Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Reading YA
by The Book Pup on January 7, 2026
When I first started seriously reading YA books, I made so many mistakes. I read books I hated because everyone else loved them. I felt guilty about my reading choices. I spent money on books I never finished.
Looking back now, there's so much I wish someone had told me about navigating the YA reading world. Things that would have saved me time, money, and a lot of unnecessary reading guilt.
So if you're new to YA, returning to YA after a break, or just want to feel validated in your reading choices, this is for you. These are the lessons I learned the hard way so you don't have to.
1. YA is a Category, Not a Genre (And That's Important)
Myth: YA means fantasy with teenage protagonists.
What it actually is: YA is an age category that includes EVERY genre (fantasy, contemporary, romance, thriller, sci-fi, horror, historical fiction, mystery, and more).
When I first started, I thought I didn't like YA because I was forcing myself through fantasy books everyone recommended. Understanding that YA is diverse helped me find what I actually enjoy.
The takeaway: If you try one YA book and hate it, try a different GENRE within YA before deciding YA isn't for you.
2. You Don't Outgrow YA (And Adults Read It Too)
Myth: YA is for teenagers only. Once you're an adult, you should read "adult" books.
YA books deal with complex themes, beautiful writing, and meaningful stories. Coming-of-age narratives are relevant at any age. Read what you enjoy, full stop.
The takeaway: If you love YA, own it. You don't need to justify your reading choices to anyone.
3. Popular Doesn't Always Mean Good (For You)
Myth: If a book has millions of five-star reviews, I'll obviously love it.
What I learned: Popular books become popular for specific reasons that might not align with what YOU enjoy. A book can be objectively well-written and still be wrong for you.
I wasted so much time forcing myself through hyped books, thinking something was wrong with me for not loving them.
The takeaway: Hype can be a recommendation, but it's not a guarantee. Trust your own taste over the crowd.
4. Tropes Are Your Friend (Learn Them)
Myth: Tropes are bad things that make books predictable and boring.
Tropes are tools. They're familiar story elements that, when done well, create satisfying reading experiences. Learning what tropes you love helps you find books you'll enjoy.
Tropes I love: Enemies-to-lovers, found family, best friend's brother
Tropes I hate: Love triangles, instant love, friends-to-lovers
Once I learned to identify tropes, I could search for books using them. "YA fantasy with found family and no romance" is way more helpful than just "good YA fantasy."
The takeaway: Figure out which tropes you love and which you hate. It's a cheat code for finding books you'll enjoy.
5. Reading Levels and Age Ranges Actually Matter
Myth: All YA is the same difficulty and maturity level.
What I learned: YA ranges from books for 12-year-olds to books for 18-year-olds. The content, themes, and complexity vary WILDLY.
Age range breakdown:
- Lower YA (12-14): Lighter themes, less mature content, simpler plots
- Core YA (14-17): Most "typical" YA books fall here
- Upper YA (16-18): More mature themes, complex plots, can include more explicit content
I read some YA that felt too young for me and got frustrated, thinking all YA was like that.
6. DNF-ing (Did Not Finish) Will Be Your Best Friend
Myth: If you start a book, you HAVE to finish it.
Life is too short to read books you're not enjoying.
I used to force myself through books I hated, which made reading feel like a chore instead of a joy.
The takeaway: If you're not enjoying a book, put it down. There are too many amazing books waiting for you to waste time on ones you hate.
7. Series Commitment is Real (Be Strategic)
Myth: If book one is good, the whole series will be good.
What I learned: Series quality can vary wildly. Some get better, some get worse, some stay consistent. Also, committing to a series is committing to multiple books worth of time and money.
- Read book one before buying the whole series
- Check reviews for later books in series (do they stay good?)
- It's okay to stop reading a bad series even if you liked book one
- Some series should have been standalones (looking at you, trilogies with unnecessary third books)
The takeaway: Test book one first. Don't commit until you're sure. And it's okay to quit a series mid-way through.
8. Your Reading Taste Will Change (And That's Good)
Your reading taste evolves with you. Genres you loved at 13 might bore you at 17. Books you hated might click with you years later.
The takeaway: It's okay to outgrow books and genres. It's okay to come back to them later. Your reading journey is allowed to evolve.
9. The Library is Your Best Friend
Myth: Real book lovers buy and own all their books.
What I learned: The library is a game-changer for trying new books, authors, and genres without financial risk.
- Try hyped books without spending money
- Test series before committing
- Read outside my comfort zone with no pressure
- Discovered I don't need to own every book I read
People spent SO much money on books they ended up hating or never reading. The library lets you be adventurous without the financial commitment.
The takeaway: Use the library for exploration. Buy the books you love and want to own. You don't have to own every book you read.
10. You Can Read Multiple Books at Once (Or Not)
Myth: You're supposed to read one book at a time from start to finish.
Some people read multiple books simultaneously. Some people can only focus on one. Both are valid.
What I love: Reading a million books at once
What might work for you: Experiment and try different ways!
11. Content Warnings Are Helpful, Not Spoilers
Myth: Content warnings ruin the story by giving things away.
Common content to watch for: Death, spice, violence, mental health themes, abuse, assault, self-harm, addiction, grief
The takeaway: It's better to know what you're getting into. Checking content warnings protects you from anything that might harm or disturb you.
12. You Don't Need to Keep Up With New Releases
Myth: To be a "real" reader, you need to read all the new releases as they come out.
What I learned: New books will always be coming out. You literally cannot keep up. And older books (backlist) are just as good.
The reality:
- New releases create FOMO but aren't more valuable than older books
- Waiting a few months means lower prices and library availability
- Some of the best books are years old
The takeaway: Read new releases if you're excited about them, but don't feel obligated. Great books don't expire.
What I'd Tell My Younger Reading Self
If I could go back and give advice to myself when I first started reading YA:
Trust your taste. You know what you like better than anyone else. If everyone loves a book and you don't, stop reading it.
Be kind to yourself. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable. If it stops being fun, something needs to change, not you.
Explore without pressure. Try new things, but don't force yourself through books that aren't working.
Happy reading, and remember: Life is too short to read books you're not enjoying. 📚
The Book Pup
P.S. If you're new to YA or just getting back into reading, welcome! This community is glad you're here. Read what you love, ignore the rest, and enjoy the journey.
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