I have been reminded that the British Book Awards (the Galaxy British Book Awards to be exact) are taking place very soon. The shortlists were announced yesterday, and a right mixed bunch they are too.
The fun part is that you can vote for your own particular faves, and it will only take a few moments of your time. Not only do you get to have your say, but you might win some book tokens too. Hurrah.
http://surveys.bookmarketing.co.uk/awardsvote.htm
I think that the inclusion of popular lit chicky stuff etc may well put some off. It's not your usual literary list after all. I am soooo guilty of incredible snobbishness when it comes to the books and writers I love, but I AM WRONG TO BE THAT WAY. I read Nick Hornby's "Complete Polysyllabic spree"
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=3892754
and he cured me of my stinky attitude. Reading is good, it should be fun, my fun is not necessarily your fun, your favourite writer not mine and so on. If a person derives pleasure from a book that's a great thing. Lately I have been listening to Elvis, and I have been astounded by his range, depth and power. I am currently reading Raymond Carver, and his stories are wonderful. Both of these men are hugely popular, neither anywhere near being crap. Popular is defined in the dictionary as meaning "regarded with great favour, approval, or affection especially by the general public", not such a bad thing eh? Dan Brown is still shit though, not that he's anywhere in this years lists, I just felt like saying!
5 weeks ago
5 comments:
Oh I voted for Oliver Jeffer's too, but I did so because his is such a beautiful book, I had no idea that he worked for the big W.
Is Carver not popular then? I honestly thought he was one of those big guns that everyone knows of. I certainly am enjoying his stories, I think that his writing reminds me of Bukowski's in its clear language. Wonderful. I will check out Tobias Wolff, thanks for the recommendation.
I went to vote but didn't know a lot of the books... obviously I need to read more.
It's one of the things that pisses me off, I have to admit: When people write stuff off or are sneery about it, just because it's popular. Sometimes it's popular because it's good! When people refuse to read something for that reason only, it makes me want to hit them over the head with it and knock them out, I have to admit.
So, anyway. Ahem. I agree. Well done. Carry on. ;o)
It's the elitism of it that gets me. People who feel they are superior because they are not in the majority, and look down on people who like stuff that other people like. It's snobbery of the worst kind.
Ahem. OK. Really am going to stop ranting now.
;o)
Hello Clare,
yes, I can tell that it bothers you! I have to confess that I am guilty of doing that whole judging thing, especially in the book shop, but I promise I am trying really hard to stop it. You're right, it is snobbery and it sucks. Why one person feels the need to belittle another for their choice of anything is beyond me.
Unless their choices are crap, obviously ;)
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