I was in the Barnes & Noble store the other day just poking around until I found a good series that caught my eye. I came across the "Young Readers" section, that meant for the little kids and it's separated into color picture book stories and elementary/middle school aged chapter books. Naturally, that is where I found the latest book I am reading.
The book I chose is a series by Rick Riordan called "The Hero of Olympus" and I am reading book 1 right now "The Lost Hero." It's really good. It reminds me of how much I used to love reading books like these when I was younger. I would stay up until 2am sometimes with my nightlight on reading when my parents used to think I was asleep because I just had to finish the book I was reading.
Reading for me has always been an escape out of reality, as it is for most avid readers. But for me, a person with major depression disorder, and anxiety, books, and their stories were literally my escape from my own brain for a while. Even today that's how it is for me. Reading the stories, in this case about greek mythology and the greek god's children and their adventures, allows my mind to swim in an abundance of imagination of what this world is like and it takes me away from my constant racing thoughts with anxiety about school, money, work, my dog, family, etc. It's a pause from that and it's so relaxing. Its one of the only ways I ever really get a break from my own brain.
It's even different than watching TV because watching TV can still make me trigger thoughts about things it reminds me of in my own life. Reading is different, a complete escape.
So why is the section from elementary to middle school chapter books called "Young Readers?" I mean, I am young but I am not that young and I still read those types of books from type to time. Personally as an adult now, I feel like we need more of an escape into other realities than we were kids and these books meant for "kids" are usually better at that than the adult ones.
They are simple to read, no complexity, precise yet still detailed enough for you to imagine everything. They are light on the humor and nothing is too dark a topic. The are a relaxing read, calming, easy.
I hate it sometimes walking around in the "young Readers" section and feeling like I'm 12 again picking out a book for my AR points in school. But why do we make it that stigma? Why do these books need to be labeled as "young readers", when it's the adults that could benefit from them more?
This is nothing against Barnes & Noble, I personally could spend hours a day in that store. Sometimes it makes me wonder why books are labeled by age at all. I am an avid reader, whether its textbooks, articles online, or casual hobby reading.
I hope you make the time in your days to relax with a good book too. It may be the relaxing you didn't know you needed.
