I recently started reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series -- I'm actually on the last book -- and to say I liked them would be an understatement. I've never read the series and now I can say that I have. I flew through those books and loved every moment of them. It was a nice refresher from all the young adult books that I read. There was a sense of childishness, youth and immaturity in these books that made me feel happy and it's not a feeling I get when I'm reading young adult books. In young adult books that character is roughly around 18 to early twenties, so a lot of the readers can relate to the book. When it comes to middle-grade books, the characters are a lot younger and sometimes are a lot harder to relate too. Yet, when I read the Percy Jackson Series, I felt as if it were one of the most relatable books that I've ever read, despite the main character being 12 in the beginning, getting older in every book, and me being 18. There was a sense of nostalgia to them that made me feel refreshed and happy.

There is a point to all of this.

I did tell some of my friends that I wanted to give this series a shot because I've been meaning to read them, and I thought it was finally time to read something that I felt like I should've read in my childhood, like the Harry Potter series. A lot of my friends were relieved and excited that I'm finally reading the series that they adored so much, but like always, there were some who were a bit skeptical. They thought that I wouldn't enjoy the books because I was "too old" to read them or I'm just "too old" to read them in general.

Um, what?

Since when was I "too old" to read books? I don't believe in that. If adults still read picture books when they're bored, then why can't I, a teenager, read middle-grade books? Reading is done for pleasure. There shouldn't be any rules on what you have to read unless you're in a Literature class. It's kind of like music. People can't judge people based on the music they play. For example, I enjoy Country music and some of my friends don't. I get that you don't like Country music, and you don't have to keep bringing up the fact that you don't like it. I don't question your music choices, so why question mine? Same thing with books. You have your own favorite genre and I have mine, but I like to change it up a bit. I'm known for reading a lot of young adult books. I like mystery, adventure, thriller, fantasy and sometimes sci-fi, but once in a while, I will pick up a book I wouldn't be seen reading, like romance or middle-grade. I like to keep my options open. I guess it's because people are so used to seeing me read young adult books that when I want to read middle grade, they can't imagine me enjoying them. I get that because it's a change in my routine. Not many people like change, it's natural.

I'm okay with you saying your opinion about the book I'm about to read or giving me a recommendation, but I'm not okay with you telling me that I won't enjoy it, no matter the reason. I will pick up a book to read if I'm interested in it. I don't care if you think that I won't enjoy it. I read what I want to. If I don't like it, then I won't continue it, if I do, I'll keep reading it, but I would rather experience it myself than have someone tell me. It's like any other choice that someone has to make, so don't take that away from me. This goes to everyone. Don't let others tell you what books you can can't read just because you're "too old" to read them. That's your choice to make. Read whatever you want to. It could be an adult book, children's book, fantasy, sci-fi, or romance. It doesn't matter; explore your options, just don't let others decide for you and let it affect your decision.