I'm going to attempt to answer some questions (by the way, thanks for those) about oprah books and harry potter and all kinds of reading stuff..so here you go:
1. Oprah: I just don't share Ms. Winfrey's taste in contemporary fiction. Hence, I have been left off the bandwagon. I have finally accepted this after many attempts at reading from her early list i.e. She's Come Undone, Mother of Pearl, River Cross My Heart. Or I just chose poorly. I haven't read the classics - The Good Earth is coming up soon - but can you really go wrong having read them? And I will go back and read A Fine Balance this year.
HOWEVER, she inspired millions of people to read. And that's a good thing. And for that I admire her. That's serious power, people.
As far as her choices in non fiction spirituality, I am trying to tread lightly here, but I just think that she's lost. And I applaud her efforts to continue seeking, but I don't think she needs to take everyone with her down the various forks in her spiritual/self help walk. So please be careful if you are on that journey with her.
Or as Public Enemy would say Don't Believe the Hype
I defer to the smarter and wiser Janice at oneminutebookreviews - she is succinct, no?
2. Harry Potter: I read the first half of the first book. It didn't hook me. And then the books got longer. And I never recovered to catch up, nor did I want to. Clearly, MILLIONS of people disagree. And I'm okay with that. It's a free country last time I checked.
And I'm not a big sci-fi, Tolkien, fairy, goth, fantasy fan. Don't get me started on The Hobbit, that's a story for another time.
BUT, it did get millions of children to read. And not just read, but get EXCITED about reading, which is the catch. I am curious about what it leads them to crave in their future reading endeavors... anyone?
3. Chick lit: I'm not the best person to ask about this particular genre, having not read the most popular authors - Sophie Kinsella, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, Jane Green.. I have read one Marian Keyes and one Cecilia Ahern. Apparently, one of my current favorites, Love Walked In is considered chick lit? Fine by me, I'll own it.
We all need to rest our minds from time to time and for escapism and relatability, this seems to be the genre of choice. I find chick lit much less sinister than some Oprah selections, again open for debate by people smarter than me. But again, I think it can be dangerous to read too many modern Cinderella stories. (Just as it is dangerous to watch modern Cinderella movies, ahem cough cough ahem.)
In the spirit of confession, my weary mind rests on culinary mysteries, ala Diane Mott Davidson. And children's lit, which is usually deeper and more informative than most contemporary fiction. I will never turn down a good Nancy Drew either. And I have already read all the novels published pre-1998 by Jackie Collins and Danielle Steel. So try to call me a literary snob, go ahead I dare you.
Well there you have it. Where I stand on the elephants in the reading room.
I also stand by your rights to disagree and to choose books you like and think I'm a nerd.
And I don't make judgements about people based on what they read.
I am curious (okay, nosy) about how and why people choose certain books. I love hearing about and discussing on all types of literature, whether it is something I've read or will never read. I almost always learn something about myself in the process. And I find it a much better way to learn about other people than asking where they live and what they do for a living. I prefer, what is your favorite book and why?
As in every other part of life, there are choices to be made. Reading is a choice, what to read is another, and making the time to read yet another. Choose wisely, my friends.
The End.
