Why Are More Adults Reading Teenage Genre Books?

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   shotzee242posted 13 years ago

   Over the past few years, I have noticed that my reading preferences have turned more to the teenage genre than adult.  Apparently, it is not just me: Millions of adults and teenagers alike have made the Twilight quartet of novels one of the most successful works of fiction in years.  I enjoy the teenage angst and unrequited love that many of these works of fiction feature.  Does anyone else have an opinion about this?

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      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I don't understand it.
      
      And I really don't understand how anyone, child or adult, can empathize with the idea of love between a human and a monster.....

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         Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Well to be fair Brenda, when it comes to fantasy/science fiction genre of any medium, everything you see is a metaphor.  therefore, you have to look at everything from not only a literal perspective, but from a metaphorical perspective; as there's a deeper meaning within the story itself.  Take Star Wars' infamous force.  sure, we can say it's nothing more than magic within a science fiction film.  However, if you listen to the dialogue between Master Yoda and Luke, you can tell it's really a metaphor for confidence.  Saying if you believe in yourself, then you can do anything. That's the metaphor behind the force.  In twilight, it's kind of the same thing.  Sure, on the surface, you can view it as a story of a young girl falling in love with a monster.  however, it's really a story about forbidden love underneath it's colorful metaphors, as Bella struggles with her emotions over two boys that she loves dearly.  Anyways, I hope that clears that up.

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            Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks.  Yeah I do understand all that.  I watched the first Twilight.  And even though I know it's fantasy, it still gave me the creeps, especially since I think it sends the wrong message to kids.  It's kinda like....I really enjoyed Michael Jackson's talents as a singer and dancer, but when he came up with the Thriller video and danced with monsters in it, it gave me the creeps too.  Well, along with the rumors and evidence of his improper behavior with kids too.

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               Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Yeah, i guess I can see your point.  Unfortunately, since I'm forced to watch all the movies to review them, I tend to notice the twilight films tend to substitute a lot of story content in favor of soft core porn targeted to adolescent preteen and teenage girls.  What's even creepier is that I've actually met older women that drool over Edward and Jacob, as much as their daughters (or in some cases granddaughters) do.  (cringes)  Yes, I know I'm a sick man for forcing myself to see a film franchise that I don't like. 

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                  Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Do you mean you're a paid reviewer?
                  Well I guess it's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it! lol
                  I don't think I'd make it as a reviewer; I'd get fired; I'm afraid I'd give such scathing reviews of most modern movies....
                  
                  What did you think about the Kill Bill series?  Did you review those, or was that too long ago?  Now those had some radical love in 'em!  If it can be called love.

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                     Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     By paid reviewer you mean getting paid through adsense on hubpages like you do, then yes I am.  If not, then sadly no.  however, I do have some connections to see a lot of these films for free anyway, so it doesn't cost me anything other than my time.
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     To be honest, I haven't written any reviews for Kill Bill, but I loved those films too.  Did you know that originally it was supposed to be released as one movie, but Tarantino had it split up into two because he was afraid they'd be too long if they went that route.  However, my favorite scene out of those films would probably have to be the part where Uma takes on a whole room full of Yukuzas. that was pretty cool if you ask me.

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                        Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        Yeah that was cool.  Somehow that series made violence almost palatable (as fantasy).
                        Uma Thurman's good.
                        
                        I'm trying to think of an old movie about a schoolbus crash; very moody; I think the girl became crippled during the crash; and seems like it was Uma Thurman who starred in it.  But I can't seem to find it.   I may be mistaken about who starred in it.  An investigator, the same actor who was trying to find Michael Meyers in the Halloween series, had a daughter named Zoe....

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                           Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           Yeah, I have to agree.  I think the great thing about Quentin Tarantino's body of work is how amazingly colorful he can often make his films seem; in spite of the topic that it refers to.

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                           Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           Hey, I found the movie!
                           It's "The Sweet Hereafter".  Wasn't Uma Thurman, but an actress who looks a lot like her!--Sarah Polley.  And the old guy who I was thinking was Donald Pleasance was actually Ian Holm.  It had a "Pied Piper" theme to it.
                           
                           
                           Stevennix, if you have access to that, I'm gonna request you do a review of it.  Have you seen it?  It was 1997 I believe.  But it's not of science fiction genre;  more of a drama.

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                              Stevennix2001posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              Oh okay.  I'll definitely get right on it Brenda.  To be honest, I review all types of genres of films, so I won't mind reviewing "sweet hereafter."  Thanks for the tip.  Although I don't know if I'll be able to review it right away, as I'm a bit behind on a few hubs, but I'll definitely have it ready soon though. 

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                                 Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                                 It was just a suggestion/request.  I'm curious to know what you think of it.  And the two other films I added.  haha.  It's cool you're considering it.

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         Uninvited Writerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I guess you were not a fan of Beauty and the Beast?
         
         I'm not interested in Twilight but I have read a few YA books that are enjoyable. In my work I can pick up a lot of review copies for free and a lot are young adult.

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         Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         come on Brenda... human / monster relationship are very common..
         
         
         
         
         
         

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            Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            haha yeah
            but ...I believe the first two couples are no longer together.   And I can't imagine how Michael Douglas has made Catherine Zeta-Jones stay with him this long even!

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               Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               it's simple, Brenda...
               
               He gives her money, and in return he is allowed to suck her blood in order that he may live for another 300 years

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                  Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Wonder where he hides his fangs?
                  Or do they just retract during the day?

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                     Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     

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      Ivorwenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I've read a number of adult and teen books in the last year, and the thing I am seeing is that the teen books generally easier reading.  If one doesn't have much time to read, then a teen book is more appealing.
      
      That said, I have found books from both groups equally challenging or useless.

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      SMOMarketingWizposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It is a good sign to understand teenage complexity.

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      AlyzaLewisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I'm still very young (19), so it's probably no surprise to you that I still read loads of YA (Young Adult) novels.  I just have more in common with teenagers struggling through school than I do with career moms with gray hair.  But personally I believe that a good book is a good book no matter what age it was written for.  I read children's books, YA books, and Adult books indiscriminately.

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      Elizabeth Mposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. I don't run into many people who will read it, but most have seen the movies. I go on HP binges where I will read the series one right after the other. I'm planning on another one when I'm done with the book that I am reading now!

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      Fantasy Novels UKposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      YA is a broad Genre, it doesn't necessary have to be teenage girls hooking up with monsters. Fair enough we had the twilight series. However The Hunger Games and Divergent series were fantastic stories with great strong heroines. It wasn't anything to do with vampires and werewolf's that pulled younger and older audiences in here. It was fantastic characters, good plot and great story.

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         Kara Stilesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I completely agree!  I read all genres adult and YA alike.  I tend to reach for the YA books right now because they are in the limelight, sparking interest, and have excellent plots and characters.  I'm also a sucker for a good book that was made into a movie.  I like to watch the movie first, then dive into the book and see what else I can discover.
         On a separate note, I am a mother of a teen that reads a lot. It has helped me to have something to start conversation about (since conversing with a teen isn't always easy).

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   stclairjackposted 13 years ago

   becuase as a culture we failed to grow up.
   
   its just my opinion, and i know i'm probubly wrong,... but i'm just sayin'

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   mikicagleposted 13 years ago

   I have to agree with the never growing up thing. A teacher that I work with reads all of the teenage novels and I think he has Peter Pan syndrome. Maybe I am just getting old.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Some adults are cartoon addicts too.  Or at least anime addicts...

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   dingdondingdonposted 13 years ago

   That's a very good question. I've noticed the same thing. I couldn't say why, actually. Perhaps it's because while adults generally feel younger, teenagers tend to grow up faster, so their interests are kind of merging together?

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      Motown2Chitownposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think there's a lot of truth in what you say, ding.  I haven't read a young adult book since I was a young adult, but I think the only real difference these days is the simplicity of the language in young adult books.  Aside from that, the content is often the same in terms of sex, weighty moral themes, and the like...just  my take on it.

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   recommend1posted 13 years ago

   My guess would be that most 'new' books are just re-hashed old stories and 'formula' romance tec.  And on the other hand the good new books are too far over the heads of most people due to the dumbing down of education over the last couple of decades.
   
   I would also hazard a guess that this is also why few people read good poetry and very few new good poets have appeared lately.
   
   The same basic issue could also underly the new religions that are clearly based in a lower level of general understanding.

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   BunuBobuposted 13 years ago

   Yeah some of us were teenagers a few years ago.
   lol.
   
   Truly its because teen books are shorter and I sometimes have little time to read.
   
   Adult books seem to lack imagination and seem to be directed at mothers with kids trapped in loveless marriages. My hairdresser was really into the Millennium Trilogy, which is not my cup of tea.
   
   I read biographies and I read most of the classics. I also read and write poetry but when I want to read something "fun" its Christoper Pike

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   Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

   I seem to hang in circles where adults aren't reading fiction at all.  We're a bunch of readers - just not fiction.  So, I don't know anybody (even young adults) who are reading the teen stuff.   Now, movies, on the other hand...  I'm not the only one in my circle who leans toward movies like Enchanted, Finding Nemo, or the animated version of Anastasia; so, go figure... 

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   NateSeanposted 13 years ago

   To answer the original poster, I have a theory. Because I found myself diving into James Patterson's Maximum Ride novels recently, which could be arguably considered young adult. (Especially the shorter books after the first three)
   
   For me, I guess there's a kind of stunted romance that comes from imagining my life in high school as being much better than it really was.
   
   Let's look at twilight.
   
   Bella is the new kid. Other kids go out of their way to include her in their lives. She has friends and potential suitors almost instantly.
   
   This isn't as farfetched as some make it out to be. She's the Chief of Police's daughter in a town where everyone's business is everyone else's. Being friends with her and/or impregnating her will grant you parking ticket immunity for life.
   
   My point is, Bella had a much more interesting time in high school than I did. I'd have killed (not literally) to meet the Cullen family. Or hell, just to have been included in a group with Mike, Eric, Jessica and company.
   
   Don't know if that makes sense or not.

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   shotzee242posted 13 years ago

   Thanks you guys for responses.  The responses gave me a different perspective on this genre of writing.  I read YA novels because I am just a romantic fool and I love a good love story.  The action is usually enough to keep me interested. 
   I agree with the post about never growing up.  I hope part of me stays a child forever! Believe me--with all of the adult responsibilities and stresses in my life, childhood sounds pretty good.
   
   I read all types of literature: poetry (Emily Dickinson), Biographies, Non-fiction, fiction, etc.) Even though my major was Accounting-my lit classes were my favorites.  I will sum it up to say that a good book is great to way to escape real life--if only for a little while...

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    psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

    I think adults always read YA, we only recently thought to survey and ask them about it. But it is not new.  There has always been a demand for direct easy reading stories for adults. I personally like the work of Tamora Pierce.

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