I can’t read serious books anymore

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

L O L

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

Exactly this. It's why the consolidation among publishing houses has been so tragic. It really is a small cabal of purchasing fiction editors in Manhattan who all subscribe to the same identity, progressive blah blah groupthink. And the result is a lot of tired and tedious words and not much literature. Pre-2000 literary fiction was much, much better.

There have been cultural trends throughout history. You all desperately need to broaden your reading horizons if you think it’s impossible to find a recently published book written by a white man (???) or not about progressivism.

[Anonymous]

Same op same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

I couldn't agree with you more. Ive been struggling with reading newer books and thinking I just don't like to read anymore. I picked up a few books from the 1990's and I'm back to enjoying reading. The crap the last few decades mind boggling.

[Anonymous]

I may be misunderstanding some of you, but I don’t think “serious” reads are necessarily depressing or upsetting.

What worries me is my own ability — because I have fallen out of the habit — to read books that require more concentration because they are more complicated or nuanced or because they require me to remember details that I didn’t take in because I was turning pages without taking in the writing while I guess my mind wandered.

I think the PP who suggested books like Erik Larson’s is right—work your way back into reading more detailed stuff.

Personally, when I’ve been low, I have found that reading about the plight of others (whether that means a Zola novel or the memoir of a girl who escaped the Khmer Rouge) offers a helpful serving of perspective on my own problems.

[Anonymous]

Whatever - just read whatever you like. David Sedaris?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

Exactly this. It's why the consolidation among publishing houses has been so tragic. It really is a small cabal of purchasing fiction editors in Manhattan who all subscribe to the same identity, progressive blah blah groupthink. And the result is a lot of tired and tedious words and not much literature. Pre-2000 literary fiction was much, much better.

I totally agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

I'm glad it's not just me who thinks this. I feel like most recent-ish books that people gush about as "must reads" have been disappointing. Fortunately, there are plenty of old books still waiting for me to read them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

I agree. There are still a couple of the old guard still writing who are doing a good job of it. John Banville is great and he's been going for decades.

What an odd take. Women and writers of color only write about social justice? And white people only write about "serious" topics?

I think you're over-reaching here.

Stating "if you're a white man you can't get published" is literally a lie.

That's true, but the rest of that poster's observations are unfortunately very apt.

[Anonymous]

I’m reading more fluff as I reach middle age. My actual life takes my entire brain and I have nothing left in the evenings. It’s fine. I read many serious books for the last few years, trying desperately to get help for my special needs son. We found the help. Now I am enjoying my rest and my fluffy fiction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m reading more fluff as I reach middle age. My actual life takes my entire brain and I have nothing left in the evenings. It’s fine. I read many serious books for the last few years, trying desperately to get help for my special needs son. We found the help. Now I am enjoying my rest and my fluffy fiction.

Go for it PP. If you're reading anything at all during this life stage, you're winning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

I agree. There are still a couple of the old guard still writing who are doing a good job of it. John Banville is great and he's been going for decades.

What an odd take. Women and writers of color only write about social justice? And white people only write about "serious" topics?

I think you're over-reaching here.

Stating "if you're a white man you can't get published" is literally a lie.

+1000

The most heavily promoted books are by white authors, particularly white men.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure some people think the genre fiction I read is fluff, but historical mysteries and historical romances have taught me more history that sticks in my head than other kinds of books.

England's Vagrancy Act of 1824? Don't even get me started.

Anthony Comstock? My god, if you told me I'd have a least-favorite postmaster general, I'd think you were nuts.

France's extortion after Haiti's Revolution and the US's role? I will never, ever bank with CitiBank.

The East India Company? ARGH!

Seriously, though, don't let anyone tell you what you're reading isn't worthy.

The problem with some historical fiction (Like Phillipa Gregory) is they just make shit up. Gregory's particularly bad about this.

I agree. Fiction involving real life people has always baffled me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not you. Most modern literary fiction is awful. There has been a lot written about this; if you're a white man, e.g., you can't get published. The big publishers and the reviewers have built a cabal that recycles only women / BIPOC authors who write about social justice-type issues, and a lot of what passes for "serious" writing is just YA fiction with bigger words. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow was a great example of this--a terrible book, essentially YA, with a character list that could have been AI-generated for intersectional relevance. Go back to anything serious written between 1920 and 2000; there is a huge well of amazing writing that will make you realize that modern "literature" is a barren wasteland.

Oh my gosh, you've really cast yourself as a victim. So you're a white guy trying to get published and have decided that instead of your books just not being all that good, it's some sort of conspiracy against white guys? Mediocre white guys have gotten the lion's share of publishing contracts for centuries. In modern times, James Paterson, Stephen King, John Grisham, David Baldacci, Dan Brown, Dean Koontz, and the like have been rolling in dough and some of their books have been formulaic trash. The bar for white, male writers is LOW.


Women buy most of the books and we want more diverse stories than what the white guys are writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure some people think the genre fiction I read is fluff, but historical mysteries and historical romances have taught me more history that sticks in my head than other kinds of books.

England's Vagrancy Act of 1824? Don't even get me started.

Anthony Comstock? My god, if you told me I'd have a least-favorite postmaster general, I'd think you were nuts.

France's extortion after Haiti's Revolution and the US's role? I will never, ever bank with CitiBank.

The East India Company? ARGH!

Seriously, though, don't let anyone tell you what you're reading isn't worthy.

The problem with some historical fiction (Like Phillipa Gregory) is they just make shit up. Gregory's particularly bad about this.

Well, it's FICTION. They can make up characters while still informing readers about events, politics, etc.