I haven’t read a Cecelia Aherne either. Nor have I read a Tina Reilly but they must be doing something right to get so many people to buy their books. I am in the habit of reading a diverse range of material and I am proud to say that I am not so narrow minded as to cull books becasue of the genre they are in. There are only good books and bad books and if Tina and Cecelia were nominated, then obviously people enjoy thier work.

One must question the reason why the libraries nominated so many ‘literary’ works - (the most borrowed books of a particular year) and I can only conclude that it’s because people who read literary fiction do not believe in spending money on books, which is a sad reflection on them, don’t you think?

And markham, hang your conscience. If you want to give pleasure to people, write a book that they might actually go out and buy.

I met a couple of girls from Griffith College, where Cecelia apparently studied journalism. Her work wasn’t looked upon that favourably in the halls of Griffith, in fact I’m told it was openly mocked. One has to wonder whether or not she would have even got a foot in the door if Daddy wasn’t who Daddy is.

I wish I could write such commercially viable stuff. But my conscience is intent on keeping me poor for now.

On crocodile’s L’Ecrivainalogy, when I eat a meal I expect my stomach to be filled, and for the passage of food past my tongue to be a pleasant one. When I read a book, I expect a synapse or two to spark at the very least.

Cecelia’s books are all filler, but wholly unfulfilling. At least after choking back a MacDonalds there’s a few moments of satisfaction before the meat sweats set in.