Shellnap@aol.com
Books are what you wish to make of them. It is always good to read a variety of books to see which type will suite you the most. I like to read all sorts of books. Readers should choose what they enjoy and that has a slight effect on what types of books are written. I believe that the books made for teens today are suitable for young minds looking to enhance their knowledge or just to read something that interests them or makes them laugh. Glad to voice my opinion when it will make a difference.

girls_rock44@frontiernet.net
Yes, I would say that most books for teenagers are way too dark and depressing. I think they should turn to the truest and best book ever written, the Bible. It has everything they need to know. It even has examples to follow. It is the best book for anyone today, any age group.

completelyclueless@attbi.com
I think that it really depends on what books you read. If you don't like dark and depressing books then you have the right to choose not to read them. You should choose books based on what kind of reader you are and what kind of books you like. So, personally I don't think that books written for teens today are too dark and depressing because I usually stay away from those kinds of books because I don't like to read them. But, I also think it is good to read books that you wouldn't usually read sometimes just to get a different view on things. And, everyone has their own definition for a dark and depressing book. A book that I might think is very dark and depressing might be someone else's favorite book. But overall, I don't think books written today for teens are too dark and depressing.

Queenb259@cs.com
i really dont thing the books written for teens these days r too dark and depressing. if anything their not dark and depressing enough. us teens are really tired of the same old "romeo & juliet" love stories. we need a book that is diffrnt, that will surprise us and make us say "WOW, i never read a book like that b4! " nothing can b too dark and depressing really, cuz if u take the time to loook at it, life can b a very dark and depressing thing. we need more "dark" books that u can read and c the resemblence between life and the book.

StarPrincess5515@aol.com
That's a good question, I think some teen books are getting tougher issues written. I think they are getting a little dark and a bit depressing, but nothing to be seriously worried about.

Saxbird11@cs.com
No. Books in the past always try to make everyone look perfect. Now teens can gain something from reading books they can relate to.

DFntsychck@aol.com
The books that teens read are not too dark and depressing. They are the books that are what teens today want to read.

Cloud9Girlie@aol.com
I think that a lot of the teen books written today are. Last time I was looking for a book, I found tons of ones on witchcraft and that kind of dark stuff. I know I dont like reading books like that!

Lilangel528@aol.com
i don't think that they are too dark or depressing. I think that they are finally addressing issues that books have shyed away from in the past. This just makes it seem like they are much darker in comparision to the former brady bunch style writing. I think that it is a good idea to keep up with the times and to not live in the past.

graceehlers@earthlink.net
no, they aren't, if you know where to look.

girls_rock44@frontiernet.net
Yes, most teenager's books are way too dark and depressing. I mean even some Nancy Drews are creepy; using witches and the Hardy Boys had a mystery with voodoo, so some other books are much worse.

LReyn0726@aol.com
Yes. I think most of the books geared towards teens are about the troubles in their lives and are generally depressing. I wish there were books about happier issues and about helping teens choose a gollege, profession, husband/wife, etc.. things that will help teens, not hurt them.

Punkamber417@aol.com
although some teen books put a little too much drama into life, on the whole i don't think that all books are too dark and depressing. It may seem that way to adults that don't remember how dark and depressing teenage life can be

MiSsLEe15@aol.com
I think that there are a lot of books that are dark and depressing, but there are books that do leave you with (maybe not a nice fuzzy feeling) a feeling that in the end (sometimes THE end) everthing works out and life goes on.

Emcool728@aol.com
yes.. these days teen books are usually based on darker issues . but for no reason is it bad. Several teens find ways to connect to these real life issues that may be occuring with themselves.

Hubbdaho@aol.com
I think some teen books are depressing. The authors should try to make them more cheerful instead of drepressing.

IrishAngel19@aol.com
I think that some books that are about real life situations are good for teens to read. This will teach them that these things can happen, and that they shouldn't do certain things. For instance, a book about a teen using drugs and getting sick or getting in trouble may be good for a teen that's thinking about using drugs. That way, they will understand that this is not a good thing to do. However, if a teen reads to many books about depressing subjects, it may cause them to become upset.

Devieluv2@aol.com
yes, I do think teen books today r depressing. Most of the times, when I finished a book my mood changes from happy to really grumpy or sad. And it's really wierd, I'm feeling like that right now.

MeLiSouLa15711@aol.com
i dont think so, life is sometimes depressing ... it's not all happy-go-lucky, like some people depict it to be.

Othello1016@aol.com
The books that are popular today are popular because of the fact that people buy them. The books that become popular reflect what is desired by those reading them. The question is not "Are the books depressing?" but rather "Are the people depressed?"

curtis_james@hotmail.com
hi,
i think they are kindof depressing but i like the ones about scary stuff. like haunted mystery.i just don't like ones about sin and hell and stuff like that... i think that is jsut wrong.

LEASEBASSAM70@aol.com
No I don't think books written for teens aren't dark and depressing.

KATIELL2@aol.com
Yes, they're all about drugs, sex, violence, or other depressing things. Aren't there any happy stories out there?

XxsweetrosexX7@aol.com
I think that teens need these kind of books to let them know that not everything is wonderful in this world. We are young adults and we know how to deal with these kinds of books, because it sometimes happens to people we know and care for.

Pianochick17@aol.com
I think some books are too depressing, but its good to open the whole world to teens. Some people think that teens aren't ready to see the world, but a lot of us are. We aren't kids anymore. So I think the books written for teens are just right.

Horsebackgirl190@aol.com
yes... they are all about death and lost relationships. I may be a teen, but Harry Potter is still, in my opinion, the best book ever written, I've read all four 7 times!

Lovesamy@aol.com
No today's books are not depressing for teens all you have to do is pick the right one. For example Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree, Please Please Please by Renne Swindle, The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah, True to The Game by Teri Woods etc etc etc

Dramaqween848@aol.com
Nope. i personally don't think they aren't too dark. Young Adult books these days are exploring things that haven't really been explored in books before, at least for our age group. All these books do is make you think. I think that they are actually better than the "frilly, pink" stories that have been told. Where else are you going to be able to explore these ideas, i mean, you really wouldn't be able to, because authors create these worlds that only they can think of, and they are VERY VERY interesting. Like the books The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and...(I forgot what the third one's called). I could've never thougth of that on my own. All these books really make me think, and that is good, It makes you intelligent

DQ1289@aol.com
I think that it depends on the author and what genre you're reading. I read alot of fantasy and most fantasy books for teens are about struggles and journeys. The main characters always have enough happy moments so that it doesn't seem like everyone is depressed.

DeViLsHAnGeL165@cs.com
Some of today's books for teens are dark and depressing but the world today is dark & depressing and I think teens who aren't exposed to all of those things should hear about them and see how lucky some of us really are.

SccrFool4Eva@aol.com
I've found that now a bunch of the books i read ARE a little dark. But i think it helps. I mean teens go through so0o0o much stress. Its comforting to think that these teens in books go through tougher things and still end out on top.

Cutetxflirt517@aol.com
yes i think that most books written for teens today are too dark and depressing sometimes you just want a happy book not one about death or drugs or alcohol or anything like that i mean i think people are trying to tell us all of this through the books we read thinking that it will make us not do stuff like that but i think its a stupid idea and there should be more happy books

Bathbdy19@aol.com
Hello,

My name is Julie, and the answer to your question this week from my perspective is: Surprisingly no, although many of the books written for teens these days are depressing... whether anyone wants to believe it or not they are all true... and someone somewhere has gone through what is written about in these books so overall i think the books written for teens these days are just real, and that's what i like about them!
Thanks for taking the time to read my answer to your question this week! By the way i love your website... it's a new discovery for me... and i enjoy very much!

Twotwilightzone@aol.com
Well, to be honest I'm not sure because I don't read teen books, I read books just not teen books so if somebody does think that they are too dark and/or depressing, read not necessarily children's books but not teen books like for example "Chasing Redbird" by Sharon Creech or "The Secret of the Ruby Ring" by Yvonne MacGrory. I think it's a better alternative.

PrincessNat88@aol.com
I think that teen books ARE dark and depressing these days. There'll all about cutting yourself or kids whose parents are either dead, divorced, or not in the kids' life. After you read it you're just like, "That was great."

LadyEnyce2002@aol.com
Only because that is what some teenagers choose to read. No one is making them read the books. There are plenty optimistic books out there for whichever teenager wants to read them. Personally, I think that the more depressing books are more interesting and realistic. In my opinion, they portray the feelings, thoughts, and actions of a contemporary teenager.

Minterific@aol.com
there isn't enough good comedy and fantasy out there...the world is dark enough as it is, we need somewhere we can escape to without having to face the problems of the world

Catzz88@aol.com
Yes, I believe they are to dark and depressing. I say why not a lighter subject in mysteries besides murder and gosts. There is a series that I love. The Mandie series.

Angelbrowneyes86@aol.com
i don't think that the books written for teens today are too dark and depressing. then again i will read any murder mystery or any thing written by an author known for the like dean koontz and john saul.

XuniquedreamerX@aol.com
No, I do not think teen books are too dark and/or depressing. I for one am attracted to that style of writing as I am a writer of dark, sad poetry. I feel that if someone can read a downer story and they can relate themselves to the book in one way or another then they can learn from it.

Sure a happy book is always a good change, but in reality, the state of the world today isn't all peaches and cream and no one should try to cover up the problems by drowning themselves in fake smiles. We as a human race need to keep a positive outlook on things but still grasp the truths the world has to offer. Books are a great way to escape reality, but once you close the cover, your life lives on.

We should read a variety of books, from happy to sad and both fiction and historical. We should make the time we spend reading a learning experience; whether it be learning about the world around us or learning about ourselves inside.

REPKress@aol.com
I am the Mother of 4 children: 18,16,14 & 12 and it's getting worse! No wonder every parenting publication is filled with how to recognize your child's depression!

The books are either dwelling on some tragedy, or telling stories of divorce, abuse, etc. During the school year maybe one of those is ok, but please mix it up with some adventure books and other books to inspire our youth.

I'm sure the shelves of books for young readers will be flooded shortly with the retelling of Sept.11, just as we have so many books on plane crashes. I hope they are not sensational in nature, there seem to be many stories of heroism they could choose instead.

Personally, we have gravitated toward old classics. Many of them are both historic and inspirational. It's a shame the newer authors have to rely so much on hype rather than talent!

FireChild198@aol.com
TEENS these days are dark and depressed and I dont think its because of the books they read. I love dark books, someone to relate to. I need a book where I feel giddy when a girl and guy hook up. Whjen im scared when things are on the edge of a knife!

HuRLeYcHiCkE182@aol.com
I think some books can be dark and depressing becasue I guess that's how a lot of teenagers feel and can "relate" to nowadays. But there are also some books that are depressing but have a positvie and inspiring outcome at the end of the book, which I enjoy because that's what a lot of teenagers need: they need to see that the end isn't always bad.

Tm678@aol.com
The books that are being made for teens these days are quite weird, but that's what make them bestsellers. Teens crave this stuff!! -Twinklybean

cab.mtrskl@xtra.co.nz
Teen books are not too dark and depressing. Teens are old enough to take emotionally disturbing books and should not shy away from important issues. It is good for teens to find out about real life. By the time you come to read these books you aren't a baby anymore. For teens who have left the "Kiddy" stage and whose reading tastes are starting to mature I think it is good to read challenging sometimes depressing books that really make you think.
After all, some of the all-time best ever books have been dark and depressing, so in my opinion if you only read nice happy books you are missing out on an awful lot.

Boo86bel@aol.com
Never! Today's teen books aren't giving the false outlook that everything is wonderful and peacful and in the perfect world. We do not live in a perfect world. Books help us relax and get out of our own bad situations for a few hours and helps us think about our problems logically. Young adult books are one of the only kind of books I read. Most of the characters deal with I deal with, and I can get an idea of the right thing to do through their mistakes though it is fiction. I think young adult books make me happy rather than bring me down.

Spiffysmiliy23@aol.com
Sure, there are some dark and depressing stories written by teens; but, there are other stories that teens write besides all depressing and dark. Most of the time, there are some stories that were written as depressing and dark like The Color Purple by Alice Walker (for example) are adults not teenagers. It depends on what the writer themselves have been influenced by.

Ivar88@aol.com
Yeah, sometimes books are a bit dark and depressing for teens today. But I find that often books are very light for people our age. Examples are The Princess Diaries, Louise Rennison's books about Georgia Nicolson, Paula Danziger books, and others of that sort. I don't think books are too depressing, there is an even balance of emotions for all types of readers. You just need to find where you are in the scale of depression and lightheartedness.

LiLrAiDrGuRL08@aol.com
the teenage books are so depressing especially the one im reading righ now its called Go Ask Alice an its by anonymous its a real diary its hella trippy i love the book i could read it everyday its such a good book its about a girl thta been on drugs an shes tryin 2 get off of them i love it!

thesathers@netzero.net
The books in the teen section of the library are, for the most part, all "downers". It's not really this hopeless and dreary for most teens. It really has you looking at all that is wrong in the world rather than looking what is good in life. It makes you feel like if your life didn't feel awful before you read these books, it can be by just opening a book recommended for your age group.

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