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I am Lover of romance, who indulges in the romantic adventures of literature

My name is Renee, and I am the host of this site. I am a 34 year old woman, on the prowl for her mate, searching out the best of books, exploring the wilds of the imagination and delving into the heart of a beautiful love story.

 

Tea and Biscuits Book Discussions: Why I Don’t Read YA

by | Apr 16, 2017 | Tea and Biscuits Discussions | 21 comments

I have been wanting to write about this topic for quite a while and finally was brave enough to post it. The reason its taken months to write this, is because I know not many will agree with me on this, but I do think others need to know my policy on this topic.

Ever since I started blogging, I am sure many have wondered why I have never put YA into my blog, especially since it’s the most “popular” of fiction genres that anyone reads now a days. Now I will admit, when I was a teenager I liked some YA. It really worked for me, but it was YA from over ten years ago (and man does that make me feel old hehe, but one of my favorite charming series is YA–The Avon True Romance ) but the YA from then is far different from how it is now. And its probably the main reason why it doesn’t suit me. Now don’t get me wrong, I think there are some great YA books out there, especially the more romantic themes but the few times I have tried it hasn’t been a positive experience so I have just stayed away for the most part. NA is probably the closest I get to YA, but even that genre isn’t always my favorite to read all the time. I know that this blog would be so much more popular if I did YA on it, in fact I am 99.9 % sure that I would have ten times more followers. But YA fiction is not what I love to read, and I am not ashamed of it. I understand why many love it so much, and I respect it, it just isn’t a genre that works for me right now in my life. Adult romance is what fits me, what I am passionate about.

I think what I struggle with in YA is two aspects that can drive me kinda crazy. One is all the cliffhangers, that are pretty dramatic. I SO don’t do cliffhangers at all. And I feel there is too much angst and drama and for me, it gets old way too quickly. I do think there are some positives to reading YA, ( I mean why else would it be so popular) but I don’t think it suits me and Adult Romance is for me and it makes me so happy to read it.

Questions For My Readers

Do you like or dislike reading YA?

What are your favorite/least favorite aspects of YA?

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21 Comments

  1. kimbacaffeinate

    I have never enjoyed YA contemporary but the science fiction or fantasy genres appeal and are geared for 17+. 40 some years ago when I was a teen I read adult books..lol

    Reply
  2. Blodeuedd

    Most often it annoys me. I do try it cos there are some good ones out there, and then there are the cliche angsty ones that just ride on the waves of others

    Reply
  3. Nick

    You shouldn’t have been nervous to post this post at all. YA isn’t for everyone. Heck most of the time it isn’t for me either, but there are some good ones. The cliffhangers and the triangles drive me mad too, which is why I read mostly contemporary. In any case for me adult romances are more satisfying than YA, especially lately.

    Reply
  4. Lola

    I do like YA, but I can also understand why you decide not to read it. And I think you never have to feel bad about reading or not reading a genre. Everyone’s different and we all have our own preferences when it comes to genres.

    I usually have a policy that I give every genre a try, but I do notice that if I have a few bad experiences with a genre or aren’t in the mood for it I am less likely to read it. For me one of those genres are dystopian as they often are so depressing, that doesn’t mean I never read it, but I really have to be in the right mood for it. Or find one that’s different from the norm. I also don’t really read horror or thrillers a lot as I don’t like to be scared while reading.

    I don’t really mind the cliffhangers that YA books often have, when well done I can even appreciate them. Concerning the drama, I can enjoy a book with the right type of drama once in a while. I do notice I read way less YA than I did a few years ago. I still read YA, but my tastes have mostly switched to Adult, with some NA, YA or MG sprinkled in. Great post!

    Reply
  5. Alyn Yang

    The main reason why I started following your blog was because you did Adult romance. I like YA, but then I like pretty much anything. It’s a change of pace, and scenery. A reason why I really enjoy YA is because of the fantasy. Another reason is because of how they market books these days. Some YA and especially NA books would have been considered Adult books a decade or so ago. Now they’re being marketed as YA or NA.

    Reply
  6. Carole's Random Life

    I think that everyone should read what they like. I read YA but I think I relate to adult romances more. Some YA romances annoy me but others are good. I read a little bit of everything so I love going to all kinds of different blogs to look for new books to add to my TBR pile. I have definitely added a few because of your reviews.

    Reply
  7. Sophia Rose

    Oh the YA and the NA…sigh. It took me ever so long to pick either of them up because I have read adult level books since before I was even a teen. I find, like you, that this new breed of YA (and NA for that matter) are not an easy fit for me. I do read YA and love it, but not most YA and not much of the time. I enjoy the sci-fi and the dystopian mostly. There are a few authors that I will pick up YA contemporary, PNR, UF, or historical, but that is limited. Same with NA.
    My issues are the undo angst, frequent hot/cold on a romance, instalove, absent or idiotic adult characters, and heroes or heroines who are meant to be spunky, but are really just mulish TSTL brats. So yeah, I’m not a regular reader of YA, there. LOL But there are some…awesome worlds, great action, and careful character development at a time when a person is coming of age and experiencing the world for the first time. If that is captured just right, I love it.

    As to reviewing them on the blog or even reading it just because it is popular, that is sooo your call and I think you are making a solid and rewarding decision not to go for popularity, but for what pleases you.

    Reply
  8. Michele H

    I’m glad you feel free to read what genre you like, regardless of what’s popular or will draw followers. I’m with you on the angst in YA & NA. Some authors do a nice job with using just the right amount but with others it’s a nonstop dramafest from page one. That paired with the obligatory cliffhanger gets my eyes twitching. πŸ™‚ My other concern with YA is that as I get older, there’s kind of an ick factor reading teen love scenes. LOL!

    Reply
  9. Quinn's Book Nook

    That is totally fine that YA isn’t your thing! I actually started my blog as a YA blog because that was what I was into at the time. But I fell for romance long before I started my blog. Then my reading really slowed down. In fact, for a few years I bet I only read around 30 books. But then I got back into reading, and was really into YA. And then I started my blog. But as I read more and more, and discovered other blogs that also read romance, it reminded me how much I loved adult romance, and jumped back in. And now I can’t stop.

    I think YA is really popular in the book blogger (and booktube) areas, but I actually think romance is still the top.

    Reply
  10. Ann Lorz

    I don’t care for them. Not only are the characters close to the age of my own daughter, I really don’t have anything in common with them any more.

    Reply
  11. Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog

    I totally get not being into YA. There is something about that time in life though that I love so I read it. I like mostly contemporaries so no cliffhangers though πŸ™‚ Great post!

    Reply
  12. Heidi

    I hadn’t really read much YA before I started blogging except way back in the day when I was a teen, and even then not much. I read a ton of YA my first few years of blogging because I felt like I needed to be part of the in crowd if I wanted a successful blog. I have written a couple of posts recently about the decline of YA. I still read it a bit, but I am not enjoying it much these days. I am happy to branch out on the blog and try more and more new books and go back to my go to authors.

    Reply
  13. LilyElement

    I find it harder to connect with the characters in YA and even sometimes NA. So I don’t read them very often *nods*

    Reply
  14. Karen

    I bounce around. Sometimes (like right now) I read mostly YA then other times (like last year) I can’t read it at all for months at a time.

    I have stopped reading most series though because of those pesky cliffhangers. I found that most trilogies didn’t pan out with solid endings and aren’t worth the three year commitment.

    I think you should read whatever makes you happy. Who cares??!!

    For What It’s Worth

    Reply
  15. Anna@herding cats&burning soup

    Yeah I’ve felt that way as well. On all social media and the bog. If you do YA it’s like your following will explode. It’s crazy. I don’t care for the cliffhangers or the love triangles in them. I’ve read a few I liked but, yeah, mostly older ones. lol

    Reply
  16. AngieElle @ Ba_BAMB

    YA is incredibly hit or miss with me, so I try to stay away from it for the most part. But there are blurbs that sucker me in. Sometimes they’re a win, sometimes they’re not. I don’t read as much of it as I’d like, but again, it’s only miss. YA is probably one of the only genres I like to sit back and wait for the reviews on. They work best for me when it’s first love, and when they’re not so riddled with sexual tension. Great topic!

    Reply
  17. The Book Disciple

    I LOVE THIS POST!! I think my biggest issue is the immaturity. I mean, its appropriate because these are YA characters, but I spend my day with high school kids and you just want to shake them and say “CALM THE EFF DOWN” because they are so over dramatic. I know I would have a bigger following if I reviewed YA, but like you, I am just not really that interested. Sigh. Oh well! Back to my smutty romance πŸ™‚

    Reply
  18. Geybie's Book Blog

    I was a big fan of YA three, four years ago especially when I discovered twilight. Oh that book reminded me why I love reading. I loved the series and am not ashamed at admitting it. But i find this genre a little bit immature now and it doesnt suit me anymore. I do love NA sometimes but it is a hit or miss. Adult romance is what I love and enjoy. Maybe because I’m getting order. Haha ?

    Awesome post! ???❀️

    Reply
  19. Cyn @ Bookmunchies

    I love reading YA, but I totally can see your point. Sometimes I think, damn, I’m too old for this teenage angst crap haha. I actually find I do need to take breaks from YA (in which then I binge read adult romance). But in the end I definitely love both YA and Adult romance!

    Reply
  20. Jennifer @ Bad Bird Reads

    Too much angst is no fun at all, and that’s why I don’t read YA that much either.

    Reply
  21. Vellum Voyages

    YA genre is huge! I didn’t realise how much so till I started blogging…Haven’t really gotten into it much myself as I have waayy too many books to read but I’m always open to new books as I’m a huge blurb fanatic….if the blurb draws me in I’m in, regardless of genre πŸ˜€

    Reply

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