Young Adult Books: Attracting Large Adult Audiences

Young adult (YA) books are rising on the bestseller's list, and many adults are gravitating to these books. Why are adults so drawn to these books that are written primarily for a younger audience?

At this point in my life, I read children's, juvenile, young adult, and adult literature. My children's reading levels are diverse enough to justify the entire spectrum of reading. I don't shy away from much when it comes to reading, and I think that the lines between these categories are often blurry. I enjoy books written for every level.

Often young adult books are cleaner, with less swearing, violence, and sex, which could be attractive to a number of adult audiences. However, this has been changing, with some YA books becoming quite graphic in both language and content. (Much to my surprise when I randomly picked up a young adult book a few months ago, intending to preview it for my advanced 11 year old reader. It didn't make the cut.) Most of the YA books that are selling to adults are on the cleaner side.

I think this could be part of the reason for the popularity of Young Adult books among adults. I also think it is partly for other reasons as well. Stay tuned for more of my thoughts on this topic.

National Novel Writing Month Update Week 1

It is day five of National Novel Writing Month. My first thoughts on this experience: this is a thing only crazy people do! But here I am, still plugging along. I even have a story that is, if I do say so myself, compelling. I can't wait to see where my characters are going to take the story. I do have a rough outline of how I think it is going to go, but I have already had some surprises when actually writing.

I am gaining greater respect for novel writers. It is a lot of fun, but also work.

Most days it has been difficult to find the time to do the writing. Evidently, the computer is like the phone. When I use it, my children see it as a signal that I must be talked to right that second.

Also, I am not reading as much as I normally do. Writing is taking away from the time I usually read. Which is fine for a month, but I am starting to miss it.

One thing I am worried about: Thanksgiving. Its a big deal for us. We go to my husband's parents, and Black Friday is a big deal for the women in the family. Maybe I can do some extra writing ahead of time, so I have less to write those few days.

The Boxmaker's Son

This is the story of an LDS man remembering his father, his hero. The memories are from many different ages, but the respect for his father continues throughout the book. What I loved most about this book: the gentle, lyrical language. The memories are related in a way that evokes nostalgia. I also liked that it took place in Oregon, an area that I am familiar with.

This book is a short read, yet tugs at the heart. It sure to stir memories of childhood and fathers. I felt that seeing the father through his child's eyes was a bit like living with a father like that myself.

Read this book for a short, sentimental journey through the eyes of a man who adored his father. This book will appeal to those with a need to see positive relationships between a parent and child.

Books Finished October 2010

Almost Sisters by Nancy Anderson, and Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldan
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Codex by Lev Grossman
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Drive: The Surprising Truth about What motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Instead of Education by John Holt
Raising a Family Up to the Lord by Gene R. Cook
Spend Well, Live Rich by Michelle Singletary
The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
The Boxmaker's Son by Donald S. Smurthwaite
The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes
The Dead-tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
The God Engines by John Scalzi
The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket
The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment by A.J. Jacobs
The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
The Quick and the Dead by Louis L'amour
Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble
Unexpectedly Milo by Matthew Dicks
Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin

*These are books that I have finished reading. This list does not include books that I have skimmed. The list does not include picture books that I have read to my children, nor does it show all the other reading I have done. These books were finished in this month, but some may have taken considerable time to read, bit by bit.

National Novel Writing Month

In 1999 a small group of people got together with an idea: write a novel in 30 days. The first year there were 21 participants. The number of participants has grown to thousands (165,000 in 2009). Last year more than 30,000 people wrote 50,000 words. This event takes place every year during the month of November.

This year I am taking the challenge. I will attempt to write a novel in 30 days. I will post on my progress weekly here on the blog. I have the beginnings of a plot developing in my mind, and I am excited to get started. It will be an interesting experiment. If you are interested in joining me on this adventure go to www.nanowrimo.org to find out more.

Surprising Library Resources

Most people do not use the library fully. They may not be aware of all the great resources available at the local library. Here are some of the resources available for checkout at my library:

-books, books, and more books
-music cds
-books on cd and tape
-sheet music
-playaway books, which is basically a special mp3 player loaded with just one book
-Games for Wii, playstation, and other game consoles
-movies on vcr and dvd
-tv series on dvd
-kidpacks, filled with fun things on a topic (the music one has a video, musical instruments, and books on music)

Resources at my library, not for checkout:

-internet access
-Interlibrary loan, get any book you want from the extended library system
-literacy classes
-Free presentations about community topics
-bulletin board with community information
-children's programs
-teen programs
-family game night with movie
-various animals to see in the children's area
-read to a therapy dog
-interesting displays that rotate regularly

What is the best resource you have found at your library?

Unexpectedly Milo

What if you had an uncontrollable urge to open jars of jelly? Or sing a certain song karaoke? What if you also attempted to keep these urges a secret from everyone around you, including your wife? Milo has been keeping his compulsions secret for a long time, and his life is cracking at the seams.

In his newest offering, Matthew Dicks once again allows a glimpse into the inner world of a troubled individual. Milo, the main character of this book, has compulsions that he must fulfill. He feels that he has been managing pretty well, but the dilapidated state of his marriage indicates otherwise. In his distress, an unexpected discovery leads him to re-evaluate his policy of keeping his compulsions a secret.

For an intriguing look into the world of a person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, read Unexpectedly Milo. This book is also for anyone who has ever felt they couldn't be true to themselves. I found myself unable to set this book down, because it so easily showed me the world from Milo's viewpoint.