Can anyone explain this YA phenomenon?

[Ed]

Why is young adult so popular? Did kids suddenly take up reading books? (Great if true but it seems unlikely based on the teenagers I know)

Or do adults read YA for some reason?
Do adults prefer no sex / violence? Or at least no explicit sex/violence?

As an author I'd love to hears YA readers comments.

[Justine]

Hey Ed!

I love YA and NA and I am 23 lol. I love them because I find that they are "fluffier" reads, therefore quicker and faster to get through. I'm not one to read sex in books only because it always makes me laugh out loud, and asking myself if people actually do this lol. Also I feel like I can connect to the characters more if they are in my age range.

Hope my answer helps you a little bit.

[Desiree]

Well, I am 37 and I read YA. Sometimes I just need something a little lighter. And it's not really about the sex...because I can easily pick out plenty of books that don't have heavy sex scenes or innuendos... it's usually just not as heavy. Yes, there is drama and you get the whole "angsty teen" stuff (I have an 18 year old so I deal with the real drama... LOL...so the stuff in books doesn't phase me).
I guess it's just a lighter read. If the story is good I don't even realize "Hey, this was written for someone half my age!"

[Ed]

Thanks!

[Terri]

I have always read YA. Sometimes the best fantasy books were YA. Now its an explosion but so much interesting stuff is still coming out esp. PA and Dystopian. They tend to be quicker reads.

[Tina]

I am in my 40's and I love YA books. I love the easier read without all the sex scenes. They do usually have quite a bit of heat and lead you just to the edge, but just enough that I can enjoy the chemistry between the characters without all the sexual details. :)

[~ Becky]

I like switching off to various genres and I've always been a Fan of YA. I'm in my 50's and I enjoy getting LOST in the character's Story and/or Drama, if ya will.

I don't always need the erotica and the explicit detail that some of my reads have. I enjoy using my imagination ~ 'true kissing, heart racing, omgosh, fireworks-going-off, first time love type romance.' {{Sigh}} Remember Ladies and Gents that Feeling??!! That's what I'm talkin' about!!!! //(*_*)\\ Yep....

[Ansonja]

I am 22 years old and I have just discovered this genre of books. For years I read either teens or adult books, hence this was like a delightful breath of fresh air for me. I have grown to like it because it tends relates to problems that my friends or I am facing. Moreover, most of the books in this genre that I have read provide a chemistry and connections between the characters that I have rarely seen in other genres. Finally, I think some of the plot devices and characteristics of the hero/ heroine a bit more believable, though I have seen a few with preposterous developments.

[Ed]

I think I got it. I just finished The 5th Wave and it's YA so I understand. A little sugary for me in parts but still okay.

[Christina]

Not that I am a prude or anything but I just don't like over sexed books or rape. YA seems to stay away from those