Young Adult Fiction seems to be one of the hottest genres today. Both teens and adults alike seem to flock to these books. What is especially big right in YA is Romance. I can't exclude myself from this group of YA fans, but what I'm wondering today is, what makes YA so popular? It's obvious why a teenager or very early twenty-something would prefer the genre, because it's close to their age range and relatable.  So, what about the rest of us? What about the 28 year-olds, the thirty-somethings, and even middle aged that read and love YA romance?

This is just an observation, but the older age range of readers for YA seems to be comprised of mostly women. When I was young, I don't remember the genre. So, whether it just came to fruition in the last *gulp* twelve years or not, I'm unsure. I feel so cliched though when I find myself thinking, I wish they had books like that when I was young. 

But back to the point, why is YA romance so huge. And why do so many women past the young adult age love them? I have a theory, but it is simply that. Merely speculation. It's obvious why teens would like books focused on teen romance, but I'm wondering...Maybe female adult women flock to them too for the same reason people love fantasy and paranormal. Maybe it's the escape of real life--back to an age of innocence--that makes these books so popular with women. Through these books, we can be young again, we can remember what it felt like to not only be young but in love for the first time. To have your head in the clouds and live in a world where there were no bills, no dirty diapers to change, no dishes to wash. We can be transported to a time when there was far less responsibility, no getting up at 6 a.m. to go to a job we loathe. Life was more about you and living in the moment. 

But who knows?  The same could be said for adult romance, where the man is always an Adonis and loaded, and where half the time, for some reason or another, the woman never goes to work, still pays the bills, and buys expensive things. They fall in love and live happily ever after. Maybe there's no good reason. Maybe it's just preference, the same as why some prefer Thrillers and blood and gore over love and cheesy-happy endings any day. Maybe it just is... Whatever the reason, I love the genre and I think giving young adults, the intended audience, more to read is never a bad thing. (Although, admittedly there is some content in some of the YA books that I would NOT want my fourteen-year-old reading.)