It shouldn't matter if you read YA, NA, Fantasy, Non-Fiction. We should be comfortable enough with the genres we read and like. Right?
“Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog.”
–Roald Dahl
A few weeks ago, a friend asked me why I read books about fantasy. That I should read something more mature and for people my age (referencing non-fiction books). I tried to explain that fantasy does not equal children's books. But my friend couldn't understand how they weren't since, in a way, that's what society has established. I mean, when one thinks about fantasy, probably the first thought that comes to mind is a fairytale-like Cinderella or books like The Wizard of Oz. So, are they the same?
I don't fully comprehend how some books are classified as children's, YA, or NA. Some people may think that because the characters in a book are younger than what's considered an adult, it must definitely be a book for kids. Others can argue that it's because it doesn't have big enough plots or because it has a superficial life lesson. However, I have a different opinion. Almost all the 'childish' movies and books I've seen so far have given me equally or more important lessons than a book for adults. So it is wrong to judge a children's book by saying that.
Don't get me wrong, I totally understand that we need to classify them by having different age ranges in books and movies. I'd have been traumatized if I read ACOTAR when I was 10 years old haha.
An example, my mom didn't allow me to watch the Twilight movies in the first year of the grand debut. Because it was classified for teens older than 15. In the end, I ended up reading and watching them, but it was a few months after my mom made sure it was appropriate for my age. Which now that I think about it, I'm cringing because she had to watch the movies…
What I mean is: why Twilight was classified for YA/NA people while Percy Jackson as children's/YA. The amount of people who died in PJ is insane (I won't say names to not spoil people who haven't read them)… I was devastated with most of them, and I was like 12-14 years old.
Another thing that bothers me a bit is why are some people say comments like: "oh… so you are reading a book for children. But why? You are in your [set age not to read these types of books]".
People should understand that we all have different tastes. And we probably won't read the same genres. This is a fine example of why we must develop and master our ability to respect other opinions and not meddle with the likes of others.
In the same way, I don’t like being told what I should read "more mature" books I don't go around saying people should not read philosophy because it's dull and hard to understand. Also, what do they mean by "more mature" books?
So, should we read more Middle-grade books?
Middle-grade books can be filled with different settings. Addressing controversial issues from aspects that facilitate their understanding.
Children have a sense of innocence and happiness that we should try to apply more into our lives. So I would totally recommend and say that yes. We definitely should read more YA and children's books.
The beauty of children's books is that they are filled with hope. With easy messages to get and understand and life examples, we could try and follow. Children have a sense of innocence and happiness that we should try to apply more into our lives.Literature is a living thing that is constantly changing; it adjusts accordingly to the need of society. It shouldn't matter if you read YA, NA, Fantasy, Non-Fiction. We should be comfortable enough with the genres we read and like.
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