Sara Reyes | To Read YA or Not, That's my question...

Some of Sara's shopping frenzy

What a wild week I've had: three signings attended (if I was a woman with super powers I could have gone to seven of interest), two author dinners, one reader lunch and one reader dinner. Today I go to our monthly tea and we'll have a guest, Marie Bostwick. But first all this gadding about is expensive and second fun and third, exhausting. Why exhausting? Good question, I'll tell you! Because I bought a bunch of books and oh, my, even YA ones. And now I've got to read them! All right I can say I've read YA in the recent past, after all, you've heard our stories of being there for at least three of the final Harry Potter release parties, which I'll always remember until I die. They were fun and I doubt ever to be replicated no matter how hard they try to make a book or series so "important." HP has the magical quality of reaching all generations. And it was in all the media: books, audio, movies, games. Only thing I know missing is the television and since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ is now open, they've covered the theme park version as well. And yes, I'll be going to Orlando this summer, it's a must see adventure. But, back to the subject of YA (young adult in case I've lost anyone). I do read some but not an overwhelming amount. It's usually something brought to my attention forcibly, in other words I don't necessarily hunt them out, but I won't dismiss a new author because they only write YA, otherwise, how would I have found and fell in love with Rosemary Clement-Moore? But I've found more and more of my favorite authors are straying into YA. Next thing I know, Nora Roberts will! A young Eve Dallas perhaps? That would be just wrong, I'm afraid! So why do they do it? Reasons I hear are I started writing when I was young so I have young stories and ideas (Hmm, I started reading when I was young but I grew up and so did my reading tastes. Just a statement.) I've always wanted to write a YA novel. (I've always wanted to be 25, can I? no. Except maybe in my head.) I write outside the box and in YA they encourage out of the norm stories (This is true but in most stories somebody dies, no adults are heroes and the guy and girl never ever get a HEA.) I'm still a child and think like a child. (Seriously, I really did hear this come out of the lips of a 50 year old woman. I wasn't sure if we should be checking her for the meds she forgot or if she was making a joke.) But I really think the most honest answer is the YA books are outselling 2 to 1. When I heard from Kelley Armstrong her new YA books are outselling her adult books by the ratio of 2 to 1. I was shocked. Really shocked. I knew that YA was über popular, you'd have to never visit a bookstore or discount retailer not to know this because their book shelves are dictated by what's selling and the YA books outnumber the rest, but I never realized the ratio was so large. It's no wonder everyone is rushing to be a YA author. But my hope is we "adult" readers won't be abandoned by our favorites and forced to subsist on a diet of strictly YA novels. Unfortunately, I desire a bit of HEA in my diet. And adults as heroes. And a few other things that give the adult in me, hope.

What do you think? Are you a YA fan at heart? Like variety? Will read anything
your favorite author reads, even YA? Only read YA (no crime in that btw)?

Until next time...Get out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 12-14, 2010! with Sherrilyn Kenyon and more guests See you on the Twitter (@FreshFiction) PS comment and you could win a signed copy of A THREAD SO THIN or LIVE TO TELL in this weekend's blog contest. Two WINNERS!!!

Comments

39 comments posted.

Re: Sara Reyes | To Read YA or Not, That's my question...

I really enjoyed your post. I don't think I have ever read YA, not even when I was a Young Adult. They seem to be a bit young for my tastes.
(Patsy Hagen 12:32pm May 8, 2010)

I don't read YA now. Now, as in, maybe some day in the future. My reason is that it forces some small amount of discipline on the quantity of books I have. I know I'm missing some great reads, but my TBR stack is so huge! I know if I read one, then I'll want to read another and another...
(G S Moch 12:34pm May 8, 2010)

I have started to read some YA, but still stick with the other genres I enjoy...
(Colleen Conklin 1:18pm May 8, 2010)

I have to say that on a whole I don't read a lot of YA novels (Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Twilight withstanding) but I am finding more of them are starting to tell the type of stories that appeal to me. I think though they are also the ones that parents often argue aren't maybe geared correctly to the age group they are trying to hit. I love a good story but in the end if I am trying to get through books and have to pick between an adult or YA novel, I will probably save the YA novel for later.
(Felicia Sparks 1:47pm May 8, 2010)

I like to read YA books. It helps me understand the grandkids. I feel like such a dinosaur sometimes! lol
(Hannah Beck 1:56pm May 8, 2010)

What A Great Question To Ponder. Actually I Love Reading YA Books. I Love Reading All Kinds Of Books And Genre's. It Is Nice To Read A Hot And Steamy Book But It Is Also Nice To Read A Book That Has Angst And Longing But Maybe not The Actually Getting Of A Certain Person. YA Doesn't Havc To Be A Taboo For Some Books. We Need To Embrace Them More You Just Might Be Pleasantly Surprised By Them.
(Raquel Vega-Grieder 1:58pm May 8, 2010)

Great post! I like to read YA books! I think they are well written and when I get one I read it then pass it on to my niece. I am trying to get her to read more!
(Gail Hurt 2:14pm May 8, 2010)

Reading a plethora of books, occasionally YA books are in the mix. They remind me of youthful notions and how people aren't pigeon-holed in their thinking quite yet. They're still in formation.
(Alyson Widen 2:16pm May 8, 2010)

I have been reading YA books lately. Some of the plots and storylines are outdoing the adult books (not to mentioned that they are cleaner).

I remember when I was in public schools that there were not a lot of YA books. They are alot more interesting.
(Kai Wong 2:25pm May 8, 2010)

Great post! I love YA books! But then again, I love books! I love Harry Potter, I love the Twilight series, and I love the House of Night series to name a few. Seeing a pattern? You should. I love all books but I have gotten "addicted" to anything with a paranormal twist to it! I guess there's also the "pattern" that I enjoy reading series. Every once in a while, though, I like to read a non-series book & those are NEVER YA books. Regardless, I love <3 reading!
(Dawn Detkowski 2:47pm May 8, 2010)

I read the back of cereal boxes, so, of course, I read YA. I also started reading everything my daughter read when she was small so she thinks I should still read what she reads! :>)
(Karin Tillotson 2:58pm May 8, 2010)

Thanks for the great post. I read YA books but only because I enjoy variety in my reading. I don't necessarily drift to a favorite author's YA books just because I enjoy their adult books. I guess it's just what hits my fancy when I'm looking for a new book to read.
(Cheryl Snyder 3:05pm May 8, 2010)

I must confess that I am not familiar with YA.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 3:09pm May 8, 2010)

I've been seeing so much YA fiction that I'm seriously tempted.
(Jung Ja Ahn 3:43pm May 8, 2010)

I have Young Adults in the house so YES I read YA. I'm not going to miss out because of my age.
(Mary Preston 4:32pm May 8, 2010)

I've read some...what better way to find out what the younger generation is into. I find some very interesting, and as long as they have a plot and ending that is plausable I'm game! Great post!
(JoAnn White 4:55pm May 8, 2010)

Thanks for all the great contest
(Catherine Myers 5:12pm May 8, 2010)

I read YA and enjoy alot of it but I have YA's in my home and read everything thay do so I know what thay are reading. And I would tall all to at least try a YA book you might just be pleased and enjoy it.
(Vickie Hightower 6:27pm May 8, 2010)

I read everything, I usually end up reading the YA books before my girls get to it, lol.
(Brandy Blake 7:33pm May 8, 2010)

I have recently started reading alot of YA and the reason I think that is, is because some tend to have more innocense and less bedroom scenes. I remember being a teenager and having crushes and just the feeling of getting butterflies by only holding hands or a quick kiss made it seem so much more.....well just more. I think when we all grow up and get married we have less of those days. I guess what I'm trying to say is its nice to travel back and remember what it was once to be young and carefree. Where a person's biggest worry was a test or two boys having a crush on you at the same time.
(Kate Mobley 8:02pm May 8, 2010)

I do like to read YA and I pass them on to the girls in my neighborhood. I have two boys so I give boys stuff to them. It is nice to be known as a big reader to my boys friends.
(Cynthia Plaza-Harney 8:25pm May 8, 2010)

I have read some YA but not much; I usually find more than enough adult books to keep me reading.
(Diane Sadler 8:30pm May 8, 2010)

Hello Sara, Please enter me in your fantastic contest. I love to enter and win contests from FreshFiction.com
God Bless You, Cecilia
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 8:33pm May 8, 2010)

I will read just about anything, except
erotica. The YA genre has certainly
boomed lately. Not only is the market
flooded with YA books, but the quality
of the writing is for the most part very
good. Yes, they are YA stories not
adult books, but many of them are still
good reads. I read for a lot of
different reasons and enjoy many type
of books. YA has a place in the
market and on my reading list. I think
those authors that are writing YA as
well as adult won't "defect" to the YA
camp leaving their adult readers
stranded. Just like authors who write
in a variety of adult genre and do well
in all of them, these authors can add
YA to their body of work and still keep
up with their adult works.
(Patricia Barraclough 9:12pm May 8, 2010)

I do read YA. I love having a variety of genres to choose from on my reading pile. I am fine with authors branching out and trying to write YA. They should be allowed to stretch their wings and try something new. I just would like them not to forget their other books.
(Cherie Japp 9:38pm May 8, 2010)

I have found many, many YA
books that I have fallen in
love with. Why? Writers of YA
have learned that you have to
get to the point fast. You
don't spend half the book
trying to figure out what the
story is about. Adult book
writers tend to gradually
build the story- which I like
to but YA's want it
immediately. They are the NOW
generation, texting, IMing and
they are not use to waiting.
(Lisa Richards 9:40pm May 8, 2010)

I love YA my oldest daughter claims my maturity level stopped at age 21 and somewhere along the way we switched roles. I enjoy YA because I can read the story without worrying my jaw is going to drop over a eye opening passage. Though I am eclectic in my reading habits YA are much more relaxing to me.
(Susan Lathen 10:33pm May 8, 2010)

I just don't where to start as there seems
to be such a glut of YA books with so
many adult fiction authors having
switched over.
(Sue Ahn 10:49pm May 8, 2010)

I read some YA books, Twilight saga would be the first to come to mind. I read what I like regardless of what others think.
(Vikki Parman 12:01pm May 9, 2010)

A pox on you for even suggesting that Nora Roberts would take time away from writing the books I love so much to write YA books... shame, shame, shame. Don't you know that if you say it, then it might come true. Don't DO that to ME! LOL

YA books are ok, but so many of them are pure drivel that is either so over the top or so washed out that even the young adults don't want to read it for long. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, and the Twilight series is one of them, but in general I find that the YA books are simply not "enough" to keep me going.
(Donna Holmberg 2:26am May 9, 2010)

Maybe I need to do more scouting of YA books though, because so many of the other readers here seem to think they're ok. Maybe someone can do a post on the best of the YA books so I can check them out. On my own, it seems like I'm only finding the 2nd rate stuff.
(Donna Holmberg 2:28am May 9, 2010)

I like more adult stories and would be disappointed without a HEA.
(Gladys Paradowski 5:15am May 9, 2010)

My mother is a YA fan and often shares books with my daughter. When they get chatting about the books they have just read it is like listening to a foreign language. I like my daughter explaining them to me rather then reading YA and because of this, this is how she revises for exams - we talk about the subject and even if it is one I know I still ask questions as she talks as if I do not have a clue. She revises really well this way and is doing well - I am so proud.
(Barbara Hanson 7:18am May 9, 2010)

I would love to win either of these books. Thanks for offering them. I don't think I have ever read a Y.A. I have been hoarding away books for my young granddaughter.

Happy Mother's Day.
(Pat Lieberman 8:31am May 9, 2010)

I read YA books as I work part time at our local Library and need to help our patrons with a new book selection. Love the Harry Potter series
(Teresa Ward 2:21pm May 9, 2010)

I started reading YA when my daughter was a young teen. Parents should always educate themselves about what their children are likely to find on bookstore shelves and library shelves! YA books are not always what they appear to be....
Having said that, many of the YA books I have read were just as good as many of the adult titles I've enjoyed.
(Rose Mills 1:57pm May 10, 2010)

I read way more YA books than adult books, but I do review them for my friends who have children. I switch off because after a couple of downer YA books ("Tender Morsels" by Margo Lanagan, "Split" by Swati Avasthi), I seriously need to read something with a HEA ending!
(S Tieh 9:16pm May 10, 2010)

I had not thought about reading YA books; but I am glad you mentioned it. It is something I will check out. thanks:)
(Barbara Studer 11:15pm May 10, 2010)

I don't read YA, but I would if I had a daughter. I personally like more mature stories. Hope that authors will continue to write both genre's since they are different and unique to each other.
(Purna Ripke 12:34pm May 11, 2010)

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