Anonymous
Post 05/19/2023 16:03     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
I loved Lilac Girls despite the terrible "purple prose" writing. The plotline I found the most meaningful was the one based on a true story!
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2023 16:00     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is lowbrow?


I imagine it's crap writing combined with silly plots. (Don't get me wrong, I've read probably 90% of the stuff listed on here and loved it!)

Stephen King is a great writer and his plots aren't silly, but I think he gets docked because of the supernatural/horror aspect. Such a pity because he's actually one of my favorite authors of all time and truly a phenomenal writer. The supernatural/horror stuff is beside the point, just like the Sopranos wasn't really a show just about the mafia.


He gets docked for bad inconsistencies of characters for the sake of plot. Did you read the latest book?

What's his latest? He cranks them out so fast it's hard to keep straight.
I loved the Mr. Mercedes series.
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2023 14:01     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What is lowbrow?


I imagine it's crap writing combined with silly plots. (Don't get me wrong, I've read probably 90% of the stuff listed on here and loved it!)

Stephen King is a great writer and his plots aren't silly, but I think he gets docked because of the supernatural/horror aspect. Such a pity because he's actually one of my favorite authors of all time and truly a phenomenal writer. The supernatural/horror stuff is beside the point, just like the Sopranos wasn't really a show just about the mafia.


He gets docked for bad inconsistencies of characters for the sake of plot. Did you read the latest book?
Anonymous
Post 05/19/2023 10:04     Subject: Re:Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will read anything and everything by Stephen King.


Same here but he is NOT lowbrow.


Sure he is, he patches it all together in a really basic, anti-literary way. It doesn't mean it's not a great page turner, but it's never literary art

I'm really not a literary critic at all, but I read a lot and love the way he creates characters. You can understand their motivation so well. His dialog is quite realistic, too, IMO.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2023 20:57     Subject: Re:Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I will read anything and everything by Stephen King.


Same here but he is NOT lowbrow.


Sure he is, he patches it all together in a really basic, anti-literary way. It doesn't mean it's not a great page turner, but it's never literary art
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2023 11:30     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I read the entire Slough House series by Mick Herron. That probably fits the definition of lowbrow but I did enjoy them!!

Also +1 Elizabeth, Jessica was kind of a b.


I read these semi-secretly in high school and loved the whole good twin/bad twin thing. Imagine my delight when the arts institute I attended got a pair of beautiful blonde identical twins, and one was sweet and one was kind of a betch


Hilarious!

I loved these books. For anyone wondering what lowbrow is ... I could go to the bookstore at the mall, basically read through a whole SVH book sitting on the floor of the bookstore, then buy another one to read at home. Lowbrow is quick, easy-to-read, doesn't require much analysis or even much thinking.
Anonymous
Post 05/17/2023 15:22     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Has anyone read Jackie Collins books?
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2023 21:58     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t think I’m snobby but I have a hard time finding low brow books that don’t irritate me (like the characters in Grisham or Moriarty all drive me nuts). I really liked Bridget Jones diary and would like more fun reads like this.


Where’d You Go Bernadette


I'd consider that one a cut above lowbrow, but it's a fast and entertaining read. Loved all the snark about schools and neighbor dynamics. The movie with Cate Blanchett was pretty decent.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2023 13:59     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
The Sookie Stackhouse series was fun.

Anonymous
Post 05/01/2023 13:51     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Omg. You are my people. I love Valley of the Dolls with a passion, and IRL I know only one other person who liked Swet Valley High. This is awesome!


Jessica or Elizabeth?


I always liked Jessica, but felt like the author wanted us to be sympathetic and like Elizabeth more.

I read so many of these when I was about 14.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2023 13:46     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:What is lowbrow?


I imagine it's crap writing combined with silly plots. (Don't get me wrong, I've read probably 90% of the stuff listed on here and loved it!)

Stephen King is a great writer and his plots aren't silly, but I think he gets docked because of the supernatural/horror aspect. Such a pity because he's actually one of my favorite authors of all time and truly a phenomenal writer. The supernatural/horror stuff is beside the point, just like the Sopranos wasn't really a show just about the mafia.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2023 13:44     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:I loved the Shopaholic books that came out about 15 years ago.

Oh, and Philippa Gregory's books about the Tudors.


These are great!

I also love the Shopaholic books and most by Sophie Kinsella although I agree with a PP that they haven't been as good lately.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2023 13:43     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I read the entire Slough House series by Mick Herron. That probably fits the definition of lowbrow but I did enjoy them!!

Also +1 Elizabeth, Jessica was kind of a b.


I read these semi-secretly in high school and loved the whole good twin/bad twin thing. Imagine my delight when the arts institute I attended got a pair of beautiful blonde identical twins, and one was sweet and one was kind of a betch


I have blonde girl twins and sometimes I wonder which one is Jessica and which one is Elizabeth... They're only 9 but honestly they've switched back and forth over the years.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2023 13:42     Subject: Re:Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:I will read anything and everything by Stephen King.


Same here but he is NOT lowbrow.
Anonymous
Post 05/01/2023 13:41     Subject: Which lowbrow books do you love?
Anonymous wrote:Not a guilty pleasure for me, not at all ashamed to say I prefer thrillers, mysteries, suspense.

Currently reading the latest Jack Reacher.


You should try the Terminal List series. There are six of them. Also the audio books have a great narrator if you do those.