Wondering about Chick Lit

If you've taken a look at my July book reviews, over in Recommended Reads, you probably noticed that both of them are Chick Lit. One verges on being women's fiction and the other is a romantic suspense which I later learned is now referred to as Chick Thrill. Who knew?

Anyway, I'm in this whole inquiry about what really defines Chick Lit?

I know when it first started, it was about twenty-somethings with the story focused on the journey of the heroine and shopping. It seemed like lots of shopping and fashion issues and the latest latte concoction. And the happily-ever-after wasn't guaranteed. Which I enjoyed, along with, it appears, a whole lot of other people.

But now, it seems to be morphing every day. So, I'm trying to figure out what really defines this new genre that's already spawning sub genres like crazy

Is it the voice and the attitude?

Is it first person point of view exclusively? Which is disproven with Julie Kenner's "The Givenchy Code."

Is it caring more about one character's interpretation of the events in the story than any other perspective?

Well, if you're reading on, looking for brilliant insights, you won't find them here. I dunno. All I know for sure is that the difference between genres keeps blurring. Then again, it could be the latest marketing spin and not have anything to do with the writing.

My gut feeling is that it's about the attitude, a little snarky, coming from a character who's not afraid to make fun of herself as she feels her way through life. She may be afraid to make mistakes and look like a dweeb, but that never stops her from trying. Probably because she's the kind of character that wants to find out what her options are and not settle for life as it looks right now.

That's the closest I can get for now. If you have any insights you'd like to share, please do. I'd love to hear them. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading,
Ardath