Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Book Talk

On Sunday night I happened to be watching 60 Minutes, and one of the segments was an interview with the author John Green. I was only slightly familiar with him as an author, and didn't know anything about him as a person, so I paid attention. I'm glad I did, because I learned a few things.


John Green is a YA author, probably most well known for The Fault in Our Stars. I knew that he wrote mainly for teenagers, but being decades beyond my own teenage years, I think I tended to dismiss him, or think of his books as somehow "less than" the literary fiction or nonfiction I favor. I'm ashamed to admit that, because while I might be far too old for YA, he is writing books that reach a whole generation of readers, and in turn, helping them to ask and possibly begin to answer the big questions of life.

He doesn't dismiss young adults, but thinks that even if they haven't had experiences with death, suicide, cancer, and mental illness (things he writes about), the feelings that these traumas engender are universal. And he knows what he's writing about, as he deals with anxiety and OCD every day.

I have a really rich, fulfilling life. I also have a pretty serious chronic mental health problem. And those aren't mutually exclusive. And the truth is that lots of people have chronic mental health problems, and still have good lives.

When I worked in elementary and middle school libraries, the librarians occasionally gave book talks. They shared a little about the book under discussion, spoke about the author, and always ended with a bit of suspense to keep the students wondering. Books that had been book talked always had a long queue of borrowers, and I can understand why. Sixty Minutes basically book talked another of Green's books, Turtles All the Way Down, and I felt compelled to read it. I started it last night, but I was surprised to find out from goodreads that I had read it two years ago. I'm going to finish my re-read because I didn't remember that I had read it, so I certainly don't remember how it ends. 

I'm still too old for YA, but I can see that books that reach many different and varied readers, all of them in different places, are a good thing. They are definitely not less than, especially if they can help readers ask some questions, answer some questions, and better understand mental health. I think I will always pay attention to book talks, and might even learn a thing or two.

11 comments:

  1. I haven't read this particular John Green yet, but I read The Fault in Our Stars a few years ago and really loved it. Something I really enjoy about YA books from more recent years is that they seem to give a lot more credit to young adults and what they're capable of handling and understanding. And I find I gain a lot from reading them as an older person with all the life experience I've had that I didn't yet have as a teen. I don't think you're too old for YA books at all -- just think of them as easy reads!

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  2. I think I put this book on my "read list" but that list can be a black hole where books go to never be found again. But, you are right - book talks stir ones interest and you have moved this book up on my list!

    (and sometimes, I think I am too old for YA, but maybe not...)

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  3. Wishing I had seen that interview. I think Fletch had 60 minutes on the TV, but I was in the midst of doing something else....

    There used to be a very interesting book talk on public radio (years and years ago). I can't remember the name of it, but I wish they would do a book series again.

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  4. I've read a number of YA books and found them to be some of the best books I've read. The perspective can be different than an adult author might have and I've always learned from the perspective change. I wish I had young adults in my life I could share the books with, but I have recommended books to my friends who teach or who have children/grandchildren in the age range. Maybe we shouldn't look at genre identifiers and should just read a book and determine if we think them worthwhile.

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  5. I am a John Green fan, and I have read several of his books. I think the change in perspective is valuable. Some of my most genuine and passionate feelings occurred when I was a teenager and young adult, and while I now admit that I did not have the experience to make some judgments, I was also not as jaded about things. So, I find some YA books to be very thought-provoking. Turtles All the Way Down is not my favorite of his books. I saw the interview with him when it originally aired, and I saw it again this past Sunday. He is a fine example of people who struggle, admit they struggle, and yet have a productive and fulfilling life.

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  6. I've been considering Looking for Alaska for a year now and never pulled the trigger. (It was on the PBS Great American Read list.) Maybe now I'll finally get the job done as I did read The Fault in Our Stars. Thanks Bonny!

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  7. YA books are often terrific and John Green is a great author. I enjoyed Turtles All the Way Down very much.

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  8. Once upon a time I read a lot of YA novels...and I wasn't a YA...just coordinated the library's services for YAs...I haven't read a YA title in more years than I care to share (partially becuz I don't read much fiction, period) but I'm working on changing that and I've added this to my Audible TBR list. Thanks for the recommendation!
    Cheers~

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  9. I don't read many YA books but my sister does. Now and then she works in her local bookstore. I recall her mentioning the older book. Book talks are always informative. My favorite locally owned bookstore closed a number of years ago but I went to many of their book talks.

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  10. I've read many of his novels and while the plot can be 'predictable' at times and the teenage angst high, I do enjoy them!! I like YA books because they read fast.

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  11. Thank you for sharing all of this Bonny - I haven't read John Green, mostly because I didn't want to read about death and dying. But maybe that's throwing out the baby with the bathwater? (I have nothing against YA - Harry Potter is one of my all-time favorites!) I just put Turtles on hold.

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