Chick lit?
I ticked the chick lit box when I was asked to name my genre on goodreads but only because I couldn't see any other options. The thing is I'm not sure about the term "chick lit". Not at all. When I interviewed the fabulous Marian Keyes she said she dislikes it because often it's used in sneering way to describe books written by women for women. Jodi Picoult isn't especially keen on it either.
One of my issues is that I'm not a chick myself these days - more of an old boiling fowl. And I don't write "sex & shopping" novels but stories about food, friendship, happiness, family and love. So is it misleading to describe them as chick lit? Is there a better way? Am I over-thinking the whole thing? Whaddaya reckon?
One of my issues is that I'm not a chick myself these days - more of an old boiling fowl. And I don't write "sex & shopping" novels but stories about food, friendship, happiness, family and love. So is it misleading to describe them as chick lit? Is there a better way? Am I over-thinking the whole thing? Whaddaya reckon?
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The term "chick-lit" is derogatory on so many levels and I don't think you are over-thinking this point. The title has now become over used and a generalisation for many books which do not fall into the "sex and shopping"-type. It seems, however, there are few alternative suggestions for a term to cover the "other" works which do not belong under the chick-lit banner. Perhaps because these books/stories seem to vary so much in their focus and content, it is easier to plonk them all together. Publishers and marketing folks appear to feel safer using well known, easily recognisable categories and until some newer catchy titles for book genres come along, I fear the term chick-lit is going to stick around. Ok! Vent over!
I love your books, the settings, the characters, the food and the stories all go to make feel-good books that are a joy to read. Please write more as I have now read them all except The Italian Wedding which I have on my TBR pile but am holding onto for a while as a treat.
Now, if only I could think of a clever, catchy title to describe the type of genre your books come under! :)
You write relationship dramas - all your books are about affairs of the heart, but in the widest sense. The Chick Lit label is very narrow and suggests that the book is about young women looking for Mr Right, in between shopping and agonizing about personal appearance. Minor characters in Chick Lit are often very periphery and two dimensional, whereas in your novels even the minor characters count. Can't wait to read your next book.
I love your books because they are just such a warming good read. They don't hook me in because of a huge plot twist or gripping storyline like most of the other books I read, but the reason I can't stop reading your books is because of the detail of the simple things like the food and the places. Sometimes you just need a good book like that! In fact I just bought four more of your books after reading Recipe for Life, which I LOVED!