Crossover Fiction

CharlasBooksellers

Únete a LibraryThing para publicar.

Crossover Fiction

Este tema está marcado actualmente como "inactivo"—el último mensaje es de hace más de 90 días. Puedes reactivarlo escribiendo una respuesta.

1YAophile Primer Mensaje
Sep 5, 2006, 12:14 am

Hi Everyone

I've only recently discovered this wonderful site. It's a fantastic idea. I'm slowly adding my collection.

I've been in the book industry in Australia for about 6 years (relative newbie) as a bookseller. In that time I've worked in independent, franchise and company owned stores.

I love hearing what young adults and adults are reading.

There is an increased interest in books that both young people and adults read and it seems more authors are writing for this market.

Is the same thing happening everywhere? I'd be interested to know.

Cheers
YAophile

2TheBlindHog
Sep 5, 2006, 8:50 pm

YAophile,

I've definitely noticed a lot of mainstream adult fiction writers crossing over to publish YA novels. I have no doubt that it is fallout from the Harry Potter effect. Publishers are aggressively pursuing YA readers and evidently are willing to publish a lot more titles. Aftermarket values are high and that encourages collectors (I have three copies of Markus Zusak's Book Thief).

I've toyed with the idea of starting a collection of crossover titles but I am intimidated by the sheer number of them and by the fact that I don't have the means to compile a list of available titles.

3YAophile
Editado: Sep 5, 2006, 11:23 pm

Hi TheBlindHog,

I agree with your comments about HP's impact. Good things have happened post HP. I've noticed some great classics are being republished - Rosemary Sutcliffe, Lloyd Alexander, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner (I read fairly broadly - I work in the kid's and youth sections).

Once upon a time (had to get it in!) you needed to have an excuse ready as an adult if you were caught reading a YA book, but now people are more comfortable with allowing YA enthusiasts to pursue their favourite genre. They may even be tempted to read one themselves! I think it's a positive thing generally, but take your point about the publishers. There's many a sparkling eye among the reps I see! They're certainly enjoying the ride.

It's interesting the effect it's having on authors too, as you have noted. Some YA authors are very outspoken on the subject (eg Sonya Hartnett is very much against the term "Crossover Fiction" and all it represents).

With regards to starting a collection of crossover titles, the sheer numbers do appear daunting, but I'm learning a lot as I delve further - it's an interesting area.

On another note, I see you have a copy of The Labyrinth by Kate Mosse in your collection. Did you enjoy it? I read this book and Traci Harding's, Gene of Isis one after the other. I found them to be quite compimentary.

Cheers
YAophile

4TheBlindHog
Sep 6, 2006, 7:25 pm

YAophile,

The Labyrinth is a book I haven't read. I'm almost embarassed to admit I have a mercenary attitude toward books in that I treat them as investments first. Of course I do love to read, but if I have just one copy of a book I will delay gratification until I find a reasonably-priced copy that has already been read. It is very tough, sometimes, but I (almost) always stick to that rule. My intent is to leave a very substantial collection behind when I am gone and I want it to be as spectacular as I can make it, given my financial means.

I have noted that Labyrinth is held in some regard by collectors and critics, so I will no doubt read it someday.

Is there an alternative to "crossover fiction" that would be more palatable?

5YAophile
Sep 8, 2006, 9:24 pm

TheBlindHog,

As you're wanting your collection to remain in pristine condition, I understand your reasoning. Maybe you could borrow a copy? I admire your resolve. I think I would find it difficult to see the books on the shelves and not read them.

As for an alternative to crossover fiction, I haven't heard of one yet. I think it could be a bit more creative - I'll give it some thought.

6circadia
Sep 24, 2006, 12:24 am

I agree that the line between YA & adult fiction has become much more blurry as of late, and it seems to have been a mostly positive development. As a teen I was incredibly scornful of most books found in the "young adult" section of the library, as I perceived most of them to be unimaginative and poorly written -- i.e., Sweet Valley High, etc.

However, my perspective has changed dramatically since I began working in independent bookstores 8 years ago. One of my favorite authors of all time is Phillip Pullman, and I've also been very impressed by the work of Philip Reeve, M.T. Anderson, Lemony Snicket, and others. So the "crossover" effect is definitely happening in the US as well as other markets, at least from my experience.

7bookishbunny
Oct 4, 2006, 8:53 am

I have developed an interest in YA fiction recently. I have the list of Newberry winners on bestoflists.com and I'm going to be borrowing a few from my director's son, a high-schooler. I think it's very important to know what the next generation is reading.

I don't know which authors are writing what. I didn't read young adult when I was one (started on 'big-people' novels at a very young age). I see know that I missed out on a lot of beautiful literature. But any book worth reading at 13 is worth reading at 33, so I'm doing it now.

8YAophile
Editado: Oct 14, 2006, 2:54 am

Hi Circadia

Philip Pullman is great - I've read His Dark Materials Trilogy & Tiger in the Well from his Sally Lockhart series. I've yet to read the other authors you've mentioned. Have you read William Nicholson's Wind Singer, or Michelle Paver's Wolf Brother? The Amulet of Samarkand by Johnathon Stroud is also good. Too many books, too little time!

Cheers
YAophile

9YAophile
Oct 14, 2006, 3:53 am

Hi Bookishbunny

My son reads a few of the books I bring home. I've been looking at a few interesting sites for awards for YA fiction. The Whitbread Book Awards (now called Costa Book Awards) & ACHUKA. There's an interesting site in the UK - the award goes to the most popular books as voted by the readers - Red House Children's Book Awards.

There are some great blogs around that will give you some insight into what authors for young people are writing. I enjoy watching the process of how popular or not a book becomes and why.

I read a few 'big people's' books but always have a YA book or two on the go.

Cheers
YAophile

10LSS312
Feb 26, 2007, 1:10 am

I don't think "Crossover Fiction" is a new phenomenon; it's just getting more attention now. But the classic books have always been read by children, teens, and adults - books like Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, etc. are all technically children's books, but have long been read by children of ALL ages.

Personally, I don't like the term "Crossover Fiction," mostly because I don't think we need a term at all. Advanced children have always read books from general fiction; adults have always read the books their children find fascinating. I just don't like how one thing becomes popular (namely, Harry Potter), and then everyone jumps on the bandwagon like some new, fantastic thing has just been created.

Maybe I'm just cynical.