Top 7 Comments I've Received From Adult's Who DON'T Read YA (And My Brief Thoughts On YA Being "Embarrassing")

Sometimes, I read YA novels in public (scandalous, I know). Other times, I go to the bookstore or library and browse the YA shelves. And sometimes, the most ridiculous statements come out of other people's mouths when see me reading or perusing a YA novel.

Let's get something straight here: I am an adult, but I am still young (almost 22). But, even I still receive comments whenever I read YA in public, from people who seem to think it's strange for someone in college to read teen literature. These are some of the more popular random comments I've received:

1.  "You do know that's for children, right?"

Thank you. I had no idea. I thought THE HUNGER GAMES was a new diet trend. My mistake. 

2.  "Isn't that story a little immature for you?"

I laughed at this statement, because I was reading BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY at the time - that book is far from immature. It's thoughtful, intense...such an excellent, moving story. 

3.  "I read a YA novel once. It wasn't deep or complex, unlike (insert very literary adult novel title), which I'm currently reading. Now that's a stimulating story."

I honestly didn't know how to respond to this person. I was too surprised by the statement to formulate a decent thought. But honestly, anyone that doesn't find YA to be deep has not read the right book. 

4.  "Do you read YA because you have a hard time reading more difficult and complex texts?"

Yeah, they might have called me an idiot to my face (in an underhanded way), but I didn't feel the need to explain myself or my reading choices. I'm happy with the A grades I'm earning as an English major, so his statement didn't bother me. What bothered me was the idea that all YA lit is "easy" and uncomplicated, because there are many YA novels with layers and meaning. 

5.  "So you must love Twilight then, right?"

Um, no. TWILIGHT is not the worst book ever, but it doesn't live up to the best of the best. All YA lit is NOT like TWILIGHT! *sighs*

6.  "Maybe you should try reading a novel that is actually educational and worth your time."

I'm 80% sure I said something like "I already am, but thank you so much for your concern" ;)

7.  "I cannot believe you're reading that in public. I would be so embarrassed to be caught reading a book for teens!"

And this, dear readers, is the one statement that always makes me sad. I usually just respond with my usual "Life's too short to worry about everyone else and their opinions of you - read what you want and forget everyone else if they don't like it" but it saddens me how often this conversation pops up. 

  

  

  

It seems as though, for the most part, people who do not regularly read YA have this inaccurate view of Young Adult literature. They think it's for kids, it's immature, it requires zero thought to read, that it's exactly like TWILIGHT, and that everyone will mock you for reading such uninspiring and meaningless stories. To anyone that thinks YA is like that...wow. I feel sorry for those people, because they are missing out on some of the more exceptional YA novels based on a couple bad experiences by not reading the right book for them.

YA literature isn't perfect (is anything?), but it is moving, meaningful, hilarious, sad, heartbreaking, and nothing to be embarrassed about, even if the book features a girl-in-a-pretty-dress (SWEET EVIL), a couple making out or almost making out (ACROSS THE UNIVERSE has the most gorgeous example of this that even makes me forget how much I hate this trend), an embarrassing title (like ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS), or even strange clouds that make it look like you're reading something very immature (I'm looking at you, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, but I still adore you), or some other typical YA cover and title trend.

So, the next time you try to hide that YA book cover or title from everyone else when you're out reading somewhere in public, remember why you read YA, and read it proudly. Because if we don't start reading YA with confidence, then how can we expect non-YA readers to take us and our preferred genre seriously? This post is my reminder to never be that woman who hides her reading material in public because she's embarrassed, but to be the one that reads them proudly - no matter what anyone thinks.

Have you ever had anyone say something crazy to you about YA lit when they catch you reading it in public?  What are your thoughts on YA being "embarrassing" for older readers?

All images from Goodreads. 

Review: SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL by Trish Doller

Title: SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL
Author: Trish Doller
Published: June 19th, 2012
Genre: YA/NA contemporary
Publisher: Bloomsbury
POV: 1st person
Pages: 214
Format: Hardcover
Source: Won

"When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero."

One free month, and then Travis is headed back to Afghanistan to complete his final three years of active duty in the Marines. But upon arriving home for his short break, he finds that nothing is the same. He has no girlfriend (because she's dating his brother), no car (brother, yet again), a father he can't please, an overenthusiastic mother, a girl that isn't interested in him after he ruined her life, and the most disturbing change of all: haunting nightmares and visions of a friend that died in Afghanistan that won't leave him alone. Travis is trying to keep everything together, especially himself, before it's time for him to leave. But sometimes, you just can't escape your demons.  

I initially judged this book on its cover and almost let a wonderful, touching story pass me by. SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL quickly became one of the most surprising debut novels that I read in 2012. Doller takes a story you don't see all that often in YA lit and brings it authenticity through Travis's straight-forward narration. It's almost awkward to read Travis's narration, simply because it feels so realistic that it almost seems as if you are intruding on an actual person's thoughts. Travis is struggling with the past while looking to the future, and I was thoroughly invested in his every word as his story unfolded. Doller shifts easily from the humor to the serious moments, but it's with her characters that she truly excels. Everyone is flawed in some way, and they all manage to be memorable by the end. SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL is an emotional story that makes a strong impression. 

Highlights: Once I began, I couldn't put this book down until the final page arrived. There's humor, a little bit of romance, and plenty of honest and true-to-life moments that you want out of a contemporary novel. Even better, Travis is an older young adult. He's lived life in a dangerous way, and I found his story to be compelling. 

Lowlights: It's a very, very short book. I think a few scenes and characters could have been fleshed out a bit more to help this story make an even stronger impact.

Cover: Based on the cover, I never would have bothered to read this book (I'm very grateful to have won a copy, or else I wouldn't have read it). There is a romantic subplot, but it's not the largest aspect of this story, so I'm surprised the cover features a couple making out (which is a shame, since I think boys would like this book, but the cover doesn't show that side of the novel). I like that they included dog tags. 

The Queen's Library (25)

 

Books Purchased for Kindle (all three were only $2.99 each!)

EVERNEATH by Brodie Ashton

EVERBOUND by Brodie Ashton

SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi (my review)

Gotta love Kindle deals! I've been curious about EVERNEATH and EVERBOUND ever since reading Jenny's reviews for both, and now I can finally read the books for myself! 

What books did you get this week? 

Inspiration for TQL