Why you, an adult, should read children's literature.

[@terralee5346]

"I don't think that target audience equals the only audience that can enjoy a story." Perfectly said!! This resonates with me so much!

[@iLiviesimone]

Hey Terra! I love that it resonated with you too🥺 thanks for commenting!

[@lorrainecotton5414]

I see nothing wrong with reading children's books at all. I don't find it juvenile or childish. I'm currently reading a David Walliams book with illustrations in them.

[@notaperfectsoldier5215]

There's a quote by one of my favorite authors Madeleine L'Engle that's about how as an adult, you still contain every version of yourself; 5 year old, 12 year old you, and so on. I've always read outside my age demographic, and I really enjoyed your video. :) Video essays on books are the best

[@iLiviesimone]

Oh thanks for sharing that quote!! I really like that one- and thanks for watching. Happy reading 💜

[@simplybeeda]

I enjoy re-reading books that I read when I was younger. My perspective is so different now to what it was then. I enjoy children's literature.

[@iLiviesimone]

Isn't that such a cool experience? Your age and new perspective lets you experience the same thing more than once. Thanks for watching!

[@nathan43082]

My wife, a children's librarian for 22 years now, reads primarily young adult fiction, especially with stories of a female heroine saving children in some way. She would agree with you.

[@bookrokosmos]

THIIIISSSSS!!!! i’ve recently thought about reading more picture books and chapter books because I tutor a 6 year old and we read loads of books for her age range. but i never counter them towards my reading goal because of this stigma around adult reading younger works. going into 2021 i will be reading more children’s lit unapologetically.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! And I'm so glad you mentioned the stigma around even including them in your yearly reading goals because I see (and have felt that) a lot. Have fun reading all that is out there!

[@izziemelton1847]

"The only gatekeeper is yourself" This is such a great discussion point that I wish was talked about more. I really like that C. S. Lewis quote at the beginning too which sums up the immaturity of putting down children's books just because they're outside one's age demographic. I loved this video ❤

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Izzie! I am so glad the quote resonated with you like it did with me- I think so many of the things we limit have nothing to do with what's actually good or not, and just society's judgements and whatnot. Thank you for watching and happy reading! 💜

[@lorrainecotton5414]

I quite agree

[@dejasaur]

I love what you said about having the best of both worlds!! This year, I started reading middle grade and it’s been a blast. I continue to learn from them and they’ve been such a delight to read. I had an interview earlier this year where they asked about the last book that I read and I talked about how I was reading Percy Jackson and finding so much value in children’s literature! And of course I still I love my adult romances and so on. I think you make a lot great points in this video, Olivia! KidLit is awesome 🤩

[@iLiviesimone]

I LOVE that you got the chance to share your love for Percy Jackson in an interview omg 🥺 it's great to hear your experience with kidlit, and thanks for enjoying this video Deja!!!

[@WhoPickedThisBook]

Ashley over at the bookish realm has given me so many great children and middle grade book recs. She’s amazing with her recs!

[@iLiviesimone]

Ashley continues to be SUCH a gem, completely agree with you!

[@Bibliofilth]

This is fantastic. I've had the experience that reading children's literature as an adult resonates with you in different ways, which creates a really strong reading experience.

[@iLiviesimone]

Love this! I think the understanding we have as adults makes children’s lit almost more special to read Thanks for watching!

[@elenathegreat]

this was so well structured and i love everything you had to say here! definetly has me thinking about reading some more kid's lit. also i totally agree, ya isn't a genre, it is def a demographic

[@iLiviesimone]

thanks Elena 🥺 so glad you enjoyed, and I hope you enjoy your reads for this new year!

[@TheCraftBin]

THE SECOND YOU STARTED TALKING I WAS LIKE "C.S. LEWIS" AND THEN YOU QUOTED HIMMMMM

[@iLiviesimone]

Hahahaha! Your 6th book sense was tingling 😂 Thank you for watching!

[@HeyItsShey]

As an adult who regularly reads children's/picture books, I am HERE for this conversation!

[@iLiviesimone]

Yes!!!💜

[@igor6546]

You make some very interesting and valid points, and I have left with a new perspective. Great job as always Liv!

[@iLiviesimone]

Oh I am so glad you got something out of this- thank you for watching!

[@LaenayaSathe]

One of my favorite book series of all time is the Wings of Fire series, featuring a cast of dragon characters in a dragon populated fantasy world with no humans. I recommend to all ages because while certainly wouldn't appeal to all, it touches on so much. On top of a great story, every book has incredible character development and touches on some complex, even adult concepts in a palatable way. One character suffered abuse growing up, and while the book doesn't dive into it, you get enough of a picture to understand that by the time you get to her book, her transformation and how she becomes empowered to claim her own agency is amazing and empowering in itself. In another, a very troubled reluctant villain realizes she enjoys having friends, not just the one she has latched onto. Vibrant colorful world with vibrant characters and a riveting (to me) plot. Very much worth a read even as an adult!

[@iLiviesimone]

Nice! I have never heard of this so thanks for the recommendation :D

[@billyalarie929]

the problem that forces YA into the understandable predicament of being considered a genre is, today, when i think of The Outsiders, i think of it as literature that CAN be read by any age group, and everyone can get something out of it. something important, something real. whether that be remembering the valuable lessons they learned as a teen or in their early 20s, or as something, honestly, barely discernible from other books of that time period. yes, the themes and the plot suggest a coming of age tale, but it's done so in a way that is, to my mind, far more mature in nature than most YA released in recent years. on the other hand, lots of supposedly "adult" fantasy, for instance, comes off as something a teen could read and be perfectly fine reading, because there is no discernible difference between something written today "meant for" a 19 year old, and something written today "for" a 30-40 year old. a lot of it comes down to, frankly, dumbed down prose. sorry, but there it is.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi William! Thank you for your input, and I'm really glad your pointed out The Outsiders specifically. I recall reading that for school and it not leaving much of an impact, but rereading it as an adult I had a renewed appreciation. I think that book has a sort of timeless quality because everyone can enjoy it, and I think teenagers especially can relate- which is why I think it was such a defining work for the young adult demographic. I guess I would disagree though that it is written in a more mature manner than recent YA works (specifically contemporary YA works because I feel we should compare genre to genre- I do not think The Outsiders can be compared easily to a YA fantasy story). Not to mention the author was 16 herself when she wrote it. And I would have to disagree again that YA is dumbed down prose. I think for any 5 books you use to back up how you personally see them as 'dumbed down', I could counter and select 5 books that are not. Adult fantasy definitely seems super broad, like you said with some not being discernible in who they're intended for. I think this is where the case for 'new adult' demographic comes in, but I honestly don't know much about that idea. Thanks again for your comment!

[@Pip8448]

@@iLiviesimone Um. I think what William was saying about a dumbed down age group was for the 30-40 books. Or maybe that books in general have been dumbed down in the last few decades?

[@madeleineb.8407]

Such an articulate and well thought-out video! This is a very interesting and not enough talked about topic! Such great work, thank you :)

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Madeleine! I'm so glad you enjoyed this discussion- thank you for commenting. Happy reading :D

[@BooksAndJams]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! I am going to recommend this video so much as we are gearing up for Middle Grade March! I wholeheartedly agree so much. Loved that CS Lewis quote too!

[@iLiviesimone]

💜💜💜 Ahh, I'm so glad you enjoyed this discussion Krista!!! And YAY FOR MGM!

[@arp711]

YES! I am so on board with this. I started venturing into children's books a couple years ago (well, beyond YA that is) and started reading some middle grade, and really fell in love with the category. And this year, I also read a couple of younger children's books, as well as a picture book which was such a wonderful experience. (And a gorgeous one--it was Sulwe!) I'm definitely eager to pick up more and I hope more adults open their minds to the idea. I mean, I totally agree that after 2020, we could all use the joy and comfort that kids' books and picture books can give us.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Alison! Thank you for commenting, and I love that you got more into middle grade and picture books. I feel like I need to get more middle grade reads in actually- did you read any that you *really* enjoyed? And yay for the Sulwe love!! Happy reading 💜

[@Secunda-xt2yx]

Incredible video! You've articulated my thoughts exactly, and it's such a delight to hear someone else express identical feelings. Children's literature is an indispensable resource. (In general conversation, I refer to children's lit as "for all ages," because that's exactly what it is.) I especially love your comment on empathy -- so true! And that C.S. Lewis quote is amazing! As soon as you said his name I thought you were going to quote a line from the dedication page of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: "Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again." I'll have to write this one down! I'm the only college student I know who frequents the Children's section of my local Barnes & Noble, and I take immense pride in that. (And that pride has swelled after watching this video😂) Thank you!

[@iLiviesimone]

What a joy to read your comment Jon! And this made me go and check my copy of Narnia just now for that dedication and bookmark it- that is also such a good quote, thank you for sharing! And I am glad to assist in having pride heading into the children's section hahaha Have a good one :)

[@labeba]

I have 5 children and I'm so thankful that they are reader and there books bring a joy to my heart ❤

[@iLiviesimone]

Love it!!💜 Have you come across any favorites lately?

[@isabellaconnelly5516]

I love this argument so much! I recently started checking picture books out again due to my nanny job and they are truly wonderful things.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Isabella! Love your comment and glad you are enjoying picture books so much too 💜

[@donreadsalot4932]

One of the best posts I've seen on BookTube in MONTHS, and you are 150% correct; I thought Harry Potter cured adults of the ... stigma of reading kidlit or YA, but nope. Sadder still are how many BookTubers have just turned me off to their channels (to the point of unsubscribing) because they always qualify reading YA by suggesting "It IS YA" meaning it doesn't count at much as the others books they've read, or like they're embarrassed to have read it. If you go to my review blog, there are picture books, chapter books, YA, kidlit in general, graphic novels, manga, adult novels - I know no bias, and am sick of those who don't get that children's and YA fiction is simply some of THE best fiction being written today.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Donald! I'm so glad you enjoyed this discussion and I really enjoy your input. And I know what you mean with being turned off to how people talk about YA- sometimes it is so obvious there is almost embarrassment associated with giving it the time of day, especially when there is the need to always clarify that something is YA and *not* adult and therefore the reason for all a book's problems. I hope we can see progress with the judgement in this area over time.

[@donreadsalot4932]

@@iLiviesimone I hope so, too; quite honestly, it also makes me sad what people are missing out on, simply because of a biased mindset. Have shared your post on IG, Twitter, and FB - including several FB reading groups I am in; hoping that's okay.

[@iLiviesimone]

@@donreadsalot4932 Oh that is so kind- it's definitely okay and thanks for sharing!

[@afantasybabble6222]

Great points. I think that the distaste for children and YA books has been amplified in the last few years ( maybe this coincided with the rise if grimdark in the fantasy genre). Childrens books can have all kinds if important messages and are worthy reads even for adults. Some of my favorite fantasy books are aimed at younger readers such as The Earthsea cycle by Ursula K LeGuin or His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (by the way the TV show is pretty good) And yes, I love animated movies. They are often very funny and have themes that make you feel good. Luckily, even though we are all adults, my family members all love animated movies. I do not get why people looked down upon them without given them a chance. It would be hard to choose a favorite but out of the top of my head I would choose Brave or Tangled.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! I think you made a great point about the possible relation to rise in grimdark- I never considered it and now that I think about it...🤔 I have heard of Ursula LeGuin's work for a minute so thanks for mentioning your favorites! More for the endless tbr. And oh too great movies, but my vote will definitely go to Tangled!! That movie is👩🏾‍🍳💋

[@Pip8448]

Thanks to audio books I finally "have time" to get through some books! I have a loooooong list of recommendations that has been growing since elementary school. I don't care that the book was meant for a kid or teen, I want to know the stories that made my friends and classmates so animated! When I read books meant for younger ages, I like trying to see the story as if everything that happens is a new idea, while also seeing things from my lifetime of expectations and pattern recognition.

[@RoganShannon13]

GO OFF! Haha in all seriousness, I love this video. Definitely too much of a stigma around adults reading or watching things targeted to children. I really don't get it, because sometimes you just want to turn off your brain and not think too much, and children's media is perfect for that. It's also fantastic when there are jokes and things slipped in there for adults!

[@iLiviesimone]

Thank you Rogan!!! 💜 And yup, nothing better than children's media that clearly adults can enjoy as well- those are the best.

[@dennisandfreyasd631]

I agree with you completely! I like reading both adult and children's books. Some of the picture books have such beautiful illustrations, they could be paintings! Also, they often talk about important concepts in a simpler and entertaining way. I also like what you said about animation. It reminded me of the Shrek movies. The story was fun to watch, but there were signs and things in the background, and in the dialog, that adults might catch that kids might not.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts 😄 and love the example of Shrek- in fact, it makes me want to rewatch it hahaha

[@mackenzienall5339]

This. Is. Everything. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I only just started enjoying reading within the past 2 years and it was children’s literature that was the catalyst. I’m also that person that chooses children’s lit over adult due to some of the overly graphic content. I’m still learning to not be self-conscious walking through the teen/children’s section being a 27 year old adult, but WHO CARES?? You have a new subscriber because this is amazing!!

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Mackenzie! I love your comment 🥺 I feel you about walking through that section of the bookstore because it's like you can feel people judging you 👀 And I especially love how you mention children's lit being the catalyst for further reading. I have realized too how especially.... condescending(?) it is of those who look down up children's lit when that in particular is often what get's people into and/or back to reading in the first place?? Just as you said- the catalyst. And I think that is something that should be *praised* about it. So I hope this year brings you many great new reads, no matter who the book is targeted towards :)

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

This whole video resonated so much with me! I read 122 middle grade books last year and they were (mostly) so amazing and some of my favorite reads of the year.

[@iLiviesimone]

Love this! So glad it resonated with you and that is AMAZING how many MG books you read

[@ladykingsrey3977]

@0:30 I am so glad that you offer this selection on your channel

[@iLiviesimone]

And I'm so glad you are watching! 💜

[@elisemoser]

Yes to everything you said! When I worked in a children’s library, we got a copy of The Little Blue Cottage and I was blown away by the illustrations. It’s a favorite of mine.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Elise! So glad you enjoyed this (and I love that you've worked in a children's library😍) Just looked up that book too and what cute illustrations!

[@thoughtsofkatie5592]

Thank you for this video!! I think there's some of the 'hate on teenage girls' that bleeds into the criticism of YA. The fact that everything/anything young women are interested in is criticized just make YA an easy target. I also think that because the category is so new - people don't understand it. I've been told many times "there was no such thing as YA when I was a teenager, I was reading Adult Books™" when in reality they were books still geared towards high schoolers/young adults there just wasn't a shelf in the bookstore separating them. At the end of the day, I want to read all sorts of literature so I can expand my mind! I love that you included the CS Lewis quote, I've never heard it before and it's perfect!

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Katie! I absolutely agree and love that you brought this up- that desire for people not want to even associate with the genre because of who mainly reads it, ugh! And teenage girls can not catch a break with this. And exactly, about the category being new! I have seen so many responses like that, or adults coming back to YA/children's because they read adult as kids and whatnot. Glad you liked that quote, and thanks for watching!💜

[@LuminousLibro]

I read a LOT of children's books and picture books that publishers send to me for review, and then I pass them to my little nieces and nephews. I enjoy so many of them just for myself, and I think it makes me a more discerning reader. Thank you for this great video!

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi!! And I love that you read the books, and then pass them on to your little relatives 💜 wonderful experience- and so glad you enjoyed this!

[@brettsimpson1505]

I have two small children and their picture-books are some of my favourite stories. Such vibrant colours and a moral to each story with a fairytale feel. Reading them makes me feel young and transports me back to halcyon days - and their enthusiasm for such tales is heartwarming. I suspect I may enjoy reading to them even more than they enjoy hearing those tales...

[@iLiviesimone]

Love this!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

[@brettsimpson1505]

@@iLiviesimone: My pleasure. Thank you for your channel.

[@Ambermarie13]

I work in childcare and absolutely adore children’s literature! I’m trying to get over my fear of being judged while venturing into the kids’ section in libraries and bookstores

[@LiteraryStoner]

💜I occasionally have picked up children's books as an adult (one's I either didn't get to as a kid myself or have since come out) and enjoyed them. I don't pick them up as often as I want to though, hoping to change that! Love this video!

[@iLiviesimone]

Hey Tyler! I'm glad you enjoy this, and also that you seem to have more children's books in your future. Hope you find some great reads- happy reading!

[@BookieCharm]

loved this! 💕💕💕 nonfiction picture books are so informative! just gonna reference this video everytime I talk about picture books from now on. don't mind me lol

[@iLiviesimone]

I'm so flattered 🥺🥺 Thanks Priscilla- and I love that you also appreciate and love picture books- we should form a club lol💜

[@Blackadder75]

Adult male here, reading books since before I could read.. I enjoy all kinds of 'serious literature' and also fantasy and science fiction. But some of my favourite books are originally written for children and no matter how old I am, I will always reread them every few years or so. The Wind in the Willows and Winnie the Pooh are great examples but there are also many modern examples.

[@iLiviesimone]

Love reading your input! And I haven't heard of The Wind of the Willows before, so thanks for the rec too :)

[@Blackadder75]

@@iLiviesimone it's by Kenneth Graham, written in 1908 so expect some slow parts, but there are also many hilarious parts. Your library will have it, and pick a copy with the original illustrations.

[@vamps_rock]

Ok so I haven't even started it yet, but I LOVE that you have done this. I saw an argument (one of many) recently where people were dismissing adults reading YA in particular. Whilst I do wonder why any adult reader would limit themselves to _just_ YA, I think there is a ton of it out there to interest many adult readers as a _part_ of their diet. I haven't picked up much myself simply because of habits, but there is so much coming out now that I being a 40 something have a reawakened interest in because of the range of topics and types of stories that like the array of POC characters, just weren't available to me as a teenager. So, watching now... It annoys me so much when people call YA or MG a genre. It also annoys me when people say that it (YA specifically) is all the same which is something that is said about all categories/genres/sub-genres of literature written _primarily_ but not exclusively by, about and for women (another argument, another day and even more rage!). Of course, there is a lot of similarities and lots of cliches, as there is in all genres/categories but there is also a lot of differences too, it all depends on the choices we make with individual books and authors. I could go on, but I don't want to bore you! But you have given me a lot to think about because MG books, in particular, I've not considered for them just being 'too young' for me. As always, TFS :)

[@iLiviesimone]

Hey!! Your pre-watch thoughts were so spot on to the discussion LOL And yup yup yup about that conversation about target demographics that are primarily women being for another day, lots to unpack there. I'm glad this discussion was enjoyable and love your input (and your comments never bore me XD)

[@sbooktimes]

I’ve watched this video like two times but just never commented. And just wanted to say I think it’s so great you made this video!

[@iLiviesimone]

This comment puts the biggest smile on my face- you are so nice! I am so glad you enjoyed this discussion

[@zialaf]

I was already a believer but I like the fact that you actually created a conversation about this for those who might nit have considered it.

[@iLiviesimone]

Thanks for taking the time to watch, having already been a believer! And I look forward to the day there is less judgement with this stuff 💜

[@StormDjinn1]

1. I love the quote used to begin the video 2. It was fascinating to watch the sun lines on the wall behind you grow (or shrink 😱) with edits 😂 3. Now that I've seen Breaking Bad - i need to try and find the reference in Zootopia!

[@iLiviesimone]

Every time Breaking Bad is mentioned, I have the urge to rewatch it LOL- i think the reference is fairly obvious, so have fun catching it!

[@azurities]

I *loved* this video! I have my master's degree in Library & Information Science and work as a bookseller for children and teens and just completely endorse everything you talked about in this. You really hit the nail on the head talking about target audiences, picture books are written so that you only have to have a child's level of knowledge of the world to enjoy them, but that doesn't mean you can't love them and get a lot out of them later in life. You also picked some spectacular picture books to highlight (: I'll offer a few other picture book reccs while I'm here gushing about everything you said: I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott, illus. Sydney Smith The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, illus. Pascal Campion Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell, illus. Ana Ramírez González Bedtime for Sweet Creatures by Nikki Grimes (anything by her tbh), illus. Elizabeth Zunon The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann From Archie to Zack by Vincent Kirsch

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Maddy! Gosh I love your comment. I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, especially with your experience and as a bookseller! And thanks a ton for those book recommendations- I look forward to checking out the ones I don't recognize- I have read two though! The Paper Kingdom and Maybe Tomorrow? I especially loved the meaning of the box and how the alligator comforted the hippo (?) in Maybe Tomorrow Happy reading 💜

[@azurities]

@@iLiviesimone I hope you like them if you do get to check them out! Also, "I Want My Hat Back" got made into a really fun children's musical (: Thanks for all the hard work you put into these videos!

[@artbyandia]

This is a great video. I have been getting more and more into YA and children's books lately. I found a love for Diana Wynne Jones' books and some of them I would even say are more clever than some adult books I have read. There are just too many books in every genre and demographic that to put everything in the same bag is a disservice.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! I love your comment! And your last sentence is **chef's kiss** I just looked up that author and didn't realize they wrote Howl's Moving Castle- I have heard so much about that one, so thanks for putting it back on my radar

[@artbyandia]

@@iLiviesimone "Howl's Moving Castle" is one of my favourite books of all time now. It is a lot different from the movie, but I like both and I would say to start there with the author since it's my favourite of hers so far.

[@AnnieMaxwell-ru8rv]

I agree with you. The same way you can watch kids movies and cartoons as an adult you can read kids books as an adult

[@RaspberryDevil]

Loved everything you had to say about this 💖 I haven't read a picture book in a while but I think they are really charming! I don't trust adults who say something is 'just' for children. Of course we can criticise how an adult engages with children's media. But I think there can be a lot of joy in reading something aimed at a different age group because there are a lot of stories worth reading :)

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! I'm glad you enjoyed this discussion :D And I too find I may not trust an adult's opinion as much if they belittle an entire target demographics like things for children. Thank you for commenting!

[@soph572]

F👏A👏C👏T👏S! Beautifully said, love this video

[@iLiviesimone]

💜💜💜 Thank you! So glad you enjoyed this discussion

[@corncrackerkid5092]

I’ve always made sure to live by CS Lewis’ words and I’ve learned even as adults you can still learn from books like Redwall and Guardians Of Ga’Hoole even if they’re about talking animals

[@iLiviesimone]

Agreed- there is always more to learn, no matter where from :) Do you have a favorite book/quote by CS Lewis?

[@myronemmaturner]

All of this! When i was in middle school i read classics and moder literary fiction, i definitely didn't understand everything i was reading but i enjoyed it and i was praised for reading "above my level". Now that i'm in my twenties i really love reading YA fantasy (and i am only dipping my toes into adult fantasy), i love the themes and the stories and the messages and the writing (well it depends on the book of course but that goes for any age range) and i think people who look down on it are hugely missing out. Plus i am french and when i was younger i couldn't read children's or middle grade english books and a lot of them weren't translated or as well known in france, so i recently read howl's moving castle or the series of unfortunate events for instance and adored them. Honestly i don't get the contempt for those age ranges. Rant over now, sorry!

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! Thank you so much for your input. I love that you mentioned reading above your level while young and just now getting to YA fantasy. And that's wonderful that you could finally get to those books now that they are translated (bummer it took so long for them to be translated though). I haven't read either of those but hear nothing but love for them. And no apologies needed over here- I LOVE longer comments - do you have a favorite YA fantasy? Happy reading! 💜

[@imabooks]

I second everything you just said. Personally, my reading taste has always included all age brackets, I started reading adult literature when I was still a kid and I'm still reading books that are intended for young readers. My 3 favorite works are The Little Prince, The Lord of the Rings, and the Plays by Sarah Kane - those couldn't be more different from each other.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! Thanks for watching and that’s a great point about reading adult lit as a kid, then continuing with kid’s lit later in life because I think many can relate to that I haven’t read a single Lord of the Rings books- hope to change that soon!

[@imabooks]

@@iLiviesimone no need to thank you, your videos are great and it’s a joy to watch them! Thank you for making them :) LotR is honestly difficult to recommend xD I don’t even think I would enjoy them very much if I read them now for the first time but because I read the books when I was 9/10 and then watched the movies with my family and it was such a fun thing to do at the time I‘m still super attached to the story. But as I‘ve grown older I definitely see the problems with the story (both storytelling and other aspects like representation of anyone who is not a white man). If you’re interested I would recommend starting with the Hobbit book and watching the LotR movies and then if you think you would be interested in the story of the movies but every other page is „pointless“ worldbuilding, definitely give it a shot. And afterwards, if you enjoyed the books I‘d highly recommend the Silmarilion, which is ridiculous and interesting (well, only if you actually enjoyed the aspects of the LotR books that include random dwarves telling the story of their family for 10 pages without it ever being relevant)

[@TheHappeningswithHAP]

This is such a great video! I LOVE YA and read all types of genres under that umbrella. For me YA is a genre that I think more so represents the age of the characters in the narrative; typical teens-through college aged, than necessarily the age the reader “should” be. Due to those ages I feel some life events/themes/milestones will be covered that I wouldn’t expect in “adult” lit. I really should expand my reading to include more children’s lit. Like I could really go for some Berenstain Bears right now!

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi! And I agree- I think young adult often reflects stories where the characters are literally young adults and experience things specific to young adults And I haven't thought about Bernstein Bears in a MINUTE! I remember watching the show as a child!

[@HyeJinStarlight]

In this comment I will... LOL I read a lot out of my target bracket... I actually rarely pay attention what the target age is (middle grade, YA, adult). As long as it appeals to me I will read it... I might be an "adult" but reading is escapism, so in taking a break from adulting I will pick up everything from children's books to young and new adult. I don't like the label of YA too much, because of the way it is often used to stigmatise young women (twilight being a major example), but I don't look down upon it... I read it a lot. As to my favourite animated movie? Beauty and the Beast, Kubo and the Two Strings, Big Hero 6, Moana... can't pick between those

[@iLiviesimone]

I agree with you- a good story, an appealing story, that doesn't change based on who the target age is. And I love that you also bring up the stigmatization of young women. It's important I think to realize sometimes these stigma are often towards the audiences. And funny how it's the children, young teenagers, and young women, who are often criticized so much for what they like to read/are the target demographic for..... And that is a good selection of animated movies right there. My favorite of the bunch would have to be Beauty and the Beast because of nostalgic attachment too lol

[@HyeJinStarlight]

@@iLiviesimone I love fairy tales... and the Beauty and the Beast (while not a traditional fairy tale) is definitely a fairy tale trope... also THAT LIBRARY THAT HE GIVES HER OUT OF LOVE 😱📚 I remember watching it as a kid and wanting that soooooo bad

[@2ys2bafool]

I haven't read the Harry Potter series...and...guess what.. I will!!!! Thank you..your POV..has further moved me to changing my range of reading..

[@iLiviesimone]

Yay! Your comment is such a joy- thank you! And I am one of those people who also did not grow up reading Harry Potter- I read them all in one summer several years ago and had a BLAST, so I hope you enjoy them :)

[@Mi_9538]

Extremely well said

[@iLiviesimone]

Thank you!

[@crownbrownbooks1995]

As an educator and Literacy coach, I promote children's books/picture books DAILY!! People think I'm crazy. One reason I started my channel to promote children's books/black authors. Yes, YA is TARGETED to an age group - SAD!! Yes, it LIMITS exposure to others when you see/hear YA. Literature is AGELESS and TIMELESS. Children's lit contains so many messages that we all can relate to. I'm so OVER the titles -vs- genres!!

[@iLiviesimone]

Yes!! And I love that promoting children's lit and Black authors was motivation to start your channel 💜 A good story is a good story and that can be found across the board!! Happy reading (the *full* range of literature out there 😁)

[@crownbrownbooks1995]

@@iLiviesimone Thank you.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

"My Father's Dragon" is a very old children's book. A kid takes lollipops and ribbons and other kid stuff on an adventure and gets past alligators and lions by using them. A few months ago I realized this is the same plot line of every James Bond movie. Love kids books . I do need to start reading more of them.

[@iLiviesimone]

Thanks for commenting Peter! And also happy to learn of another book- I never heard of that one before :)

[@Peter-oh3hc]

@@iLiviesimone two suggestions and I will leave you alone. You may know and/or read these, but just in case. I just started "Unexampled courage: the blinding of Sgt. Isaac woodard and the awakening of america". His horrible beating (in uniform, returning home from wwii leads to desegregated of military and can be linked to Brown v Board of ed) "No ordinary time". Pulitzer prize winner about FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and America itself during WWIi. A great read and packed with documented facts

[@silviagurgel5701]

OMG, perfection ❤️

[@iLiviesimone]

Glad you enjoyed Silvia! 💜

[@mandiconnell3311]

I LOVE THIS.

[@iLiviesimone]

Thank you Mandi!!

[@susanmacaluso5218]

Thanks for posting this video! I'd like to suggest a new title..."Chewy Marmot", by S.E. Spracher. 611 pages, very imaginative and thought provoking.

[@iLiviesimone]

Thanks for the rec Susan!

[@Roads_in_Autumn]

I've recently started reading some middle grade after not reading it since middle school.

[@iLiviesimone]

Yay! I hope you enjoy your reads 💜

[@SereneDancer]

So true!

[@iLiviesimone]

💜 Thanks for watching!

[@Bramble451]

Having gone on a "classic world literature" kick at one time (Long boring humblebrag list follows: The Iliad, The Scarlet Letter, Tom Sawyer, The Divine Comedy, Gulliver's Travels, The Travels of Marco Polo, The Confessions of St. Augustine, War and Peace, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Little Women, Three Musketeers, Treasure Island, The Aeneid, Moby Dick, The Decameron, The Consolation of Philosophy, Sun Tzu, etc. etc. etc.), plus at least a compendium of Asian literature, I can with complete honesty say that the best book ever written is Alice in Wonderland. :-) Jane Austen novels, "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", and "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" are hot on its heals. Although to some extent it's not fair, since most of those had to be translated. My readings in foreign languages have taught me that translations simply can't bring over the subtlety of the original language. Shakespeare, in any other language, isn't Shakespeare. Anyway, if you're not familiar with the KZbin Channel "Overly Sarcastic Productions", I think you would like it. It has a large number of videos specifically about tropes, as they appear in any media, whether literature, comics, anime, movies, etc.

[@iLiviesimone]

Wow- you definitely know your classics! Thanks for watching and for commenting! (also, I only ever read Alice in Wonderland for the first time a few years ago and always think of it's fever dream-like quality hahaha)

[@caitlyn.m.t9618]

I agree with a lot of your points but I hard agree with the points about the live action remakes. They are literally for most of the remakes copy and pasting animated to live-action. It works fantastically in the animated version but does poorly in the live-action and there is a reason for that! If they are going to do it they need to start recognising that since it is a different medium they are going to have to change the script, approach it differently, and actually portray it in a way that makes the medium benefit the story in some way. With so many of these live-action remakes, they aren't doing that. I also have a lowkey unpopular opinion about books to movie/tv show adaptations which is basically is that I don't want them. Not that I think they will disrespect or butcher the original book but more that...there is no interest in it? It works great as a book and I don't need a visual representation of it, and I only want it if they actually approach it differently. Like in Sharp Objects and how they went about that one.

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Caitlyn! Oh yes yes, I love how you talk about the remakes often being direct replicas and why that... doesn't always work. And no matter how much I love the originals, I have yet to truly enjoy any of the Disney remakes in particular. I also think animation allows for the things that simply don't... make sense or wouldn't look quite right in the real world. Like Lilo and Stitch- I hear there are plans to remake that and I can't think of any way in which that will have a good outcome. From not only the look of the non-human characters, but even the size all of the characters. And I've never read/seen Sharp Objects (but have the book and hope to soon)! Did you enjoy that adaption or no?

[@AlwaysBooked]

I’m convinced😃

[@iLiviesimone]

Yay! Happy reading 💜

[@ryannabrown8467]

I will be 50 years old reading young adult lol ALSO children books can teach the most important lessens I love

[@iLiviesimone]

Hi Ryanna! And sounds like you'll be reading the whole range of lit for your the rest of your life which is GREAT Happy reading 💜

[@tamarleahh.2150]

I prefer the lack of graphic content even though I'm an adult

[@iLiviesimone]

Great point! The graphic content that comes with adult books are definitely not everyone's cup of tea (and sometimes can over do it)