Young Adult Fiction for Adults discussion

Hi! My name is Jennifer. I am 31 years old, married and a mother of two. I used to read a lot as a teenager, then stopped for a long time. I got started again when I started reading the Harry Potter series, but I didn't start that until the seventh book came out. From there, I went straight to twilight....and I was hooked! I absolutely love that series, and now I am constantly looking for young adult books to read! So any suggestions would be great!

Welcome umad80 and Jennifer!

Kellie wrote: "Hi my name is Kellie, I am a stay at home mother of 3 and I am a bookaholic. My husband often jokes that I love reading more than him. I read every chance I can get especially YA. I am currently re..."

HI Kellie...welcome. My husband feels the same way :)
I am reading constantly it seems! I enjoy the same authors you do. I haven't bought the new Harris book yet, but plan on it tomorrow!!

Jennifer wrote: "Hi! My name is Jennifer. I am 31 years old, married and a mother of two. I used to read a lot as a teenager, then stopped for a long time. I got started again when I started reading the Harry P..."

Jennifer - You should definitely read the Hunger Games trilogy as well as the House of Night trilogy. They were both awesome - this coming from a 38 year old who also loves YA book series.

Amy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Hi! My name is Jennifer. I am 31 years old, married and a mother of two. I used to read a lot as a teenager, then stopped for a long time. I got started again when I started re..."

I just recently read the Hunger Games trilogy and I loved it!!! Haven't read the House of Night trilogy....I'll have to check it out. Right now I'm reading Wicked Lovely....it's OK.

Hi everyone!

This is Ging. I love reading the same way you guys do. Pretty much everything like newspapers, magazine, tabloids- everything that there is to read I will read it. But I was kinda pathetic during my early years. I loved to read pocketbooks when I was like 10years old. It was fun back then but when I read Twilight, I realized how silly it was. Well, Twilight ain't my first real novel. I read HP1 when I was 11, HP4 when I was 13, HP5 15. few Sweet Valley High and random required literature books during highschool. I was not really serious about reading before. Just like what I have said, when I read Twilight series, I changed- everything changed. That's my first serious novel. Literally, I fell in love with Edward. I even said that it was the best novel ever. Then after I finished the whole series I reread HP series from the beginning. Clearly, I realized Twilight was a mistake. (Don't be mad at me) I fell in love with Harry Potter. I should have read it seriously since I was a kid. Since then I started searching for good novels. Fortunately, I found tons of amazing books and I still have lots of books to read and to enjoy.

Reading for me is more than a hobby. I learned a lot of things in books and novels. You know, not that "life lessons" (whatev. It counts as well) but the simple facts about geography, music and other amazing stuffs.

So yeah, sorry for typing too much. I'm just overwhelm, i guess.

Hi everyone! I'm Shelia. I've loved reading ever since I read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland when I was in elementary school. My current favorites are the Wicked Lovely series, Warriors, and Harry Potter.

(I guess I shouldn't be in this group because I'm 17, but that's almost an adult, so can I stay?)

Ging I totally agree with you about Twilight! I think is is a good starter book for adults to return to reading (especially YA), but otherwise it just sucks (get it - sucks?). Welcome welcome and also welcome Shelia - 17 is fine :)

@Heidi Hello :) Well, among the four books, I liked Twilight very much. I still love it though, but I think Bella's a real ***ch. (dont be mad at me.) I really hated her. I would have loved the whole series if it wasn't for her (Is that even possible?). And I had to love it coz' it encouraged me to read more books.

Hahaha! I love your comments Ging. Appreciating literature for what it's worth and still hating characters with a vengeance. You'll fit right in.

Welcome all you new people!

@Becca
Hello :D Hehe. Bitter much? Nah. Forget about Twilight. Any books you like? Please do share :D thanks.

I actually feel pretty much the same way about Twilight, but there are some here who really love it, and I want to respect that. I thought it was a brilliant story with one of the worst protaganists of my reading history. 'Nough said.

If you're loving on HP (nothing but love here) I would recommend . Not URBAN fantasy, but brilliant none the less. If you haven't read yet, you'll need to jump right on that, it's been a slight obsession with this group and the reading world at large.

Anything written by Melina Marchetta is definitely worth reading (my favorites, which will be pushed on you should you remain active in this group, are and ). And my favorite author is Juliet Marillier who writes historical fantasy and who I love dearly along with all of her lovely strong heroines. Your TBR pile will explode without help from me if you hang around here long enough.

I second all of Becca's recommendations!

Becca, The Seven Kingdoms and Hunger Games series are definitely on my list right now. I I'll take note of Juliet Marillier. I appreciate it soo much. Thanks dear!

You too Heidi. :D

Jennifer wrote: "Hi! My name is Jennifer. I am 31 years old, married and a mother of two. I used to read a lot as a teenager, then stopped for a long time. I got started again when I started reading the Harry P..."

You should check out and oh and I thought was really good. My absolute favorite series is the second book is and the third book comes out in september! These are all really great and you should give a couple a shot! If you do let me know what you think!

I'm home! LOL

My name is Sandra, I'm 30, married and plan to start expanding the family this year. I live in the Deep South USA.

How much do I love YA books? let me put it this way. When I got my Kindle, AKA The Precious this Christmas, my hubby started joking about how he was never going to see me again! I choose to read YA books mostly because I can't stand the romance/smut in a lot of adult books. I know there are some authors out there who don't do that and aren't bad about it and I have found a few I love. Otherwise...
Another thing I love about YA books is how simple they are. I read to relax, unwind, and try to forget the stresses of life for a few hours. I don't want to be disturbed by a violent murder scene, have the book ruined by inappropriate cursing, or develop a headache due to reading a book. I want to come away from my reading experience feeling like I just had a good meal, or a nice warm cup of hot chocolate or a caramel latte.

My recs:

John Flanagan The Ranger's Apprentice series is my current favorite series of all time.

If you haven't read Treasure Island, who are you, and what are you doing here? It may be old but it's still my favorite single book!

I also reccomend: The Lightning Thief, The Dark is Rising, A Wrinkle in Time, The Chronicles of Narnia, and my newest find, Infinity.

I could reccomend many more but those were just on the top of my head at this moment.

Welcome to our group. We were discussing the other day how we didn't have many Southerners (being a Kentucky girl).

Lol happy to add some variety to the group then! I live close enough to a big city that I don't have THAT much of an accent though.

Us Southerners always say that. Northerners always disagree.

Cassi (Is out of glitter *sadness*) wrote: "Us Southerners always say that. Northerners always disagree."
Actually, I was in Philadelphia last week and they couldn't believe where I was from! I really don't know how I managed, mom's cultured and everything but dad's a hick. lol

Mine isn't too bad (though I do believe it's gotten worse as of late, I work too much in Eastern Kentucky now rather than in college when 60% of the students were out of state). People have always told me mine is enough to be cute but not obnoxious.

Of course I think it was mostly boys saying that so who knows what that means.

Sandra, I love that you call your Kindle "The Precious" - that is too hilarious. So evocative.

Hi I'm new too - just moved to Indiana and have been reading a lot lately as I've been procrastinating on finishing my thesis. I've been a sucker for coming-of-age stories my whole life. Maybe they're especially compelling now as I finish the lo-o-ong coming of age process that is graduate school. :) I occasionally write reviews and op-eds for Bookyurt or other sites but mostly I'm just a fan.

As long as I don't catch my self saying warsh rather than wash, I won't worry about it. I do let an occasional Y'all slip though.

Welcome Jan!

The precious was my second choice for a name. I wanted to call it Bob but the voices in my head, my parents, hubby, and friends out-voted me.

Sandra (I don't read, I devour.) wrote: "I do let an occasional Y'all slip though."
I love that term, it's so... welcoming. :) I seldom hear it (I live in Canada) so to me, it's very charming.

Welcome, Sandra and Jan!

Cassi (Is out of glitter *sadness*) wrote: "Welcome to our group. We were discussing the other day how we didn't have many Southerners (being a Kentucky girl)."

I'm a southern gal! Born and raised in Georgia. I've been a member of this group for about a month. I never formally introduced myself though.

I've been a member for awhile too. I am southern-ish. From Oklahoma and yes I do have an accent ;)

Sandra (I don't read, I devour.) wrote: "As long as I don't catch my self saying warsh rather than wash, I won't worry about it. I do let an occasional Y'all slip though."

Hey, "y'all" is a very useful word! Lots of other languages have a second person plural form, why shouldn't English? And, no, I'm not from the South! But in the interests of full disclosure, I have lived in North Carolina now for 30+ years, so maybe I am a little biased. ;) Anyway, yay for another Southerner, Sandra!

In my humble opinion, unless you grew up in Jersey or something, if you've lived in the south for 30 years or more. Congrads, you're a Southerner... unless you're weird like my friend Katy. She was born in the south, grew up in the south, but walks, talks and acts like a total yank. It's a mystery!

And it's fun to tease her about it! :)

Yay for all the Southern people who are poping up!


Oh and Tish, I have to say, NC is one of the few states I've been in that are as pretty/prettier than my state. Love the mountains and the beach. My hubby and in-laws come up to Hilton Head every year and stay for about a week. We love it!

Hey all,

My name is Amanda, and I live in Louisville, KY. I was born in Northern Indiana, though, and grew up near Los Angeles, so I'm not exactly a southern girl (unless you count SoCal as the South.)

I'm 28. I'm married. I read a lot of books, and my tastes are eclectic, though of course I gravitate towards YA. Though I'm disabled, I work part time as a nanny. At least, I will for one more week. Then the little one year old I watch and his parents are moving back to South Carolina, and I will have way too much free time on my hands. :)

I have no idea what else to write in this introduction, but I am excited to join this group.

Amanda R. in Louisville

Welcome fellow Kentuckian. We claim Louisville about half the time....lol

Tish wrote: "Sandra (I don't read, I devour.) wrote: "As long as I don't catch my self saying warsh rather than wash, I won't worry about it. I do let an occasional Y'all slip though."

Hey, "y'all" is a very u..."

Y'all is a very useful word!! I live in NC too, although for not as long as you but I love it here it is beautiful.

Cassi,

I've heard Louisville is not always claimed with KY. haha

I think it's because it puts the rest of the state to shame, but I could be biased. :P I absolutely love my home!

Thanks for the welcome!

Amanda

I think its partially because Louisville doesn't claim Kentucky, partially because U of L, but mainly because people will talk about Kentucky as though they know it, and all they know is Louisville.

I remember when Diane Sawyers did that special on Appalachia and she was all like "I'm from Kentucky, this is my home" but really, the gap between Louisville & Pikeville culturally is so different.

I'm an Eastern Kentuckian, born, bred & proud.

Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm a recent college grad from Minnesota. The first thing I did after getting my English degree (which involved reading a lot of classics) was pick up on my YA reading that had sadly been neglected over the course of college. Because of that, I'm just now getting into Cassandra Clare, Suzanne Collins and some of the other big series that I've missed. My favorite authors that I've been following for awhile are Scott Westerfeld and Sarah Dessen (and they both have new books coming out this year, yay!).

I think YA is great for all ages, so I was really excited to find this group. It's nice to meet you all!

Hello Jessica! I am from MN as well but live in IL now.

Jessica wrote: "Hi, my name is Jessica and I'm a recent college grad from Minnesota. The first thing I did after getting my English degree (which involved reading a lot of classics) was pick up on my YA reading th..."

same thing happened to me in college. I was reading a lot of classics but neglected my YA. But now I am catching up :) welcome to the group, Jessica.

Cassi,

My brother lived in Bowling Green for between over five years (I don't remember exactly how long), so I can understand the differences to some degree. Also, coming from SoCal, where the atmosphere is so different from Northern California (they really should be two states), I get that there can be vast differences between different areas of the same state.

It's interesting, because people here in Louisville barely claim Kentucky at times, mostly because of the political and cultural differences. I do fit into the Louisville culture quite well in those respects, but I recognize that the bits of KY I've seen outside of Louisville are so gorgeous, and I'd love to see more.

Jessica and Jen,

I find it so interesting the way you two talk about English degrees. I was pursuing a degree after high school, but my disability got in the way at the time (and then life just got in the way. lol.) Here is my discussion point as far as English degrees, classics, and recreational reading go:

Do you find a disconnect between required reading, like the classics, and recreational reading? Does it seem like the recreational reading is your "real" reading? How do you think this *should* look while pursuing a degree in English?

I would love to have others join in, too. Here's my two cents:

I think that put emphasis on the classics for a very real reason. My husband's high school experience in Indiana was very limited in the classics. He'd never even heard of some of the books I was reading in my advanced classes in California (at least not 'til his college). I do think that it is highly important that people read the classics. If I am ever blessed with children I plan to home school with a major emphasis on books-based learning.

That said, I hate to see those who do get a degree in English ignore genre or even mainstream literature that is current and popular. I always think it's sad that so many people barely read outside of school, and I think that because reading is rightfully restricted (to a degree) when required, those who don't read outside of the classroom often feel that reading is "too difficult" or "not fun" when done as a relaxing pursuit. I don't really have an answer for those arguments, because I've never thought that way.

Ideas? Comments? Ready to kick me out of this group yet?

Amanda

If you ever want tips on where else to see in Kentucky just ask. I live in Southeastern KY and have seen many of the beautiful parks this state has to offer.

Cumberland Falls (which is pretty much in my town) should be near the top of your list.

Amanda wrote: "Cassi,

My brother lived in Bowling Green for between over five years (I don't remember exactly how long), so I can understand the differences to some degree. Also, coming from SoCal, where the atm..."

I don't regret reading the classics at all, in fact, I learned that some of them have much more to them than I would have thought. However, there was really very little room for discussion on more modern stories and movements. If you studied American writing you could get close, and sometimes a teacher might even include a graphic novel, and that was nice. But other than that, it's all classics and theory.

I did get to read some, but between homework and working a part-time job, it doesn't leave a whole lot of time. I used to read on break at work and that was about all the recreational reading I got in. Still, I did get the impression that more people in my classes read YA, they just didn't admit it (and it never came up in class to discuss).

I like some of the classics but I think there should be a place in school to study more current/modern books.

There are too many people who don't like reading. I always tell people that if they don't like reading they haven't found the right book yet. We're creating a generation that thinks reading is all Shakespeare and there are so many other choices out there. There's depth and value in Hunger Games, Melina Marchetta, and other current authors. It makes me sad that so few people venture outside of what they read within the classroom.

I've very jealous of the Australians studying and really think we need to find a place for books like this in school.

I also don't like that some schools force people to read only on their AR level and nothing above or below. Just because a book is simply written doesn't mean it lacks value.

Amanda,

My degree was not in English, so I really can't speak from that perspective. But I do I have a Humanities degree and my concentration was Classical Humanities, so when I say I was reading the classics most of the time, yea I mean it, lol. Think --> (Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, Ulysses by James Joyce, Divine Comedy etc). So I didn't read as much literature as an English major per se because my degree also covers (philosophy,art,religion&history), but had to read a lot of literature nonetheless because it was a part of my major as well.

I really love the fact that my degree required a lot of reading of the Classics. I learned that I could understand books that I felt were 'out of my reading league' when I was in high school. Also I learned that you can see a lot of the elements in classical literature & myth reflected in contemporary books (like the Harry Potter books for example). And really, I think that there is a stereotype on Classical literature as being boring and too complicated, that I learned was totally not true in college.

But I think it's all about balance. The classics need to be taught but they definitely need to bring in more contemporary literature in schools (high school and college especially) so people can know that there are a lot of great and fun books out there too, that are being written now and that people can connect to. I remember watching a documentary with young writers who were interviewing Edward Albee, and they would always say, "in school they tell us to just read the classics and that's it". I think there is a problem in that. A mix of the classics and contemporary literature would be perfect solution, rather than just excluding almost all of contemporary literature all together for the classics alone.

I barely did recreational reading in college. All my time was spent on homework and reading classical literature and philosophy especially. It wasn't until I graduated that I discovered that there were so many contemporary books out there that are fun and great to read, that I never imagine existed. So, I've definitely been catching up. Oh when it comes to YA, I had a feeling some people where reading YA but would not admit to it and also there were those who just kinda looked down on YA, as not being "real literature". But whatever, they are missing out. There are so many amazing YA books out there, that it's not even funny. It's their loss.

Sorry if this came out to long.

I had a friend (who is not actually a friend at the moment. He got a girlfriend & said he couldn't be friends with me & I pretty much told him off for it).

He asked me why I read YA. And he's someone who reads a lot of classics and there was an implied negativity towards YA in the question. I don't know how to educate people about the value of YA. They'll love Harry Potter and discount the rest of the genre.

It's hard, Cassi.

But yea, there are some huge stereotypes on YA. I try to talk about the value of YA to some people too and some friends have taken to it and love the genre now. But others will not even come close to it.

Ohh yeaa.. That is another thing I get all the time from the YA naysayers, too. It also confuses me. They love HP but won't read anything else that is YA?

I love this discussion already!

Jessica, you pretty much prove my theory that reading ends up divided between what you "have" to read and what you "get" to read. I loved this quote from you especially, "If you studied American writing you could get close, and sometimes a teacher might even include a graphic novel, and that was nice." This is what I worry about with our schools, both in high school and college. I totally get why we study the classics and I think it is an essential part of our education, but if we don't see where those classics have led us today, what's the point of studying them? Theory is excellent, but not unless coupled with practice, which comes from seeing how the classics inspired, say, Harry Potter.

Cassi, I think you make a very good point about Harry Potter, which Jen followed up on. Why is Harry Potter considered OK YA, but not, say The Hunger Games? In many respects, the Hunger Games reach the emotional peaks of Harry Potter, and it is just as much a coming of age story. In many areas, it has less of the naivety and innocence of the Harry Potter realms.

I like your line, Cassi, about if you don't like to read you just haven't found the right book yet.

Jen, I think you threw out some excellent points. A mix of contemporary lit and classics is best. I have a writer friend, who taught me to write when I was in college. She laments the fact that most writing classes shun genre writing. She's a leader in the sci-fi community and always encouraged her students to write what they wanted to write. I think that genres, particularly the speculative fiction genres, are given a similar stigma as YA or comics.

Personally, I won't read bodice rippers for spiritual reasons and I don't particularly like the look or idea of manga (though I admit to not reading any yet). I do tend to judge people who read bodice rippers exclusively, but not if I can see the person also reads, say mysteries, YA or general fiction. Why is that? I'm not sure. I think as an eclectic reader I tend to roll my eyes when someone gets "stuck" in a specific genre.

Now I'm rambling. I'll close off with a question: Do you think modern lit should be required reading for, say, an English major? If so, how should it be worked in?

That's tough in college because some departments can be really picky about what's on their curriculum. Honestly, I don't think you could make contemporary/current literature required reading though - that would be a tough sell since academia holds the classics to the highest of standards, especially in majors like English. I think that adding a course in current lit as an elective could be an easier sell and I'm pretty sure that if students heard about it, they would flock to it. Why? because its different. Imagine a class focused on YA fiction? that would be something you don't see everyday. I heard that there is a course on Harry Potter in some University (cant remember the name) that is massively popular.

I don't say modern lit since academics can be picky about wording and want to be too specific and maybe if you said 'modern lit', they would think of the modernism movement (which started in the 20th century) and then they would have no problems in having them in the curriculum. Or maybe I'm being paranoid since my professors were so particular about time periods and the way classes were named, but anywhoo, lol. But every time there was a 'modern' in a course title of mine, the art-history-literature we would be studying were those of the late 19th century-up until the 20th century (60's).

But I see what your saying Amanda. I think you make a great point with the 'theory&practice' principle you mentioned. I think it's great to study the classics but it's important to see how they are reflected in current literature too. And boy is it there, but since no courses point that out, a lot of people can miss that. It's quite the conundrum.

Hello, I'm new. Er...I brought donuts!

You know the ones with jam on the inside that are made to squirt directly onto shirts?

Feel free to take ---> Q Q Q Q Q Q

Amanda wrote: "but if we don't see where those classics have led us today, what's the point of studying them? Theory is excellent, but not unless coupled with practice, which comes from seeing how the classics inspired, say, Harry Potter."

Amanda, I TOTALLY agree. I read some classics in school (in high school it was Shakespeare and Dickens -- depending on your definition of classic of course! -- and that was about it), and while I quite enjoyed them, I saw them turn SO many teenagers off reading. Completely. And our teachers certainly did NOT explain to us what was relevant or important about these works.

I studied more literature in University, and finally figured out by myself (again, was NOT taught) that the reason many of the classics 'made it big' (as opposed to the many that have been forgotten) is that they were quite shocking or controversial in their time. (Madame Bovary, for example.)

So if we follow *that* 'what made a classic a classic?' theory, then we should be letting kids read the books that are ground-breaking or controversial now. (Hunger Games, anyone?)

And as a writer and educator, I'm all for letting high school students read/study whatever it is that gives them a LOVE OF READING. I'm all for Twilight in English class - who cares if it's not a great work of literature? The point is, they'll READ it, rather than cribbing off the Coles Notes. And may even discover a love of reading.

Ah, if only this group were in charge of the world... ;)

R.g.Bullet wrote: "Hello, I'm new. Er...I brought donuts!

You know the ones with jam on the inside that are made to squirt directly onto shirts?

Feel free to take ---> Q Q Q Q Q Q"

Welcome!

Heidi (don't listen to me) wrote: "R.g.Bullet wrote: "Hello, I'm new. Er...I brought donuts!

You know the ones with jam on the inside that are made to squirt directly onto shirts?

Feel free to take ---> Q Q Q Q Q Q"

Welcome!"

Hello, Heidi!