On Facebook, I "like" Jen Lancaster, who writes extremely witty and hilarious memoirs. Today, she posted a link to an online article called "Adults should read adult books." In this article, Joel Stein basically rips those adults that read Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, and pretty much any other Young Adult book. He also has issues with adults blaring Justin Beiber, but I have issues with his music being blared by anyone. Ick.
He says, "I’ll read “The Hunger Games” when I finish the previous 3,000 years of fiction written for adults." And then goes on to say how we should let the tween girls have their own little world of child wizards and vampires and games you play when hungry. OMG. All you have to do you pompous ass is read the back of the book to know it's not about a bunch of kids playing Sorry and Aggravation around a campfire while they starve to death.
The goal of reading 3,000 years worth of fiction is an admirable goal for anyone, however, he should probably get off his high horse before someone gets hurt.
Just because a book is technically in the Young Adult genre, doesn't mean it's no good. Reading is supposed to be an escape, and often times the YA books are just the ticket. I mean, who wouldn't want to run off to Hogwarts? I totally would. In fact, I would love to go to the Harry Potter park at Disney World. Besides, an adult wrote the series, why can't adults read it without feeling guilty?
As long as it's interesting to you, it shouldn't matter if it's Tolstoy, Rowling, King, Grisham, or anyone else you can think of. I can count on one hand how many people I know that read for fun - or have the time to read continuously. For me, it's an escape. Some books hook me from the first chapter. Others sometimes not until the middle of the books. As long as I enjoy the book, who cares what genre it's from?
Not to mention that when I was a kid, I had to read Shakespeare, Steinbeck, Orwell, Golding, and several others. I'd like to mention I didn't like a single book I had to read for school. I hated "Animal Farm" and "Lord of the Flies". I couldn't understand Shakespeare. And Steinbeck was boring. And technically, while Classics, would also fit under Adult.
In this day and age, just be glad people are r-e-a-d-i-n-g at all.
Hear hear J.Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hazel!
DeleteI didn't like "Animal Farm" either. And I know I wasn't the only one in my high school English Literature class who couldn't understand Shakespeare.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think I've met anyone who liked "Animal Farm". lol
DeleteI always loved the books we had to read for English (with rare exceptions like Lord of the Flies), and usually finished them way before we were scheduled to. Perhaps that's why so much of my own writing, even for preteens and teens, has a more literary, slower-paced quality to it, since I read so much adult literature and books written in previous eras at a young age. (I also write historical fiction, so that lends itself to a more literary, slower-paced, heavier world-building style than contemporary or genre fiction.)
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Stein's point (and he is a humor columnist) was that adults shouldn't ONLY read teen lit, and that he's concerned by the apparent trend of adults reading more teen books than adult books. Maybe a comparison would be an adult who prefers to go to the kiddy services at his or her house of worship instead of attending the full adult service. I've enjoyed a lot of YA and preteen books as an adult, some of them revisiting old favorites and others I read for the first time, but they're not the majority of what I read, since I'm an adult. Personally, I've never read Twilight, Harry Potter, or Hunger Games because I always stay away from trends and overhyped things. If they're that good, they'll still be there for me to discover them on my own well after the initial hype has faded.
Ick, Twilight. lol HP and HG I had had no intentions of reading until friends told me I would like them. They were right. I don't only read YA, I read some of the classics, plus new stuff several "adult" fiction. But once in a while, I will read YA. Luckily, what I've read is good! lol
DeleteI like reading science fiction and fantasy and if the book happens to be YA science fiction and fantasy, I'll read it if it's good. If it's adult science fiction and fantasy, I'll read it if it's good. Who writes YA books anyway? Primarily ADULTS! :)
ReplyDeleteExactly! If the adults can write, the adults can read it, too! :o)
DeleteI have read many books written for young adults when I was in my 30's not so much now days but my taste in books have changed a little, that said if someone feels like reading a book that is written for someone younger then do so what is the most important thing is that they are reading as I think reading is a great way to lose yourself and relax.............
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's tastes change a little over time. I was in my 30's before I started reading classics and enjoying them. I've started branching out to other authors of adult fiction, but just once in awhile, the YA still grabs me. And really, as long as *you're* interested, that's what really matters. :o)
DeleteIt's his loss. Think of all the good stories he's missing out on because he's so wrapped up in a genre title.
ReplyDeleteJo
In Which We Start Anew
Seriously. Just because it's in the YA section doesn't mean it's complete rubbish.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Hi J.Day - your are right on the money with this topic - great "A" post.
ReplyDeleteAnd...as an "old" adult one of my all time favourites is Peter Pan...and I really find a pompous butt-head like Joel Stein should be given a free ticket on the next trip to Pluto...maybe he'll have time to read all those "adult" books he aspires to read in a lifetime.
I will be back to see what's next...
Jenny @ Pearson Report
Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
Hahaha! Should we insult poor little Pluto by sending him there?
DeleteThanks for stopping by! :o)
So much in agreement with your post I hardly know where to start.
ReplyDeleteAmanda
http://dramadiceanddamsons.blogspot.co.uk/
Glad we can all present a united front! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHeck with that! I LOVED Harry Potter.
ReplyDeleteSure there are some great "Adult" books out there too. But isn't better to focus on reading good books, whatever the age they are aimed at?
Looking forward to all your posts this month!
Tim
The Other Side
The Freedom of Nonbelief
Seriously, who cares as long as its good?! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI have read all the HP books and quite a number of other books that my children read. In the beginning it was mainly to check they were suitable for the boys but I really enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteJust finished the last in the Eragon series by Christopher Paolini and loved it