Many of the titles in this collection were debut novels. I am unsure if that is a testament to the growing popularity of Young Adult Literature, but I was surprised to learn that a few of my favorite titles were the authors' first full-length projects. I also had an easier time identifying a narrative with a much older author because the phrasing was awkward or unnatural. It struck me how teens are seeking an authentic voice across a variety of genres. Admittedly, I did not consider myself a YA fan before this curation, but I have found a few new favorite titles and fallen in love with titles in genres I usually avoid. That pun is for you Romance!

My biggest lesson learned in my collection building was that I have more time for reading than I thought I had. While I normally take months or even years to finish recreational reading, I found that I can read while others are doing something, and stop waiting for my quiet moment. I read while my daughter did her homework, on standby for any questions. I read while my husband picked TV shows of no interest to me. I read instead of zoning out on my phone, which always seemed like the easier pastime to unwind because I could pause it more easily.  I read 15 books in less than four months, when I would normally be satisfied to finish one book in that time. I bought a book pocket to protect my library books and brought them with me everywhere I went instead of guarding them on my bedside table to protect them from potential damage. I will not be dedicating myself to 100 pages of reading a day, but it is nice to see how I can fit reading into my busy life.