Discussion - Does It Have to Be "Important"?

This Week's Topic

Does It Have to Be Important?

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Hello, Friday! I recently read a book that was about a television family. Think Ozzy and Harriet, Leave It to Beaver, and Donna Reed. They had a wholesome family program where dad jokes dominated and everything was resolved by the end of the show. These were the shows I sought out as a kid. I was jealous of that calm and stability these families enjoyed. I wished June Cleaver was my mom. But alas, I lived in the real world and had to return to my scheduled life after 30 minutes of bliss.  

Back to this book, there was this one character who I found to be insufferable. She felt the show needed to tackle "important" topics. The idea was that this show, this entertainment was worthless because they weren't taking on feminism or abortion or other topics deemed worthy of this character's time. 

I am sorry, but I disagree with this whole line of thought. Different people are looking for different things when it comes to the entertainment they seek. I don't watch television, but I read, and I have heard this argument when people talk about books. And let me tell you, the number one way to get me NOT to read a book is for a reviewer to refer to it as "important". 

The world is chaotic and ugly, and I don't have a lot of control over what goes on out there, but I do get to choose the books I read, and I choose escape. I want to crawl into a world where things work out and endings are tidy. I want to feel good at the end of the book because that is what I need to nourish my soul. Why devalue something that makes people happy or brings them comfort? 

Just because a story doesn't involve BIG topics doesn't make them meaningless. There could be a storyline that is not "important" but does affect a character's life. It could also be something that a reader has experienced first hand, and I like seeing people make it though these common situations. It's encouraging and helpful to know I am not the only one who has experienced such things. 

Maybe it's me, but esteem these books. I revel in the warm-fuzzies, HEAs are my drug of choice, and up-lit is my poison. I am thankful that there are authors out there that see value in stories like this and am grateful that I get to read them. 

Now it's your turn!

Do you think book have to
cover important topics?
Let us know in the comments!