Adrenaline Junkies in YA: What exactly are they teaching us?

The dictionary defines adrenaline as a hormone secreted each time our pulse races -- thus increasing our physical performance in great moments of stress. Addicted to this crazy rush, I've decided to look back into YA novels and see who else has fallen victim to adrenaline. Perhaps we can learn a thing or two.

Rock Climbing

Maya Delaney loves rock climbing with her friends on Vancouver island. One of the many advantages of adrenaline, is the level of concentration it provides you. Therefore allowing Maya to remain alert and cautious while going up the rocks.

BMX

Josie Peters might not have to deal with heights -- but let's not kid ourselves -- racing through various jumps and obstacles isn't easy at all. One false move and you can injure yourself. One awesome move and you feel golden.

Getting a Tattoo

Due to the nerves and pain when receiving a tattoo, the body releases adrenaline as well. Many tattooed friends claim to become addicted to this rush, and always go back for a third.

Outdoor Sex

The fear of getting caught, especially when one is making out can create an explosive rush. Too bad Meg gets caught by a cop (or maybe it was a good thing since he is described as extremely hot.) Adrenaline going up!

Karaoke

Don't want to wind up in jail for an adrenaline rush? Not a problem. Just get up on stage and sing your heart out for all to hear. If you want to pump the adrenaline higher, be sure to record it and post it on YouTube.

Cliff Jumping

Since ending a relationship lowers your endorphin, thus making you hormones imbalanced, why not raise them back up by jumping off a cliff. Bella certainly did. If, by any means, you don't have a supernatural pal waiting for you on the other end, and wish for a more secure fall, then I suggest the last adrenaline rush on our list.

Flying Trapeze

You get to dive twenty five feet while being securely attached with a harness. Believe me (right there in the blue shirt), once you cross your legs at the bar and release your hands the adrenaline rushes through at an incredible speed. Repeat ten times.














Feel free to share your adrenaline rush stories.

Top Ten Tuesday: Auld Lang Syne

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TEN BOOKS I READ IN 2013

Farewell 2013! Life is too short to dwell on the past, therefore, I wish everyone a beautiful 2014 filled with laughter, love, and a ton of good books. 

My favorites this year are:

FanGirl and Bloodlines: My highlight of the year. Although, at first glace, both main characters and I wouldn't get along in real life -- I got to know them and realize that everyone acts according to their personal baggage. Some people just have barriers, and are pretty cool once they let their guard down. 

 

Ketchup Clouds and The Catastrophic History of You and Me: Contemporary will always be a guilty pleasure of mine. 

The Madman's Daughter and The Lover's Dictionary: Love stories I assumed would finished differently -- but absolutely loved what the author did with them. Life isn't a fairy tale. 

Smile and Origin: Two main characters with great will power. Glad they both learned to embrace it. 

What book tops your list?

                                                 

Review: These Broken Stars

When the Icarus spaceship malfunctions and breaks into several pieces in the sky, Lilac Laroux -- the owner's daughter -- and Tarver -- a war hero who's social status is below hers -- manage to escape in a pod. Surviving on an island while waiting to be rescued is hard on both of them, who can't stand each other. But as the island comes to life and rescue seems unlikely, working together becomes their only hope. 

Although, Kaufman & Spooner wrote a great collaboration, each voice different from the other and as interesting to read -- the spaceship is destroyed in the first thirty pages ruining the ''Titanic'' comparison completely. We were, however, spared from the instalove clichés. Both Lilac and Tarver work at their relationship, learning not to step on each other's toes. 

It's great to see a boy need a girl's skills and vice-versa. Women are less and less portrayed as Mary-Sues in literature, and that is some outstanding progress.

Feature and Follow Friday: So this is Christmas

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Recommend a book from a specific genre.

Topic sounds a little familiar. Soooo I picked a Holiday Book over Genre.

Ruining your ex-boyfriend's Christmas might sound like a sensible idea. But Lilia made a mistake and must take responsibility for her actions. Even if it means going on a road-trip with him.  

I rest my case on those three highlighted words. 

Review: Andi Unexpected

Sympathetic Andi Boggs gets her first mystery quest.  

Having never met another Andora, Andi Boggs is curious why anyone would've kept hushed about a relative that wore the same name. But the investigation turns from a puzzle to frighteningly creepy when an author decides to play around with the information for his own gain. Who exactly is this Andora? And why is everyone denying her existence?

Amanda Flower didn't just stick to the mystery plot, but also dedicated time to sort out Andi's and her sister Bethany's relationship. Although the girls just lost their parents and need each other more than ever, there's a lot of tension between them. Mostly repressed feelings over who their parents loved the most.

A great companionship to Nancy Drew collectors.