Alison Kemper | So what if you're an adult? It's okay to read YA novels!

March 6, 2014

Donna of the Dead
Alison Kemper

AVAILABLE

Kindle

Barnes & Noble

March 2014
On Sale: March 4, 2014
250 pages
ISBN: 1622664558
EAN: 9781622664559
Kindle: B00ID8R1NA
e-Book
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Also by Alison Kemper:
Dead Over Heels, October 2014
Donna of the Dead, March 2014

"It's OK. You have our permission. These books are from our Young Adult Section. But it's OK to read them even if you are no longer, by any stretch of the imagination, young. In fact, you'll find they often have provocative themes and complex characters that are the equal of most of the books you'll find on the ‘adult' fiction shelves these days. So don't sheepishly tell us it's for your kids. We've read them, and you can too."

The sign-maker hit the nail on the head. In today's fiction market, more and more adults are buying (and enjoying) Young Adult novels. According to Publishers Weekly, in 2013, "84% of YA books were purchased by consumers 18 or older" and a full 80% of these adults reported that they weren't purchasing a gift, but "bought the book for themselves."

And yet there's still that small percentage of readers asking, "Why in the heck would I ever want to read a book about teenagers?"

Here are the answers I usually give:

• many popular movies are based on YA novels
• many bestsellers come from this genre
• YA novels give me something to talk about with my teen nieces
• we shouldn't be locked into reading books only about our specific age group

For most of us, high school wasn't the stuff dreams were made of. We didn't zip-line off the Hancock building like Tris in Divergent, or have hot Twilight vampires/werewolves fighting over our affections. Many of us went to humdrum classes and after-school band practice and spent our weekends participating in activities that family members planned for us.

But there's a tipping point in everyone's life. That phase where you stop being told what to do and start making your own decisions. You spend less time with family and more time with friends. This tipping point—when you experiment with your own independence—can be both scary and wonderful. During this time in our lives, we all make a few bad decisions. The main character in my YA novel, DONNA OF THE DEAD is no exception—she's an imperfect girl who must stop obsessing over boys and her manicure, if she wants to help friends survive a plague. YA novels often capture these epic bad decisions we all make as teens and remind us (hopefully) how far we've come as adults.

There's another upside to reliving newfound teen independence. Sure there are bad decisions and heartbreak, but there's also magic and wonder and the sheer joy of being alive. Teens experience so many "firsts" and dang—they're exciting! Remember the first time you stayed out too late just because you were having fun with friends? Or the first time you took a ride in your very own car? And how about that first kiss? I don't care if it happens when you're twelve or twenty—it's something you never forget.

Being a "grown-up" has its benefits (hello, credit card!), and many of us would never, ever (ever, ever) want to repeat our teen years. But there's a certain bittersweet loveliness from remembering all those exciting firsts. Reading YA novels recaptures some of that feeling. For a few hours, we experience a rewind our own human experience—watching the world unfold before fresh, unjaded eyes. And that can be a heck of a lot of fun!

So if you've been reluctant to try a Young Adult novel, remember the sign. You don't need to pretend you're buying a present for your nephew or checking out a library book for your daughter. Go ahead and re-experience the fun, heartache and excitement of all your "firsts." You won't be sorry.

One commenter will win a copy of DONNA OF THE DEAD

Comments

19 comments posted.

Re: Alison Kemper | So what if you're an adult? It's okay to read YA novels!

well, i'm lucky that i still look like a teen. my problem is
the opposite, i have to hide when i get the more adult books
:)
(Sarah Hansrote 3:25am March 6, 2014)

im 40 almost 41 i dont look like a teen any more i look young
for my age but not a teen
(Denise Smith 7:01am March 6, 2014)

I'm 61 and I love to read YAs! Harry Potter and the Twilight
series were both YAs and I loved them both! This sounds
great! Thanks for the giveaway!
(Linda Townsend 8:15am March 6, 2014)

I haven't read any YA books yet, but am curious about one thing. If the stories have themes in them that are mature enough for "adults," aren't Authors of YA trying in a way to make them grow up too fast?? I can think back to when I was a teenager, and maybe I led a "sheltered life," but I certainly was thinking more about having fun, than I was about getting into mature situations. I'm just curious about your input. Thank you. I suppose I'll have to read your book, and get my feet wet, so to speak, with this genre.
(Peggy Roberson 8:36am March 6, 2014)

I have read several YA series - starting with the Harry Potter series, moving to Twilight and then on to Hunger Games. I have enjoyed every one I have read so far. There are parts I can't relate to, especially the twilight series, which had too much teen drama for me. But I am not afraid to read them and suggest them to friends.
(Pam Howell 8:43am March 6, 2014)

You have one thing exactly right (more than one, actually).
I DO NOT EVER want to repeat my teen years.... EVER!!! YA
books are great, and will stay on my radar because they're
good fun reads!
(Alicia Hartley 9:01am March 6, 2014)

That's another great thing about YA fiction, Peggy -- there
are tons of options for younger readers. I've read plenty of
books with very mature themes, but also lots of great YA for
those, like you said, who just want to read something fun.
Most retailers (and librarians) can give you an target age
range as a guide. But of course, best rule of thumb: if a
book makes you (or your child) uncomfortable, close it and
choose another one. :)
(Alison Kemper 9:07am March 6, 2014)

sometimes I still think like a teen!
(Richard Burr 10:08am March 6, 2014)

I am no longer a teen but like to read books without gratuitous sex in them. This seems like a good fit.
(Melissa Taylor 11:44am March 6, 2014)

I haven't been a teen for a very long time!
(Denise Austin 4:43pm March 6, 2014)

Picked up my first YA by Holly Black. Instantly realized that YA isn't necessarily kid stuff.
(Phyllis Lamken 6:00pm March 6, 2014)

I still love my "old" YA books - I remember back in the day when I would get them through the TAB Book Club in school, and thinking that these books were so cool and that I was so cool to be reading them! And the books are STILL cool!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 6:09pm March 6, 2014)

I think you should read whatever you want!! So what if you are past teenage years? Several of my library patrons read YA.
(Martha Lawson 6:54pm March 6, 2014)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: DONNA OF THE DEAD. I like
the book cover too! Yes, I believe that we can learn many
things by reading about different people and age groups too!
I would love to win and read your book in the New Year 2014.
I am really enjoying The Walking Dead show on TV too! Thank
You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 8:14pm March 6, 2014)

I've read YA books for years--I'm a librarian and have to
keep an eye out for good stuff. I also like to read books
before recommending them to my grandsons, and wish there was
more YA for boys. I think the main difference between adult
and YA fiction right now is that explicit sex, violence, and
language are usually (not always) toned down to avoid
offending parents (the kids are already up for it, as anyone
who has walked through a busy high school corridor can
attest)
(Janet Martin 4:43pm March 7, 2014)

I love YA novels. If you looked on my nightstand you would see
t least 3 YA novels. I like them mostly and this may sound
weird, because there's no sex. Do not get me wrong, I do enjoy
adult novels including erotica but when I'm in need of a
break, I go YA. The stories are always great and though there
is romance in most, I like knowing they never have sex. Or, if
they do, you don't read about it.
(Suzy F. 9:24pm March 7, 2014)

I have never read one of your books, would like to win one.
(Judy Ferguson 10:22am March 9, 2014)

I read many genres of books including YA. Finding oneself is
the basis of many YA books along with the ways they sabotage
themselves and find how to get out of trouble. The
characters are seeking to learn more about how to get along
and when to rebel.
(Alyson Widen 5:07pm March 14, 2014)

Even though I am an adult I enjoy many YA books including Hunger Games, Divergent, and the Harry Potter series.
(Bonnie H 10:15pm March 26, 2014)

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