Genre Jumping

A couple weeks back, The New York Times reviewed THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman.  One of the biggest problems they had with the book seemed to be the fact that it was a fantasy for adults.  ”Perhaps a fantasy novel meant for adults can’t help being a strange mess of effects. It’s similar to inviting everyone to a rave for your 40th-birthday party. Sounds like fun, but aren’t we a little old for this?”

Publisher’s Weekly had a nice response wondering why they would bother to review a book in a genre that never had a chance.

I think all booksellers have experienced that moment: you’re recommending books to a customer and you mention a title that happens to be categorized as science fiction, horror, young adult, fantasy or *gasp* a graphic novel.  No matter how wonderful the book, no matter how perfect for the customer, it is automatically rejected because of where it’s shelved in the store.  If the book is not on our paperback fiction wall, don’t bother.

I am here to tell you, fiction wall snobs, you are missing out.

So here’s what I’ve got in mind: we’re going to do a little genre jumping.  I’m going to write a series of posts featuring my current favorite books that I wish everyone would read.  Everyone.  Not just their typical audience. Not just their intended audience.  Everyone.  Because these are great books, no matter what shelf they came from and they deserve to be read.

I’ve had the idea for this series in my head for a while now and had a book planned to kick it off.  Then I read a young adult novel last week that knocked my socks clear off and into the washing machine.

(Confession: I heard Paula Deen use that phrase on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me last year and I’ve been waiting for a chance to use it ever since.  It sounds ridiculous coming from me.  I don’t even have a washing machine.  *Sigh* Oh, to be an over-the-top Southern Lady instead of a nasal neurotic New Englander. Digression over)

Anyway, this book’s been on my heart and mind for a week solid and I can’t seem to talk about anything else, so check back in a few hours and we’ll make our first genre jump to young adult.