The idea that adults shouldn’t be reading something is absurd. Adults should read whatever they want, whether it is graphic novels, YA literature, or children’s books. Just because a story has been targeted at a certain audience doesn’t mean that a fully formed adult cannot get anything out of the story. Books like the Hunger Games series and or the Walking Dead graphic novels deserve their place on the shelves of public libraries and patrons should not be ashamed about checking them out. It is perfectly fine for people to have their own opinions about YA and choose not to read it themselves, like Ruth Graham, who wrote about her feelings in an article for Slate, but other adults who like YA should read away. In her article, Graham “...focused on what she said the publishing industry calls realistic fiction, and argued that adult readers who hew to Y.A. miss out on too much...’These books consistently indulge in the kind of endings that teenagers want to see, but which adult readers out to reject as far too simple…” (Wolitzer). While it is true that many teen stories wrap things up in a tight little bow, I fail to see why that is a problem. People read to learn things, but they also read as an escape. This is one of the reasons that I enjoy fantasy and science fiction. There are many depressing things in the world, and sometimes it is nice to read about fantastical elements, first love, and have everything conclude with a happy ending.
Resources
Wolitzer, Meg. "Look Homeward, Reader: A Not-So-Young Audience for Young Adult Books." The New York Times. N.p., 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/fashion/a-not-so-young-audience-for-young-adult-books.html?_r=0>.
No comments:
Post a Comment