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Monday, August 22, 2005Yes, Thank You -- I'm a Book SnobI make no excuses for my Book Snob status. It may have something to do with the fact that I am both a writer and a homeschooling mom. Then again, it might be just one more facet of my left-field personality type. At any rate, you won't find any "schlock" in my house. No latest "bestsellers" with cliched, barely literate sentences; no dorkified, dumbed-down children's books. I have been known to immediately dispose of, via the Good Will route, books purchased by well-meaning grandparents because they fell into the "schlock" category. Heaven forbid that my children's eyes fall upon schlock. A couple of years ago, I purchased a copy of The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge for my then-almost-ten-year-old daughter. Elizabeth Goudge falls into the "classic children's literature" category, and the book was recommended by someone whose opinion I respect. In short, I thought it was a safe purchase. Maggie read it voraciously (I think she would actually eat the books I gave her if I allowed her to). She was underwhelmed. Curious, I opened the book and read it myself. It was schlock. Not the writing itself, mind you. The actual writing was beautiful -- vivid -- well-crafted. It was the story that was schlock. Hackneyed, predicatable, downright stupid. Even the names of the characters were dumb. And the heroine didn't seem to ever make a decision for herself throughout the entire book. It was as though her destiny were already figured out, and she just had to discover everything that everyone else seemed to already know. It was such a stupid book. I'm endlessly thankful for having read it, though. It was while I was cringing my way through this sorry excuse for a children's tale that I was struck with a sudden thought: "I can write something better than this!" You must understand that I never dreamed I could write a novel. I had written it off as something I simply could not do. So having this "I can write something better" thought was definitely out of the blue. Moments later, the seed of an idea crept into my mind. I could feel my heart begin to pound -- proof that true inspiration was happening. It was late, though, and I was tired. So I breathed a little prayer: "Lord, if this is something You want me to pursue, please keep it fresh in my mind when I wake up." Needless to say, the story was fresh in my mind when I woke up. And the rest is history. I'll bet you're dying to know what's on my "non-schlock" list, though, aren't you? For middle readers, you can't go wrong with the Little House series, The Chronicles of Narnia (though admittedly I only like two or three of them), Heidi, and the Anne of Green Gables books. The Betsy-Tacy series isn't a bad choice, either. For older or more advanced readers, there's Little Women, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and, in the case of my reading-way-beyond-her-years daughter, there's Tolkien. But...but...but...I haven't mentioned Harry Potter, have I? I will be the first to admit that Jo Rowlings is a gifted writer. She has a lovely, dry wit and an excellent command of the English language. The Harry Potter stories, however, aren't on my "love list." It must be my "Book Snob" coming out, but I find too many of the Harry Potter characters to be mere caricatures -- an attempt, perhaps, to grab children's attention with the ridiculous. It's a great device -- it works. My "I hate to read" son has just devoured the first Harry Potter book and asked me for the second one without even stopping to breathe. Everything that I find -- ur -- let's say "silly" to be nice -- in the books, Jonathan likes. Flying cars, vomit-flavored jellybeans, a goblin-run bank. Yes, indeed, Ms. Rowlings has found a certain "magic" that draws in the reluctant reader. There's no denying it. I just wish she would have chosen a better story line to do so. But that's just me. The Book Snob, homeschooling, "I prefer classic literature with definitive good and evil" me. The pure writer in me, on the other hand, is wildly happy for Ms. Rowling's success. Hers is a story that inspires and encourages, and I wish her well. Well, let's be honest. I wish I could follow the same path of success as she has. For now, I'll content myself with my morning cup of Starbucks and a bright outlook on all the "writing tasks" that lie before me today. Have a great week! ---- Jill Schafer Boehme |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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11of my readers are feeling chatty:
how many times can you write "Book snob"
As a fellow book snob(perhaps it's something we are born with), I agree with carefully choosing the books you give to your children to read. My daughter is only 19 months old and Good Will already has benefitted greatly from this snob!
Hey Jill,
I don't view myself as a book snob though I've already purchased many of the good children's books you've listed for my toddler children. I suppose it's the fact I consume all kinds of adult lit that would certainly qualify as crap, that I can't claim to be anywhere close to a book snob...Though I did read The Bell Jar, The Great Gatsby, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn this summer. I'm not as well read as I'd like to be--any suggestions for books that you think every adult should have read?
What's your children's book about?
Kathie
Hi Jill,
What is the name of your book? We bibliophiles would love to know!
I agree that we need to give our children the very best literature out there, and I could write a lengthy post as to the many good reasons for it (maybe I will), but as for adults, I think it is fine to read "fluff" as long as you don't confuse it with quality. Also, it's important for adults to read quality literature. I think that once people become accustomed to such top-notch material, they will not desire fluff so much.
BTW...I intensely dislike abridged anything. It makes me feel cheated.
Great blog! As a writer and former homeschool mom, I loved it. Think I might bookmark ya. :)
Brandy of The Building Brows
I agree with you about Harry Potter, especially as the books go on (and on). You can test a great book by reading it aloud -- and Rowlings books are clever and wordy and cluttered with skimmable sections that drag the story down when you read them aloud.
Compare that to the wonderful Susan Cooper Dark is Rising series -- brilliant writing, great stories, and high stakes adventure with an 11 year old boy hero that any kid (or adult) can relate to. Or the original Oz books, which amuse adults as well as kids,and are gorgeous and only a little dated. Or those great victorian novels, starting with The Phoenix and the Carpet.
So I read Harry Potter, and applaud Rowlings, and sigh a little that she signals every new plot twist and every issue, and if you're paying attention you know exactly who will be Harry's best friend in the last book -- unless she's started to plant red herrings, that is. Which she has never done with much skill in the past, after the first book. Gotta love her success and the passion of kids about the book.
Now give them Susan Cooper, and let there be more magic!
I'm really enjoying everyone's comments here! :)
Truly Scrumptious (as in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang??) -- the word "abridged" makes me break out in hives. Seriously! There couldn't possibly be a worse disservice to both authors and the minds of children.
Brandy -- Thank you, and I've visited your blog (briefly -- I'll be back). I stand amazed at your house-building process!
Carol -- I thoroughly enjoyed your post. You write well and your words resonate with so much of what I'm passionate about. I blush to say that I've not discovered Susan Cooper -- guess who I'll be looking up at the library tomorrow! Thanks for that. :)
I too, think my daughter's literary intake should be void of empty calories. She's six now, and we've done the nightly reading ritual for most of her life. We are about to finish "On the Shores of Silver Lake" now, and will then begin "The Long Winter." We love Wilder's work, but even so, there are occasionally passages that I find tedious, and both over- or under-written.
A big "no no" for our book list is the "Junie B. Jones" series by Barbara Park. I simply refuse to read aloud to my daughter Junie B.'s horrible grammar. I fear she'll incorporate it into her own diction and vocabulary!!
I enjoyed your post, although I did enjoy the Potter series immensely. (Why do I feel I should stand up and introduce myself before saying that?)
I'd love to see a compiled list of books, children's and otherwise, that you've found to be worthy...
Regards,
ShutteredEye
Did you allow Jonathan to read the next Harry Potter book?
Hey,dear Jilly, who do you mean
"schloch" books from grandparents??
I'm offended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
book snobs rule!!
:)
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