Friday, August 14, 2009

Age of Excess/Recess

What's Jack up to? As I write this Jack is curled in a ball asleep on his bed looking like a bit of mop top. He needs a hair cut bad. The poor thing is still out of sorts with the new food. He's eating it but doesn't have his usual energy that he did with his old chow. Aww Jack perk up. You'll get though this soon.



Happy Friday!



This is a bit of a 2 parter.



There was this article in The New York Times about a trend in chicklit which saw it going towards more recession conscious kinds of stories as opposed to being about excess. Call it Recession lit? Ugh isn't tagging fiction annoying. I'm so feeling like it is now. The trend makes sense for some books but I'm not fond of blanket statements.


Sidebar: For me, chicklit, which I adore and write has never been something that was solely a lifestyle thing. For me it was more a voice thing and a certain kind of coming of age or life/realization story. The fact that it has constantly been tagged as city, latte, excess frivolous fiction always pricked at me a bit and completely oversimplified a very compelling and in many cases well written genre. One that deals with women growing and changing while being entertaining. No easy task.


But the reason I'm writing this now is as I was Tweeting and having a fab virtual party over The Real Housewives of Atlanta this occurred to me:




"Oh Dwight! The fact that this is the top show goes so against the recession chick lit talk. http://bit.ly/giZqQ"



Part 2.

Then I thought and tweeted (what a silly word):


"Of course I'm still into reading and writing excess lit. I like my books like I like my TV fun and an escape. Fun!"

I had a bit of hesitation typing that one. Crazy huh? But it's amazing how often I feel I have to apologize, wrong word, justify my taste in books and television. Lately, I seem to spend a lot of time explaining it and why I don't feel guilty for liking what I like or for taking the time to enjoy the things I enjoy. Dang, it's like I can't eat Popeye's fried chicken and read a fun book in mixed company without folks clutching their pearls!


Why is it we feel that so much has to be justified and why do we feel the need to judge others on things like art and entertainment? Does what you watch on TV give any clue to a PhD?



Best,
Kwana




P.S.




I also tweeted:




Best scene of the night: Nene giving Shree's friend the gas face. I can't stop laughing! #rhoa


That scene was too funny. Did you watch. Fess up!

8 comments:

Kristen Painter said...

Haven't watched yet, but it's on my DVR!

Deidra said...

No Housewives for me. My own house was a crazy mess so I was being my own housewife.

Kwana, I like that you like what you like and aren't afraid to say it! Be you! That's why we love you!

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

I so agree with you regarding "chick lit", and I often feel pressured to justify my enjoyment of it too. I'll take a well written one of the genre, a la "Bridget Jones' Diary", over many allegedly "literary" picks any day, but so many critics (male and older, I suspect) just dismiss it outright. Infuriating.

Liz Harrell said...

I just wanted to pop and and tell you how much my sister loves your blog! She's living with me right now, and is dreaming of finding a "Jack" of her own soon when she gets an apartment. :)

And I agree on the book labeling thing. Sigh. Are your books listed on your blog? I'd love to review one!

Hugs,
Liz

Jax Cassidy said...

I've seen the commercials but those women are a mess and I don't need another train wreck addiction. You got me to watch that real housewives marathon and I realized how much I need not get sucked in by your shows! I still have writing to accomplish! LOL

Kwana said...

Thanks for the comments and support.

No worries, Jax I'm not forcing you to watch just pushing my own right to watch.

Liz thanks so much for your kind words. I've written a few books but so far am still unpublished. I'm working hard to remedy that. I'll give a big shout as soon as that happens. Fingers crossed.

I hope your sister gets a "Jack" of her own but tell her to be warned they are so stubborn and mischievous as you can tell from my posts.

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

My-my-my...the Atlanta Housewives are my fave now...so much DRAMA! Fun to watch!! Great weekend Kwana!

xo*

Tami said...

I just can't bring myself to watch it...I don't know why. Should I? I tried once the first season and I hated it.

Did you notice I'm looking for a dog? Yeah! Not sure what kind yet. Suggestions?

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