Does Age Matter when Selecting a Book? by Kelsey Simpson

[Note from Frolic: We’re so excited to have Kelsey Simpson from Comfort Keepers guest posting on the site today! She’s asking the age-old question: does age matter when selecting a book? Take it away, Kelsey!]

For some, cuddling up with a good book is just as thrilling as going out with friends or going on a weekend getaway. And for those people that enjoy nothing more than a good book at the end of a long workday or in the early morning, picking out a book is an exciting and enjoyable experience. Whether you are the type of person that enjoys going to the bookstore, ordering books online, or trading with friends, you might view a new book as a new adventure.

How do you choose a book? Are you in a book club? Do you read reviews online and ask friends for recommendations? Do you choose a book at random? As you consider this, also consider if your age comes into play when you make this selection. Whether or not age matters when it comes to selecting a book is an interesting thought to look into and explore. This post will detail both views on this topic. 

Deciding If Age Matters When it Comes to a Book Topic

Are you a college student studying medicine, or are you an aging adult utilizing in-home senior care? Are you a mom of two or are you a middle school student aspiring to be a teacher one day? Depending on your age and your life, you may be intrigued by certain book topics over others; but what happens when your age and life have nothing to do with the book you want to read? What happens when the topic of a book simply sounds intriguing? Here are times when age matters when selecting a book, and times when it doesn’t.  

When It Does Matter

There are times that age is going to be crucial in book selection. When age is important, it isn’t necessarily because a certain person shouldn’t be reading that specific book, it’s because their current life situation may not allow them to grasp what is going on. If the reader doesn’t understand, relate, or know about certain things in the book, he or she will get little out of the book and will have wasted his or her time. Here are some examples of times when age is a factor:

When Books Feature Sex

Sex is common in books, and though sex scenes may be crucial to some plots, books that feature sex should be read by adults rather than young readers. Not only should sex not be read about by a young reader because he or she is too young, but he or she also may not even know what’s going on and will have spent time reading a book that is not meant for a young mind.

When Books Feature Complex Issues

Certain complex issues may be too hard to understand for some readers, or they may make certain readers upset or uncomfortable. Some complex issues that appear in books that should be read by people of a certain age, ideally adults, include:

• Hate crimes/extreme violence
• Rape
• Abduction
• Terrorism 

When Books Are Filled With Complex Language

There are millions upon millions of books that are filled with complex language that should be read by adults with a literature background or extensive literature knowledge. Books with this kind of language will not be understood by the general public, especially young readers. 

When it Doesn’t Matter

There are just as many times in the literature world that age doesn’t matter in book selection. Some readers may simply enjoy reading various kinds of books despite their age. Some kinds of books that don’t have age limits include:

Biographies

Biographies are great for people of all ages, young and old as they usually are not complex to understand and aim to educate all readers. 

Books Based on Movies

Usually, books that are based on movies are easy to follow and are not confusing for readers since they are very closely based on the movie. These kinds of books are usually not too long; allowing for readers of all ages to read without losing interest or forgetting what is going on; a characteristic that is common in younger and elderly readers.

Inspirational Books

Books that aim to inspire and motivate people can be read by people of all ages. This genre of books is written for all humans, and is written to teach all people how to live a healthier and happier life; something anybody can benefit from.

Find the Book That is Right For You

No matter your age, take these points into consideration the next time you choose a book. Keeping these things in mind will help you choose the book that is right for you and will help you find the kinds of books you are going to be interested in. Or, who knows, you may even discover a kind of book you didn’t know you were looking for.