Right Now: Obsessed with teen lit, still glad I'm not a teen anymore

Teenagers were first considered a separate demographic after WWII.  In 1942 Maureen Daly wrote Seventeenth Summer, which was the first book written and published specifically for this demographic.  It was raw and edgy - you know, with all the hand-holding and talk about love.

An interest in this type of book grew, but there was no boom if teen lit yet.  Authors of teen books became much more recognized in the 70's with Lois Duncan, Robert Cormier, & Judy Blume.  These authors gave the teen reader darker themes, more sexuality, and intense characters.  In the 90's we had Fear Street, the gut-wrenching love vs. death in Lurlene McDaniels novels, and Sweet Valley High.  These names have stuck around because a. the books are damn good, b. there weren't a lot of options (when I was a teen in the 90's) and c.these authors (even the 90's authors) paved the way for the abundance of teen lit we have today.

There is just as much diversity in teen lit as there is in books written for adults.  It isn't all "someone is stalking the babysitter" or "my first love" stories anymore!  It is a talent, to be an adult and write in an authentic teen voice.  Teen lit lets you feel for the characters - but in a way that is removed, because thank gawd we aren't teens any more.

My high school life would have been one boring-ass book with a few note-worthy sex scenes thrown in. And I mean note-worthy in a teen way. That's fine.  Now that I am older and wiser (?) I can read all these teen titles and not feel like omgiwishmylifewaslikethat or thankgodmylifeisntlikethat.  I love the intensity with which teens live their lives.  I'll live in that world again for a little while, then safely return it in the library drop-box.

A noteworthy few, in no particular order:

One for the Murphy's by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
OCD, The Dude, and Me by Lauren Roedy Vaughn
Roomies by Sara Zarr
Fifteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
The F-it List by Julie Halpern
Exposed by Kimberly Marcus
A World Away by Nancy Grossman

Date-able, Yet Two-Dimensional

Lately I've been watching a LOT of shows via Netflix and have come to a (super earth shattering) realization. Ya just don't find a lot of hot meat on Family Guy or Beavis and Butthead.  However, there are a few eligible (although two-dimensional) men who I would have totally dated in my twenties.  I say "in my twenties" because now, at the mature age of 32 (at which I am still marathon-watching cartoons) I need slightly more than what these guys have to offer.  Plus, I'm married.  Regardless...

Toki Wartooth from Metalocalypse

Toki plays guitar for the band Dethclok.  I love a man in a band.  Toki is of Scandinavian decent, and thus has ice blue eyes that pierce right through ya - whether he's wearing eyeliner or not.  He is most sensitive, naive and whimsical.  When his beloved cat passed away, he made a music video - literally full of rainbows and unicorns - and dedicated it to the little guy.  He does arts & crafts in his spare time, and is pretty domestic.  He cooks and does his laundry for the guys in the band, so you've gotta think he'd do the same for me. He has a sweet accent and his confusion over certain English words and terms is pretty endearing.  He IS sort of short, but he works out and has a great head of hair that I imagine he would let me braid.  He once wore a sweater vest, and has a teddy bear from when he was little.  I bet he'd be really good at snuggling.

Jairo from Bob's Burgers

Jairo in an expert in Capoeira, or, "sexy dance fighting".  He teaches kids, which is really sweet, and I like a man who doesn't feel uncomfortable around children.  I'm guessing he's mid twenties.  Actually, he could be older, and just look ageless because of his inner strength and calm - you know, like Sting.  We don't know too much about Jairo, as he only appears in one episode.  Despite this, I know that together we would practice Buddhism, eat mostly raw foods, and have tantric sex.  He'll always smell a little garlicky...but that's ok.        

Trent Lane from Daria

Trent is laid back, tattooed, pierced, and is lead guitar/vocals for his band Mystik Spiral.  He has an authentic  90's grunge look and just-out-of-bed hair. He's college-age-ish so he'd be fun for a fling or friend with benefits.  There is something romantic about a guy who would totally write a break up song about me.  His van is pretty grubby, but I bet he'd lay down a blanket in the back so we would be more comfortable making out after one of his shows.  His family is pretty cool too - all unique and artsy. 

I'm sure they've always got hummus on hand, which is a bonus.