Trash?

[Jazzmin Calhoun]

Alright, so I am a huge fan of Jackie Collins' books.  When I recieved the newest book for Christmas, I was the happiest girl in the world.  But whenever I talk to people about it, they say Jackie's books are "trash".  I will admit that Jackie does not put much of a filter into her writing style, but that's what gives it character.  She gets down and dirty into peoples lives; she tells things people wouldn't even think of.  So my question is:  Is Jackie Collins' writing trash?

[Gareth Wilson]

To be honest it depends on the reader.  I wouldn't say that they're trash as my other half has a weakness for JC but they're not my prefered reading material.  I think that people who describe something as "trash" really don't understand the attraction that it has to a number of people.  That's there loss as long as you get reading pleasure from it, continue to enjoy.  Besides which point out one simple fact and ask a question "If she were "trash" how come she sells so well?"  That should hopefully get the nay sayers to think.

[Jazzmin Calhoun]

Thanks for your thoughts! I don't think I ever thought like that.

[J. Fields]

Nor are they my preferred reading material.

I actually ridiculed my mother for reading these novels, and anything of that genre.

I was very young at the time.

Then she caught me redhanded reading her V.C. Andrews book.

Ahh the shame, but what a great book. 

This is the one.

 

[Jazzmin Calhoun]

EEE! You read flowers in teh attic? EPIC! LOVED THAT BOOK! Lol, my english teacher is always ripping on me for reading her books

[J. Fields]

I did... I loved that book as well

My mother thought it was hilarious that I read that.

I agree though. What is trash?

If anyone prefers one genre over another. Or no genre at all.

At least that person is reading!

A good story, a moving story is just that. And defies all LABELS & Categories.

[Jazzmin Calhoun]

It really does, but the movie adaption sucked....BUt good for you for reading such a book!

[Arabella Bramble]

They are not my preferred reading material but who really has the right to belittle anyone else's reading choices, if you enjoy them you should read them. Reading is meant to be fun after all and we should defend each others right to read books that give us pleasure. I know a number of highly intelligent, sophisticated professionals who love genre fiction of different types and on occasion they have been embarrassed to admit to a guilty pleasure in things like mills and boon or pulp sci-fi.  Does it matter if anyone thinks they are trash? 

They may not be great contemporary literature but they clearly are a lot of fun for a lot of readers.

[Jazzmin Calhoun]

Exactly what I have been thinking, but some people are just set on their thoughts and won't change.

[Stormi Johnson]

I like romance books but not Jackie Collin's romance books...lol, but I have a friend who has read everyone one of them. I am always teasing her about reading her 'smut books' :)  Not my type of read but if you like it read it. :)

[Jazzmin Calhoun]

lol, never met her, But I want to meet this person! SHARE TEH COLLINS NOTES!

[Jazzmin Calhoun]

Exactly

[Christine Amsden]

I've never read that author, although the discussion has given me an idea of the genre we're talking about.

"Trash" is my least favorite descriptor of any book. It suggests the book is beneath contempt, immature, unintelligent, immoral, or all of the above. It is, among other things, non-specific in the extreme. If I don't like a book, I get specific about why. Calling it "trash" is hopelessly dismissive.

There are a number of books I have read and enjoyed that others dismiss as "trash" -- particularly in mainstream romance (some people even call the whole genre trash, but I won't get into my thoughts on THAT). These books are typically fast reads with unoriginal plots and characters, but cozy and familiar in a way I find pleasing. They're comfort reading, vacation reading, I had a lousy day and I don't want to get into anything deep books. (I've often heard them called beach books as well, but since I don't live anywhere near a beach, I don't go with that one. :) )

And you know what? These books have value. They won't change the world or win any awards, but they'll make a rainy afternoon more pleasant for any number of readers, some of whom won't admit they read them.