Diablo on Judy

Diablo Cody, author of Candy Girl and screenwriter of Juno, writes a column in Entertainment Weekly called Binge Thinking.  Her most recent column was in praise of children’s/young adult author Judy Blume.  Check out “In Praise of Judy Blume” for Cody’s unique take and appreciation of Judy Blume and her work.  The comments section also makes for good reading–Blume’s work really seems to leave a lasting impression on readers. 

And if that’s not enough Judy appreciation for you, check out the book of essays Cody mentions in the article called Everything I Need to Know about Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume.   Authors (mostly chick lit) like Meg Cabot and Megan McCafferty talk about how Judy Blume’s books affected their lives.  Fun reading, though it’s amazing how many authors talk about Deenie.  (My personal favorite–and Cody’s–is Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself.)  (Carol J.)

Roman a Clefs

Roman a Clefs (or Novel with a Key) are novels describing real-life behind a façade of fiction.  (Thank you, Wikipedia for the excellent description!)   These novels can be deliciously trashy at their best, and fun reading even at their worst.  Two of the most popular of recent years were The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, about a woman working for a thinly fictionalized Vogue magazine and its editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, and The Nanny Diaries about nannying for the denizens of the Upper East Side. 

The publishing industry is particularly rich in these novels.  There’s Because She Can by Birdie Clark (based on notorious publisher Judith Regan), Falling Out of Fashion by Karen Yampolsky (an admiring portrayal of Jane Pratt), and Little Pink Slips by Sally Koslow (based on the fallout after Rosie O’Donnell took over McCall’s).    A particularly dishy and fun Hollywood roman a clef is The Twins of Tribeca by Rachel Pine.  This is hilarious reading for anyone interested in the movie industry as it provides a skewering look at the endlessly fascinating Weinstein brothers.  (Carol J.)

The Reading Rut

I imagine that everyone has a few trusted sources for padding their book lists.  We are those sources, much of the time.  I have my mom, who can always recommend a good mystery, my sister, keeping me in denser fiction and non-fiction, and my friend Derek, who feeds me the latest in graphic novels and SF.  However, sometimes I still get into a rut.

Last summer, a friend recommended Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, and it was like I had been handed a frothy pink drink with a straw and an umbrella.  If a whole book sounds like too much Jennifer Crusie, then I recommend Jennifer Crusie with a shot of Bob Mayer.  I just finished Agnes and the Hitman, which is goofy, silly, fun and a perfect ‘preparation for summer’ read.  I’m not saying I would like to be stuck on a desert island with only chick lit, but it was nice to be bumped out of my rut and enjoy something new. 

What can you recommend that has bumped you out of your rut? (Amy B.)

The Complete Jane Austen

   Tonight, the PBS series “The Complete Jane Austen” concludes with the second half of the new remake of Sense & Sensibility.  It’s been an exciting ride through Austen’s works, with new versions (Persuasion, Miss Austen Regrets) and old favorites (Emma, Pride & Prejudice) both showing up.  The PBS Masterpiece (note: not Masterpiece Theater, just Masterpiece) has a cool website devoted to the series, including bits on the Men of Austen, behind the scenes info, and a discussion board. 

There’s a huge number of websites devoted to all things Austen.  A great one is Austenblog, a compendium of news about Jane Austen in popular culture, and dedicated to discussing (and defending!) Jane Austen and her work in all forms.  Another comprehensive site devoted to Austen is The Republic of Pemberley, which includes discussion boards and info pages, including a page devoted to the many sequels inspired by Austen’s work.  This doesn’t even include the scores of chick lit Austen take-offs, like Bridget Jones’s Diary, or Jane Austen in Boca, to name only two. 

Which brings us to the question:  What’s your favorite Austen work, sequel or remake?  Film or print?  (CLJ)