Although it is said that series, social networks, video games and the immediacy of the era in which we live cause young people to become less fond of reading, all this does not affect Young Adult lovers , a genre of books whose protagonists are under 25 years old, whose recommendations do not travel if they do not fly through social networks (books recommended in #BookTok are sold out) and that have become the publishing phenomena of the moment, accounting for 17% of total book sales.
Now these novels, which raise real passions among their readers, will celebrate their first festival in Barcelona. This is the Crush Fest, the first Young Adult festival, which from March 15 to 16 will gather in the historic building of the University of Barcelona will bring together more than 50 national and international authors with more than 2,000 attendees daily.
Throughout the weekend there will be simultaneous book presentations, signings, round tables, challenges, a themed literary costume party, spaces for readers to socialize, workshops and a host of other fun activities. This type of festival already exists in the USA (the most multidunary was the Book Bonanza) and for the first time it will be held in Spain.
International authors such as Bryanne Weaver, Carrie Leighton, Laura Steven or Kristina Moninger, among others, will participate in the festival, as well as others from Spain such as Mercedes Ron or Inma Rubiales, who were already there last year, in the first edition. The festival also includes the Catalan Núria Fortuny, Judit Espígol or Shula Li…
What is the Young Adult genre?
Young Adult novels are those with protagonists under 25 years of age, which can belong to any genre (romance, thriller, fantasy, etc.) and can address issues that touch young people closely such as the search for a stable job, abuse, suicide, bullying, motherhood or overcoming childhood traumas that impede the development of adult life.
According to the study of the Internal Book Trade 2022 by the Federation of Publishers’ Guilds, Young Adult already represents 17% of the sector’s total sales, with a business of 2,700 million euros. They are the best-selling young adult books behind Harry Potter. TikTok has become a space for literature lovers, uniting the community around the hashtag #BookTok and spreading culture far beyond the platform.