There are hundreds of different reading genres out there for you to enjoy in a book, and ‘chick-lit’ is one of them. It sounds like a strange hybrid, but really, it just means girly, feminine literature. While this genre has been around for quite some time, it seems to be picking up traction again in the book world. Perhaps now that autumn is here, people are picking up their comfort reads again. If you have no idea what types of books are chick-lit, here are a couple of examples.
Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding
The reason this book comes under ‘chick-lit’, is because of the main character, Bridget. Bridget is a single, thirty-something woman living in London. The books document Bridget trying to navigate her life as a single woman working in TV. She is a fiery character who makes just about every reader laugh. The books are a real comforting read too, because they’re in the form of diary entries. It really feels like Bridget is speaking to us. These books are funny and comforting; the perfect example of chick-lit.
The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
This series is just like Bridget Jones. It’s funny and has a really likeable main character, Becky Bloomwood. She’s an independent woman with a lifetime of stories that make for some really funny books. The story is quite similar to Bridget Jones in some respects, mainly that both Bridget and Becky speak directly to the reader. It’s impossible not to love this series, and it’s a great comfort read.
Is the term ‘chick-lit’ out of date?
Despite a surge in interest of the books categorised under ‘chick-lit’, the term itself has received some criticism. Sophie Kinsella, the author of the Shopaholic series, has made an effort to distance herself and her books from the term. Many feel that the term ‘chick-lit’ essentially closes off a potential group of readers because of the exclusive term.
Those who don’t identify with the label may feel unable to read the books in the genre. Many feel that it’s time to remove such a genre from the book world and to stop putting labels on novels.
Should these types of books be appreciated for their craft and story, rather than the readership they gain?