Too Old for Young Adult?
I know you’re all as excited as I am about the new book in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series coming out next month. It’s the fourth book in the series (or, as I called it at work the other day, to the bewilderment of those who pay me to use words well, the fourth in the trilogy).
I devoured the first three books in the series and I don’t recommend you start reading them unless you have lots of time where you don’t have to do anything that requires not having a book in your face. The other day I saw some girl wearing a shirt that said Team Edward, and I almost beat her up so I could take the shirt. The only reason I didn’t is that I’m firmly Team Jacob.
But anyway, I am excited about this book (and based on the fact that it's currently #1 on Amazon a full month before it releases, I'm not the only one). The only reason I feel vaguely weird about my obsession is that these are technically young adult novels (and you thought was going to say I was ashamed of reading about super-hot teenage vampires—ha!) and I’m not even close to technically a teen.
Now, Stephanie Meyer came out with an adult novel earlier this summer, which got people talking about the difference between reading YA and adult books. What basically came out of it was that a lot of people don’t think there’s much of a divide between adult books and young adult books anymore, and there’s nothing wrong with adults reading about teens. We have J.K. Rowling to thank for that in many ways, but think about all the YA books teens and adults alike are enjoying these days—like Gossip Girl, or Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, or the Pullman trilogy.
So my question is: what do you think about adults reading YA books? Is it ok to enjoy a story even if it was written for someone half your age? Or should we be thinking about and focusing on reading more, uh, adult things?
Um, don’t let the fact that I posted the cover of our first YA book here sway you. I just needed a photo, and I happen to quite like that cover. There are no vampires in it, alas.
8 comments:
Oh, I'm all aboard the YA train, sadly. Then again, I read my first Harry Potter book at 14 (I'm now 25), so at the time I was within the demographic, ha! But I think it's totally cool, though every time I read a pink book (chick lit) or YA novel, I make myself read something a bit more educational to balance out =)
Btw, if you like the Twilight series (which I have yet to read, but it's so on my list), you might like Charlaine Harris' Southern vampire series. I'm on book two, and they're pretty quick and entertaining reads.
My agent told me about the Twilight series, but I have yet to read it also. She said it has a "vampire you will love." And I was all - eh? But now I have her opinion andAnne's, so I'll be crazy if I don't go get it immediately. Crazy, and a snob.
So, yea, I definitely don't have an issue with the young adult thing. It's what I want to write. and I'm definitely buying the Miracle Girls series as soon as possible. The thing is, the basic themes of teen life: growing up, falling in love, figuring out who you are - don't we just keep doing those thing in different ways our whole lives?
I love, love, love young adult books. I use the fact that I'm a sixth grade teacher and planning to become a middle school librarian as an excuse to read them all. Hey, I have to keep up with what the kids are into! Pretty much all of my favorite books are young adult books - Harry Potter, Stargirl, Traveling Pants. They're all great. There's definitely not anything wrong with adults reading young adult books.
my middle school librarian friend is totally getting me into YA books. i'm all about it! plus, i do love harry potter in a big way. and the twilight series is on my list. I think a variety of reading material is a good thing.
I started reading Young Adult books as research. NOW I CAN'T STOP.
Move over, Foucault.
They're like yummy, yummy candy.
I'm a fan of good stories and if they happen to come in a YA package, then that's okay. I haven't read the Twilight series but I want to! Scott Westerfeld is another good YA writer.
I, too, adore YA books - most of my favourite books fall into that genre. I think some of the themes are truly universal - and a good story is a good story, no matter who it's about or who it's written for. Madeleine L'Engle used to say that if she had something to write that was too difficult for adults to swallow, she'd put it in a book for children or teens. So there! :)
What?? No vampires?? I totally didn't see that coming.
You know what sucks? A lot of the libraries in our area have the YA books tucked away in their own little room. It's like they're saying, Don't read these books unless you're simultaneous;y texting/My Spacing/wearing a "Team Edward" shirt. Plus, they keep all the classics in that room, so adults no longer have easy access to books like Pride and Prejudice.
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