Week 13 - Prompt Response
YA and New Adult genres
Who "should" be reading them?
First of all, regardless of the genre, I have always been a proponent of a 'read what makes you happy/what you enjoy' philosophy, while greatly disliking the term "guilty pleasure" when someone describes or recommends a book they've read and/or a genre they enjoy. As long as the choices you make aren't harming yourself or others, why should others feel entitled to tell you what you should or shouldn't be reading?? (Noting, that there is an astronomical difference between telling someone they should read X or Y as a recommendation, and telling someone they should read something because it's the "correct" thing to/or to not read.)
Life is short - why waste time and energy, either trying to convince someone what you're reading is OK, or reading items that you aren't fully interested in/feel obligated to read?
Now, as this philosophy pertains to the YA and New Adult genres - I can understand, given the suggested reading age ranges, how there should be guidelines used to assist in determining whether something may or may not be an appropriate read (key word = assist). For readers who are under 18, it is ultimately up to their parent/guardian as to what is deemed appropriate and allowed to be brought home with them, however, as librarians, it is essential that the library remain a place which upholds the freedom to read and equal access policies. It is not our job to tell readers what they can or can't read - we offer recommendations, insights, anecdotes, and access, not judgements.
Brookover (2014) states, "The lines between intended and actual audience are growing more blurred, which is vexing for some and exciting for others" (p. 41). As proactive, responsible, effective librarians, we should be celebrating the joys and love of reading, no matter who is reading what genre. For those who enjoy the YA and New Adult genres, we should provide equally as enthusiastic RA, whether the reader is 14 or 64!
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