What’s My Age Again?
Books for Thought is where I post a discussion topic related to books, reading, writing, or something pertaining to one of the three. I hope you’ll join in, and discuss today’s topic of
ya + reading age
I’m going to start this off by saying: YOU READ WHAT YOU GODDAMN WANT AND AIN’T NOBODY ALLOWED TO JUDGE YOU SHIT FOR THAT, KAY?
Which is pretty much this post summed up. But if you would like to read on and find something more eloquent, be my guest.
You know, adult readers get a lot of shit for reading YA books. From reasons of “you’re too old”, “you don’t understand” (my personal favourite: as if, somehow, because you’re an adult now you were never a teenager), “they’re not literary” – in other words “bullshit, bullshit, bullshit”.
Because, and get ready here people, this might come as A HUGE SHOCK, reading is a personal choice for someone’s entertainment and enjoyment.
I know, I know. *cue horror*
But seriously. Reading is something we spend time on because we enjoy it, and it makes us happy. So if YA makes us the happiest of all? Hells to the yeah. You read the shit outta YA because reading is supposed to make you happy.
Don’t listen to these jerks who think it’s their place to dictate what you do (they’re likely the same people who bitch and moan that YA shouldn’t actually exist HAHAHA). Because reading is for you, and no one else.
And besides, being a teenager is a universal experience. We all go through that shit, and sometimes that shit follows us into our adult lives. Friend drama? Adults have it. Romance drama? Adults have it. Parent drama? Adults have it (they don’t just magically disappear when you’re an adult, all that happens is that their power of you decreases). Finding your first job? FREAKING EVERYTHING, OKAY? It’s all relatable because it happens to everyone.
The really sad thing is, back in my jaded childhood I thought that once I turned eighteen and was going to uni and an “adult” (HAHAHA), I’d have to stop reading YA. Most of the (contemporary) protagonists were in high school and I’d graduated. I was too old to read about these teenagers that were still in high school. I was simply too old for the whole genre. At least, that’s what I thought. But I obviously got over that phase and actually dove into the YA genre on a whole new level by, you know, creating a blog dedicated to it. I realised: WTF was I thinking? Who the hell decided that suddenly I was too old to read YA?
Well, I had, and completely stupidly, might I add. I’m so glad that I realised the error of my ways and decided to own my love for YA.
But I worry about these “YA is for children grow the eff up” people dissuading readers from picking up YA books. Because YA books are amazing. They can teach you, and you can find yourself in them, and you can learn things, and fall in love (pretty much YA owns the world is what I’m getting at here okay), and these jerks might be scaring people off. Might be making people feel guilty about the things they love, which is so wrong on so many levels.
Your age has absolutely nothing to do with what you “should be” reading. You read picture books? Own that shit, yo. You read nonfiction? You go. You read YA? Well hells to the freaking yeah because it’s the best genre out.
So don’t ever let anyone tell you that your age has to dictate what you read. Because you don’t read for those douches. You read for you. So settle down with that YA book and be happy. You deserve it.
(found)
CHIARA THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER READ. You have no idea how many times I have to justify my reading choice to non-readers or people who just don’t understand. I always have to go through the whole spiel, you know Hunger Games? You know Divergent? Yeah that’s YA! It’s ridiculous.
WOOHOO. That makes me so happy, Jeann :D
I know, right? It’s so ridiculous and full of judgement, which is why I hate it. So many things that people love come from YA, anyway!
AMEN. AMEN GIRL.
You said it. Took it all out of my mouth and into this beautiful post. How dare people get judged for there reading preferences. I say literature is literature and if we’re all reading then yay. We’re getting words into our system! FAB POST! <3
:D
Exactly! Reading is important at all levels, and it doesn’t matter which one is the one you are reading.
Thank you, lovely! <3
“reading is a personal choice for someone’s entertainment and enjoyment.” *applauds* So, so agree. It doesn’t matter what book/genre you read. If you enjoy it then why the hell not?! Reading is such pleasurable activity; we shouldn’t get deter from the judgment of others!
*bows* ;D
I’m so with you, of course, Mitchii! I hate that people judge based on each other’s reading preferences, especially since we do it for ourselves!
Preach it! I read all kinds of fiction, no shame. And when anyone raises an eyebrow about YA, I like to say “Harry Potter is YA.So is A Wrinkle in Time.” and let them chew on that.
Exactly! So many gems have come from the YA genre, and are incredibly loved and incredibly amazing.
YES! Agree witb you, YA has some of the best books, and everyone is allowed to have their own preference in genres. Alot of people try to tell me you’re too old to be reading that, it’s rather sad. GREAT POST OVERALL!!
I think it’s sad that these people have such a silly idea in their head that they think they can try and deter someone from reading what they love! It’s really sad.
Thank you :D
This was wickedly motivational! XD I loved it – it’s a bit like boot camp for insecure adult YA readers. Definitely believe that YA has a lot to give for adults and children alike – have you seen that Guardian post where Daniel Hahn lists a few YA books adults should read?
People are recognising the importance and worth behind YA and that’s why more people are getting into it.
Reading, as you’ve rightly said, is for personal enjoyment – it’s not something someone else can dictate to you at all.
Woohoo! :D I’m glad you liked it, Mahima ^.^
YA has some of the most amazing and incredible stories I have ever read, and it makes me happy when adults are completely unashamed about reading them because that’s the way it should be!
Exactly. Reading is all our own.
LOOK AT LITTLE YOUNG CASTIEL HE WAS SO INNOCENT SO PRECIOUS.
All right all right ANYWAYYYYY I totally agree with this. A couple weeks ago one of my coworkers (who is 19) made a comment that she’s dreading turning 20 because it means she can’t read Young Adult anymore and I was like ?!?!? ?! ??! ? Yeah you freakin’ can, read what you want! I was like, books are timeless. Read whatever you want at ANY age! Keep reading YA when you’re 25 if it makes you happy. NO ONE IS STOPPING YOU.
I hope she listens to me, too, because I hate the idea that you have to read ~adult things~ when you’re 20. How about 20 is barely adult at ALL and maybe I want to read a book about someone close to my age, or someone who experiences similar things, instead of stories about middle-aged women going through divorces >.>
I KNOW. BB CAS IS TOTALLY MY FAVOURITE CAS. LIKE WHAT EVEN.
Adult books, especially contemporaries, are allowed about middle aged women who are divorced, I SWEAR.
And I think it’s sad that you’ve got a coworker who thought the same way as me! I mean I am 21 now (going to be 22 in two months let’s start hyperventilating) and I still relate SO MUCH to YA. And if it’s non-contemporary, except for the age of the character, nothing really defines it as a teenage book, yaknow?
For a second I thought this post was about not feeling the age you actually are, like the “old soul” concept, haha. But anyways! I don’t even know what to say except I couldn’t agree with this more. It makes me so mad! My dad once asked me ‘When are you going to start reading adult books? Books for people your age?” I wanted to RAGE but since he did have a key part in my existence, you’ve got to hold these things back xD Nice post!
BAHA! Oh, I am so wise *strokes beard*
Noooooo I cannot believe he said that D: My mum reads YA as well, so we actually share books, which is fabulous.
But yay for taking no notice and still reading YA, Alise :D
Thank you <3
What do you mean reading should be a choice? You’re meant to read whatever society tells you to read right? LOL I think it’s totally absurd that people get judged for reading whatever the hell they want. If a 50 year old man wants to read a YA book, then he should go for it.
I know, right? Reading is a thing you to do please OTHER people.
And yes, totally agree with you! <3
Here here! I went through a similar age of thinking I needed to read ‘adult’ things more than YA. What I found out much later is that not only do I still enjoy YA, but those ‘adult’ books I was reading when I was at the cusp of experiencing adulthood really weren’t relatable yet — there was a whole lot of life to live before I started to GET the characters in some of those ‘adult’ books I insisted on reading.
:D
Exactly! I didn’t relate to the few adult books I tired to read when I was younger. I am still relating on huge levels to the YA genre, and even if I wasn’t I love the storylines in them a lot more than anything else. I know I’ll be reading YA for a long time coming :)
YES – you’ve said it all! I honestly don’t understand the reasoning behind people who go against YA and the adults reading it. A book is a book, no matter how ‘literary’ it is or what level of perceived sophistication it has – and lots of YA novels are better written than *some* of the ‘adult’ ones out there anyway. Reading is a choice – and nobody should judge you for what you pick up. Thanks for sharing Chiara, fantastic post :)
I’m glad you liked this post, Eugenia :D
I definitely don’t understand people who pick on the things that other people love. It has nothing to do with them, after all.
*standing ovation* There is really nothing more I can add to your well-written post. I agree with everything. Fuck what people think you should read. Just read the books you want to read, own it and give your middle finger to the judgmental folks who seem to think you give a shit about what they think :D
*bows* ;D
I love this comment so much, Mel! <3
AHHH THAT WAS MY EXACT MINDSET ABOUT THE WHOLE BEING AN ADULT THING. And it was really sad because I kept thinking “Wow will they have this trope in the adult “literature” books?” Why. PLUS:
1) I just went to Barnes&Noble yesterday and saw the sign “What Teens Are Reading Now”. Like no. I don’t like that. I don’t care if I’m being nit picky but I’m sure adults are reading the same books.
2) I swear if anyone openly judges or asks me why I’m reading a YA book I will DESTROY THEM (in my mind and verbally). Though truthfully this time probably won’t come until later because I’m sure people think I look 16. Ha.
And there’s my two cents. AWESOME DISCUSSION CHIARA. Way to rant :)
RIGHT? And how sad is it? D:
And ew @ that section. Pretty much everyone is reading YA at the moment because it’s all kinds of fab.
And I know what you mean about looking sixteen. I still get people asking about high school and I’m in my fifth uni year :)
Thanks, lovely! <3
I honestly can not imagine myself reading anything else except for YA when I grow up. I mean, go to a bookstore here, and mostly everybody is checking out the YA section. YA forever!
I don’t know how life was before YA. While there are some good books in adult fiction, there are a lot of good books in YA for me, and I don’t think I can ever stop reading it. :D
Right! YA is blessed in so many ways.
I feel really sorry for people who were forced to read adult books before YA really became a thing. They were missing out on so much.
And I am definitely with you the fact that I don’t think I’ll ever stop reading YA, either :D