--- title: "Reading Everywhere: YA Books for an Adult Book Group" url: https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/05/ya-books-for-adult-book-group description: "I was starting to feel like the last librarian on earth who wasn't in a book group when my friend invited me to join hers. Hooray! Besides s..." --- # Reading Everywhere: YA Books for an Adult Book Group - [About](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/about-me.html) - [Review Policy](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/review-policy.html) - [Frequently Visited Posts](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/frequently-visited-posts.html) ## Friday, May 18, 2012 ### YA Books for an Adult Book Group I was starting to feel like the last librarian on earth who wasn't in a book group when my friend invited me to join hers. Hooray! Besides spending time with friends and meeting new people, one of the reasons I'm excited to participate is that this group reads adult books. Er, that is, books for grown-ups. ...I mean, the term "adult" is so awkward, isn't it? It means one thing to writers and librarians, but to the rest of the world, it's another thing entirely. *ahem* I've found that if you put the emphasis on the first syllable instead of the second ("AAH-dult" instead of "a-DULT"), it sounds less... um... you know. *ahem ahem* Anyway. As a teen services librarian. I work at the AAH-dult reference desk, but since I read primarily in YA in children's, I have trouble with AAH-dult readers' advisory. Because, to be honest... adult books, I'm just not that into you. But I should be! Professionally, I need to be! Thus, I've joined this book group. I've only been to two meetings so far, and I'm really impressed with their quality of discussion. These ladies take their reading seriously, and I love it. I'm excited to read their selections and challenge myself to take the occasional step outside of my preferred comfort zone of children's and YA literature. But eventually, it will be my turn to choose the book. And even though this book group primarily reads adult books, it seems like they're open to reading YA. Many of them enjoyed The Hunger Games , so this is an opportunity to introduce them to more great YA titles. What kind of YA book would appeal to an adult book group? I'm thinking books with strong characters, complex motivations, intricate plotting, and top-notch writing. Books with situations and emotions they can relate to when looking back on their teen years. Happily, I can think of a few YA books that would make great picks for adult book groups. [*Code Name Verity*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1423152190/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=readineveryw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1423152190) , by Elizabeth Wein Two young women in World War II. With its detailed historical setting, incredible plot, and depiction of a strong female friendship, this is my top YA pick for an adult book group right now. (See [my *Code Name Verity* review](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/05/book-review-code-name-verity-by.html) for more gushing about this tremendously excellent book.) [*The Fault in Our Stars*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525478817/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=readineveryw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0525478817) , by John Green Two teens with cancer fall in love-- and it's not as emotionally manipulative as the premise suggests. It's serious, it's funny, it's insightful, it's inspiring... what's not to love? There's so much to discuss here-- the plot, the writing style, whether or not teens really talk like Hazel and Augustus (and whether or not that actually matters)... (I [reviewed *The Fault in Our Stars*](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/02/book-review-fault-in-our-stars-by-john.html) a few months ago.) [*The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316068209/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=readineveryw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316068209) , by Sherman Alexie The author presents a semi-autobiographical story about a Native American boy who chooses to leave the reservation to pursue a better education. Alexie is a noted author for adults, and his YA book has great crossover appeal for both age groups. It's hilarious and heartbreaking and full of hope, and the fact that so much of the book is drawn from Alexie's life gives any book group a great deal to discuss. [*Beauty Queens*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0439895979/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=readineveryw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0439895979) , by Libba Bray A plane full of beauty pageant contestants crashes on a desert island, and satire of everything ensues. This is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of book-- and I love it. I would have to get to know my book group better before attempting to guess how they'd react to it, but for some groups, this could be a huge hit and prompt a lively discussion. I adore the way Libba Bray wraps up weighty issues in a hilarious package, and the feminist themes in this book make me want to stand up and cheer. [*If I Stay*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014241543X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=readineveryw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014241543X) , by Gayle Forman A girl loses her family in a terrible car accident. Hovering between life and death in a coma, she must decide whether to go or stay. The emotionally affecting story as Mia looks back on her life thus far, the vivid portayal of her family and her boyfriend, and the intricate plot that unfolds through flashbacks make this book a very appealing book group pick. It eems to be universally enjoyed by both teens and adults, and I have a feeling an adult audience will connect more with the family aspect of the novel than the teens will-- it would be interesting to compare what each age group focuses on when discussing this novel. What do you think? What YA titles would you suggest for an adult book group? Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [3:56 PM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/05/ya-books-for-adult-book-group.html) Labels: [book group](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/book%20group) , [book list](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/book%20list) [Newer Post](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/05/board-book-favorites-mother-tested-kid.html) [Older Post](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/05/book-review-code-name-verity-by.html) [Home](https://readingeverywhere.com/) Subscribe to: [Post Comments (Atom)](https://readingeverywhere.com/feeds/397635572387523966/comments/default)