Grownup books vs. kids books

There’s a common misconception out there that kids books (and I am including YA in this broad sweep) is for people who are under the age of 18, and any grownup who reads such books is dumb or immature or something of the like. Of course, most of the people who hold such views haven’t actually read a YA book recently because they proudly consider themselves too smart and grownup for such things.

Chances are, if you are reading this, you already know that most YA fiction is not dumbed down, and can be just as challenging as any adult book out there. In fact, I’ve found that many of the people who take a dim view of YA literature aren’t spending their free time reading challenging masterpieces of literature or deep, incomprehensible philosophical tracts. They’re reading popular fiction. Sure, the characters are over the age of 18, but otherwise the book is no more complex than your average YA title.

Still, sometimes I wonder if all the YA books I’m reading is making me soft. I worry that I don’t read enough grownup books, that I am regressing. Usually, these thoughts plague me when I am having a hard time getting through an adult book.

I’m reading a grownup novel, and I’m about 100 pages in, and I’m just not that into it. My first thought is that I have lost the ability to read books for grownups.

Then I think of all the grownup books I read recently that I loved and had a hard time putting down, and I realize maybe it’s not me. Maybe it’s the book. Maybe it’s not my sort of thing, not because grownup books aren’t my thing, but because this is a book that just doesn’t grab me.

Have you ever experienced reading self doubt? Do you read YA books? Grownup books? A pleasant mix?