Young Adult Fiction for Adults discussion
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How to get adults to read YA books?
Maria V. wrote: "Back to the topic...uh... Do you think having the books in the YA section of the bookstore prevents adults from browsing? "
I think so. As a librarian when a patron is asking for a specific book, such as a classic that most teens read for school or a popular read like Twilight, I mention it is shelved in the YA area and some patrons get offended. They can't seem to understand that just because a teen reads it doesn't mean they shouldn't read it. Because of this a lot of books that are YA/Adult crossovers are shelved in both the adult fiction section and YA fiction section.
Also browsing habits are interesting. Some people are used to only looking in one or two areas for books and if they don't see what they are looking for in those areas they assume that the library doesn't have it at all. Then they won't ask the librarian if the book is checked out or shelved elsewhere and are surprised when we do have the book, shelved in YA.
Michelle wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "To get back on topic,One reason I read YA is to relate to the teenagers in my life, and to be able to recommend books to my 11 yr old. We read The percy jackson series toge..."never heard of them
Mic wrote: "Maria V. wrote: "Back to the topic...uh... Do you think having the books in the YA section of the bookstore prevents adults from browsing? "
I think so. As a librarian when a patron is asking..."
just had a thought : O Where is YA in your library, Mine is next to the children's section, that actually back up to each other, big middle lobby area and you cross that to get to the adult section, maybe they should be together?
Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "To get back on topic,One reason I read YA is to relate to the teenagers in my life, and to be able to recommend books to my 11 yr old. We read The percy ja..."I read half of the first one (but had to return it to the library) and it was really good from what I read. I went back the next day to check it out to finish it but someone had already checked it out! You should try them!
This might be a controversial opinion, but as both a reader and writer of YA novels, I'm not so sure it's even a good thing to try and convince adults to read YA. This is such an important genre for so many reasons. The books that are written for young people should be written for them. I worry that if getting adults into the mix becomes a priority, the focus will start to be on them rather than the teens for whom this genre exists. After all, money talks. If adults start to make up a larger portion of the demographic (by spending more $), how long would it be before the publishers realize what side their bread is buttered on?
I totally appreciate adults who love the genre as it is (because they obviously get it as is), but if they don't get it, they don't get it, and I'm fine with that. I'd hate to think we could someday get to a place where editors must take into consideration the adult demographic when greenlighting a YA book.
But that's just my two cents!
<3
MZ
It isn't YA anymore when you start catering to adults. I would hope publishers would realize that before they decide the YA demographic isn't important anymore. Adults that read YA books do so because they like em. The only reason I would recommend an adult read a YA book is because I think they would appreciate it too. For that reason I've never recommended YA lit to my dad. He doesn't appreciate it like I do, so why would I recommend it to him and try to get him to read it. I think the market that isn't being tapped into are the adults that would appreciate YA lit if they gave it a chance. YA lit shouldn't change, it's people's opinions about it that I'm all about changing.
I completely agree with Becca and Michelle...I love the YA genre as it is...I would not want that to change because we started trying to pull in adult readership.
Maria V. wrote: "LOL - Getting off topic happens in many discussion threads :) The reason I wasn't as quick to say I wrote the book is I started this discussion to get insightful feedback about how to interest..."
In a bookstore? Probably. My borders has a full 10 x 10 display of Twilight movie merchandise from t-shirts to calendars and candy right smack dab in the middle of the YA section. My boyfriend wont go anywhere near it and I see people take a look at some of the other displays and dismiss it as a genre that they wouldn't be interested in. I don't think trying to get adults to read YA would change the genre. There are YA books that are more mature and aimed at a wider audience that would be enjoyed by older readers as well. I kind of like the idea of making two covers and having them shelved in different areas. The book is still the same but it would reach different groups of people.
Ooooo! I like that idea too Jamie. Cover A for the YA readers and the sexier, more adult cover B for the adult readers who can't get enough of the YA genre. Not bad!
"just had a thought : O Where is YA in your library, Mine is next to the children's section, that actually back up to each other, big middle lobby area and you cross that to get to the adult section, maybe they should be together?"In libraries, there's a lot of discussion on where YA areas should be placed. The current theme at the moment is to give teens "their own space" by creating a section seperate from Children's and Adults. In my branch the YA area is a little nook carved out of bookshelves with some comfy chairs for the teens to sit in and read/do schoolwork/etc. In the main library, the teens have their own room with tables/chairs/computers plus display space. It's really nice, but an adult won't go in there and browse in there are teens hanging out in the room. I do find some adults browsing my branch YA area but it's also relatively close to the adult section.
Becca wrote: "Ooooo! I like that idea too Jamie. Cover A for the YA readers and the sexier, more adult cover B for the adult readers who can't get enough of the YA genre. Not bad!"Interestingly enough, this was done with Maria V. Snyder's Poison Study and Magic Study. The kicker was that the adult book was $16.99 and the YA book was $9.99. The YA books also had a map whereas the adult book did not. So I'm all for different covers, but why the price difference? (note - the adult book was a little bit larger, but not $7.00 larger).
publishers, what can you do? At least YA readers got introduced to a great series!
lol, that's pretty funny though. Smart on the publisher/bookseller's part. Adults are always willing to spend more on a book than a teenager, so why not jack up the price a little bit on the same book? From a business perspective it isn't a bad idea. And if you're a smart shopper the price on the adult book versus YA book isn't a problem. Just get the YA version.
I believe that according to Maria's earlier post that the YA version was released after the adult so I get the whole lower price thing. If they were released at the same time I would be a little miffed if I had bought the more expensive version. I own the YA version - even though it wasn't in the YA section - so I have the map.
I honestly never had a problem with getting others to read any YA books. Although I have been in some book stores where the YA are mixed with the childrens section. That could be a problem for some. Not for me of course because I have kids! It just makes it easier for me, but alot of adults are drawn to the "darker" sections naturally. I know that alot of the YA covers would mix with that theme but if they are mixed with the cheerful childrens covers, it might be a put off. So, my answer is yes. I do think it can prvent an adult from entering the YA section.
message 67:
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Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun)
(new)
At my library the YA section is actually next to the fiction section. Children's is in a completely separate room. I still have to go in there for books like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, but I think it helps the YA market to have those books next to the fiction. Afterall, we were all teens once, and they wouldn't be caught dead reading a "kid's book"! Far above that. Then adults browsing the fiction section can maybe to interested in a book due to it's cover or whatever and go from there. As to re-releasing books with YA and adult labels, I think it makes sense. Like it or not (and I think everyone hear likes it) YA is HOT right now. Have you seen the plethora of movies coming out from YA books? I think Twilight had a big role in that because adults liked it too so adults are wondering what other YA books they might like. It just makes sense for publishers to try to capitalize. And teens are more likely to spend $$ on things like movies and books(more disposable income, fewer bills)so it makes sense to market to them too.
Hi, I just wanted to share the reasons why I read YA books, some people might think of me as an adult or not, but I wanted to share anyway.I've finished High School 4 years ago only, and I see some of the girls I've graduated with getting married, having kids, getting a real life, etc. I'm not there yet and YA books don't talk about theses kinds of thing. They talk more about friendship, family problems, brothers and sisters, first love, etc.
I don't feel I've left the teenage world just yet. I'm still in school, I still live with my parents. I don't know anything about a "real" adult problem so I don't relate to the books or character that live problems like that.
I've never felt awkward browsing the YA section and I've seen may adults browsing them.
Sometimes, you just want to escape and you can't do it in books where the character's life looks so much like yours or not enough depending of who you are.
I think that being an adult should not limit your reading. I've read Matilda (from Roald Dahl) for the first time I was 16...I still read books from my childhood, it's comforting so why an adult shouldn't read a YA book.
Anyway, I hope it helped!
do.ob
PS: Sorry if the English is not really good and if its not super clear, it's not my first language!
I totally agree, Noemie! I think everyone should read the books that speak to them at the moment - genre shouldn't be a limitation. I also have a secret belief that somehow, we find those extra-special books (regardless of genre) when we need them most.<3
MZ
Wow - way to go :) Back on topic and great comments as well.I've also seen the Twilight merchandise displays right in the middle of the YA section at Borders - I usually frown at it, but that's just jealousy ;> However the section is huge and I remember back when there was a kids' books section and an adult books section and nothing in between.
As for the difference in price between the adult Poison Study and YA - the adult price is $13.95 US (I don't know where you saw $16.99? Could it be an UK edition?) It was out in hardcover years ago for $19.95. The YA price is $9.99 - for the same story. I think someone already said it's probably because YA books in general are cheaper. Even the YA hardcovers are usually around $16-$18.
If I'm at a signing and both covers are available, I tell people to buy the YA one. As for the map - we didn't have a map for when Poison Study came out in hardcover and for the first trade edition. I drew that map for the UK office and the USA office decided they liked it. Sea Glass has both the world map and the map of the Magician's Keep. My brother-in-law made up the Keep map for me so I could post it for my readers on my website and my publisher liked it.
Wow! So interesting, Maria! Thanks for giving us all this information.<3
MZ
Maria, $16.99/$9.99 was Canadian price. Funny since CAD is at par with USD now. But this is not your fault, it's the publishers....Thanks for the info. By the way, most of my friends (in their 30's and up) prefer the YA books. We usually start at that part of the bookstore or library. Not embarrassed at all. I have, however, been embarrassed in some parts of the adult section...(ha ha). And some of us might actually be admiring a character or 2 on the Twilight display....
Don't lick the Twilight display, AH! :D
I usually make a beeline for the YA section and run into quite a few adults there. But it also is the most comfortable reading section in the library and is right next to the adult fantasy/sci-fi in the bookstore, so people naturally keep browsing the shelves. I think half of the adults I see there didn't really notice they'd moved from adult fiction to YA fiction.
I was thinking about the things that attract me to the YA section and I thought of my eyes...I'm in my 40s with 20/20 vision, but for some reason YA books are usually double spaced and in larger print. So my reason for gravitating to YA may be easy on the eyes. How's that for a marketing tool? I've noticed that I am now alternating my reading. One YA book, one not YA book. Just a thought. Anyone else?
I haven't noticed that they've been printed differently than adult books. Maybe larger font, but I don't see a difference in line spacing for the most part.
Just finished Fade, Gone, White Is for Magic, and Hunger. All of these books were double-spaced and the type appeared larger. I am currently reading White Witch, Black Curse in paperback and the font is smaller. Just a little observation....
Maybe that's why I haven't noticed. I haven't read any of them.
AH wrote: "I was thinking about the things that attract me to the YA section and I thought of my eyes...I'm in my 40s with 20/20 vision, but for some reason YA books are usually double spaced and in larger p..."
I've noticed that as well. Particularly the newer YA books like the ones you mentioned. I also like the different formats such as the journal-style books or novels in verse or mixed novel/graphic novel. These don't seem to appeal to as many adults or just don't "work" for an adult novel. Yet I find them interesting and different. A break from the typical novels I read.
lol! Bigger isn't always better. I think it depends on what it says. But I would have to agree for the most part Heidi.
I read YA for a few reasons. 1. I teach 8th grade English/Language Arts and I like to encourage my students to read as much as possible. I began to read them just so I could stay on top of what the kids were reading. I am able to discuss great reading options with them.
2. They are flat out addicting. I think some people associate YA with weaker storylines, poor character development, immature subject matter, etc. That is definitely not the case. I think students can learn a great deal from reading YA novels. Underlying themes of loss, coming of age, hope, love, fitting in, discovery, self-identity, etc. all play a role in these novels. You can lose yourself in a YA book and then just as easily (re)discover yourself.
Current books/series that I am attached to:
Hunger Games/Catching Fire/Mockingjay
The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness Series (6 books in all - waiting on the 6th)
I also read a lot of YA. I used to enjoy reading as a teenager, and as I got older I read more adult fiction. But over the years I found I seem to prefer the writing of the YA books. They pull me in more, describe things so clearly, and create an atmosphere that some adult books do not. So I have gone back to reading YA. I used to feel odd browsing the childrens section, where harry potter is, and trying to find the old Point horror books I enjoyed as a teen.But now I am older I dont mind at all, I do get a few looks as I wander over to the teen section. Which is by the computers, on the other side from non fiction. The childerns have a seperate section.
It shouldnt matter who the book is aimed at, we are all into different things and if a YA has in the book what you enjoy reading..that is all that matters.
I think the division between YA & adult is somewhat arbitrary- like someone else said based on marketing. You do notice a difference in the ages of the characters, and the vocabulary that is used.For me, I just kept reading some of the same authors I read when I was younger, like Tamora Pierce, and that led to other books in the same sections. Plus since I prefer fantasy, many good fantasy novels are aimed at a younger audience.
A lot of adults are reading/have read Harry Potter & the Twilight series, often along w/ their kids. Parents are probably more likely too, simply because they're exposed to it more. Just suggest a book to someone you think they'll like that is not too obviously YA, if they seem prejudiced against it.
As you mention, Mariah, I think more adults are reading YA fiction now because for one reason or another they read Harry Potter and/or Twilight. My entire family is reading and loving YA books now simply because of Twilight. When we first read it (2007) we didn't even know what YA meant and would never have thought to go to the teen section of a bookstore to look for reading material. Now it is the first place I go as well as belonging to some YA book sites. My brother reads a lot of non fiction and history as well as fiction but certainly not YA. I can't get him to read Twilight but he read and really liked the Mortal Instruments trilogy (he does like fantasy) so now he is more open minded about YA books.
This is a really late response I guess, but what if libraries and bookstores started promoting ideas for (or holding their own) parent/child book clubs or something like that? It seems to me that many of the adults who have recently started reading YA got into it because a young adult in their life influenced them to read a YA book. Something like a parent/child book club would facilitate relationships as well as introduce the participants to books and genres that they might not otherwise choose to read. It'd be easy to do themes about the relationships between parents and children too since there are so many books like that, especially in YA lit.
It wouldn't even have to be an ongoing thing. Libraries and bookstores have little workshops and events all the time. They could easily have a one time parent/child book discussion to see if it is something that the people in that area would be interested in. If it was a publisher or bookstore sponsored event, they could even bring in an author to participate in discussion/do a signing to generate interest and participants, or do a buy one get one half off on whatever book was the planned group read. If it were successful, they could do it again occasionally or regularly.
My church library has a mother/daughter bookclub- I know one they've read together is Twilight.
What about word of mouth? Most of the YA books I've read were recommended by friends and then I just passed the love and good taste on to others. For example, my friend told me about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and I told one of my friends and now she is dying for Mockingjay! Then again, so are we..
Mariah wrote: "My church library has a mother/daughter bookclub- I know one they've read together is Twilight."What a wonderful idea, Pattee!!
<3
MZ
I think word of mouth is the big thing for me....or was in the first place until I found sites like this and the others I am on. I introduced Twilight to the ladies in my post office, my vet's office, my chiropractor's office.... and the list goes on. Now many of them are just waiting for me to finish a book so they can borrow it, and we are loaning books back and forth. None of them every read YA before and many are sharing them with their kids.
I am one of the minority who do not like The Hunger Games books. I read the first one and half of the second. It isn't the writing which I do think is excellent - just turned off with the concept of kids killing kids. That is just me. I do get all the messages that world is sending and all that but it's just not for me.
Sorry I haven't been over here in awhile - I'm under deadline :)Pattee - Balticon is a convention for a bunch of Science fiction, fantasy and horror readers and writers - a bunch of geeks, bascially :)
Here's what it says on their website:
Over 300 Hours of Multi-Track Programming featuring authors, publishers, editors, artists, scientists, musicians and other creative SF luminaries. Join over a thousand SF fans for the area's largest and longest running convention of its kind! Visit our huge art show, dealer's room, concerts, dances, gaming room, computer room and video room. Everything Science Fiction and Fantasy in one huge package.
It's my favorite reader con - I have favorite writing conventions for writers wanting to learn about publishing and books.
Thanks for all the great comments!
Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms) wrote: "I think word of mouth is the big thing for me....or was in the first place until I found sites like this and the others I am on. I introduced Twilight to the ladies in my post office, my vet's off..."That's great! I love giving books back and forth. I've actually got a copy of Lance Armstrong's autobiography with 20 names inside the front cover from people I've lent it to who've loved it. To share a book with someone is one of the most therapeutic things you can do.
And you can tell who your real friends are by who actually takes the time to read the things you give them.
Hey Terry, I understand your problem with The Hunger Games. I don't think it is about killing kids per say, I think it is about killing innocence and how soceity treats kids. I remember reading Lord of the Flies and you talk about intense mature themes.
Someone said something about suggestions based on "adult book" tastes. Well, I've usually not liked YA books I've read(even YA books I liked as a child), but think it would be nice to like some, so if you have suggestions based on my tastes they'd be appreciated. My tastes tend toward HEAVY stuff. Things that make me think. If my mind feels like it should explode from so many cool ideas, that's good. Frank Herbert, Neil Gaiman, Tim Powers, Philip Dick, China Mieville, Charles Stross. More SF than Fantasy, but maybe just because they are more likely to have more radically different worlds.
Oh gosh... I don't remember what book got me hooked. I read a certain book and th rest was history. For a very long time I was really into memoirs. One way to get adults into YA is to shove a book in their hand and tell them to read it.
Charles wrote: "Someone said something about suggestions based on "adult book" tastes. Well, I've usually not liked YA books I've read(even YA books I liked as a child), but think it would be nice to like some, so..."Charles, since you rated Ender's Game highly, then you might enjoy something like The Maze Runner or Unwind. And since you like Neil Gaiman, have you read his YA books, Coraline and The Graveyard Book? You might also find interesting something like The Knife of Never Letting Go.
My friend recommended The Maze and it was very good. Book kept you on the edge of your seat. I just finished Coraline and enjoyed as much as the movie.
At the public library, I occasionally see adults in the YA section. It helps that the YA bookcase is pretty close to the adult fiction. I think that some of them might feel awkward, but if they have a teen of their own, they can pretend that the book is for them. I know that doesn't sound very good, but sometimes I do that with children's books.
(I am an older teen who still reads children's books sometimes, and I usually give them to my younger sister to check out. Not a big deal since I still read them and love them).
But anyway, I agree about recommending them YA books with similar plots to adult books they liked. It is so much easier to introduce someone to something that they sort of already know.
I got a friend to read the Harry Potter series by giving it to her two days before Thanksgiving and telling her she couldn't come for Thanksgiving dinner unless she at least tried the book. She called up the next night and wanted books two and three.
Young Adult Fiction for Adults
Books mentioned in this topic
The Knife of Never Letting Go (other topics)Ender’s Game (other topics)
The Graveyard Book (other topics)
Coraline (other topics)
The Maze Runner (other topics)
More...
Have you tried The Ranger's Apprentice series with him, Teresa? My now thirteen-year-old started them when he was 12, and he LOVES Them!
<3
MZ