Episode 503: Chick Lit

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Thank you for joining us on Reading With Libraries! We are so glad you are here to join our book group podcast!

We are the Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange, and we work with all types of libraries.

We started this podcast to provide useful information for library people doing Reader’s Advisory work. There are so many books out there that it’s tough to be an expert on all of them. So we pick a new genre each week to chat about and hopefully provide you with some insight into what may be an unfamiliar genre!

This week we’re talking about a very popular genre: chick lit! Thank you to our Returning Guest Host Ariel for coming to share books with us!

Beverages:

Each week we like to connect the theme of our books with our beverages. Today we are fully embracing the chick-lit feels and enjoying sugary and pretty beverages. All the recipes today are from StayGlam.com.

White Sangria

  • White Riesling wine (crisp, fruity wine with citrus overtones)
  • Black Raspberry Liqueur
  • Orange juice or Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Fruits
  • Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher. Stir, taste and serve! For an extra cool look, make Sangria in a watermelon.  Find a round watermelon that stands upright on its own. Cut off the top quarter of the watermelon and scoop out the flesh. Add all Sangria ingredients and mix it with the watermelon flesh. Enjoy!
  • https://stayglam.com/life/top-14-girly-alcoholic-drinks/

Strawberry Daquiri

  • Traditionally, strawberry daiquiri is made with rum but we’re gonna switch things up and make it with vodka. 
  • 4 fresh strawberries
  • Vodka
  • 1oz Lime juice
  • 1oz Simple Syrup
  • Add strawberries into a cocktail shaker. Squeeze the lime and add it to the shaker. Add simple syrup and combine all ingredients together with cocktail muddler. Muddler will crush the ingredients and realise essential juices. 
  • Add 2 oz of vodka and ice. Shake it and taste it. Cheers!
  • https://stayglam.com/life/top-14-girly-alcoholic-drinks/

Malibu Cocktail

Genre Discussion:

Trusty Wikipedia has this definition of chick-lit: Chick lit or chick literature is genre fiction, which “consists of heroine-centered narratives that focus on the trials and tribulations of their individual protagonists”.[1] The genre often addresses issues of modern womanhood – from romantic relationships to female friendships to matters in the workplace – in humorous and lighthearted ways.[2] At its onset, chick lit’s protagonists tended to be “single, white, heterosexual, British and American women in their late twenties and early thirties, living in metropolitan areas”

This article from Book Riot gets a little more in-depth about “chick-lit” and the way the genre has been stereotyped: 

“Chick lit is one of those genres that is terribly stereotyped and judged. One that, despite evidence to the contrary on the bestsellers lists, is declared as a dead genre most years. And one that is often dismissed as a trashy read with little or no plot, usually by people who have never read a chick lit novel.”

“So what does make a chick lit novel? For me, I’d classify it as a book that tells the story of the personal growth of a woman or a small group of women. That journey may be that they’re trying to find their own Prince Charming (whilst running around Manhattan in a pair of Jimmy Choos) but it also could equally be the story of a woman in rehab coming to terms with her addictions. All I want as a reader is by the time I see the magic words ‘the end’ appear, is to be left with a sense that the main character’s life is infinitely better than it was at the start of the novel.”

In summary: “Chick lit is about women. It’s usually fresh, contemporary and it’s a genre that keeps itself on its toes. It’ll take you on an emotional roller coaster and usually leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.”


Suggested Reading Resources:

Our Book Discussion

We have our beverages, we are familiar with this week’s genre, let’s get to the book discussion!

Conclusion:

Thank you so much for joining us on Reading With Libraries!

We hope you are filled with fuzzy feelings and some exciting new book suggestions. Thank you to Guest Host Ariel for talking with us and sharing recommendations!

Join us next Thursday with another genre, more guest hosts for our book group, and more books to share and discuss. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a single episode! And if you want to hear more about the work we do in libraries or expand your library skills, check out our podcast Linking Our Libraries!

Bring your book ideas, bring your beverages, and join us back here on Thursday!