Branded as "chick-lit"

[Nyssa]

I can't believe I didn't think of Daniel Craig!! He is an excellent Bond! Although, when I first heard he was getting the role I was less than thrilled. I just couldn't see a blond Bond.

Hmm I just noticed 2 very odd things.

1. My spell check thinks that "blonde" is incorrect.

2. When double checking dictionary.com to see if I did the whole UK vs US thing again (long story), it had "blonde" referring to women only, while "blond" is more universal.

[ProfCrash]

I never got the Blond Bond problem. Spies use wigs and hair dye all the time.

[Terisa de morgan]

Well, then I suppose I'm weirder. I like shopping, I like romance, I like pink... and I've read all Robert Ludlum and Clive Cussler books, as well as a lot of Clancy's books. I like sci-fi, fantasy, mystery and romance. I don't like chick-lit, but not because of the name but of the "alleged humor" there are in there, that I don't find.

[Sweetpea]

Oh, there are some "womanny" stuff I prefer over "manly" stuff, but it's the automatic: you're female so you must like x, that I can't stand. And a term "chick-lit" is one of those terms that says, because I'm female I must like it somehow. That term is way too general. I bet they'd even put a good Fantasy under chick-lit if they could...

[tompe]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Oh, there are some "womanny" stuff I prefer over "manly" stuff, but it's the automatic: you're female so you must like x, that I can't stand. And a term "chick-lit" is one of those terms that says, because I'm female I must like it somehow. That term is way too general. I bet they'd even put a good Fantasy under chick-lit if they could...

But the term does not say that. See for example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_lit

The term refer to the content of the book. It does not refer to the reader.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by tompe

But the term does not say that. See for example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick_lit

The term refer to the content of the book. It does not refer to the reader.

Right. That's the way I see it.

the heroine's relationship with her family or friends is often just as important as her romantic relationships

As to the pinks, sparkles, etc. I don't care. Pink has never been my favorite color but I will not let that deter me from what might be an interesting book. Its not like I'm going to decorate my room with them when I'm done.

[Mel]

I admit to having a ton of the pink glittery items. But it was self defense. I have a dad and two brothers who aren't good at returning borrowed items. As they wouldn't even borrow the pink glittery stuff it eliminated the massive hunts for items I hadn't even known had been taken. Then I discovered this works just as well in the workplace. Everyone knows just where to return the pink stapler.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Mel

I admit to having a ton of the pink glittery items. But it was self defense. I have a dad and two brothers who aren't good at returning borrowed items. As they wouldn't even borrow the pink glittery stuff it eliminated the massive hunts for items I hadn't even known had been taken. Then I discovered this works just as well in the workplace. Everyone knows just where to return the pink stapler.

[DMB]

Originally Posted by Mel

I admit to having a ton of the pink glittery items. But it was self defense. I have a dad and two brothers who aren't good at returning borrowed items. As they wouldn't even borrow the pink glittery stuff it eliminated the massive hunts for items I hadn't even known had been taken. Then I discovered this works just as well in the workplace. Everyone knows just where to return the pink stapler.

There used to be a tradition of putting plain brown paper covers on risqué books. Do you carefully wrap non-girly books in pink glitter?

[Mel]

I have to leave some things generic. After all, catching pink cooties is serious. One of my co-workers is recovering from a bad case caused by his ex. Wouldn't want the poor man to have a relapse. When you have to tear the drywall out of your home because the former pink paint keeps turning your now blue walls purple like some sort of horror movie it is a severe trauma to the system.

[5thWiggle]

Raising twin girls has rendered me immune to pink (and purple come to think of it). Colours no longer threaten my manhood, but a My-Little-Pony stapler would still creep me out. (and Dora. Seriously, where are her parents? That kid is wandering around the countyside with only a monkey and a backpack as guardians.)

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

So I've heard.

I wonder which Bond I'll see while reading..LOL. Roger Moore was my first Bond, Sean Connery is my favorite Bond, and Pierce Brosnan is my "dream" Bond.

In reading, Ian Flemming tells you that Bond looks like a young Hoagy Carmichael.

[cfrizz]

Originally Posted by Phogg

In reading, Ian Flemming tells you that Bond looks like a young Hoagy Carmichael.

Ick! I'll take Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig over that guy any day of the week!

This will always be the problem with marketing. Trying to shoehorn everyone into a defined box is going to always be inaccurate.

[VestaVayne]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

if i was a woman i'd be insulted by the "chick lit" label period. the "chicks" i know read horror and science fiction, not every woman wants soft&fuzzy literature. a pandering label like that is a disgrace.

whats "guy lit", books about football dipped in motor oil and old spice?

I always thought of guy lit as Tucker Max, I hope they serve beer in Hell, sort of stuff.

I'm not offended by the term chick lit, but it is different than women's fiction. What bothers me is that if you don't fall squarely into either one of those categories...well, you're in no man's land.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by VestaVayne

...What bothers me is that if you don't fall squarely into either one of those categories...well, you're in no man's land.

Welcome!