It seems the topic of YA rotting our brains or, if you prefer, shortening our attention spans, seems to be coming up with a few of my blogging friends lately. I think the latter phrase says it better but, "rotting my brain" is funner to say.
After spending a month where I only read adult books...or at least tried to, I've proven (for me, anyway) that reading strictly YA seems to make reading adult books or classics a LOT harder. But why? What is is about reading so much YA that makes it harder to focus and appreciate a good classic or adult book? I've discovered there seems to be two things that makes YA "rot our brain".
1) YA has a much simpler vocabulary. No, not picture book vocabulary or even MG, but just....simpler. Am I wrong? When was the last time you picked up an adult book and really looked at all the big words it uses? It's can be quite frightening to someone that mostly reads YA. Or, at the very least, frustrating.
2) YA doesn't usually offer much to make one ruminate, nor does it "waste" time meandering about with character introspection or world building. It's aimed at YA readers and they don't have the patience (supposedly) to read all that. They just want the story and maybe, for the girls, a bit of romance.
That's what is seems like to me, anyway. I'd love to hear your opinion. "If" you read mostly YA, do you notice that when you do try to read and adult book or a classic that it's hard? Or, if you read mostly adult books, do you ever pick up a YA book and gape at how "simplistic" the writing is?
Now, I know it might sound like I'm bashing YA. I'm not. Obviously. Look at what I predominately read. I'm just noticing it's effects on my attention span. And I'm thoroughly aware that it isn't just reading YA that does this, but watching TV, with it's 8 second sound bites and the internet, with a million different things to see and skim with just the click of a finger. It's gotten so bad it's nearly impossible for me to just do one thing at a time. If I'm not multitasking I get all antsy. It's driving me crazy!
So, I've decided to try to read more adult books to counter balance all the YA books I love reading and hopefully lengthen that attention span of mine!
You know, I love and adore YA, but it definitely is easier on my brain than adult books. There are things I love about both, so I try to balance them out. I actually have a schedule of what I will read and alternate between review, YA, and adult. I'm a little bit anal and crazy, but it works for me.
ReplyDeleteNot anal at all. That's what I'm trying to do sort of. I'm going to read both a YA and an adult book at the same time.
DeleteI am a little different in the fact that I read such a wide variety. I have found though that I have to be in the right mood for a YA otherwise they just drive me crazy (probably why I have had so many poor reviews of them lately).
ReplyDeleteI do have a love affair with vocabulary, particularly medical terminology. I absolutely love when I come across a word that I have to look up, but then again I am a odd duck :P
I used to consider my reading habits to be well rounded but lately YA has taken over. I'm really trying to work on that.
DeleteIf you love medical terminology you should read the book I'm reading for book club at the moment, The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat. There's so much in there it's driving me crazy!
Oh I am going to have to add that one to my list to read! I think next year I am going to read my complete set of Robin Cook books and I will add that one to the mix, lots of yummy new words to look up!
DeleteI agree! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd like you said, YA is awesome! I love it and there are some very deep and powerful books in the genre... BUT... they are simply easier. Some adult books are easy too, but most are much harder, and I guess that's why we call them adult? I think so.
Yes, there's deeper YA and "dumber" adult books definitely.
DeleteI know that I struggle to get through many adult books because I'm used to the faster pace, more accessible stories and yes easier vocab. There are exceptions in YA and adult, but for the most part I've not spent enough time reading "hard" stuff.
ReplyDeleteI used to read strictly adult books so when I find them suddenly "hard" it makes me crazy!
DeleteI'm not a huge fan of YA because I have read so many that are just too simplistic - there are some good ones out there but most aren't deep enough to hold my interest. They are written for teenagers! I like to mix it up depending on my mood.
ReplyDeleteSee, I feel like MG books are just to simplistic to really enjoy as an adult. I don't know why I feel this way about YA books but I can see their result on my brain!
DeleteI read such a wide variety that I can't say I've read enough to comment on whether YA is generally simplistic, but I can tell you that YA is what I call my current "brain break" genre of choice, which means I do think of it as lighter (but not necessarily less meaningful) and I love the fact that a lot of YA is very action-oriented so the pages fly. I don't think there's anything wrong with reading YA exclusively, especially if you're going through one of those life phases when things are overwhelming and you just need something light and fast-paced when you're taking the time to read. But, I think it's admirable that you've decided you want and need to challenge yourself a bit more in your reading. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteI don't consider my life THAT stressful but I do find myself, when reading adult books, thinking that I need something light or I'm going to go insane. I just hate when I get back to the adult books and they're suddenly harder! I don't think so! So, yeah, I'm going to push myself.
DeleteYA is definitely easier to read. In fact when you read a book that would be termed YA now, but written in the 60s say, they're even harder to read than current YA. For example, To Kill a Mockingbird would be considered YA or even MG because the main protragonist is so young. But, it reads nothing like a YA novel.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, I think it's the simplistic language. I think that's why I love JK Rowling so much. Even though she's nowhere near as complex as Harper Lee or Jane Austen, she makes you think. And, she does spend that time world-building and character introspection. It's like the beauty of both worlds.
I really wish YA stories were more complex and thought-provoking. I don't know if I'd go as far to say as using the same language as Jane Austen, but there has to be a good middle ground.
Exactly, books written back even in the 60s seem to have a better vocabulary. Which makes you wonder if YA books being written don't have good vocabularies because the authors don't. That's sad. I hope that's not the case.
DeleteI think that's part of the reason. Yes, the publishing world is still hard to get into. But, it's nowhere near as difficult as it was 50 years ago. It seems like anyone can be published now and they don't have to write well or have that good of a story. It really is sad. I wish the caliber would increase a little bit. And, at the same time, I'm glad the books nowadays are getting more young people to at least read.
DeleteHm....Interesting topic. I'd never really thought about it much but now that you mention it, I find that every book is an adjustment, but I do prefer books that make me think deeply no matter the genre.
ReplyDeleteYeah, ideally every book should be an adjustment. Unfortunately, I read so many YA books that, I swear, are exactly the same. I like books that make me think too and when I feel like I've been so dumbed down that I can't it makes me crazy!
DeleteHmmm. I definitely think YA is a bit more simplistic (though Cassie Clare uses a lot of big words) both in vocab and ideas. But yeah, you're writing for a younger audience so that's to be expected. I think teens ARE a bit more impatient and used to instant gratification, so that features.
ReplyDeleteI notice the difference in the sense I appreciate adult fic more now. I like the complexities of it and the intricacies that come with the plots. I actually use it as a break from YA which sometimes I find too formulaic and stereotypical and simple. Great post, really interesting!
The Cait Files
I think there are exceptions in YA and, unfortunately, adult. For the most part, though, YA definitely is more simplistic.
DeleteI mostly read YA books and it's because of this simply fact: they are FUNNER. Most adult books are less exciting, even if they can be satisfying on many levels. But, rootin' tootin' action and crazy antics is what I'm interested in most of the time, and the craze of youth is the right fit for that order.
ReplyDeleteI don't even feel that a lot of YA is truly written more simplistically because all the YA I read isn't. I usually feel like it gets too verbose for its own good, but as long as it still has the YA mentality, it can work (usually).
Come on, Jen. Read what you want to read! You KNOW you want to read more YA....
Aaaa! Peer pressure! ;)
DeleteI've read adult books that are nonstop action, though usually they are a little slower I'll admit.
Oh, I intend to read lots of YA, don't worry. I just plan on reading adult books too.
I am realizing this more and more... It took me awhile to read I Capture The Castle even though I was enjoying it. Then I pick up Divergent and BAM! I'm breezing through it like a crazy person. I am really wanting to try harder to read more adult novels/classic novels to maybe diversify, but it is not as easy to read since I've grown accustomed to the quick flow of YA.
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling you'd know what I was talking about. I had a hard time reading I Capture The Castle too and I liked it, so why did it take so long?!
DeleteYep. And YA tends to be a whole lot shorter. The print is bigger! And I think, for the most part, YA is less subtle. Now this whole discussion is very broad and there are exceptions to these statements, but I've noticed what you've noticed: it's harder to read "adult" books after reading a bunch of YA.
ReplyDeleteOh, I could write tons of post relating to this subject. Like, how the simplistic writing could even be considered insulting to teens. Like they're too stupid to comprehend anything more complex. That makes me crazy too!
DeleteYou should read some chicklit! It's like YA but with adult situations. I can't say I've read much in the literary adult genre but I imagine the literary YA genre is just as difficult to read. I'm with Cathy on this one, I think it's not so much the writing style that's difficult to sink your teeth into but the more subdued plots and relationships. YA stuff is always so much more dramatic and life threatening!
ReplyDeleteOh, I've read chicklit. I'm not sure what it is exactly I just know it's becoming harder to read.
DeleteWow, I tried to get through this post but I hit the work "ruminate" and it bogged me down. Could you sum it up for me in a couple of simple sentences?
ReplyDeleteLOL! Mom didn't know what it meant either. ;)
DeleteNow that you mention it, I do notice a difference. I probably read about 60/40 YA, but as my YA has been increasing it definitely takes me longer to get through an "adult" book than in the past. I still enjoy the books I just can't read them as fast.
ReplyDeleteI'm also working on NOT multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is a time waster and when I work from home it takes me twice as long to get the work done because I am continually distracted by something better (and trust me, there is always something better). It's a hard habit to break.
It does seem to make a difference doesn't it?
DeleteI'm glad you get the multitasking thing. It's driving me crazy that I can't just sit and do ONE thing anymore!
I love a good YA book, but I've noticed that if I read a lot of them in a row, I get all out of whack. I don't think it genuinely makes me dumber, but I start feeling like I'm missing out on characterization, world building, and believable relationships. :)
ReplyDeleteYour idea to try and balance your reading is a good one, and I think every reader should have such a plan. There are so many great stories out there, why limit yourself to just YA?
(Btw, my new blog is live. You're one of my top commenters, and I didn't want you to miss out on the change. www.amypeveto.com)
I think my plan is to read an adult book along with every YA book I read. I hope it helps!
DeleteI'll be around to your new blog, I promise!
I don't know that I would consider YA books "simpler" than adult books, but they are usually shorter, which means they move faster and get to the point quicker. Because of that, after reading lots of YA, I do find myself getting impatient with adult books, which sometimes seem to drone on and on and on without actually getting anywhere. Like others, I try to alternate between YA and adult so I don't get bored with either!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's another thing, they are much shorter and so much faster to read.
DeleteA thought. Many YA books folow the same three act plot trajectories as Hollywood movies. Most of us have grown up with those movies and understand 1. establishing the characters, 2. Introducing the conflict and 3. Escalation, climax, resolution. YA novels are movies in book form. Adult novels (at least the better adult novels) tend to stray away from typical narrative structures.
ReplyDeleteTrue. I hadn't really thought of that but it's true. That goes for most TV series too, though they drag on forever.
DeleteInteresting! I don't think I'd blame it all on YA, but yes, the combination of on-demand TV, instand downloads, etc., just keeps making us more and more impatient...and definitely rots our brains. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't help that I was born impatient. All this "stuff" just makes it so much worse.
DeleteI actually noticed this something like this myself the other day! Ever since I finished my English degree I've been gorging myself with YA...and the other day I picked up an adult book, and while I didn't find it more difficult, I found it kind of relieving to read prose that actually flowed nicely and was well written. I then made the decision to try and stop YA from rotting my brain by alternating between Adult and YA fiction. Although there may be the occasional time where I read two YA books in a row...I'm definitely going to make sure I skip a whole month again without reading an adult novel!
ReplyDeleteOh good! I'm glad you made the resolution too.
Delete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteFor me, YA's real limitation is that it is written specifically for readers who are young or still "young at heart." It's not so much a matter of comprehension or vocabulary level, as it is a matter of mindset.
Adult books will be darker and more depressing by default. I remember staying away from a classic Historical saga (the name of which I can't recall now) after I learned that characters who had been children in the first book had become just another group of adults by the third. Analysing it now (because I just went with my gut back then), I think I rejected the series because I didn't want to read a book in which all young characters are basically adults-to-be. YA sees what is special about being young, and it doesn't see the teen years as just another stepping stone to the promised land of adulthood.
I agree with you but it doesn't change the fact that, for me, YA makes reading adult harder. You know?
DeleteI understand where you're coming from. There are a lot of simplistic YA titles out there; they seem to be the ones that are popular. Maybe that's precisely because they're easy to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm always pleasantly surprised when I come across a YA title that doesn't talk down to the reader. Two books that I read recently come to mind; both are YA titles, but they read more like adult books: Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Sometimes even middle grade fiction surpasses much of what you find in YA; Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff comes to mind.
I seem to gravitate towards YA books, but I think it made me take notice when I realized that many of the books I enjoyed most in recent months have been from outside that age range (either adult or middle grade). I definitely need to become more discriminating when it comes to YA titles... but it's hard when so many people don't mind the simplicity and rave about the books like they're the best thing ever! I've been misled more times than I care to count...
LOL! Dreamhunter was so difficult I had trouble getting into it. :) I really want to read Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children.
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