Why You're Never Too Old for Young Adult Fiction

If you’re over 18, you’ve probably experienced the common dilemma of “Am I too old for this?” Maybe it’s a comfort food you grew up eating or a show you used to love. Maybe it’s an old hobby or the type of music you listen to.

But what about books? Do we age out of the young adult fiction genre when we’re no longer young adults? The way we see it, not at all! Here are a few reasons why we believe you’re never too old for young adult fiction.

Much More Than a Genre

We usually think of YA fiction as a genre, but there’s a lot more to it than that. In fact, it’s full of other genres—from fantasy and romance to sci-fi and mystery, there’s a of lot of variety! What separates YA fiction from other books is that a) it’s written for a 12- to 18-year-old audience and b) it features characters around the same age. Our point here is that, while you may not fit within the young adult age range, books in this category are filled with tropes and themes that people of all ages can enjoy.

Nothing’s Wrong with a Little Nostalgia

Remember what it was like to be a teenager? The late nights with friends, the drama, the excitement of experiencing things for the first time. YA fiction can bring us back to a simpler time in our lives—even if it didn’t feel so simple at the time. The nostalgia that reading YA fiction brings can boost optimism and improve your mood, as well as reminding you of your own growth. Next time you feel like reminiscing, try sitting down with a good book from your teen years to teleport you back to the past.

A Good Book is a Good Book

In the literary world, YA fiction tends to get a bad rap for being overly simple and immature. We couldn’t disagree more. While these books may not be as complex and lengthy as those written for an older demographic, YA fiction can be exciting, relatable, and full of the raw emotions we don’t always see in adult literature. Some popular examples of YA fiction include series like The Hunger Games and The Chronicles of Narnia, as well as standalone books like The Fault in Our Stars and The Book Thief. Whatever your opinion on these books may be, tons of people (of all ages) enjoy them. Bottom line: a good book is a good book, no matter who it’s written for.

As we finish up this post, we want to let you know that, if you’re an adult who reads YA fiction, you’re not alone. In fact, 55% of people reading young adult fiction are over 18. So, the next time you’re eyeing the YA fiction section in a bookstore, we say go for it!