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Young adult fiction and not so young adults who read it

Recently a friend mentioned she had rented the movie “Coraline”. It barely registered on my radar when it released in 2009 but her summation of “it’s creepy” piqued my interest… in the book. The next time I found myself at the library, I checked the computer to see if they had a copy. (Side note: Computers are definitely more efficient but it saddens me a little that my son’s generation will never know the “joy” of working with a card file.) They did have a copy, checked in even. But it was in the…teen section. The section positioned directly across from the public computers.  I found the book easily enough but as I exited the aisle, my knees got weak. My hands were clammy, my face flushed. I watched people glance up as I passed, certain that they were judging me and my “teen reading” selection through narrow, suspicious eyes.  A spotlight followed my steps, illuminating “NOT FOR SOMEONE ELSE” engraved across my forehead.  I checked out as quickly as my shaky hands would let me and hurried out, feeling (ironically) like a teenager escaping with an illicit adult book.

I recognized the ridiculousness of my reaction almost as soon as I got in the car. Obviously I’m well beyond the target demographic of the teen section but I’m in good company.  Adults aren’t dismissing a book just because it’s labeled as “young adult”. I entered Harry Potter’s world through a friend’s child’s copy of “Sorcerer Stone” but discussed later books with my peers.  Twilight mania was fueled more by adult women talking than marketing.  Young adult literature is the one bright spot for a publishing industry hit hard by the recession but adults are driving that trend. Why is that? My guess – it’s unabashedly FUN. It gives adults a chance to set aside their world weariness and relax into often fantastical worlds.  And there’s usually no concern if your kid picks it up (or any concern taking them to subsequent movies.)

I personally have enjoyed several books that fall into the teen category. Most recently I finished a trilogy by N.D. Wilson (“100 Cupboards”, “Dandelion Fire”, and “The Chestnut King”) that was thoroughly satisfying.  And that trilogy was recommended to me by a friend who’s currently pursuing her Masters…in English Lit. Talk about good company. Next time, I will emerge from the teen section with my head held high.

What do you think of this trend? Have you indulged in any young adult novels?

1. by KatieFeldmom

   On March 10, 2010 at 10:00 am

   LOL! I’ve listened to all of the Harry Potters and all of the Twilights. Plus the library just emailed me to tell me my copy of another teen vampire series is waiting for me: PC Cast’s House of Night. I am also in the middle of the Magic Tree House series with my kid … those are fun to read with him, but come way before the teen genre.

2. by Rhoni Wilkins

   On March 10, 2010 at 1:09 pm

   I started reading the House of Night series last summer. It was GREAT “beach reading”. I’ll probably read more of it this summer while lounging by the water.

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   On March 19, 2010 at 4:15 pm

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