Bookstore Problem

I went into a mainstream bookstore yesterday to buy a book. As I was waiting in line, I noticed a small section of books on display. It was YA literature. The sign said, "Books Every Teen Should Read" and then said something like buy 2 get the 3rd half off. Now, I wasn't able to look through the books as I was in line (and it was super busy so no way I was getting off the line), but I did an informal survey of the books by, well, looking at their covers.

I know we aren't "supposed" to judge a book by its cover. Maybe that was true back in the day, but these days people make a living designing covers. It has become an art. So why not judge? Also, the cover sends a message to the potential reader. It is important to acknowledge what that message is. Also, I know I judge books by font and paper so...yeah. Judge I did.

I wasn't interested in whether or not I thought the cover was pretty or appropriate for the book. I simply looked at what was depicted. In my, very sloppy and unofficial survey, I noticed the following things:

Out of around twelve books, 8 books had covers that featured some part of a young white girl's body.

Out of those ten, 3 books had pictures of very attractive white girls' faces.

Out of those ten, 3 books had pictures of some part of a young white girl's body. A leg, a body with face covered, and back.

Out of those ten, 2 books had a young white girl holding, touching, generally grazing the body of a young white boy.

What about the remaining 4 books? They appeared to be more science fiction in nature. The covers had either some sort of mythical creature, mythical place, a sword, or something that resembled a person dressed as a warrior on the front.

I know nothing about the topics of the books. They could be great books that indeed every teen should read. I have no idea. All I know is that this display saddened me on multiple levels:

1. As a young black girl, I remember reading books with pretty white girls on the covers. I liked those books. I also knew that the books weren't really about me though. I am sure there were quite a few nights I went to sleep wishing I looked like the girl on the cover.

2. The girls depicted on these covers aren't, well, all that realistic. They are beautiful, no pimples, more than likely blonde, perfect shape, and already have nice boobs. I don't care what race you are...in high school only one girl really looks like that...so why are all these books about her?

3. You can make the argument that teens don't want to read about themselves. That they want to read about the prom queen. Fine, but don't put it on a table that says Every Teen Should Read These Books.

4. These books are probably meant to be for the "every teen". You put a black girl, an Asian girl, a Latina on the cover...and the books are suddenly "about race". Of course, that is not always true, but marketing-wise that seems to be what happens (in my unofficial survey of things). How do we change that?

5. Honestly, this doesn't get much better when you get older. Go to a Chick Lit aisle. Note those covers. Also, note the amount of pink. Now, I love me a really good/bad Chick Lit novel. I also know that chances are the protagonist isn't going to look like me...unless I move my butt to the African-American section where I can find the black equivalent. Doesn't that seem weird to anyone else? Like shouldn't the books be in both sections? Am I just dumb and don't get how bookstores shelve things?

6. Perhaps I should just follow some advice listed here.

7. Also, not for nothing, boys...? Where were the boys? Boys read. They are in books. Growing up I think I read books with more male protagonists than female so...um...where were those books? Not on sale? (Yes, I realize that the other four books could be marketed toward the boys, but...still...)

8. In all seriousness though, come on, bookstore. Think about the message you are sending. Think about little Charly, who was a dork and was told by her father that she actually read too much as a kid. Think about her.