Pbbbbbbbbbbbth.

Pretty much everyone has read this review, probably, but I still feel the need to add my $.02.

From EW:

Unfortunately, Downham's publisher has handicapped Before I Die by labeling it a young-adult novel, thus ghettoizing this gem to the back of most bookstores. It's a shame, because this book is vastly superior to most so-called adult novels with high-school-age protagonists that have been embraced by the literary establishment.

I'm so tired of people yapping about being so surprised when they read a YA novel and it's, you know, really, really good.  Also? Referring to the YA section as The Ghetto just reinforces the YA = Bad Lit stereotype.

Again -- all together, now -- pbbbbbbbbbbbbth.

Comments

[Kelly Fineman]

I think it depends on the particular bookstore, but in 2 out of 4 of them near me (2 Borders, 2 B&N - there are no indies in my area (wah!)), the way it's set up it might as well be a ghetto. The spaces are small and not well-done and not easily shoppable.

[Renay]

Man, when I first heard about this, I was boggled (and by boggled I mean sudden irrational anger!). It's not so much that the reviewer dissed YA lit sections (because likely, some aren't organized well and I'm past being shocked that people turn into lit snobs about YA lit), it's that they made such a negative statement to relate ALL YA lit sections, everywhere, with a scene from 8 Mile, which is absolutely not the same as saying, "too bad this gem will be lost in the badly organized YA lit sections some stores suffer from!"

Guess it's not as hip as saying "ghettoizing", though.

[emily]

big fat "GRRRRRRR". one of my biggest pet peeves. i for one had not seen that review, so thanks for posting it.