Unintended Audiences: Grownups Reading Books Intended For Another Generation

Abstract

The increase in the sheer amount of literature and information directed at adolescents has lead to an interesting and under-researched phenomenon: what is the reason for the increase in the number of adults reading Young Adult (YA) literature. Some of the bestselling books of the last decade have been young adult literature, including the Harry Potter series, Twilight, and the Hunger Games trilogy.

Who are the adults reading this material? What attracts them to it? How have they become aware of the material? Why have online clubs such as “Twilight Moms” appeared, and what is the profile of a typical member? Are libraries responding to this increase in adult readership? How has readers’ advisory adapted to this new reality? I intend, using a variation of the interview/ survey style used by Ross (1999) and McKenzie (2008) to add to the body of knowledge in this thoroughly under-researched area.