I Suppose The Moral Is 'Read Jane Austen'

[redbrunja]

beforetv had a great round up of links regarding e-book sales, reader shaming, the classics, + rebuttals. It's well worth giving a read. My two cents? These elitist ideas about what is worth reading and why it's worth reading are really damaging to the general reading population.

Speaking personally, I feel that it's important to add in a sprinkle of the classics and current lit fic to my selection of genre reading (which I was actually better about doing in my childhood - I randomly picked up Jane Eyre at a super-young age) because a.) I find it intellectually satisfying (i.e. I enjoy doing so) and b.) I really, really love participating in the extended cultural conversation that is only possible when you can recognize the references. To use an example that would make elitist snobs scream, do you know how much more enjoyable reading Bridget Jones' Diary is when you know the author is referencing/riffing on Pride and Prejudice? Or when you have read Sense and Sensibility and thus, when Suzanne Brockmann says that Sophia's favorite book is S&S and her favorite character is Marianne, you are aquiver with squee because oh my god narrative parallels! Romantic relationship parallels! So much insight!

But it is important to note, I am an English major. If someone wants to read romance novels about pirates and only wants to read romance novels about pirates, that is totally fucking okay. And is not somehow inherently inferior (in a way that no one can articulate - or at least articulate without sounding like a total elitist douchebag) from only and exclusively reading authors whose works can be found in the pages of the New Yorker.

Also, because it seems relevant and I love love love this article: Why The Best Kid's Books Are Written In Blood.

Comments

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Some of the best book I've read are not on the best seller lists and I regret nothing.

As a general rule, most of the books on the best-seller list are NOT good, regardless of the measuring stick. Best-selling books are what appeals to the broadest number of readers. Which means they are sometimes good and interesting and sometimes just inoffensive.

[whisperingwasp.livejournal.com]

I see what you mean, sometimes a most read book isn't necessarily a well written book or a book that everyone is going to love. I think Twilight is a key example of that, although it's nice that it's gotten teenage girls to read more.

Which means they are sometimes good and interesting and sometimes just inoffensive.

*nods* I see a lot of fluffy pieces on the shelves which I tend to ignore unless they've been highly recommended.