This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Teen Lit is Not Just for Teens

The library's Young Adult section provides great options for adults, too.

I love the library. I know it’s not cool to love libraries, it’s cool to love Barnes & Noble and Kindles and Nooks. But really, you just can’t beat the library concept. You take out a book, read it, and return it.

It’s free and you don’t have a book you’ve already read lying around collecting dust. Ben Franklin was a total genius. There is one drawback, though. More often than not, the book I want is already checked out.

So, I peruse the shelves hunting for something that looks relatively interesting while I wait for the 87 people ahead of me to return whatever it is I want to read. As any other library lover in this situation knows, it’s usually pretty slim pickings, especially if it’s a weekend. This is how I once ended up with The Menopause Cookbook (a misleading title, if you really think about it). Luckily, having worked with kids for so long, I know something many people don’t — teen lit.

Stop rolling your eyes and go over to the young adult section and take a good look around. It will open up a whole new world of possibilities. Some of the absolutely best books are there. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Twilight, The Uglies, all teen lit series.

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I know many of you will argue that this isn’t exactly great literature. Well, neither is what is on most people's bookshelves. But, they are entertaining and engaging, and will give you something to discuss with your kid other than who dumped who on The Bachelor.

Some of my current faves in the Teen Lit department include Life As We Knew It (series), The Giver (an oldie but goodie), Memories of a Boy Soldier (non-fiction), and The Hunger Games (which is being made into a movie).

To find the current hot reads, just Google the Newbery Medal winners or YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) awards. Or, just ask the librarian to recommend something and you will have a friend for life. I did this last week and left with seven books, one of which my son is reading, which is miracle in itself.

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Actually, while I was searching through the shelves there was a 12-year-old girl looking as well. I asked her what she likes to read and, when she told me, I pulled something off the shelf for her. This is when you know you have so much time in the adolescent book section you are dangerously close to being the creepy lady at the library.

If you have any book recommendations, please share!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?