Urban fiction, street lit, and “gangsta” fiction are all terms used to describe novels that deal with life on the street.  Some may say that the books glamorize the criminal element of the world and are not appropriate for anyone to read, but especially not for inmates.  I would have to disagree.  Many of us, and inmates included, read material that they can relate to, and for them this could be the urban books of the gangster lifestyle.  Yes there is crime in these novels but at least one character is paying the price, prison time.  Not everyone can win at everything and these novels show that aspect of living the “gangsta” lifestyle.  However, the most important thing about these books is that they can give an inmate hope.  Books are read for many different reasons and this is true of urban books as well.  Some inmates read them to be entertained, others read them to escape, others read them because they hope to be able to write some day, and others because they recognize themselves in the books.  In my humble opinion, anything that gets someone to read is a good thing.  I have even read a few of them myself and find that I enjoy the stories.  So the next time you are out and need something to read, check out books by Vickie Stinger, Teri Woods, Jihad, and many others.  For recommendations check out Street Fiction a website created by Daniel Marcou, a corrections librarian in Minnesota.