tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post7844782736297410193..comments2024-03-28T06:40:18.963-04:00Comments on Leigh Talbert Moore, Author: Why Adults Read YA & A Book Review - StargirlLTMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-4612838577279913782010-08-23T12:10:37.929-04:002010-08-23T12:10:37.929-04:00@Ted: I agree! Look at those Hunger Games books an...@Ted: I agree! Look at those Hunger Games books and how great they're doing. They do NOT underestimate IMO...<br /><br />You should throw 'em for a loop. Make your MC 17 and market it as YA... see what happens! (I mean, only if you feel like it, of course... ;o)<br /><br />P.S.<br />I've also heard it's the economy, Bill (Clinton). Adults have stopped buying books for themselves, but they're still buying then for the kids--and then they started reading them-! Not sure if that's true...LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-35655273266999403522010-08-23T11:21:44.686-04:002010-08-23T11:21:44.686-04:00My main issues with YA are that it tends to undere...My main issues with YA are that it tends to underestimate kids (YA will read adult books quite happily; if only agents knew that...) and it is killing adult fiction to some degree. Just try writing for adults and see how hard it is to get published these days. The agents and publishers look at the bottom line and say, "Why buy an adult book when I can get both adult and YA audiences with a YA book?"Ted Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022309459554237650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-44931000715405555362010-08-21T19:01:18.650-04:002010-08-21T19:01:18.650-04:00Hey, Miz RaShelle--I was actually going to attempt...Hey, Miz RaShelle--I was actually going to attempt and get some good feedback on the boy book topic w/Monday's post. I wonder if it'll work... I should get DL/Jen on the case. ;p<br /><br />Yeah, Chocolate War was tough, but I was assigned it at 15. Also Slaughterhouse Five, which I was also assigned at 15...? Maybe I'm trying to recapture my lost YAhood--LOL! :D<br /><br />Nah, YA's just gotten really, really good I think. And not just cuz folks like us are writing it now *wink*~LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-52355432748991108422010-08-21T14:30:11.659-04:002010-08-21T14:30:11.659-04:00Hey Leigh - What a great topic, girl!!! I've h...Hey Leigh - What a great topic, girl!!! I've heard publishers are dying for material for teenaged boys. I can't think of anything. There is the younger set (Harry Potter, Fablehaven) and then adult. But what if the kid doesn't like fantasy? Sheesh. Maybe it's because boys that age are dealing with adult situations already. I read The Chocolate War. Yes they were in HS, but the language and the content was quite adult. <br /><br />Also, I agree on why YA is so popular with adults. I read as an escape too. It's nice not to have to think too much and still really enjoy a story. I don't think that's asking too much. Life is challenging and difficult enough already.RaShelle Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582252557500502186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-74110173079393959482010-08-19T23:48:26.902-04:002010-08-19T23:48:26.902-04:00@Hart: Wow. I always faked reading the dead Russia...@Hart: Wow. I always faked reading the dead Russians... LOL! But I think you're right about taking risks. YA is so fresh and alive right now!<br /><br />@Ellie: It's true! I was thinking that as I wrote--part of it is remembering a time when things were far less irreversable--? (Is that fair?)<br /><br />@Scarlett: Oh, yes, the whole easy to read is a big part of it. But I've been finding that even the easy to read books pack a punch. That's what I'm saying--it's like an amazing combo of Reasons 1 & 2. Good stuff! :o)LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-6863013195817246202010-08-19T18:29:13.331-04:002010-08-19T18:29:13.331-04:00THis is exactly why I like to read romance novels-...THis is exactly why I like to read romance novels- they are an escape. Sometimes you can pick up one with mystery mixed in and that can be a little extra "brain exercise". I believe that is what most women find so enthralling about the Twilight novels, they are an easy read with little thought required. When you are a busy wife and mother, reading is for relaxation, and hey, if you learn something along the way good for you!Scarletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18279369520973127406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-28447422419374185062010-08-19T17:07:03.541-04:002010-08-19T17:07:03.541-04:00I like the flow and it is an escape; YOU can trave...I like the flow and it is an escape; YOU can travel back to that time in your life. The formative times of tribulations and tests of our morals. This period in time help develop our character. We can time travel reflect, but enJOY someone else story. Since, my daughter turned 13(she is 14 now). I have started reading more YA! <br /><br />Great post~Ellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06070952447277684613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-70107400302889537932010-08-19T16:06:11.103-04:002010-08-19T16:06:11.103-04:00I only discovered YA with my kids, now 15 and 11, ...I only discovered YA with my kids, now 15 and 11, but ADORE that so much of it is fabulous for an adult too. I really got pulled in DEEP with Harry Potter, but there are many since then. <br /><br />I love the complex adult books, but the big thing about YA for me is language. To read my FAVORITE literature (the dead Russians) takes time and attention. I don't have either. I read while I walk, or while I have five minutes. The moderate complexity allows me to put it down and pick it up... to read at 60% attention... and still get a fabulous story.<br /><br />I also think it's the only genre taking any chances anymore, so it is the only place with REALLY fresh stuff.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-21483853584362149402010-08-19T15:18:52.877-04:002010-08-19T15:18:52.877-04:00@Carolyn & Nicole: Wow. I'm totally seeing...@Carolyn & Nicole: Wow. I'm totally seeing Monday's post... I wonder if we could get to the bottom of this. Thinking... thinking...<br /><br />@CC: Hmm... but what comment am I making? ;o) The primary distinction on what makes a book YA is the age of the main character--that's what I've found.<br /><br />@Rosie: That was me in HS--but I was in college-prep English courses and they had us reading Morrison, Vonnegut, etc. Not much time for anything else. But now YA IS different, and so engaging!<br /><br />((hugs)) back to you, ND. I think your daughter will like Stargirl~ :o)LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-2652095450806692662010-08-19T14:55:36.513-04:002010-08-19T14:55:36.513-04:00YA is such a phenomenon right now! And I was nodd...YA is such a phenomenon right now! And I was nodding when you talked about the first Harry Potter book. When I decided to read it back in 2001, I was actually a little...what? Embarrassed? I mean, it was a kid's book. I think JK Rowling changed the literary landscape the way Michael Jackson changed pop music and dance. The literary world is different now, and adults loving YA is a result.<br /><br />I read an interesting discussion recently regarding YA, but the subject being debated was whether YA books were too targeted to female readers, with the strong heroine and stereotypical hot-boy sidekick male characters. Interesting, no? I know my 12 yo son doesn't read any of the YA novels we hear about in the blogosphere! He's into the testosterone-infused sci-fi and paranormal wizardry books with male protagonists and hardly any females in the cast.<br /><br />I haven't read Stargirl, but I'm going to recommend it to my 10 yo daughter. She was just looking for a good book. Thanks!!<br /><br />Hope your week's going great!<br />((hugs)) NicoleAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-81993882165637484642010-08-19T13:36:27.162-04:002010-08-19T13:36:27.162-04:00Agreed. When I was YA I wouldn't read YA. I ...Agreed. When I was YA I wouldn't read YA. I didn't like Nancy Drew, I didn't like Babysitters Club (or was that more MG?). Well, maybe that's not true. I was a Christopher Pike addict, but that's pretty telling about my personality. I went quickly through my YA Horror stint into Steven King by the time I was twelve or thirteen.<br /><br />Now I can't get enough of it. I have a Barbara Kingsolver sitting by my bed, where it's been collecting dust since December. I think I got past page 2, maybe. But there are so many great new YA books that I don't want to invest the time to BK. It makes me sad, but it's true.<br /><br />Thanks for the book review :) I'm off to add that to my GoodReads list.RosieChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07911305246379355484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-37782919546647422972010-08-19T13:08:33.851-04:002010-08-19T13:08:33.851-04:00Clever - not just dual theories, but also dual for...Clever - not just dual theories, but also dual form (I like the combination of book review and social commentary - yes, I just referred to your thoughts about adult YA reading habits as a "social commentary"...). <br /><br />I agree with you on both points - the YA books I read serve both those purposes. In addition, though, I also think that sometimes YA and adult fiction isn't all that different. Why is "The Book Thief" classified as YA, while "Water for the Elephants" isn't? Sure, the latter has one (discreet) "adult" scene, but for the most part, I'd say "The Book Thief" is a much more "grown up" book, with more complex themes, characters, language. I don't really get the distinction.Cruella Colletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11422848273167338884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-7793432501929749902010-08-19T12:55:03.752-04:002010-08-19T12:55:03.752-04:00It's really hard to find books for these boys ...It's really hard to find books for these boys now. I've been falling back on the classics for summer reading but they don't love it. We need some new material! And yet, they say selling a book with an older male protagonist is impossible?Carolyn Abiadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-82754583907312729232010-08-19T12:22:13.306-04:002010-08-19T12:22:13.306-04:00@Rayna: Yes! The Rickshaw Girl--I've seen it i...@Rayna: Yes! The Rickshaw Girl--I've seen it in bookstores. Looks interesting~<br /><br />@Karen: I know--and the cool thing is we're all getting something from it. It's a YA Renaissance~<br /><br />@Carolyn: Yes, JKR very much hooked the male market. That really is another topic being hotly debated. Why don't older boys read books? (Or WHAT are they reading... ;o)<br /><br />@Ez: I was thinking this might be more of a school book--because it's great for discussion. Much like THG. Killing Mr. Griffin! I Know What You did Last Summer--I remember reading those... good stuff~ :o)LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-35934826124096011452010-08-19T11:30:47.483-04:002010-08-19T11:30:47.483-04:00I read both stargirl and the Harry potter books wh...I read both stargirl and the Harry potter books when I was younger and I loved them. But the reason I got into them in the first place was because of the adult librarians who'd read them and reccomended them to me. Back then I was a Lois Duncan fan and there was nothing kidish about her books at all and they were YA. The only books for adults I really like is the hist romances written by Lisa kleypas and Julia Quinn because their characters are to die for and are not much different then the chracters I read about in YA.Ezmireldahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04217164955411191307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-49916814740616235632010-08-19T11:17:17.633-04:002010-08-19T11:17:17.633-04:00I read Harry Potter with my boys, but of course it...I read Harry Potter with my boys, but of course its a slippery slope. Now the three of us fight over who is going to read what first!Carolyn Abiadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-69970205374942328012010-08-19T10:27:30.903-04:002010-08-19T10:27:30.903-04:00Stargirl sounds good, and something I'd pick u...Stargirl sounds good, and something I'd pick up. I love the cover but it's definitely a girl book cover. I can't see any boy picking it up. Not that that would hurt sales since you're right, teen girls, their moms and their grandmas are all reading the same books!Karen Jones Gowenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01153821980625034810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8702219714438420151.post-302808001383823112010-08-19T09:41:59.164-04:002010-08-19T09:41:59.164-04:00I first heard the term Young Adult less than a yea...I first heard the term Young Adult less than a year back. And the little I have read of it, I really like it too.<br />For the same reasons you mention, I guess. Mithali Perkin anyone?Natashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00481081735923606868noreply@blogger.com