"Well, at least they're reading." I find this statement to be incredibly short-sighted. At least they're reading WHAT??!! Pornography? Horror? Graphic diary of a serial killer? Let's apply this statement to eating. Would you let your child live off of marshmallows? Sure, the occasional marshmallow isn't going to do any harm, but what if that was all he or she ate? There are many marshmallow books on the market, and more are published every day.
Marshmallow books are frequently, but not always, poorly written. They have weak plots, and even weaker protagonists. The main message of a marshmallow book is usually so diluted, water looks thicker. A typical marshmallow theme is "being nice," "having fun," or "finding romance." Adult marshmallow books are easy to identify. They are sold in the grocery store, and often have air-brushed babes and oily chested hunks on the cover. Another type has the author's name in two inch high foil letters. Marshmallow books are not restricted by genre. Romance, mystery, western, and fantasy all have their marshmallows. I have even read Catholic marshmallows. Many times, marshmallow books are New York Times bestsellers.
When I read a book for review, first, I look for anything that might be objectionable or confusing for children. Then, I try to evaluate the merit of the book, whether or not is the worth the reader's investment. Reading a book requires an investment of time. Even if you never spend a dime on books, you are using hours of your lifespan when you read. Hopefully, this is time well spent in learning, or at the very least, in being entertained by something witty. Marshmallow books aim for entertainment of the lowest forms. Marshmallows can be addicting. I went through a big marshmallow phase in my teen years. It lasted for a month of poolside reading before I realized that every book in this particular series followed the exact same plot lines.
I was recently asked to review the Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott, and I realized that my review of content (acceptable) is not adequate. These books are cheap imitations of the much better Magic Treehouse series, by Mary Pope Osbourne.
How many marshmallows is too many? That's for parents to decide.
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Marshmallows
"Well, at least they're reading." I find this statement to be incredibly short-sighted. At least they're reading WHAT??!! Pornography? Horror? Graphic diary of a serial killer? Let's apply this statement to eating. Would you let your child live off of marshmallows? Sure, the occasional marshmallow isn't going to do any harm, but what if that was all he or she ate? There are many marshmallow books on the market, and more are published every day.
Marshmallow books are frequently, but not always, poorly written. They have weak plots, and even weaker protagonists. The main message of a marshmallow book is usually so diluted, water looks thicker. A typical marshmallow theme is "being nice," "having fun," or "finding romance." Adult marshmallow books are easy to identify. They are sold in the grocery store, and often have air-brushed babes and oily chested hunks on the cover. Another type has the author's name in two inch high foil letters. Marshmallow books are not restricted by genre. Romance, mystery, western, and fantasy all have their marshmallows. I have even read Catholic marshmallows. Many times, marshmallow books are New York Times bestsellers.
When I read a book for review, first, I look for anything that might be objectionable or confusing for children. Then, I try to evaluate the merit of the book, whether or not is the worth the reader's investment. Reading a book requires an investment of time. Even if you never spend a dime on books, you are using hours of your lifespan when you read. Hopefully, this is time well spent in learning, or at the very least, in being entertained by something witty. Marshmallow books aim for entertainment of the lowest forms. Marshmallows can be addicting. I went through a big marshmallow phase in my teen years. It lasted for a month of poolside reading before I realized that every book in this particular series followed the exact same plot lines.
I was recently asked to review the Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott, and I realized that my review of content (acceptable) is not adequate. These books are cheap imitations of the much better Magic Treehouse series, by Mary Pope Osbourne.
How many marshmallows is too many? That's for parents to decide.
Marshmallow books are frequently, but not always, poorly written. They have weak plots, and even weaker protagonists. The main message of a marshmallow book is usually so diluted, water looks thicker. A typical marshmallow theme is "being nice," "having fun," or "finding romance." Adult marshmallow books are easy to identify. They are sold in the grocery store, and often have air-brushed babes and oily chested hunks on the cover. Another type has the author's name in two inch high foil letters. Marshmallow books are not restricted by genre. Romance, mystery, western, and fantasy all have their marshmallows. I have even read Catholic marshmallows. Many times, marshmallow books are New York Times bestsellers.
When I read a book for review, first, I look for anything that might be objectionable or confusing for children. Then, I try to evaluate the merit of the book, whether or not is the worth the reader's investment. Reading a book requires an investment of time. Even if you never spend a dime on books, you are using hours of your lifespan when you read. Hopefully, this is time well spent in learning, or at the very least, in being entertained by something witty. Marshmallow books aim for entertainment of the lowest forms. Marshmallows can be addicting. I went through a big marshmallow phase in my teen years. It lasted for a month of poolside reading before I realized that every book in this particular series followed the exact same plot lines.
I was recently asked to review the Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott, and I realized that my review of content (acceptable) is not adequate. These books are cheap imitations of the much better Magic Treehouse series, by Mary Pope Osbourne.
How many marshmallows is too many? That's for parents to decide.
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