Adults Reading Y.A. Books

Apparently there are many adults -- including people who also read plenty of adult fiction -- who read Young Adult (Y.A.) books, according to an essay by Pamela Paul in the New York Times Book Review (8/8/10, p. 23). This first became obvious during the height of Harry Potter frenzy, but is much more widespread. One author, Amanda Foreman, says about Y.A. fiction: "There's a freshness there; it's engaging. Y.A. authors aren't writing about middle-aged anomie or disappointed people." Some writers of adult fiction who have also written Y.A. fiction include Sherman Alexie, Francine Prose, and John Grisham. Personally, I don't read Y.A. fiction, mostly because much of it is science fiction/fantasy, which I am not interested in. And I DO, as a matter of fact, like adult fiction "about middle-aged anomie." However, I do very occasionally enjoy revisiting some of my favorites from my youth, such as the Anne of Green Gables series.