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Question: What age should people quit reading children's books!?
don't mean like little picture books and stuff like that, but I mean older children's/teen's books!? Sorry it's a lot to read, if you don't want to, just answer the question without my specific info!. That'll be fine!. :)
Anyway, I am an older teen and I feel embarrassed to go into the juvenile sections of the library or bookstore sometimes because I feel too old, even though I like children/teen books!. I had a girl about 8 to 10 ask me why a person as old as me was in the children/teen section once!. I said something about finding a book for my little sister and left in a hurry!. Anyway, what age should people stop reading kids' books and move into the adult section!? Do people generally just start all of a sudden liking adult books instead, or is it more gradual!?
The problem is, I would rather read something more at my reading level and about people closer to my age, even if they are four or five years younger, than about someone thirty years older than me that has a totally different life and stuff!. I've only read one or two adult books that I liked, they mostly bore me!. But I don't like feeling embarrassed over my book choices and it will get worse as I get older, I'm sure!. What do you think!? Am I the only one who worries about stuff like this!? I know I'm a nervous little thing!. LOL!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
There is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about!. I am 56 years old and I STILL read what are sometimes considered children's books!. Certainly I read a lot of what in the library is classified as YA—Young Adult—or teen books!. I have been reading children's books/children's literature since I was, well, a kid!. =] I know and admire numerous children's authors!. (Jane Yolen, Diana Wynne Jones, Bruce Coville, to name a few!.) Consider also that there are books some people think are for kids that really aren't: Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, for example!.
And how many adults have read the Harry Potter books!? Probably nearly as many as the kids who have read them!.
There are actually college courses in children's literature, and literary organizations for people who love children's literature!.
I have a little story for you: when I was in college my first time, back in the early 1970's, every summer I would go to the local library to the YA section to find out if there were any new Andre Norton books out!. I kind of grew up reading her science fiction and fantasy (I have several shelves of her books)!. The YA librarian and I had great discussions about her work, and she told me that she found it very interesting that most of the people who would come in to ask about her books were my age—20 or so—and older!.
Anyway, my take on this is read what you like!. Tell inquisitive little kids like that one girl that "I'm in this section because even though I am older, there are still a lot of really cool books and stories that the bookstore thinks are just for kids, but I know are really for anyone to read!." And then ask her what her favorites are!
So go read what you like, and enjoy it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
People should never quit reading anything! I'm 41 and read "children's" books along with everything else I can get my hands on - even the cereal box! The more you read, the better off you will be in the long run!. I know it's difficult, but don't worry about what other people think of you and your reading choices!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Never! I am 25, majored in English, and love "children's books!." Don't get embarrassed - just keep reading!. As you get older and have more experiences, I think you'll find that you like more adult novels, even if you still enjoy young-adult fiction!.
A good book is a good book, no matter what age group its written for!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
just read what you like!. its a good thing to enjoy reading for pleasure and you dont want to get bored of it so you can save yourself the embarrassment you never had! so go ahead and read what you want! if youre under 18 then youre still young (like me :)) so go have fun and quit worrying about what people will think of what you readWww@QuestionHome@Com
I'd say 13!. Once you get into high school you should be challenging yourself not reading poorly written, watered down fantasies!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Read what you want, but there are many examples of literary fiction narrated by teens like Catcher in the Rye that you may want to check out tooWww@QuestionHome@Com
Grown ups read Harry Potter -- what's the difference!. Just read, that's all that matters!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
I won't quit reading books 'aimed' at younger people! They're still books, if they're good I'll read them!. =PWww@QuestionHome@Com
You'll grow up eventually!. But read what you like!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
As LJ said, it's not important what other people think of you (unless you're a politician) so read what you like!. I'm fifty and read everything from Harry Potter to Literary influences in the Petrarchan Sonnets!.
What is important is to read!.
I actually really enjoyed the Artemis Fowl books by Eoin Colfer which are aimed at teenagers!. I also love Terryy Pratchett's work which appeals from 10 to 90!.
Just read and damn the torpedoes!Www@QuestionHome@Com
You shouldn't feel embarrassed about your reading material!. Just ignore those who question it and keep reading what you like to read!. The point is just read!. Readers do better in school, have better grammatical skills, and have easier times in college!. So, JUST KEEP READING!
If it truly bothers you, or you feel judged, I would start buying my reading material online!. Amazon!.com, Overstock!.com, etc!.!.!. all have great reading selections, and you don't have to worry about little girls in the aisle questioning you on your selection!.
Chin up Girl! I found adult books boring until I got out of High School!. Even now, I have a select few authors that I will read no matter what!.
If you like the TV series Charmed, you may like Sarah Addison-Allen's Garden Spells and Sugar Queen!. They are easy to read "adult" books!. also, I've been into Kelly Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series!. It starts with "Bitten"!. There are lots of "transition" books that are not quite kid's books, but not quite adult either!.
Keep reading!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com
If a book was worth while to read as a child, it is worth while reading as an adult (and visa versa)!.
However, there seems to be a problem in the "adult books" you are looking at; adult literature is not limited to a particular age range!. Sure, you'll have books concerning people in their 50s, or older, or younger!. But you'll also find books about 8 year olds, teenagers, twenty somethings, etc!.
For example, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is well outside the realm of "young adult" literature, but the majority of characters are late teen, early 20s!. Peter Pan is a children's book, but only an adult will fully appreciate it!. And so on!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Well N!.L!.T!. not to worry!. Read what you want to read!. Adult books don't have much imagination in them!.-too many facts and history!.
Juvenile books are written by adults!. After all, look at Harry Potter!. The authors first go at writing a book and she succeeded!.
You have the choice on which films to see!.!.!.!.why not the same for books!? You may not be able to relate to anyone else talking about it (in your age group of friends) Oh well!. They probably are not wham packed full of fun either!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Uhh!.!.!. I'm an older teen too, and I read children's books (the kind that you specified) and I don't feel embarrassed whatsoever about it!.
My favorite books are still those types!.!.!. Such as Ender's Game and Artemis Fowl!.!.!.
^^
My friends think I'm weird sometimes, but they like to read these books too once in a while!. It takes your mind off books like Jane Eyre or Great Expectations!.!.!. Those can be really confusing at times!.
I like reading simple books to rest my mind!. It's really nice at times!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
There is no age!. Don't let it bother you what other people think, I used to be embarrassed to be buying some of the books that I did, but I finally decided that it didn't matter!. I love the books I love, and if other people want to judge me on it, that's their problem!. I do admit that I have a great bookstore that I shop at though, and the staff there is always helpful, and never appear to be judgmental!.
I'm almost 30 years old, and frequently can be found in either the Young Adult section, or even the Children's section!. There are incredibly well written novels in these areas, with compelling characters that I can enjoy following!.
You're not the only one that worries about this stuff!. I know plenty of people that frequently order their books from online sellers for this very reason!. If it continues to bother you what you think others may be thinking - then maybe that's the way to go!.
But try not to let other peoples close mindedness and, judgments determine what you do and don't do!. You should read what you enjoy, and what talks to you!. No one else can make that decision for you!. Www@QuestionHome@Com