Over the next few weeks we’re participating in a work experience program with students from high schools across Melbourne. Here, Jemma Sbeghen tells us why it’s important to read the classics, and why she loves All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven.

How would you describe your taste in books?

I’m all for this new wave of YA books that have begun focusing more on mental illness and personal problems, books like The Impossible Knife of Memory and This Song Will Save Your Life. And I like to weave some classics into my reading pile to spice it up. Two of my favourites are Clockwork Orange and The Catcher in the Rye.

I’ll occasionally read some adult fiction; I really enjoyed The Rosie Project and it’s sequel The Rosie Effect. Though lately, I’ve been finding it hard to find adult fiction that is relevant to myself, or about subjects that I’m interested in. Instead, I’ve been drawn to more personal and biographical works such as Lena Dunham’s Not That Kind of Girl.

Tell us about one of your favourite books ever?

I recently read All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I finished it within a single day and have never fallen as quickly in love with a book the way I have with this one. The characters Violet and Finch are likable and quirky in a way that doesn’t pull all of the attention away from a plot – one that is just as charming and interesting as the characters.

I was originally recommended this book by a friend in April but it never caught my interest until months later when I picked it up and then, for hours it didn’t leave my hand. The book discusses mental illness without a.) transforming the characters into their conditions, or b.) offending people by making mental illness appear like an exciting little quirk that gets people to like you. Jennifer Niven also gets an A+ for creativity and language. One moment I would be laughing, and the next minute I’d be crying until I had to stop reading because I couldn’t see the words.

It would take me days to list every person I have recommended All The Bright Places to because I just can’t stop raving about it. I know every new book these days is claimed to be ‘the next Fault in our Stars’ etc, but I’m going to break all my rules and say it one more time, this book IS the next Fault in Our Stars. And maybe even better.

Do you and your friends share books with each other?

Definitely, we went through a stage a couple of years back where we were all very into the Divergent and The Hunger Games series as I’m sure many others were. Whilst every now and again I’ll recommend a book to them and they recommend one back to me, over the years our genres of interest have changed so sometimes I find myself not enjoying the book the way I used to. However, I was recently recommended the Covent series by Jennifer L. Armentrout (which starts with Half-Blood) and was surprised by how much I liked it.

Why do you think it’s important to still read classics?

They’re classics for a reason. More often than not I find classic novels to be a lot more sophisticated and original compared to some of the newer books I’m reading. Not only can you learn something from them about the eras they were written in, there’s also something special and exotic about the language in them when compared to contemporary books.

What is a book you’d love to see made into a film?

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. For once, this is a classic and interesting YA dystopian novel that feels unique, and not like just another story taking its lead from The Hunger Games series. Is it too much to ask that Emma Watson be the one to play lovable heroine Aria? And if we could just snag one of the Hemsworth brothers to be the lead there is no way the movie could fail.

Do you read Australian authors? How do you think they compare to international authors?

Ultimately, a lot of the books I read are from international authors and I do love a good old American YA read. I don’t know if it’s because of the cultural differences, but I often find them more interesting. However… There’s a lot to appreciate in a homegrown book and it’s always good fun to be able to pick up a novel I can relate to and understand a lot of what the author is are talking about.

If you could meet ANY author, which author would it be?

I was raised on the Harry Potter books so if we’re going for an honest answer here, I have to say J.K. Rowling. Even if just to see my childhood fantasy through.