The Problem with Darkness in YA

I actually didn't forget about this series and am continuing it???
Look at me all professional and stuff and not quitting something!

Other posts in this series:
-The Problem with Bad Boys
-The Problem with Grey Morality 

I actually like darker books. I like horror, psychological thrillers, crime etc. But I've noticed that a too real faux pas of reality and darkness has been becoming more and more prevalent in YA.

Now, do some teens struggle with drinking, drug abuse, peer-pressure, depression, or mental illnesses? Yes, of course.

Do some unfortunate teens suffer consequences for their actions? Also, a yes.

And I think a good way to address and spread awareness on issues such as these is through fiction, but I've noticed that so many books are missing the most important thing when it comes to darker themes: hope.

Listen, I know I can't speak for everyone, but as a teen, finding hope in books is so important.

Hope is important, light is important, being inspired is important, knowing that you aren't alone and you can get through whatever you're dealing with is important.

Now, I understand that some books aren't supposed to have happy endings, but not all of them need to be devoid of all hope, in fact, I think that sometimes a book hits harder when there is hope.

In the book Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock the story starts off with Leonard planning to kill himself, the book follows him through his day as he says goodbye to the few people he really cared about. This alone sounds dark, and it was. This book was gritty, painful, and blunt, but the ending is so full of hope, light, and love that it threw me off guard. The message of the book was that life can be worth living and that you are strong enough to keep living.

A Thousand Perfect Notes is a book about a boy with an abusive mother, and the theme of self-worth is also there.

These are two examples of darkness in books handled well.

I've read many books that glorify things like suicide, abuse, and a number of dark and gritty things.

Guys, these things aren't fun. They're very real and very scary, and not something that should be written about to just add a Thirteen Reasons Why edge to your book.

When I read books like these, the books feel empty, I feel empty.

Teens need hope, most of us are insecure and are struggling to make it through these years of changes, we need to know that it will be okay. We need to be able to be inspired to press on despite life's hurdles. We need to understand the beauty and the fragility of life, and I think that if we had more books that showed this that it would help so many teens who feel worthless or invisible.

Books don't always have to inspire or uplift, but in the end, darker books should have a purpose other than just being dark.

Does it make one think? Or does one put it down the same, or with an even worse mindset?

Dark books shouldn't be dark because it's the trend, or because the authors just want to be seen as edgy. There should be a purpose, because if not: what's the point?

If your book doesn't have a purpose, then really what is the point of writing it? 

Give us something real, not something hopeless.

What do you think about gritty themes in YA? 

Happy Writing,