Guys get Cussler, Girls get Chick Lit

What is Chick Lit?  A quick definition would be that is a novel with a lead female character who is dealing with the issues of modern life. These issues are usually specific to women. People may sometimes refer to Chick Lit as Mommy Lit.

Popular authors of this genre include Sophie Kinsella, Lauren Weisberger, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Cabot, Jane Green, Katie Fforde, Mary Kay Andrews, Emily Giffin, and Claire Cook. One of the key distinctions that determines whether or not a book would be considered Chick Lit is that the main character is generally between the ages of 20-40.  Thus the appeal to "Chicks" (younger female readers).

One could take a book such as Catherine McKenzie's Arranged and label it a romance.  The story is exactly what the title and cover art would lead you to assume about the book.  Two people pay for an arranged marriage.  They are advised to start out as friends.  They quickly fall in love.  This is followed by a betrayal of trust but naturally love conquers all.  Kudos to the author for finding a believable way to use the arranged marriage device in a modern setting and incorporating elements of Anne of Green Gables into the story.  Anyone who enjoys contemporary romance would like this book.

Novels such as Kinsella's Shopaholic series address an issue that has affected women since the Stone Age.  (People of a certain age will remember the batty cry of "Charge it!" whenever Betty and Wilma from The Flintstones went shopping.)  Titles like Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada or Katie Fforde's The Perfect Proposal are the stuff of women's fantasies.  Who would not want to get a complete makeover free of charge and be allowed to borrow high end clothing as needed?  Not to mention finding the spine to stand up to your boss and strike out on your own successfully.  In Fforde's title, her quirky character is eventually swept off her feet by a modern Mr. Darcy type leading man.  (Cue the mental image of Colin Firth cooling off in the lake at Pemberley.)  Katie Fforde uses humor and sticky situations that cause her characters to grow.  Lauren Weisberger takes a more serious approach as she allows her character to be overcome by her situation until she finds the courage to break free.  The similarity between the two is that both female leads must decide what they want and how to get it.
Another author who has tapped into what women want is Mary Kay Andrews.  In Spring Fever, she managed to mend a marriage that was never meant to be broken.  In Ladies' Night, she allows her heroine to hit rock bottom after being betrayed by her spouse.  From the ashes of despair, she builds a new life with supportive friends and an interesting romantic prospect after her divorce.  She also throws in a little revenge on the unfaithful ex.  These are serious life events that the author approaches with humor. Books like Another Piece of My Heart by Jane Green take a more serious approach.  Regardless of whether or not the author uses humor or other devices to move the plot along, the heart of the story remains the same. "Ladies, life is often not going to go your way.  Find a way to deal with it."

Chick Lit, in simple terms, is a blending of several appeal factors that are specific to women. There is often an element of romance.  Sometimes there are family troubles that must be overcome.  Maybe secrets from the past must be addressed.  Whatever the issue, setting, or diversity of characters, these stories are about things that universally affect women of all ages.  Don't think of them as "books for Chicks"; think of them as books that you might like to share with your best friend, or maybe even your mom.

A story that warms from the inside out....perfect for summer

What was wrong with Auggie?
Only a rude person would stare.
Nobody wanted to be his friend.
Don't believe everything you hear.
Eventually, weird can become "normal".
Remarkably meaningful read for anyone.

Publishers are excited by the number of adults to have embraced what are considered teen reads.  This is not a new phenomenon.  Many adults read the Harry Potter series voraciously.  Older teens who were hooked on Harry became adults as they waited for his next adventure to be published and unashamedly waited in line for a chance to own a copy.
Don't overlook some of the outstanding books that are waiting on the children's bookshelves.  Recently, my daughter shared Wonder with me.  She loved the main character, August.  She loved the characters that became his true friends at school.  She was disgusted by the petty (typical) middle school meanness.  
The main character is August who has gone through multiple surgeries since birth and has been home schooled by his mother through fourth grade.  The author hints at Auggie's deformities and limitations but leaves the majority of his actual appearance up to the imagination of the reader.  Although the main theme of the book is about August leaving the warmth and security of his home to attend middle school and learning to interact with the world outside, the author takes the time to delve into how sheltering him has affected his family and friends.
We follow Auggie as he is faced with the challenges of attending fifth grade.  How to open his locker.  How to find his classrooms.  Where to sit in the cafeteria.  What to do if no one sits with you.  He finds that false friends and bullies are bad, but ignoring one's existence is even worse.  We remember how as children we may have initially shied away from those who were different.  The author reminds us that children also have the gift of accepting those who are different and learning to see "weird" as "normal".
My daughter was correct in her assessment.  She had promised me that I would love the book and that it would make me cry.  I loved the book so much, I have passed it along to as many people as possible.  This book will make you glow from the inside.  It is an uplifting story about a courageous child and his family as they confront tremendous obstacles together.  The bonus factor of this read for the adults is that we're likely the only ones who will understand the interaction between August and his dear old dad when they mimic the interplay between the two lovable characters below.