Brantford Public Library's Online Book Club discussion

In the last 5 - 10 years there has been a large amount of very popular fiction published that deals with terminal illnesses. These types of books are now jokingly referred to as Sick Lit.

Books like this are typically well received. They usually have lovable characters and they tend to tug at our heartstrings. But they also tend have have somewhat familiar story lines.

Have you read much of this type of fiction? Do you reach a point where you have had enough of this type of story line? Or do you find it to be a very satisfying type of read?

Lisa Genova mentioned in an interview that her next book was going to be focusing on ALS. Do you expect that you will read that book?

Well I have to admit that I won't be in any hurry to read Genova's next book and it's not because I don't enjoy her books. I thought Still Alice was amazing and I have read everything she has written since then, in the hopes of having another Still Alice reading experience. Unfortunately all her other books have fallen short of the mark for me. I thought they were all very decent stories and I tend to love her characters but none of them grabbed me the way Still Alice did. At this point, I am a little tired of reading about one sickness or condition after another. I do like to recommend her books to people though because I think they are very readable and will appeal to a large audience.

I haven't read much of this type of fiction. I read Still Alice as well and thought it was very moving and a great story.
I remember years ago Teen Fiction author Laurelene McDaniel (correct spelling?) had lots of tragic story lines. Everyone died off and the teens LOVED these books.
I won't be reading her next book.