YA Material from an Adults POV

[rune]

Thought I'd have a bit of fun here and ask those adults among us who love reading YA material why they do and what their perceptions are of YA fantasy/sci-fi.

I never use to read YA fantasy novels thinking they would be too immature for me. However, after reading the first couple of Harry Potter books, I came to realise that to enjoy YA material I needed to change my expectations. I dont approach a YA book the same way I would Adult material.
I seem to have a different mind set on these books and enjoy them a different way

That's probably as clear as mud

 

[Alia]

I understood, Rune.

The reason why I started to read YA fantasy was because I wanted to read what my children read. Then I would have discussions with the kids about why certain characters did certain things and ask them what they might do if they were the character. I suppose it's my way of teaching my kids different things... working things out for themselves, building their imagination, comprehensive skills (so when I tell them "no" they'll know I mean "no" and won't have an excuse.)
But then, much like Rune, I found that I enjoyed Harry Potter books so much that I wanted to read more YA literature. Maybe, I will always be a kid at heart too.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Right after I discovered Tolkien in my late teens and was looking for more fantasy a classmate directed me to the Narnia books. There wasn't much in the way of fantasy for adults available at that time, so I kept on raiding the shelves in the children's and the YA sections. Then, when fantasy became so popular, a lot of books were YA in the library in hardcover then transformed (as if by magic) into genre fantasy in paperback in the book stores.

So I formed the habit early of picking up books wherever I found them and adjusting my expectations as necessary.

Mind you, I still expect sound plotting and believable characters in books for any age, and I have a definite preference for beautiful language. If I find these things, along with some original fantasy elements, I'm not about to complain about the age of the characters or the length and complexity (or lack thereof) of the book.

 

[Culhwch]

The simplest answer: Why not? Why cut yourself off from an entire sub-genre of literature that is brimming with hidden gems? That has given such classics as Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, and so on, and continues to give us exciting, imaginative new works? I'll pretty much give anything a shot. I don't see the point in restricting yourself to 'adult' fantasy - or any genre, for that matter - merely because you are an adult. How conformist!

Though I must admit I don't appreciate the looks I get from the local librarians when I continually order 'kids' books through....

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

The simplest answer: Why not?

I like your answer better than my answer.

 

[rune]

Though I must admit I don't appreciate the looks I get from the local librarians when I continually order 'kids' books through....

Pretend you're getting them for youngsters when you go the library, works for me

 

[rune]

Do a lot of adults feel that YA material appeals to the kid in them?

 

[Alia]

I don't know if it appeals to the kid in me as much as it's an easy read. Something I can read without having to concentrate on the material. YA books I have also found help satisfy that urge for the need to read. They are a great way for me to get back into the reading mode after long readingless periods. I hope that made sense.

 

[rune]

I don't know if it appeals to the kid in me as much as it's an easy read. Something I can read without having to concentrate on the material. YA books I have also found help satisfy that urge for the need to read. They are a great way for me to get back into the reading mode after long readingless periods. I hope that made sense.

Yep I know what you mean. I tend to read a YA book inbetween the large, heavier going reads I have in my pile

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Yes -- but most fantasy appeals to the kid in me.

 

[Culhwch]

Yes -- but most fantasy appeals to the kid in me.

Exactly. I'm not sure if there is anything but a kid in me...