Reading train - Improve your reading skills - Do you read books lower than your "reading level"?

Do you read books lower than your "reading level"?

As children we often find books with reading levels. Most didn't have them but we got a general idea of what age group the books went for. I have loved many young adult authors, but now I feel like I'm too old for reading them again. What I'm asking is...do you read books even though you know you are older than the intended readers of the author would be? Like if you grew up reading an authors books and as you grow up you forget about them and move onto more mature readings. I wouldn't think any less of anyone if I saw them reading a book that is below what they can be reading...but sometimes when I ponder bookstores I find myself walking by the young adult sections and finding books i didn't even know existed from authors I loved years back. Maybe its a series that took to long to finish before you grew up. I sometimes just feel embarrassed for wanting to read those books because I know I'm too old to be reading it.

Public Comments

Yes I do! Its perfectly normal! Some books are better but your allitle older! Good Luck!
I love young adult lit. And the truth is that I am quickly becoming to old for it. And the majority of people my age are readin much more complex books. And I can do read books that are more my reading and age level. But on a rainy day I would much rather curl up with a book from an author I know and love and lose myself back into the young adult world. My mom still reads these books too. So, I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It helps you to understand young adults if nothing else.
Yes, quite often. You may find a very complicated subject explained clearly in a children's book or a grade school book. Also, there is some mindless entertainment to be found in a comic book or a picture book.
I read books lower than my "reading level" all the time! When I was in 6th grade, I tested for a college reading level. I never read on a college level, I read books that I enjoyed, as I still do today, a sophmore in highschool. My mom reads some of the books that I read and vice versa. I love to go back and read my favroite authors from middle school, and every now and then, I pick up one of my old Baby Sitter's club books. However, for school I must read on amuch high level, but I still enjoy it- Les Miserables, Great Expectations, and The Odyssey are some of my favorites.
Hey, if a book is good enough to read then read it. I read books that are young adult too. I like the Alex Rider series. I started reading them when I was still a teen but I still love and read them even now.
I say that if you want to read it, then READ IT! what's stopping you? Who cares what others think? I read anything that appeals to me, saying there are levels to books is just like saying that girls can't play football, or guy can't like the color pink. Be your own person! =D
Heck, yeah! When I was younger, I read my share of the classics. I don't have any particular genre that I like, I read almost anything except books that do not transport me to "another world." I even read mangas nowadays; if you find yourself wanting to read books meant for younger readers, give in. After all, we read books not only to add to our knowledge, they are also to enhance our pleasure of the written word.
I read books for the information in them or the pleasure and relaxation I get from reading them. It is sorta like watching cartoons... How many adults still love to watch cartoons? Nothing to be embarassed about, those who would think less of you have shallow minds and aren't worth considering their opinions anyway.
I'm 45. These are some of the things I am re-reading http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com Included is a list of only the best sorcery fantasy books, grade reading level, a short review of each book, and a "reader's choice" list of favorite books. I have also recently read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (great story) Doctor Doolittle (pretty good!) The Jungle Books (excellent!) The Hobbit Pellucidar stories of Edgar Rice Burroughs Now re-reading The Sword in the Stone (still great - makes me laugh out loud!) I'm not the least bit embarrassed with what I read. I'm not reading to impress anyone, and I don't care if they think I'm dumb or not (probably my B.S. in Physics has something to do with that). I read for enjoyment and for increasing knowledge in the areas of my interests - that's it. I'm no more ashamed of the books I read than the music to which I listen. In addition, I've found that *most* of the books I loved as a youngster I *still* love. Great books are just great, regardless of the "reading level". Jules Verne, Mark Twain, Kipling - they're all great, regardless of your age. I hope this helps. Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/
I'm 32 years old and I love young adult literature. One of my favorite book series of all times is Harry Potter. I think putting reading levels on books for kids while they are in school is important just to make sure that their reading skills are progressing...after all, you wouldn't want your 14 year old kid to only be able to read at an 8 year olds level. But there is no reason that you shouldn't read books that are lower than your reading level. Just because you are able to read harder literature doesn't mean you have to. Read whatever you want! Have fun! :)
I'm in my 20's yet I still love to read Roald Dahl's books. Same goes for 'Harry Potter' and 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'. I even listen to Dr. Seuss audios to wind up sometimes. It's great to be young at heart...even when it comes to reading! I know that I also need an occasional break from newspapers, journals and adult novels. There's no need to feel embarrassed...if you like kid lit, you can always share them with younger sibs/nieces/nephews or volunteer to read stories to kids. Same goes for young adult, you can find people who will share your interests (perhaps in a reading club or online). Have fun! ;)
i just read boooks that seem interesting
I read a lot of children's literature and young adult literature because I am a teacher and I like to know what new good stuff is out there.
I am almost 60 years old. I have found over time that it doesn't matter what you read, and/or what the age group is supposed to be. If you enjoyed the book, that is all that matters. When I was growing up my parents had me reading Alexander Dumas, Shakespeare and Dickens before I was in sixth grade. Now all I do for reading material is pick stuff that I think I will like and read those books. I have only found two books I couldn't read War and Peace and another book just as thick an inane as that, but I cannot remember the name.
u should read a book for whats written in it .... the age thing is only for the vocabulary ...advanced readers should read more advanced books but that doesn't mean they shouldn't enjoy other books .. "meant for young adults"... but believe me u should buy whatever u want and don't care what ppl think .... i KNOW somebody who buys books THAT are meant to be for children books by roald dahl !!
We all listen to music , watch TV re-runs and old movies that we enjoyed the first time around as children . Why should literature be any different be it novels or comic books ? There are children's books , such as the Harry Potter stories enjoyed by children of all ages from six to sixty ! If readings your thing , age has nothing to do with it . So get down to the library / Bookshop and enjoy yourself . To old ? Bah Humbug !!
You shouldn't be embarrassed at all! I mean I don't fully understand where you are comming from [i'm only in high school so I tend to read books more challenging than younger aged since I would be reading childrens books haha] If you are reading books from authors you loved years ago so why not continue reading? I would. Also remember that the people who write young adult books are adults [except for a few rare exceptions].
Read them anyway! Remember, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was supposed to be for ten-year-olds! Just think what you would have missed if you hadn't read it!