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August 15, 2006
Chick Lit
A term that's been floating around the library and the web lately is chick lit. What do we mean by it? Is it romance? No, not exactly. There are other aspects to it, according to Wikipedia. Examples of popular titles are Bridget Jones's Diary, Sex and the City and The Girls Guide to Fishing and Hunting. In teen novels, chick lit has been abundant as well in The Gossip Girls, Princess Diaries and others.
There have always been romance books, or "bodice rippers," and those are one kind of fantasy (as opposed to the fantasy that involves fictional places, dragons and magic) -- chick lit involves just enough reality to make it appealing to today's woman. Of course, to me, the Manolo Blahnicks, nightly trysts and general lifestyle are entirely fantasy!
Here are the pertinent questions regarding chick lit:
Q: Does reading chick lit make you less of a "serious reader?"
A: What is a "serious reader" anyway? If you're reading for pleasure -- read whatever pleases you!
Q: Does the popularity of chick lit take credibility away from the more literary female authors?
A: Absolutely not! Someone who is well read by definition has read a variety of literature -- including chick lit, great mysteries, classics and more!
Q: What is the chick lit equivalent for men?
A: There are lots of "light" authors for men as well, such as Elmore Leonard, Dick Francis, Stephen King, and many more. My husband reads a lot of murder mysteries -- I don't know what that says about his fantasies, but... to each his own taste, I guess!
Q: Where can you find more recommendations for chick lit books?
A: Novelist, Books in Print, Candy Covered Books
Q: Do men enjoy chick lit?
A: No, in general, they don't. Women, on the other hand, tend to be more flexible in their selections.
We have had some successful book displays in the library this summer. We have the NYTimes Book Review's "What is the best work of American Fiction of the last 25 years?" display that has gone over very well. There is the "Staff Picks" books that we can't keep on the shelves. And, there is the "beach reading" display that we keep having to replenish. The next display is going to be a Chick Lit display and it promises to be a good one!
Posted by Michele at August 15, 2006 7:40 AM
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