Why You're Never Too Old To Read YA Novels

Once you reach a certain age, you’re not really considered a “young” adult anymore. You might think that’s the time when you should graduate to more grown-up literature. But you would be mistaken. The thing is that there is a lot to enjoy about YA (and even younger - middle-grade and children’s books, too) that appeals to all ages. This isn’t to say that you should read them if that’s not what you enjoy reading. It’s to say that if you enjoy reading them, then you should read what you like and not worry about it.

And if you haven’t read YA since you were actually a young adult, maybe give the genre another shot–it’s got some really good books in it. And some of the most popular books in the world have been YA: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and more. These didn’t get that popular only because of readers aged 12 to 18.

Finding Yourself Doesn’t Have an Expiration Date

Finding yourself is a major theme in YA. High school and college-age protagonists have to figure out who they are, what they want, and how to go for it. But that’s not an experience unique to just that age group. There are plenty of adults who have to do it, too, whether it’s because changing circumstances forced a rethink or because they realized that their original path wasn’t the right one. Many adults may still identify with the struggle to figure things out, even if they’re long past their teen years.

YA Novels Are Better Written Than You Might Think

A lot of people think that YA books aren’t very well written. That may be true for some of them, but that’s also true for books intended for adults as well. You can’t paint an entire genre with that brush just because there are a few duds in the mix. There are some extremely well-written YA novels with excellent character development, rich settings, and interesting plots.

YA Offers Hope That Adult Books May Not

There’s a reason so many adults are drawn to the tone of YA: it often carries a thread of hope, even in the darkest moments. While adult fiction can lean into cynicism or bleak realism, YA tends to hold onto the belief that change is possible, that people grow, and that we have a say in our futures.

When the world feels heavy, a good YA book can remind you that the story isn’t over yet—and that’s a powerful thing. In fact, that’s often why I tend to gravitate towards YA. They reliably end happily, and with so much in the real world making me want to escape into books, I want that escape to be a happy, hopeful one. With adult books, it can kind of be a crapshoot whether the book ends happily or not, but with YA, I can trust that everything will work out in the end.

Representation Is Thriving in YA

YA is leading the charge when it comes to diverse voices and inclusive stories. Whether it’s LGBTQ+ protagonists, characters of color, neurodivergent heroes, or stories that blend cultures and genres, YA is where innovation and inclusivity are thriving. Reading YA as an adult gives you access to fresh perspectives—and helps support the authors and stories shaping the future of fiction. In my quest to read more diverse authors (to balance out all the old white male authors I had to read for school), a lot of the ones I’ve found have been in the YA genre.

You Don’t Need Permission To Read What You Love

Reading as a hobby should be fun, which means reading what you enjoy, no matter what that is. If you like YA novels, then go ahead and read them. If you’re waiting for permission, you have it from me. Anyone of any demographic can read any book, even if it was written with a different audience in mind, and there’s no shame in that. Read a book because you love it, not because you feel like you ought to.

If You Don’t Read YA, Give It a Shot

If you’re not normally a YA reader, it may be worth considering giving some books in the genre a try. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Divergent, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and many more are extremely popular with people of all ages and backgrounds. You could be missing out on a lot of great stories if you avoid the genre entirely.