<![CDATA[Do you know what is chick lit?]]>Ok it is not chicken rice lite... :lol:


Chick lit refers to fiction written for and targeted at young women. And to add in my own definition extension, the content is usually light and fluffy. So I am here to eliminate the likes of authors Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott whom I have much admiration for.

A study done by NLB that our Singapore young readers love chick lit...ok it is quite equivalent to watching a k-drama....a no-brainer...and it can actually be very relaxing.

A few examples of chick lit authors are: Sandra Brown, Sophie Kinsella, Amanda Quick, Meg Cabot, Stephanie Meyer and Nora Roberts

According to a professor in NUS, these kind of books are more entertainment-based than intellectual-based.

One example is the best selling Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

In an interview with USA Weekend, Stephen King had some harsh criticism for Stephenie Meyer. In his words, \"[J.K.] Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.\"
King says Meyer's secret is \"writing to a whole generation of girls and opening up kind of a safe joining of love and sex in those books. It’s exciting and it’s thrilling and it's not particularly threatening because they’re not overtly sexual.\"

Are your gals into chick lit genre and at what age?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/8010/do-you-know-what-is-chick-litRSS for NodeMon, 27 Apr 2026 04:05:38 GMTTue, 05 Jan 2010 16:14:42 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:39:51 GMT]]>

mintcc:
Wah, schellen you very into lit? I tend not to like other lady authors other than Jane Austen. The only ones I have read are Jane Eyre.

I used to read a few Sweet Valley High books too but got bored after a while. 😉

Yi Shu books I read too but only a few.

I cannot tahan Austen leh, surprisingly. :roll: Maybe cos her ladies are ladies of proper upbringing (so a bit boring to read about for me) or maybe it's the era her books are set in? :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/104643https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/104643Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:39:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:45:33 GMT]]>

Picolo:

I was not commenting on reading power lah. Anyway, he had finished the entire Harry Potter series b4 getting started on those Steph Meyer books. I came across those SM books in Borders and judging from the reviews at the back, the books are more suitable for teenagers and older pple.
Not saying you...talking about the boy trying to show his reading power of small print. 😉 Yes SM target audience was teenagers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/104629https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/104629Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:45:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:25:21 GMT]]>

ks2me:
Picolo:


My son's classmate, a boy, has read Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer last year when he was only in P2. I was like, huh, such a thick book in small print and I wonder if the contents are suitable for his age...

That is not a good test of reading power...if just want to read thick books with small print, Harry Porter series, Chronicles of Narnia series offer that as well.

I think content may be an issue for his age.

I was not commenting on reading power lah. Anyway, he had finished the entire Harry Potter series b4 getting started on those Steph Meyer books. I came across those SM books in Borders and judging from the reviews at the back, the books are more suitable for teenagers and older pple.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/104619https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/104619Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:25:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:05:56 GMT]]>oh my! :yikes: sleepy already indeed!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101317https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101317Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:05:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:05:05 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
you're right, kiasimom. son reads it for the vampire/werewolves part..he's not interested in romance, yet.

hello...i am ks2me.. sleep already ah? marathon just started right? 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101315https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101315Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:05:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:00:13 GMT]]>you’re right, kiasimom. son reads it for the vampire/werewolves part…he’s not interested in romance, yet.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101304https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101304Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:00:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:57:56 GMT]]>

Picolo:

My son's classmate, a boy, has read Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer last year when he was only in P2. I was like, huh, such a thick book in small print and I wonder if the contents are suitable for his age...
That is not a good test of reading power...if just want to read thick books with small print, Harry Porter series, Chronicles of Narnia series offer that as well.

I think content may be an issue for his age.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101300https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101300Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:57:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:54:22 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
Ermm, twilight series for gals only? :?


But I aunty also read the entire series, leh? :oops:
To have a better idea what my kids are talking about la.

Edited. Thanks picolo.
The appeal is mainly to girls because most of it is about romance but it does not mean aunty or boys cannot read la... who's to stop them?

What is your review of the book against what Stephen King had said?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101298https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101298Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:54:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:51:11 GMT]]>

mintcc:

hee how about
\"Chick Lit worth reading\"

Wow autumnbronze, buds, looks like lots of us were reading sweet valley high woa...ha ha. I thought it was worth reading though... the twins Jessica and Elizabeth certainly illustrate what is good / bad beh
avior for teen girls. :lol:

Wah, schellen you very into lit? I tend not to like other lady authors other than Jane Austen. The only ones I have read are Jane Eyre.

ks2me, I always thought many of 亦舒's writing are worth reading besides the language skills though. Many of her works include keen observation on relationships and witty and wise phrases:
能够说出的委屈，便不算委屈；能够抢走的爱人，便不算爱人
\"Chick Lit worth reading\" sounds good!! :love:

Yes I agree between 琼瑶 and 亦舒, I prefer the latter many many times more.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101297https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101297Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:51:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:48:22 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
Ermm, twilight series for fals only? :?


But I aunty also read the entire series, leh? :oops:
To have a better idea what my kids are talking about la.
You mean gals right? 😉

My son's classmate, a boy, has read Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer last year when he was only in P2. I was like, huh, such a thick book in small print and I wonder if the contents are suitable for his age...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101244https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101244Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:48:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:34:13 GMT]]>Ermm, twilight series for gals only? :?


But I aunty also read the entire series, leh? :oops:
To have a better idea what my kids are talking about la.

Edited. Thanks picolo.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101235https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101235Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:34:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:21:41 GMT]]>

ks2me:


haha...so you realised... I was asking when to start kids on this genre and ended parents are the one more interested in reading. Anyway, it's ok la...as long as it is about reading...just share.

Actually I don't like the chick lit definition, would have preferred something more granular then we can really classify what is worth reading and what is not.
hee how about
\"Chick Lit worth reading\"

Wow autumnbronze, buds, looks like lots of us were reading sweet valley high woa...ha ha. I thought it was worth reading though... the twins Jessica and Elizabeth certainly illustrate what is good / bad beh
avior for teen girls. :lol:

Wah, schellen you very into lit? I tend not to like other lady authors other than Jane Austen. The only ones I have read are Jane Eyre.

ks2me, I always thought many of 亦舒's writing are worth reading besides the language skills though. Many of her works include keen observation on relationships and witty and wise phrases:
能够说出的委屈，便不算委屈；能够抢走的爱人，便不算爱人

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101224https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101224Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:21:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:22:01 GMT]]>

autumnbronze:

Thank you ks2me for starting this thread, though I know it was for a different purpose I believe 😄 How about starting a KSP bookclub for moms - okie okie, don't throw eggs at me ... I know you are all v v busy. But just want to go on record to say that all the reading that I do is REALLY bedtime reading 😄 Its one of the things that helps me wind down, besides 'playing games' with DH 😉 😉 😄
haha...so you realised... I was asking when to start kids on this genre and ended parents are the one more interested in reading. Anyway, it's ok la...as long as it is about reading...just share.

Actually I don't like the chick lit definition, would have preferred something more granular then we can really classify what is worth reading and what is not.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101034https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/101034Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:22:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:46:23 GMT]]>Erh…this chick lit terminology is new to me…


No, not reading those. I read children books. Just finished reading ‘Trumpet of the Swan’. Very nice!
Still waiting (impatiently) in queue for ‘Charlotte Web’. My dd refuses to lend me until she read for the 100th times.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100995https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100995Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:46:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:25:01 GMT]]>

mintcc:
My understanding of the definition is rather broad...meaning that it is ooks that are mainly written by women for women and usually have a light and humorous tone. So to me it include books like Pride And Prejudice, Emma etc


In terms of quality, I think it all depends on the individual author/book. Like any other genre some chick lit are written badly some are actually quite good. Some titles with nice review and make it to the movies include
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Bridget Jones's Diary,Helen Fielding

For me, I was into Sweet Valley High series during secondary 1, then move on to other genres unless you count the Chinese ones. hmmm for Chinese books I suppose all the Qiong Yao and Yi Shu ones are chick lit? Now the only fiction books I read is to DS.
Ha ha mintcc, was into sweet valley high too as well as books under the sweet dreams (I think) series.

Anyone heard of Lavyrle Spencer??? Her book entitled 'Separate Beds?' Ohhh that, to me, in my teens, was by far the MOST romantic book I've ever read. Re-read it so many times, I lost count. Recently bought the hardcover version at a warehouse sale for like $6 :!: and re-read it yet again - best 😄 Btw, that is the only book that I like of hers 😄

Never was into Mills and Boon though, don't know why ... just never clicked.

Currently discovered this author Santa Montefiore. Read her 'Under the Ombu Tree', v bittersweet or sad, depends how you look at it.

Also read 'eat, pray and love' by Elizabeth Gilbert (non-fiction). About a woman who's been thru a bitter divorce and who embarks on an 'awakening journey'. Now being made/already made into a movie starring Julia Roberts. Actually, there are two pages that I've marked down cuz what she says is sooo meaningful. Want to share it, maybe later lah ... must go find the book.

Currently reading alot of non-fiction books. About women's causes ie right for education 'Three cups of tea' by Greg Mortenson (finished that, starting with the follow up which is entitled 'Stones into schools'). This guy is into females' right to have an education in Afghanistan and he goes thru alot of 'obstacles', including encounters with rural warlords there to ensure that the girls there receive an education. His belief is that \"conflict in Afghanistan will ultimately [be won] with books, notebooks and pencils, the tools of socioeconomic being,\" rather than violence.

Aiyoh ... I have even more to share. Better stop. Hope noone is :roll: :roll: 😄 Told you over at hobbies thread that I like to read, read and read 😄 I can be reading 2 or 3 books at a time :!:

Thank you ks2me for starting this thread, though I know it was for a different purpose I believe 😄 How about starting a KSP bookclub for moms - okie okie, don't throw eggs at me ... I know you are all v v busy. But just want to go on record to say that all the reading that I do is REALLY bedtime reading 😄 Its one of the things that helps me wind down, besides 'playing games' with DH 😉 😉 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100981https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100981Wed, 06 Jan 2010 07:25:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:44:57 GMT]]>My kiddo has a soft spot for those fairy books too, much to my dislike. In fact, she likes books with glitter/nice shiny design. Typical ku-niang. This one. 😛


Have gotten her to read Olivier Twist (the ladybird classic version) and she was so so upset after she finished. Same goes for Charlotte's web. She was also upset when Charlotte died that when I asked if she thought that was a good book she immediately said,\"no. mum. Why couldn't E B White write a happier ending? Then it would be perfect\" 😄

Guess she's still not at that age to accept death.

Am trying to get her to read the Enid Blython Magic Faraway Tree series now.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100958https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100958Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:44:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:20:00 GMT]]>Heyya mintcc... i was into Sweet Valley High too. :oops:

Being a librarian meant that i could get the privilege to
reserve the titles that i want too. 😉 Then, my chick
lit matured as i grew older and left school... i went on to
read about those baroness, countess, squires, those
type of Mills & Boons kinda romances set during the old
English days. Castles, butlers, maids, carriages.. :oops:

I do like the writings by Judith Mc Naught. 😄 Trashy
as it may be... :oops: i feel more a lady being immersed
in those books. :siam: But on the outside... i
looked like the typical crew cut tom-boy. :lol: I would never
be caught dead reading them in presence of my girlfriends.
It was more of a private reading obsession. :!:

When i began working, i bought them... so that i don't get
glances when i needed to borrow them. And when friends
came over, they took a few from my enormous collection &
i dun remember them returning them back. My only guess
is that they may have needed it for reference. 😛 My books
were deftly kept on my bookshelf and one need only enter
my room to sniff the smell of books, new books..... so new
despite the often repeated reads.

My DD1 does like chick lit books too and i let her read what
she likes. I do introduce adventure and horror books to her
as well so as to build her vocabulary in other genres/themes.

As much as i like chick lit books then, i do enjoy chick flicks
now too. (Chick Movies).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100939https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100939Wed, 06 Jan 2010 06:20:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:27:46 GMT]]>

mintcc:
My understanding of the definition is rather broad...meaning that it is ooks that are mainly written by women for women and usually have a light and humorous tone. So to me it include books like Pride And Prejudice, Emma etc

for me, i would exclude jane austen. i always never got past the first few pages of pride and prejudice before falling asleep. i even tried her other books but same thing happened. dunno why. :lol:

the women authors i read tend to not be light, for example, ursula k le guin, emily dickinson (poetry) and margaret atwood.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100866https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100866Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:27:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:03:41 GMT]]>

mintcc:
My understanding of the definition is rather broad...meaning that it is ooks that are mainly written by women for women and usually have a light and humorous tone. So to me it include books like Pride And Prejudice, Emma etc


In terms of quality, I think it all depends on the individual author/book. Like any other genre some chick lit are written badly some are actually quite good. Some titles with nice review and make it to the movies include
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Bridget Jones's Diary,Helen Fielding

For me, I was into Sweet Valley High series during secondary 1, then move on to other genres unless you count the Chinese ones. hmmm for Chinese books I suppose all the Qiong Yao and Yi Shu ones are chick lit? Now the only fiction books I read is to DS.
Yes the definition is indeed very broad which I somehow feel that they can further streamline it. This is the reason why I added my extended definition to put the classics like Pride and Prejudice outside. Perhaps I should find a more apt name for this genre of books that I am talking about. Anyone out there can help?

Certainly Yi Shu and Qiong Yao is included in chick lit, their stories may not be so enchanting but at least some language skills can be picked from their books. But personally I would prefer the 武侠 books from 金庸 or 古龙.

And truly, the fiction books I read now are mostly my kid's books. :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100854https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100854Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:03:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:58:15 GMT]]>My understanding of the definition is rather broad…meaning that it is ooks that are mainly written by women for women and usually have a light and humorous tone. So to me it include books like Pride And Prejudice, Emma etc


In terms of quality, I think it all depends on the individual author/book. Like any other genre some chick lit are written badly some are actually quite good. Some titles with nice review and make it to the movies include
The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger
Bridget Jones’s Diary,Helen Fielding

For me, I was into Sweet Valley High series during secondary 1, then move on to other genres unless you count the Chinese ones. hmmm for Chinese books I suppose all the Qiong Yao and Yi Shu ones are chick lit? Now the only fiction books I read is to DS.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100852https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100852Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:58:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:47:51 GMT]]>

schellen:
I think for my gal (P2), her chick lit was those fairy/pixie/other fantasy creature series. Notice I typed was? 😉 She got bored of them already. I think it's because they are very \"feel-good\" and \"happy-ending\", rather uneventful and the \"adventures\" the characters go on are rather tame.


Now, she prefers more unisex stories with more \"thrilling\" adventures and more \"realistic\" outcomes.

As for me, I went through this stage when I was in my early teens. My mom had a number of these books (I called them trashy novels). I got bored very easily. Now, I prefer non-fiction and stuff people tend to associate ELit with. haha
Think mine read only 1-2 fairy or rainbow stories, never asked for them again.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100848https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100848Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:47:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:31:17 GMT]]>My girl used to like the Rainbow Fairy series very much when she was 5 to 6 years old. I bought her the entire series of 7 books, then my hubby stopped me from buying them. He said that it is pointless to read so many. According to him, usually only the first book in each popular series is worth reading.


I do give my girl the freedom to read whatever she likes, but since I have no time to bring her to the library, she has to read whatever I buy for her. She got bored with the Rainbow Fairy series after a while. She has just finished the excellent Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver (illustrated by Chris Riddell) and she is absolutely fascinated.

I believe in reading all the wonderful classics by the great authors. So I have a long list of compulsory books that my girl must read in addition to what she likes to read on her own. There are many wonderful classics, like Little House on the Prairie which has a little girl Laura as the main character and my girl likes the book very much. I prefer my girl to read books that deal with hardships and survival, so I am going to steer her away from all the chick lit books.

In fact, even for Roald Dahl, not all of his books are good, and there is no need to read all of them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100834https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100834Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:31:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Do you know what is chick lit? on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:04:39 GMT]]>I think for my gal (P2), her chick lit was those fairy/pixie/other fantasy creature series. Notice I typed was? 😉 She got bored of them already. I think it's because they are very \"feel-good\" and \"happy-ending\", rather uneventful and the \"adventures\" the characters go on are rather tame.


Now, she prefers more unisex stories with more \"thrilling\" adventures and more \"realistic\" outcomes.

As for me, I went through this stage when I was in my early teens. My mom had a number of these books (I called them trashy novels). I got bored very easily. Now, I prefer non-fiction and stuff people tend to associate ELit with. haha

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100822https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/100822Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:04:39 GMT