When I visit my local Barnes & Noble store, I see young adult sections expanding, and genres of especial interest to teenagers, such as manga, also taking up an increasing percentage of the shelf space. Many people my age complain that teenagers these days aren’t interested in reading, and this, I guess, proves us wrong.
But what I don’t get is the two sets of bookshelves devoted to the category of “teenage paranormal romance,” most of which seem to be about teenage girls falling in love with vampires and werewolves. I can understand the appeal of the Harry Potter books. I would have loved to have read something like this as a boy. I can understand the appeal of the Hunger Games books. They speak to current conditions. I can understand wanting to be a vampire slayer. But a vampire’s lover? I don’t get it. If you’re a teenage American girl, or know teenage American girls, maybe you can explain.
Tags: Halloween, Teenage Paranormal Romance, Young Adult Books
