City Weekend Book Club: Times, Meets and Reads
January Book Club Read: Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes
Yes, it's girlie, it's fluffy, it's relaxed and easy--but it's also not the typical Keyes chick lit. In this funny collection of short stories, this bestselling authoress shares her life as a writer, everything from fame to observations of life. But of course, she wouldn't be Keyes without a little talk of high heels and glamour...
Click here to find out more on this month's book and for an interview with the featured author.
Yes, it's chilly out, and this is the best time to bundle up, hide in a corner and to stick your nose in a great book. We'll see you at Figaro on Jan. 13, 4pm, for a cuppa and a discussion on life's ups and downs, writing in bed (I'll be the first to admit that CW editors do this often--okay, I do!), fame, searching-for-fame, painful stilettos, everything under the stars and well, the duvet, too.
Comments Add a public comment
-
-
-
-
hey...our next book is actually a non-fiction account of the author's journey into the chick lit world. So, it's not really chick lit. hahaha! Seriously though, check out amazon.com, one lady said her husband enjoyed the read too. To the men out there, I say: "be a man! read this book!"
-
-
Okay then, recommendations for a "manly" next book? I agree with Ros. The book is what you make of it...not what its pastel-colored cover may dictate at first glance. Never judge a book by its cover, ladies and gentlemen...
-
-
Well, before choosing a 'manly' book, don't you think we should know what is the opposite of 'chick-lit'? :-) Well, maybe such a genre doesn't really exist - we might have to create one. Why is it so? Have men stopped reading? (probably with the exception of veteran book club members Joost, McCauley and Vishy, if I may say so :-))
-
-
I read a Harlequin once--for strictly research purposes, I swear--and I tell you, it was definitely written by a man. I say what we call "chick lit" actually has a universal appeal when seen from a more neutral perspective. It's all fantasies about love, life and lust. Just that man-lit hypes up the lust. And you know what? There ain't a thing wrong with that! So do chick-lit and man-lit actually exist? Probably not. I enjoy an action flick right along with the rest of them, and I've known a few guys who've shed a tear at sappy tales that had me bawking and rolling my eyes!
-
-
Well, I've been nursing this thought in my head -- and now I've finally got some downtime to blog it -- why do we have to be so gender-specific with literature! Isn't that literary sexism? Hehehe...whole new topic, folks! Seriously though, if its a light, funny read on topics like shopping, dating and the occasional sexcapade, it's suddenly "chick lit." Why?! Seems unfair. Then, all of us deny we read it (but it sells so well...hmmm...). Why the shame?
I believe that all books should be given a chance. It should not be hastily categorized as something that will only appeal to a certain segment of society. Books are like food, some taste the way they look, some surprise you entirely when you finally decide to try it and some are an acquired taste. For me, that's "chick lit," classics, and sci fi, respectively.
-
-
Well, I have enjoyed reading chick-lit myself :-) A couple of books that I liked very much were 'London is the best city in America' by Laura Dave and 'After you'd gone' by Maggie O'Farrell. Don't know whether they are officially classified as chick-lit, but they look like books which were written with a women-readership in mind. I did shed a tear when I read 'After you'd gone' :-) It was that kind of story. Well the description of books being like food is wonderful :-) Will use this quote somewhere :-)
-
-
Sorry for posting the same comment multiple times. My computer had a problem and I wasn't able to post the comment and so tried doing it multiple times...
-
-
Should my write-up have been more...androgynous? But as mentioned, this book is not the typical Keyes, so go on, read it for yourself--there's still two weeks 'til we meet up for the face-to-face heated debate. (Vishy, your repeat comments have been fixed.)
-
-
Well, I think the description is nice. Will try to get the book and see whether I can post some comments in time for the book club meeting. Happy New Year! And Happy Reading!
-
-
4 days til Book Club day! Here's hoping I see all of you for the first book club meet-up of the year! Who's read the book? I'm STILL reading it but having loads of fun. So I'm really looking forward to Sunday :)
© 2007 Beijing Ringier International Advertising Company. All rights reserved.
京ICP备05061149号
So, to balance the equation, we should read a manly read next time, yeah? How about discussing the finer points of Maxim? That'll draw a crowd. Actually, a male perspective on chick-lit fluff would be pretty interesting. Guys, any takers???