130542014-02-08T13:05:59.662+00:002014-02-08T13:05:59.662+00:00Thank you! The list of great female characters in ...Thank you! The list of great female characters in YA is almost endless, with new ones being introduced all the time. The same cannot be said for the TV shows that I watch, unfortunately. Sometimes characters that started out great (Caroline Forbes, for example) become nothing more than a love interest who is caught in a love triangle. It's disappointing. But in YA, all these females have their own story to tell.<br /><br />And YES, you hit the nail on the head! There is absolutely no reason why guys can't read a female POV and connect with the main character. Us women do it all the time. The problem is that we are taught by the media that men are better, and guys often think that they can't possibly connect with a weak and helpless female who probably only thinks about shopping. This definitely needs to change, and I hope that YA helps to push guys in the right direction.Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-27513347543268533282014-02-08T13:02:26.535+00:002014-02-08T13:02:26.535+00:00I agree, it's disappointing, although I think ...I agree, it's disappointing, although I think that female writers have a much better chance at reaching the best sellers lists and success than, say, a female director. I think the book world is slightly more progressive in this way, although there is definitely a long way to go, since male writers in the top twenty outnumber females. I would love to see this change!<br /><br />And thank you! I love your comment, the bit about your sister gave me shivers.Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-17552631130368982822014-02-08T12:59:30.808+00:002014-02-08T12:59:30.808+00:00Thanks, Fahima! I'm glad it's giving so ma...Thanks, Fahima! I'm glad it's giving so many people something to think about, even if they don't completely agree. And yes! I didn't touch upon this point, but I think it's totally important for boys and men to read more female points of view. Not only do they get to expand their reading, but they will realise that women are people to, and they shouldn't be demeaned like they often are in the media. Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-56027950366316668492014-02-08T12:57:31.699+00:002014-02-08T12:57:31.699+00:00Thank you!Thank you!Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-8790283004604475802014-02-08T12:57:18.250+00:002014-02-08T12:57:18.250+00:00Thank you Nicole! I'm actually totally okay wi...Thank you Nicole! I'm actually totally okay with "silly girl" behaviour, because a) it's somewhat realistic, and b) males can be really bloody stupid as well. It's all about balance, both between males and females, and also between females that would be classed as girlish and those who wouldn't. Girls need all sorts of different role models to connect to, so even though I'm not usually a fan of the girly characters, I think they're just as important. Who knows, my sister might end up really loving some of them, and that's what's important!Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-53933045914435679462014-02-08T12:54:02.427+00:002014-02-08T12:54:02.427+00:00Admittedly, I used to get excited too. I remember ...Admittedly, I used to get excited too. I remember discovering The Maze Runner and Tempest, and getting all happy because they had a male protagonist. It took me a long time to realise that it's not actually that exciting, considering we have men dominating all other types of media except YA. Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-50972582621079596952014-02-08T12:52:21.621+00:002014-02-08T12:52:21.621+00:00Thanks Natalie!
I didn't read much YA either ...Thanks Natalie!<br /><br />I didn't read much YA either until around 2009 and 2010. I was more into adult urban fantasy, and my reads were, again, dominated by female characters. I hadn't even thought of this pattern until now! But most of the other books that I read, whether they were contemporary fiction, fantasy, science fiction... they were all dominated by males. <br /><br />I think that having a balance is the most important thing, and I wish I lived in a world where men and women were represented equally. Until then, keep doing what you're doing, and I'll keep reading about heroines instead of heroes!Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-69832222803971123602014-02-08T12:48:48.354+00:002014-02-08T12:48:48.354+00:00I think this is another matter entirely, although ...I think this is another matter entirely, although I totally agree that people tend to view female-dominated areas as lesser or subpar. This viewpoint definitely needs to change, and I think that Young Adult has the potential to help that along. Female authors dominate the genre, if not the bestsellers list, and I think as the YA genre continues to spiral and expand, people will start to realise that it's not actually a bad thing. Women CAN write just as well as - or better, depending on the person - men. I wish people would realise that your chromosomes don't define how good of an author you are.<br /><br />Natalie - YES. People look down upon girly books or characters all the time, and I hate it. Being a strong character doesn't mean you have to be kickass, it simply means you have to be written well, with your own personality that's not a cardboard cutout. YA is always classed as something for children or silly, and this needs to change. The age of the characters shouldn't matter, just as much as their gender shouldn't.Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-60724652226648969532014-02-08T12:43:25.586+00:002014-02-08T12:43:25.586+00:00If the scales are ever balanced then I'd be qu...If the scales are ever balanced then I'd be quite pleased to see more male POVs in YA. But yes, until then I'll stick with my awesome females and the occasional male.Amber (Books of Amber)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01750403330691361583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-52544432641653491562014-02-08T12:13:39.465+00:002014-02-08T12:13:39.465+00:00Great Post!!! I went through a whole YA w/ a male...Great Post!!! I went through a whole YA w/ a male narrator phase last year and loved it... but I SO agree that having all these strong empowered female characters for people to read about it freaking AWESOME. Primetime Network TV has always been guy dominated. It has gotten a little better in the last 10 years, but man there is still a long way to go. And with all these YA books being made into movies, there's SO many more strong female characters about to be put out there :)Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02288722022982656753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-54912654194260378562014-02-07T20:00:16.658+00:002014-02-07T20:00:16.658+00:00I agree so hard. I actually prefer to read YA book...I agree so hard. I actually prefer to read YA books with male protagonists because I feel like I connect with them more as a reader. BUT. You are right. Teen girls need this safe space we have here. And like everyone, I love Katniss and Hermione too. To me it's about the character's personality, not the sex of the character. Why does everything seem to have to be a male/female issue these days? That's what bothers me more than anything.Kara_Malinczakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07559498182018910285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-91748674182753963102014-02-06T09:31:03.977+00:002014-02-06T09:31:03.977+00:00YAY FOR THIS POST! I kind of look out for YA guys&...YAY FOR THIS POST! I kind of look out for YA guys' POVs because...I don't know why. It's different? I think sometimes authors get into ruts with their female characters...making them dependant on their dude, falling for a guy with green eyes...all that kind of stuff. But I reeally do love the female characters we have to look up to these days. It used to be just Katniss and Hermione, but now we have Alina from Shadow and Bone and Cinder from The Lunar Chronicles, too. It's amazing. I love it. :)CG @ Paper Furyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14954615708675952085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-66489618735824758072014-02-06T08:32:43.600+00:002014-02-06T08:32:43.600+00:00I love this post. I love female characters because...I love this post. I love female characters because I feel like I can connect with them better in general because I'm also female. Why should a kickass female in a movie be such a rare treat?Megan Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947276957737165519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-78023716414108650632014-02-06T01:40:34.844+00:002014-02-06T01:40:34.844+00:00I love female characters in YA. They really spice ...I love female characters in YA. They really spice up the drama especially when they are strong female characters, but every so often I do enjoy a book from a male prospective. Rachaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08505097432065306688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-236554183572146082014-02-06T00:59:43.954+00:002014-02-06T00:59:43.954+00:00That's an interesting topic! Love your opinion...That's an interesting topic! Love your opinion on this :)Steph: Short and Sweethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11252258788370814229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-31754372624457691412014-02-06T00:23:14.119+00:002014-02-06T00:23:14.119+00:00Yes yes yes, a million times yes. Great post!Yes yes yes, a million times yes. Great post!Unlucky Primeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13783244686893556253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-62584279956459501302014-02-06T00:13:52.873+00:002014-02-06T00:13:52.873+00:00This is such a great post, for so many reasons! Yo...This is such a great post, for so many reasons! You've really approached the dominance of female protagonists in YA in a refreshing way.<br /><br />Like past you, I always get excited when I stumble on a well-done male POV, because they're so rare in YA. But with males dominating every other form of popular media, why am I so eager to see them dominate YA too?<br /><br />I love how you described your younger sister walking in to your room, browsing your shelves, and finding a great heroine to look up to. That's more than enough reason for me to actively seek out female protagonists!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-87710734353265713752014-02-05T23:28:09.492+00:002014-02-05T23:28:09.492+00:00*claps hands* THANK YOU! :-)*claps hands* THANK YOU! :-)Kayla Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02063162666132410730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734740821043177646.post-73559119031985732952014-02-05T20:20:15.026+00:002014-02-05T20:20:15.026+00:00I... what... wow. Amber, you changed my mind in a ...I... what... wow. Amber, you changed my mind in a blogpost in less than 10 minutes <i>and</i> made me tear up. You're a genius.<br /><br />For me, ever since I my teenage years, there was never a time when I didn't think that, 'Hey, why aren't there more male protagonists?' and now I hope to never think or utter those words again. I never gave what much thought to what you wrote but I completely understand your approach.<br /><br />Come to think of it, we girls aspire to be more like Hermione than Harry. As a kid, I loved reading fairy tales and books by Enid Blyton and of course, protagonist gender didn't matter to me back then. But then when I started reading series like Sweet Valley and Nancy Drew, I realized that I wanted to know what goes on in a male protagonist mind. My curiosity was fed when I read John Grisham and Paulo Coelho but I even then, I couldn't get enough of Sidney Sheldon books because he always wrote his books with a female protagonist. I read a lot of chick-lit and enjoyed it. But it was only when I heavily started reading YA that I got this idea that I need more books with male protagonists in my life. But looking at my favorite books, the only male protagonists I find are in JK Rowling's Harry Potter, Carolee Dean's Take Me There and Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking trilogy.<br /><br />So when it comes down to it, hell no, I wouldn't ever give up Hermione Granger, Katniss Everdeen, Celaena Sadothein, and many others for male protagonists. Especially when I'm getting too much of them when it comes to TV shows and movies. <br /><br />I love watching action movies and all the runtime actresses get is mostly to appeal male moviegoers with eye candy, like you said. While on the topic of movies, why don't we have a female superhero movie franchise yet? I'd love to have one. This is probably why I love Disney and Pixar movies as much as I do. Half the reason I love Brave is because there's no love story in it. Same goes with The Princess and the Frog as the love story is a bit of a subplot.<br /><br />About women in TV shows: Ellen Degeneres is the best TV show host ever and I don't think any male host shines a light to her. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are awesome. Also, I love female characters on shows be it Rebekah from The Originals or Jenna from Awkward. And sometimes I want to read books about characters I see on TV shows because why not.<br /><br />So yes, in the end, I love that there are more female YA authors than male ones. I love that they choose to write books with female protagonists and I love that I found so many great heroines to look up to. And I hope that one day, your sister does, too.<br /><br />P.S. If you haven't figured it out already: this post is the <i>best post ever</i>. <3Sanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09297915931078500505noreply@blogger.com