The sudden rage that has flooded into my life this week is a site called Good Reads. Holy cow, I love it...like I needed another internet addiction. This one is great though because I am always on the lookout for more reading material (again...like I needed help adding to the eternal list of "things to read".) I love to read, I always have. I haven't always had a lot of time to indulge, but when I do I take it even if it means losing sleep and neglecting my children and house from time to time.However, at this particular point in time I have a bone to pick with...myself, I suppose.
So there are two forces of nature at war in my literary psyche.
This has been brought to my immediate attention as I have come to reflect upon some of my most recent reads and can see a clear distinction between those books that I read and am left feeling smarter, or better...as opposed to those books that have just felt like a waste of my time. I see value in reading a great array of topics, subjects and style. After all, that is how we learn and experience a vast amount of things that we may never experience first hand in this life...however, when it comes to my pleasure reading, that is another matter.
I would like to talk about two authors in particular. Now, I am not bashing one or the other, just pointing out some of the stark differences that I have noticed. My main reason for doing this is the fact that most of what I read comes as a recommendation from someone I know. More specifically, I have felt both guilt and excitement over some of the advice I have given to a few "young" readers that I know (Sadie, Julia and Madeline, this is mostly for you...so pay attention.)
I fell easily into the Twilight craze last year. I read all three books and enjoyed them. I even recommended the first and maybe the second to my 13 year old sister in law (who is adorable and smart and just pretty cool.) Then I felt guilty as I read the third one and came to an even more stark realization that she probably shouldn't be reading these. I mean, if she were my daughter I wouldn't want her reading these...in fact, I am technically old enough to be her mother so I will have to put my foot down and withdrawal my recommendation to her
altogether. Don't get me wrong. Like I said, I read these books. I waited with eager anticipation for the publication of the third one and was there that week to purchase it. They are books which satisfy that young adult in all of us...the one that wants to do what they want without being told, to be treated like an adult (or rather to act like one), to do things like lie to our parents and make out with our boyfriends who are perfect in every way. (am I sounding hypocrytical or just naive?...it gets worse, read on...)Then I discovered Shannon Hale and realized that there was deeper reading material out there. Now please keep in mind that I am talking about young adult fiction books here. I love to read them because they are (typically) pretty clean. Again, I'm talking about books that might be considered classic instead of Hannah Montana chapter books and Lindsay Lohan secret diaries. I am talking about a genre of books that are for the young adult reader between the ages of, let's say, 9 and 17. Shannon Hale writes adaptations of fairy tales, classic stories of heroes and heroines. They leave you feeling happy, inspired and uplifted. Where Stephenie Meyer may
write raw truth about teenage urges and raw desires, Shannon Hale offers us altruistic themes and characters filled with values and purpose (like having too much integrity to lie about anything, period.)So while I may read a trashy teenage novel from time to time I think I prefer to be cultivated by the likes of Mrs. Hale and the influence of her characters.
I once heard the quote that "if you roll with the dogs, you're gonna get fleas". This applies to so many different situations but I've decided that when it comes to reading, I would rather steer clear of those books that bring me down and have a negative influence....why would I throw my precious little "extra" time towards a book that didn't leave me a little better or more educated than when I started?
(There is so much I still want to say but I'm afraid I just begin to talk in circles...you get my drift, right?)
PS I would recommend, with a clean conscience, all of the Shannon Hale books that I have read thus far to any age group.
(I would like to point out at this same moment, that Mrs. Meyer had to "edit" quite a bit of manuscript so that her books would still qualify themselves as "young adult fiction"...again, appropriate for some, but in my mind not the audience they advertise.)
20 comments:
oh emily if only i was as wise and smart as you! every thing you write you sound soooo smart! and you use a bunch of big words, that i had no clue even exsisted! now i would like to get back into reading and that means finding a good book! b/c i only like to read if the book is good! and my other motivation is today julia told me that she has read more books than i have! and she wasn't joking! she was serious! and i have a little thought in my head that she might be right! so hook me up sista! i liked those books with the faires or something! i miss you guys sooo much! :)
Thank you! My thoughts exactly,...although I hadn't heard of Shannon Hale. Frankly I am a little disappointed in those people who told me that the Twilight series was the best EVER. I mean, HUH? REALLY? Waste of time and not uplifting. You hit the nail on the head. Thanks.
Funny, after President Hinckley's funeral I am so inspired to be better and do better--what better respect and tribut can we pay, right? I cracked open Grandpa Oscarson's history and practically read it cover-to-cover in one sitting. Talk about uplifting and inspiring reading material! I suddenly thought about what a different plain I could be operating on if I didn't waste so much time living in the frivolities of 2008. Today, we have all been inspired, no?
Em, you dont't need to worry. Sadie read the first one and tried to read the second but it was a library book and kept expiring because she didn't take time to read. I am very willing to try the Shannon Hale books. I also wrote down some suggestions from your Mom. Now if we can just get Sadie to read!
I love this blog. You are so right. I now have the courage to resist reading the rest of Meyer's books. I didn't really want to, but for some reason felt I should. I know I would feel the same as you after reading them. I'm exicted for your recommendation of Shannon Hale. I also love young adult fiction and those books sound like they are right up my alley. Thanks Em! (You're still at Mo's the end of Feb right? 'Cause I'm coming for a vist!
ditto, sista'! None of us has enough time to throw at something that won't be for our benefit. I also love to read and don't often get a chance/take the time/do it without falling asleep. I feel like I'm missing out on a whole other world, a world of friends and foes. Julia and her insaciable (did I spell that right?) appetite for reading inspires me. Thanks for the suggestions.
I had a “you are what you read” moment in high school when I read Gone With The Wind. Read not watched the movie. I realized that subconsciously I was becoming Scarlett O'Hara in my mind. I was flirting and manipulating beyond reason in real life. I then switched to more uplifting reading and behaved much better. Now I only bring Scarlett out when I say, "I'll think about it tomorrow, for tomorrow is another day."
I discovered Shannon Hale a few months ago on accident and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her. It says alot when you choose a book to be upllifted- few do that and are worth seeking out. I have had to put many recommended books down because I was not willing put myself in a dark place. It's one of my many quests in life: the quest of a good book. I'm glad I have you with me.
How funny you wrote all this-- we had our town book club last Wednesday and said the VERY same things. Our book of the month was "Princess Academy" and just through the conversation we compared it to the Stephanie Meyer books. We came to the same conclusion you did. I think the Hale books will become classics, not the Twilight series. And I couldn't agree more-- I would never recommend my daughters to read the Meyer books. I have to admit I couldn't bring myself to read any more Meyer books after the first. I read the Hale books just before- and they were much more uplifting-- like you said.
Odd to me that I bought the 3rd book, Eclipse, but haven't been able to bring myself to read it...I've lent it to several friends who all said it wasn't that good, so I just haven't read it...maybe it's best kept at that. I think its great to be well versed by reading a large variety of books. I, too, have enjoyed seeing what books my friends read and enjoy...weeds out all the books I don't need to give my time.
I wish books had a rating system. That would make it easier when choosing something to read. Now I am wondering if I should even admit to some of the books I have read, perhaps I should go to my list and edit it!
I really don't mean to sound judgemental or make people feel bad about what they read...not at all. My goal of this entry was to give some wholesome reading recommendations to my young sister in law and nieces. I really do see value in reading an array of things...not vulgar things but a lot of times reading about things out of our comfort zone are educational and good.
I, too, enjoy Good Reads.
I have never read Vampire Young Adult Fiction. (Ok, really I read a couple pages...) So I cannot utter any real opinions on that other than...I'm just not a vampire groupie, so why would I want to read about the vampire book laden with over adjective use. That's about all I gleaned from the two pages I read. And I like writers whose characters intrigue me-- vampires don't, simply because I'm not willing to suspend my disbelief that far.
Happy reading!
i really couldn't agree with you more. i almost stopped reading after book one of twilight, but then rationalized with myself that they were okay and kept reading. so i'll probably read the fourth. but i do agree with you and feel like they are not really young adult material. i like shannon hale. i'll have to read more of her.
everyone of shannon hales books is checked out AND on hold at the Orem library...that says sumpin. I like her too.
Comparing Meyers and Hale is like comparing apples and oranges. Sure - they're both fruit (Mormon) - but their genres are completely different.
But I totally see where you're going with reading uplifting vs. non-uplifting lit. You definitely can't generalize when it comes to recommending books to young readers. "Young Readers" are considered anyone up through their teens, right? Well, I would hardly recommend the Twilight series to my 9-year-old even though it is on her reading level. I think there should be some sub-categories going on here.
why are you reading rocks? maybe that's your problem.
Ok, so, you knew this was coming, right?! All fiction is just that, fiction. It is read for pleasure, whether that pleasure is derived from making you feel confident and like you can do better and acheive more,as in Hale's books, or relating to a character that is not as confident, doesn't know where she belongs but believing that extraordinary things can happen to anyone, as in Meyer's books. People gravitate toward different books because they are uplifted and it makes them feel a part of something. It would make sense that a self confident mother of 3 1/2 who is bright and knows her worth would be uplifted by books that embody empowerment through speaking of self worth and divine right. But certainly you can understand other people being uplifted by books that embody empowerment through speaking of FAITH that they can acheive self worth and FAITH in that divine right, planting a seed if you will?
I do agree that "young adult" has become a very broad age group and that certain content should be saved for the higher ranks of that bracket. But, this is fiction, it is for pleasure. Neither Shannon or Stephenie can ever claim to truly change society with their books, they are entertainers.
Just because a book has been written does not mean it has to be read. We are all inspired and uplifted by different things but I agree we need a better filter on what we choose to add to our minds. Whether we believe it or not or whether we really think we are immune to things, what we read affects how we think and how we think affects how we act. Developing certain attitudes about things develops over time in small steps. We constantly have to stay aware of what attitudes we are feeding ourselves.
Anyway, I'd like to conclude this essay by saying that I'm a little long-winded and I'm now done.
I tried, I really tried to read Ms. Meyers but I just couldn't do it. My time is so precious to me that when I read a book it has to be excellent! I haven't tried Ms Hale but I've heard it's good-I'll give it a try. I thought I'd pay tribute to Gordon B and I'm reading Go Forward With Faith.
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