Why Does YA Need Spice Anyway? The argument against explicit content in young adult books with guest host, ReadingRosy

Why is there spice in YA books? Has young adult fiction changed over the years, and… who is the YA category really for anyway?

In this episode, we’re discussing the rise of explicit content in young adult books, how BookTok and publishing trends have influenced the genre, and the debate surrounding books for teens. We also explore why some books are removed from school libraries and how parents can help protect their kids from explicit content.

Whether you’re a reader, parent, teacher, librarian, or author, this conversation dives into one of the biggest debates in publishing today.

Many thanks to our clean young adult book sponsor this week: Love, Sax and All That Jazz by Amy C. Shaw! Check out this rivalry to love story between two high school saxophone players here: https://amzn.to/4fBWJmu

Don’t forget to follow Rosie on Instagram, where she features closed door/no-spice and clean books here: https://www.instagram.com/reading.rosy/

And while you’re there, follow The Clean Romance Podcast on IG too: https://www.instagram.com/thecleanromancepodcast/

Links & info from this week’s episode:

Guess the tropes game, books featured:

• The Enemies' Island by Jessica King: https://amzn.to/4vVQccu
• Pack of Dawn and Destiny by KM Shea: https://amzn.to/4xbwVop
• First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer: https://amzn.to/4fBXITI
• No Match Found by Martha Keyes: https://amzn.to/4fEHF7q
• Bookmarked for Love by Sarah Monzon: https://amzn.to/3TnH0jn

How Smut Affects Your Brain: https://youtu.be/_xOBxUV7ZXg?si=NiLwo7Je79r_inJE

“Falling for You” by Becky Wade: https://amzn.to/4yGra3o

Resources for finding Young Adult books with NO explicit content:

• Closed Door Romance database (with detailed content guides): https://closeddoorromance.com/database-preview/
• https://www.romance.io/
• No Spice YA Fantasty Database with detailed spice rating system: https://authorbrittanywang.wixsite.com/nospiceyafantasy
• Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
• Good Pictures Bad Pictures, Jr (ages 3-6): https://amzn.to/4fBWuI6
• Good Pictures Bad Pictures (ages 6+): https://amzn.to/4fGQFZW

This week’s clean YA book recommendations:

• Brittany Wang, On the Wings of Dust and Ash (fantasy): https://amzn.to/4vQ1xKU
• Flameheart by Dalton and Emily Bequette (fantasy): https://amzn.to/4vQ1xKU
• Olivia McCarthy, Reach (sci-fi/dystopian): https://amzn.to/3RZ1DlB
• My Refuge and My Way by Ashley Al Saliby (contemporary Christian, international setting): https://amzn.to/4yJrb6I
• Kasie West, By Your Side (contemporary romance): https://amzn.to/4hAi564
• Sarah Sutton (contemporary romance): https://amzn.to/4bAi12L

Join the conversation on your favorite social channel!

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Check out our website: www.thecleanromancepodcast.com to learn more about Tiffany and Sarah and for links to all the five star reads!

To find out more about Tiffany and Sarah’s books, check them out here:

Tiffany’s books can be found here: Amazon

Snag a free book by Tiffany at www.tiffanynoellechacon.com

Sarah’s books can be found here: Amazon 

Check out freebies from Sarah at www.sarahhickner.com

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