I am helping an author research and decided to pose 2 questions to you. I will pass on your comments anonymously to her to help in her work. Thanks in advance! Be honest! 
1. What kind of books do you like to read right now? What do you think of the “chick lit” books?
2. What does your involvement in church look like?
Edit: Thank you girls so much for your responses! The author I am assisting is thrilled! She may allow me to pose some more questions in the near future. Thank you again.
1. What kind of books do you like to read right now? What do you think of the “chick lit” books?
… if I had time for leisure reading outside of school, I would pick up serious historical biographies on the life of Paul, Augustine, and some early Church Fathers. I would also re-read Quo Vadis and The Brothers Karamazov.
What is “Chick lit?” – I dont even like the sound of that….
2. What does your involvement in church look like? … I am engaged to my priest (Episcopal), I lead a women’s prayer group weekly, and I am working with my parents’ home church to start a new youth ministry of young people reaching out to the elderly in nursing homes…
Fun self-reflection, thanks, and hope this helps!
I hadn’t heard the term “chick lit” before, either, so I did a search for it online. Y’all can read the definition on Wikipedia. Now, furnished with proper info, I can answer the questions.
1. I like to read all the books I am reading for my senior History major research project on the history of homeschooling. These include: Horace Mann, a 19th-century writer, on the ideology of the common school; John Holt, on the ideology of unschooling; Dr. Raymond Moore, on why young kids shouldn’t go to school at all until age 8-10; etc. They fascinate me. Besides these, I’ve been devouring popular women’s “devotional” books, such as Every Woman’s Battle by Shannon Ethridge and Captivating by Stasi Eldredge (must one’s name end in “dge” to write one of these?). This is also a sort of research, to see what’s out there, but they teach me quite a lot as well. Finally, I am reading whatever else I’ve been wanting to read for a while, from Gone With the Wind to the “sci-fi”
Ender’s Game series by Orson Scott Card.
What do I think of chick lit? I’ve read a few of these books, and they are oddly appealing. But at the same time, they are: (1) All the same, in many important ways; (2) Brainless; (3) Without sexual morality. If that is what modern women habitually read, they are becoming a gaggle of flighty idiots whose lives revolve around shopping, eating, and catching men – by whatever means necessary.
2. At PHC, since I am frightfully busy, I cannot do all I would like. I joined my church there last year, and since then I’ve helped out with little kids on Sundays. I always am there for the Sunday school and morning service time periods; more often than not, I attend evening service too. I am at home right now, and I am seeking to join my church here. Since I am not a member yet, my options are limited. I sing in choir, and I help in nursery. I am working and researching all my days except Sunday. During the summer, I would love to lead a Bible study for the youth group girls.
1) Currently I am collecting several children’s books to add to my own collection. I am enjoying reading YA fiction at the moment. I just finished the Devil’s Arithmetic and am currently reading 21 Balloons.My favorite reads happen to be books that pertain to women’s spiritual lives or Christian living in general. I am working through Surrender by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Keeping a Princess Heart in a Not So Fairy Tale World by Nicole Johnson, and Beautiful Girlhood.
*Chick Lit: To be honest, I made a commitment to the Lord that I would not read books with overtly romantic themes. At the moment, I would rather not read a lot of the “Christian” romance novels out there, so I have never been interested in *Chick Lit* books. I would rather read older romance stories like Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte.
2. I currently work in the nursery and 4 year-olds Sunday Morning church. I also sign for the deaf in the church services.
1. I like to read a variety of books. Lately, I’ve been reading some historical young adult novels (based on real people and events in history). It’s been a good way for me to get a dose of fairly accurate history in me.
I also have been purposely seeking out adult contemporary fiction. I have read very little of this in the past, so I’m not aware of what “sells” out there. As a writer, I want to familiarize myself with the current market and style of writing. Not to say I have to write exactly how they write, but it will give me an idea of what publishers and readers are looking for. I usually read books in this genre that have been recommended to me, so I don’t run into ones that are full of offensive content.
I enjoy reading classics and have been delving into the less “happy” classics (happy classics= Little Women, Jane Austen’s books, etc.). There is amazing writing out there, and I’m just discovering some of it!
I also have been reading secular and Christian teen novels and short story collections because I have interaction with teens on a weekly basis and want to know what they’re reading. Also, some of my favorite authors from my teens still appeal to me.
I also read some semi-autobiographical non-fiction, such as Madeline L’Engle’s Crosswick journals.
And I read non-fiction like knitting instruction books.
Recently I’ve read my first chick lit books. From the few I’ve read so far, they are very much alike. They’re also fun, though, and are written in a lively, fast-reading way. One of the books I read was a Christian chick lit one (Kristin Billerbeck is the Christian chick lit icon right now, I think), and it was better than the secular chick lit in that the morality was better, and there was some Christian material inserted into the story. From what little I’ve read of chick lit so far, I don’t see a light dose of them as harmful as long as the books aren’t full of moral garbage. They’re a “fluffy” form of entertainment, but not essentially harmful unless they became your steady diet.
2. I’m rather new to my church and not a member, so my involvement can’t be extensive. I attend every Sunday morning, and I go to most of the youth events to help out. I also assist whenever/wherever they need it. If you want to run activities, organize events, decorate the church, sing in front of the church, or anything else “major,” you have to be a member, which I’m not yet.
Melinda: I just clicked on your name and discovered that you publish a literary magazine. That’s awesome!
I especially liked some of the tongue-in-cheek comments about commas on your “style” page. I think I just might subscribe.
I also was unfamiliar with the term “chick lit.” Now that I know what it means
(Thanks to Sarah) I can answer the question. I have read some of the that type of book. I agree with the sentiments that they are “all the same” definitely a light easy read, but in my opinion there is nothing substatnial in them. Kind of like cotton candy. My favorite books are by Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens, Bodie Thoene and Victor Hugo (Les Miserables). I do have a decent sized library and huge passion for reading. If only I had more time…
After my job and my family my church is the next biggest thing in my life.I’m there just about every time the doors are open (3 times a week). I’m involved in a nursing home ministry, children’s ministry, bible study and our churches’ video ministry program (videotaping meetings, editing and distributing films and even making our own movies!) I love every minute of it!
Sarah: How fun that someone else is amused about comma use and misuse.
If you have any questions about the magazine or anything, just drop me an email. My email address is on the site.
1.) I love 19th century fiction, also! Right now I’m reading The Elsie Dinsmore series. I’ve also read the Mildred Keith series, which I really enjoyed! (Martha Finely, also.) Last fall I read Stepping Heavenward for the first time (Elizabeth Prentiss). Little Women, Old Fashion Girl have always been favorites. I also like to read things by Andrew Murry, J.R. Miller, Leslie Ludy- non-fiction Christian books, focusing on spiritual growth. And then sometimes I get sucked into the Amish series by Beverly Lewis!
2.) I help with the youth girls at my church (wed. and sunday, etc). Because I help with the girls, I do other activities with them, like a bible study once a week with one of the girls, or a random bible study or outing with one of them.
1. My day-to-day nonacademic reading falls into three basic categories: a) Classic lit (from Don Quixote to Jane Austen!) b) Puritan works (John Bunyan, Jeremiah Burroughs, Thomas Brooks, etc. They had such an incomparable grasp of the truths of Scripture!) c) Stuff by Elisabeth Elliot.
I tend to be anti-chick lit, even if it is based on Christian themes. Yes, I confess that I can become quickly engrossed in such books my self! But I tend to avoid thembecause they tend to be unrealistic and there are so many better books to be reading!
2) I’m a member of my home church and attend the three services and prayer meeting each week. I also help out with the piano accompaniment and work in the nursery as scheduled. At my college church, I attend the three services on Sundays and help prepare the refreshments for our weekly college book study. This semester, I’ve also gotten the opportunity to tutor the children of one particular family twice a week with some other students. And I’m on the women’s retreat committee.
I teach first grade and find that I don’t have much time to read outside of children’s literature during the school year. But the reading I am doing is on Church History for my sunday school class.
I don’t like chick lit (and romance movies for that matter) because it gets me racing ahead of where God has me right now. I liked someone else’s description of it as fluff.
At church I’m in charge of the digital recording of sermons,I’m working on banners for decorating the sanctuary,I’m involved in a home group, and I help set-up on Sunday when it’s my turn on the schedule.
I have such a variety of books that I liked to read: non-fiction on social issues (poverty and welfare, human rights issues, amnesty, etc), Christian fantasy/mythpoeic literature (Lewis, Tolkien, etc), some Christian non-fiction authors (Josh Harris, Amy Carmichael, Elisabeth Elliot, classics, and historical fiction (Rosemary Sutcliff especially). Obviously being a Christian, I don’t feel good about reading secular Chick lit with its clear lack of morality, but when you said that, I associated it with “Christian Chick lit”. The type you see in Christian bookstores – lack of depth, romance about airhead women, etc. (I can think of titles, but perhaps I should avoid them!) To me, that simply perpetuates a lack of depth and spirituality in us as women, but also perpetuates the attitude that it’s all right for women to be nothing but brainless objects for men to enjoy. At least some of those novels.
Involvement in church…my dad is a pastor, so that puts me in a position to do little misc things. Mainly, though, I help lead music for worship services, play the piano sometimes, do childcare for church events, help out with potlucks, etc.
1. Althought I love to read, I don’t much time for it with school and work. As far as fiction, I love books by Jane Austen, Grace Richmond, Louisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, etc. I also like _Not My Will_ by Frances Arnold and _Crimson Roses_ by Grace Livingston Hill (that one is out of print now, I think). I enjoyed _The Hobbit_ and I want to read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but I’m finding it hard to find the time! I also have started reading some poetry lately, and I really like some of Tennyson works. As far as non-fiction, I have been most blessed through John Piper’s books (especially _Don’t Waste Your Life_) and Jennifer Lamp’s book _His Chosen Bride_.
2. Because I attend a small church, and we don’t have a nursery or many activities, I can’t say that I’m extremely involved in church. I am the church pianist, and I help out whenever we do have activities. I also help sometimes with cooking meals for families in the church who are going through difficult times (illness, etc.). Our church family is very close, though, so we all help one another out whenever and however we can.
I love to read a variety of books, I love fiction by Frank Peretti, I love the Left Behind Series I also love suspence by Sidney Sheldon & Mary Higgins Clarke.
Some of my favorite non fiction books are books that speak directly to women and their place in the body of Christ e.g. Women of Destiny by Cindy Jacobs, Women of Character, Becoming a Woman of Excellence and many more.
Chick lit… I must confess I do enjoy it. I love to lose myself in a Lori Wick, Janet Oak or Grace Livingston Hill romance, I like their old fashioned dipiction of love as opposed to some of the fast paced romance novel of today.
involvement in church… I’ve been
Sunday School Superintendent and teacher at my church for the past 6 or seven years, I also assist with the youths and make myself useful in whatever capacity I can
I don’t really read chick lit, it just doesn’t have much substance.
I enjoy reading books on Christian living, theology, biographies. I read classics like Pride and Prejudice etc.
My favorite authors are Elisabeth Elliot, John Macarthur, John Piper, Joshua Harris, Carolyn McCulley.
My church is small and isn’t into programs so my involvement is in regular attendance, prayer, fellowship, providing meals for families, helping with events and special music.
I”m enjoying Oscar Wilde’s plays right now – so many years after he wrote it his plays still have the ability to make me laugh!
I tend not to read ‘chick lit’ books – the plots are just so thin! the writing varies from bad to competent but never good. The characters tend to be the same and a sex scene thrown in for good measure.
I’m currently involved in Youth Group leadership – it’s a small church with about 7 young people. And from time to time playing my flute in church.
I love to read, but right now I am consumed with required reading for school. The last book I read for pleasure was one that was recommended on this site, I Will Follow, by Bethany Torode and Clare Cook. It was amazing! I don’t know whether to classify it as “chick-lit” or not, as it does not follow the typical formula of that genre in the end.
One of my interests is in the trend of local churches becoming more entertainment than worship centered. A good book that I am reading on this topic now is “Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down” by Marva J. Dawn.
As for church involvement, I attend Sunday school and worship on Sunday. I also teach 1st through 3rd grade GAs (Girls in Action, a girls’ club focusing on missions).
I like to read true books about people who have lived. Currently I’ve been enjoying reading about president’s wives. I like biographys a lot. I also enjoy reading books by old authors such as J.R. Miller and J. A. James etc.
As far as chick lit books, a term I was heretofore unfamiliar with –I certainly don’t like/enjoy them at all. I’m very anti- chick lit.
For me, it’s a gross waste of time… to spend time reading a book with no value whatsoever when you could be bettering yourself!
My church involvement is playing the piano on Sunday evenings every third week, keeping the one baby we have quite regularly so the mama can sit and listen. She doesn’t understand English, so she wouldn’t be able to hear if she was in the nursery — so I can be back there and still hear… we have a man who translates for her and her husband, so I try to free her up to be able to sit and listen. I’m available for babysitting any of the church kids for anything the parents need to do and have in the past babysat a lot so the parents could have a Bible study. I help mama organize women’s fellowships and clean the church with my family when our turn comes around. I also take care of all the missionary letters.
At the moment, I’m reading a lot of non-fiction books, especially the biography/testimony type from various Christian authors. I recently found an excellent one about the Wilder family (yes THAT one! It begins with Almanzo’s uncle and goes through five generations). I always have a few books on the go – at the moment it’s ‘Hinds Feet on High Places’, a book on hearing the voice of God, and ‘My Utmost for His Highest’. I have been reading a few by Colin Forbes, but they are EXTREMELY violent and have a lot of bad language, so I’ll be giving them a miss in future!
As for chick lit, I detest it and avoid it at all costs! Cotton candy for the mind. I have flicked through a couple and although they can be engrossing, they have little of value in them. The characters are all the same, and there is a strong tendency to replace love with sex, even in the ones that claim to have a nobler theme. A waste of time, money and paper – and I was disappointed to find that even the Christian ones are little different. They might mention that the character prays or goes to church, but the values seem to be worldly – looks, boyfriends, etc.
My involvement in church is a limited right now as I have only just joined my current church. I attend on Sundays, and have started helping out sometimes with the young people’s group and with music for the mid-week service. I participated in a women’s service this month, and attend a Bible study group. I’m hoping to get more involved, especially with music, and maybe the bookstall; I would LOVE to run Dannah Gresh’s retreat on sexual purity for young women. Unfortunately my current church is stuck in a bit of a rut, so it’s a struggle to find truly God-honouring areas of minstry. For example, I didn’t join the women’s group because it seems to just be a gossipy social group, and I’m longing for something more than that!
At my previous church I sang, helped with various outreach/discussion courses, and helped out with the kids’ summer club. At my college church I led the music group and Bible study, helped with prayer meeting, helped with (and eventually ran) Alpha (an outreach course), and was a member of the chapel committee. I occasionally led two of the weekday fellowship groups, attended morning and evening services, preached once (!), and participated in retreats, campus missions, charity fund-raising (mainly with my gospel choir) and prayer events. And somehow got my degree too – only by God’s grace and strength! As you can tell I’m feeling a bit like I’m on the shelf at the moment, and I’m longing to get involved in service again.
I have to admit I’m a fiction nut, to which I’ve probably read a bit out of every category. My favourite genre would have to me historical fiction (e.g. Bodie Thoene). I’ve recently enjoyed getting into some classics (e.g. Gone With the Wind and a few of the Bronte Sister’s works). And earlier I was heavily into Christian romance/historical fiction novels (e.g. Linda Chaikin, MaryAnne Minatra, Lori Wick). I enjoy general Christian living books (e.g. Josh Harris) and love thought-provoking biographies/autobiographies (e.g. The Hiding Place, The Heavenly Man, Bible Smuggler).
Reading for me is a de-stressing scape-goat in most cases and when in the mood I’ve enjoyed running away in a chick-lit. As previous girls have mentioned, if you get the right author, they can be fun, delightful, harmless books. I’m not sure if she counts as pure chicklit, but I love Robin Jones Gunn’s The Glenbrook Series, simply because she took romance and comedy and made it into something more than just a nice story. My sisters and I have been challenged spiritually by her books on more than one occassion.
My church involvement is very minor at present. We are currently in the middle of moving to a new location with a delightful family-knit church where I hope to become more involved with counseling pre-teen girls and lending a hand to the mothers of larger families. I also plan to get involved in the weekly prayer meetings.
Hope this helps!
Reading? What’s that? LOL I’m kidding. I been so busy lately that the re-occuring “up-until-2:30AM-on-Friday-nights” has kinda faded. The last couple books I’ve read have been non-fiction — various spiritual topics — oh, and Jeannie’s novel + “I Will Follow”.
Given the time, I’d love to dive into more classics, such as a couple Dickens’ novels or “The Count of Monte Cristo”. I DO read fiction, but have a hard time finding things that aren’t all romantic fluff or heart pounding adventure with little point or downright weird. Don’t think I’ve ever read a “chick lit” book…nor do I want to. 
As for involvement in our church, I’m trying to phase out because of the move to TX. But our secret sisters program is still running (although it ends on the 26th), and my friends and I hosted a Valentine’s Banquet for the parents a couple weeks ago. Otherwise, not much. Any further ideas are being reserved for my “home away from home” church.
You’ve got me totally curious, — who is the author? And what’s her project exactly?
1. I read a mixed combination of books – classics, “spiritual classics” (such as C.S. Lewis), and what I guess you might call children’s literature (Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, etc.). Sometimes I pick up something on a random topic, like the history of underwater basket-weaving, just to mix it up a little. =)
I don’t care for chick lit very much at all. Books in this category don’t seem very substantial or realistic, but of course this is just my opinion.
2. My church is just getting started, so right now my involvement is pretty much just volunteering to bring refreshments and signing up to be on a service team to lend a hand in the community soup kitchen and shelter.