I've decided on a slightly embarrassing topic for today's post... I'm afraid to read books from the adult genre.
I didn't even realise until recently that I was afraid of these books. I think the moment I admitted recognised that I had a problem was earlier this year, when the time came to find out the Booksplosion book of the month.
If you're unaware, Booksplosion is a book group set up by several popular booktubers, where they pick one book each month for all the members to read, discuss in the threads and then they have a liveshow discussion at the end of the month. I'd taken part in a couple of these readalongs (Control by Lydia Kang and Panic by Lauren Oliver), and I'm always excited to hear what the next book of the month will be. So, on this particular month, the book chosen was Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. I'd read Fangirl by this time, so I was excited to participate. But then...
If you're unaware, Booksplosion is a book group set up by several popular booktubers, where they pick one book each month for all the members to read, discuss in the threads and then they have a liveshow discussion at the end of the month. I'd taken part in a couple of these readalongs (Control by Lydia Kang and Panic by Lauren Oliver), and I'm always excited to hear what the next book of the month will be. So, on this particular month, the book chosen was Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. I'd read Fangirl by this time, so I was excited to participate. But then...
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| Dun Dun DUN |
I decided to look it up on Goodreads and saw the genre box.
All of a sudden my brain started telling me "Oh Sabrina, you don't need to participate this month. Besides, you have too many other books to read." But I know the truth now.
I've been thinking about it more and more recently, and I think I have come up with a list of mind barriers stopping me from trying books from the adult section:
1. I don't think I've read it before - so it's unknown territory
2. I'm technically not even an adult yet (so I'm not even allowed, right? :P )
3. What if I don't understand it?
4. What if it's too different from YA and I hate it?
5. What if it's too different from YA and I love it?
6. What if I think it's better than YA and become a pretentious reader?
Okay, so that last reason isn't much of a concern.
The thing is, I have come across plenty of adult books that I am thoroughly interested in. Books that I am dying to read. But I just won't.
For example;
The thing is, I have come across plenty of adult books that I am thoroughly interested in. Books that I am dying to read. But I just won't.
For example;
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I know, I haven't read The Lord of The Rings. I'm a disgrace.
Another thing with these is that they're also categorised as young adult by some people. I need to get over this problem!
Another thing with these is that they're also categorised as young adult by some people. I need to get over this problem!
Don't feel embarrased! It's normal actually, if you've been reading most of the time YA books maybe trying Adult ones can be scary but being honest here sometimes I don't see much difference... Yes, obviously Adult books deal sometimes with more mature issues but I've been reading YA books recently that can perfectly well be adult ones and viceversa. The only two books (or rather series) that I've read of your examples are Game of Thrones and The Lord Of The Rings and even though they are hard to read, they are so worth it.
ReplyDeleteHahah you think so? :) Thank you for the information! I really appreciate it. I'm not going to lie - I'm put off by GoT and LotR because of their length as well :P I'll try and get to them when I have more time on my hands.
DeleteI was scared to read Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks
ReplyDeleteYeah me too! Especially because they cover a lot of dark topics too.
DeleteOMG. My first love was actually adult fiction. I started reading it when I was really young and didn't really discover YA until I was in college. I've gotten to a point that I mostly read YA, but I try to read at least three or four adult books a year just because I do like them.
ReplyDeleteAttachments is actually my favorite Rainbow Rowell book, and Landline is pretty good too. I've also read a lot of Nicholas Sparks. I like his older books the best. I feel like he was more focused then. And if you want to try it, I'd also recommend Water for Elephants. It's really good.
That's unusual! At least, I think it is. Interesting.
DeleteI love the sound of Attachments, hopefully I will toughen up and read it soon! I definitely have to try Nicholas Sparks at some point too... and Water for Elephants... so many books to read!
Thank you for the recommendations! :)
Oh, it's definitely odd. I was an odd kid. My teachers wanted me to read more age appropriate things, but I was reading, so that was kind of it on that.
DeleteMy favorite Nicholas Sparks books are The Guardian, True Believer, and At First Sight.
And no problem. :D
Haha oh dear :')
DeleteI think I've heard of The Guardian, that's all.
For a long period of my life I would read concurrently to my age. When I was a little toddler, the Ma would read me picture books. And then I progressed to middle grade fiction and when I hit 10/11 I moved onto YA. And then at 13 I decided I was too good for it and slowed down (but never gave up--it's too addictive) the YA reads. I made a beeline for adult literature and classics. It appeased me for so long and it still does now! :D I hope you do give it a chance though--there are some some gems out there!
ReplyDeleteJess @ MyReadingDress
I pretty much was the same, except I didn't find YA until much later, and I'd had a few years of just constantly rereading favourites.
DeleteI sure will :) Soon.
Oh my gosh, I have almost the exact same problem! I have this nagging idea that I won't understand adult books because I'm not an adult, and ergo not mature enough to comprehend. But there are a few adult books I have my eye on... including all of the ones you mentioned! :) Rainbow Rowell's Landline and Attachments especially~ Don't worry, I haven't read LoTR either. I tried once, but I couldn't get past like 20 pages *hangs head in shame*
ReplyDeleteHooray, I'm not alone!!! This makes me very happy lol.
DeleteI remember when I was a lot younger my dad tried reading LotR to me and my siblings. I think we got about halfway through the first book/part thing before we gave up.
I remember just becoming bored by the constant, very detailed descriptions.
I've found that while I still love YA more, adult fiction can often be similar, depending on the author. I find it a little boring at times (the contemporary ones at least, because I don't like to linger on reading about all of the un-fun aspects of adult life!) but I also think adult books can have more perspective and tackle more issues because there is less tip-toeing around controversial topics! If you need some suggestions, Attachments isn't a bad place to start (it was a little slow in some places but overall a fun read) and many of Meg Cabot's series are easy transitions too (because the protagonists are not too far out of the YA age group) such as the Heather Wells mystery series!
ReplyDeleteHaha I will have to add that to my list of reasons - not wanting to read about "the un-fun aspects of adult life"! Thanks for the suggestions!
DeleteI can relate to this post so much, I can't even begin to explain. I think whenever anyone asks me why I don't read Adult fiction anymore, my best reply would be that I'm not even an adult yet so I'm not "allowed" as you said. xD I have four glorious years before I have to worry about being an adult who is shy of Adult fiction. But then, I don't really think it matters as long as you enjoy what you're reading.
ReplyDelete*pats back* I haven't read LOTR either. Actually, I started it like two years ago and I'm still "reading" it. Also, that gif over there made me crack up for some reason. I just imagined the word "adult" as an angry adult, with the "DUN DUN DUN" background sound. Isn't my imagination just lovely. (So lovely that you might not even get it). Anyway, I love this post!
Eh. Silly mistake with the "anymore". Not like I read Adult books before.
DeleteHaha! I'm glad someone else uses the same excuse! That's true - I'll always read for enjoyment over anything else, hopefully.
DeleteI love that you're still reading LotR :') And I totally get what your imagination was doing!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! :D
I'm the same way! I'm technically an adult (turned 18 recently), but the idea of reading adult books freaks me out. For some reason, I always think that I won't understand it, since I'm not really in the adult world. Which is stupid because I read books where characters experience things completely different than my experiences and I can wrap my mind around that. I'm also a bit of a prude and adult books have more free rein for sex and stuff, but not all adult books are like that! Lately, I've been realizing how ridiculous my fear is, but I still don't pick them up. Why? I realized that it's because of the covers. YA books have GORGEOUS covers. Adult covers can be pretty boring. And I'm ashamed of this, but I would rather pick up a book with a gorgeous cover.
ReplyDeleteSorry about all the rambling, but I can definitely relate!
Haha I can (obviously) relate to everything you've said here :')
DeleteYeah, books with pretty covers just look better on your shelf!
No worries - thanks for your comment! Makes me feel a little less embarrassed ahah :)
Whoever categorizes Game of Thrones as young adult does not know what they're talking about. There is no way in hell that book is young adult. I would laugh if someone said that to me, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe Night Circus is actually a book I'm currently reading... And I actually thought it was young adult! XD So I think that if you're looking to make the transition, that might be a good one to choose. I literally had no idea it was an adult novel... Whoa, haha. -mind explodes-
I don't think you should be ashamed that you're afraid to read adult fiction. :). I think it's a new territory for you, so it's like stepping out of the Shire, so to speak. But you'll find that most people read both adult and young adult and enjoy them equally - myself included!
Haha from what I know of the tv show, I have to agree with you!
DeleteOh that's good to know. I might try it soon :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! :)