Reasons to Embrace Chick Lit for Book Groups

Chick Lit has always existed, and in same cases today's classics were yesterday's fluff novels. Take the example of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. An orphaned young woman becomes a governess, falls in love with her employer, finds out he is married, has a rush away from a madwoman, and comes back to him in the end when he is a widow. Pretty racy stuff for a Victorian audience, yet Jane Eyre is a classic now read in college classes around the country.

However, books in the so called "Chick Lit" genre get a bad rap. They become a guilty pleasure that women may or may not admit to enjoying. But sometimes, for that very reason, "chick lit" novels are the perfect choice for a book group read. Here are a few reasons why.

1. Everyone needs an occasional escape. In today's busy world, women juggle motherhood, employment, housework, family obligations, charity, you name it and there is a woman out there doing it. At the end of some days, no matter how high minded she may feel, the news journal or serious novel on the bed stand just seems like too much effort. Lighter reads are fast and don't require an immense amount of mental energy.

2. Topics are relatable - or not. The majority of chick lit is about finding a man, boyfriend troubles, children, friendship, relationships, travel, finding your bliss, and the occasional rock star fantasy. What woman has not experienced at least one of these areas, or dreamt about doing so. On the flip side, few women have PR jobs with world travel perks or meet men who look like Clive Owen at the office. So women can enjoy living vicariously through the heroine.

3. Re-invigorates interest. Sometimes book groups get stale because the same kind of book is chosen for every meeting. Members may show up having read part of the book or "not gotten to it," or not come at all. Choosing a book with a lighter tone - for groups both new and old - can remind members that reading for assignment does not have to feel like one. Especially during the summer, choosing something that feels like beach reading ensures members are more likely to want to read it. And next time the group can get back to more serious reading.

Just because it may not be the Next Great American Novel, doesn't mean that the book has no redeeming value or conversation potential. The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells has some of the best descriptions about female friendship and mother-daughter interactions around. The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank describes many a woman's attempts not to fail in the pursuit of love. And Jennifer Weiner, Jane Green, and Anita Shreve all tell a good tale.

Book groups can and should sporadically embrace their inner chicks and add this genre to their literature selections.