Bestselling Chick Lit Books and Movies
The Titles Women are Talking About
© Catherine A. Garretson-Bilnoski
Jul 29, 2008
What is Chick Lit?
Chick Lit Books says "Chick lit is a genre comprised of books that are mainly written by women for women. The books range from having main characters in their early 20’s to their late 60’s. There is usually a personal, light, and humorous tone to the books. Sometimes they are written in first-person narrative; other time they are written from multiple viewpoints. The plots usually consist of women experiencing usual life issues, such as love, marriage, dating, relationships, friendships, roommates, corporate environments, weight issues, addiction, and much more...Chick lit is told in a more confiding, personal tone. It’s like having a best friend tell you about her life...Nearly every chick lit book I have read has had some type of humor in it. THAT is what really separates chick lit from regular women’s fiction."
Chick Lit has developed sub genres to appeal to all types of women. Mature women may find their niche in "Hen Lit", also known as matron literature, with heroines in their late 30's to 60's dealing with menopause and an empty nest. Frequent Dieters may enjoy "Bigger Girl Lit" books like The Next Big Thing (ISBN: 0425200280) by Johanna Edwards. Christian women enjoy Chick Lit featuring heroines who are facing common challenges while trying to follow Christian morals. Mystery Lit authors like Kate White write about intelligent women solving mysteries. Fantasy Chick Lit features stories like Enchanted, Inc (ISBN: 0345481259) by Shanna Swendson, where perfectly normal Katie takes a job working for a company selling real spells to people who perform magic.
Bestselling Chick Lit
Chick lit is poping up on the New York Times Bestselling Novels Lists. Janet Evanovich's feisty heroine Stephanie Plum is back on the list in Fearless Fourteen (ISBN: 9780312349516). Lauren Weisburger, bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada (ISBN: 978-0-7679-1476-5), is on the list again in 2008 with Chasing Harry Winston (ISBN 0-7432-9011-9). Emily Giffin's new book, Love the One You're With (St martin's Press ISBN: 9780312348670) hit the bestseller lists in 2008, returning Something Blue (ISBN 0312323867) to the New York Times bestseller list.
Chick Lit in the Movies
Popular screen versions of Chick lit books have been appearing since Bridget Jones's Diary was a box office hit in 1991. The Devil Wears Prada earned several awards after its debut in 2006. The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (ISBN: 0312291639) hit the screen in 2007. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, a screen version of The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (ISBN: 0385729340) is opening in 2008, and Sex and the City spent 8 weeks in 2008 on the New York Times top grossing movies list, earning over 149 million in box office sales.
Chick Lit's rise in popularity shows no sign of stopping. Popular titles are appearing on screen, and Chick lit is on the bestseller lists. With so many authors and sub-genres, Chick-Lit has something for any woman.
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