Get ‘em while their young

After reading Forever by Judy Blume, I decided to explore a little bit more of the same: 1970’s, teen “Chick Lit.” I was so impressed by the way Forever served some larger purpose, to educate its readers about sexual health. Was this an exception? Or were the authors of 1970s “Chick LIt” really onto something [...]

Creating yourself in HIS image

So this weekend, while I was on the bus to and from NYC I decided to read one of the books that we put on a tentative list, but never actually read. Tracy Cabot’s How to Make a Man Fall in Love With You.  It’s a supposedly a “scientifically proven” fool proof method to getting [...]

Fear of Flying: the zipless fuck: the numb generation

I also read Fear of Flying by Erica Jong this week: a book I would recommend to any woman that captured me emotionally and intellectually.  As I was looking up the book online to see what has been written on it, I saw it often categorized with “third-wave feminism”.  Why has this book, published in [...]

Finally: Forever

Sattie, I agree with you in that this is the first book I have really related to.  However, unlike you, I am not “freaked out” by my relation to this book.  And, in this post I will explain why I related to this book, and why it does not bother me that I relate more [...]

Jaded?

I enjoyed reading this book and agree with the other ladies, but I am wondering what this book is saying about first love, and how younger (targeted) readers might perceive this message. I think Blume is very realistic in making Kath move on from her first love and find another boyfriend. Still, I wonder if [...]

Dear Judy Blume, please help us.

vs.
The difference between these two images is striking, Kath from Forever is the naturally pretty high school senior from anytown, USA and the cast of characters on the left frankly look like they are trying way too hard. Yes, they may be more glamorous but their sexed up images come off as fake and [...]

Shake Your Money Maker?

So, I must admit, after reading Judy Blume’s Forever and after watching the classic 90s hit Little Giants, I’m feeling a little nostalgic.  

Something I can relate to!

I don’t know if my peers felt this/ found it uncomfortable, but I was kind of freaked out that I found myself able to relate more to seniors in highschool than the high-powered executive women of our previous novels.  There was a realism in Blume’s text, with true emotions that seemed to be otherwise lacking [...]

Empathy, Chick Lit Doesn’t Have It

I hate to begin this post by making a stereotypical remark about women – for example, how they are the more empathetic sex. But, I do acknowledge that pathos matters in a work of fiction, and that characters, male or female, need to have a psychological life accessible to the reader – hopes and [...]