They do: lad-lit, or, if you're reading Cussler: dick-lit. I kid about the Cussler. Sort of. It *is* the male equivalent of chick-lit though, in the sense that it's their version of 'fluffy' entertainment. It's not going to make them weep into their beers or coffees, and I guess on some level the characters appeal to whatever it is about male bonding that makes it male bonding.
I don't mind the chick-lit label when it's used properly. Sometimes I want to read a book about female friendships, with or without romance (as long as the romance isn't the focus) - these books feel like the slumber parities of yore to me. :) Women's Lit ... well, it's a marketing label, but it still makes me think of serious, adult issues discussed with maturity and gravity. And probably tears, or at least a heavy dose of melancholia.
I can see how these books (which sound really good, btw) would be difficult to classify, from a marketing perspective. They're definitely not chick-lit, but calling them a straight up spy thriller probably would have doomed them in the shops; not a lot of women I know spare even a passing glance at the spy/thriller section of the shops, as they're dominated by a male POV. I don't mind a good spy story every once in a while, but even I avoid that section for fear of testosterone poisoning by osmosis. Likewise, a straight up Literature tag would likely keep the titles hidden, because mentally it's all Bronte, Twain, Austen, Dostoyevsky, etc.
When I get Mysterious Books' newsletter, they always break down the new releases by specific mystery genre, but they have one at the end called "Unclassifiable". These books sound like they'd be at home in this category. Bookshops everywhere should adopt it, I think, as really, who would be able to resist investigating the books on those shelves or tables?
I had not mentioned it, but this series was actually published by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. It sits on their shelves right between the original Bond series and that follow-on books. This makes me very happy. :)
I get what you're saying about having to find a shelf for them, but at the same time, this is meant to appeal to Bond fans, not necessarily your standard thriller afficionado. It should should sit with the rest of the Bond series and Trigger Mortis, Colonel Sun, and all the follow ons.
Oh, yes - next to the Bond books makes complete sense (with proper covers to reflect that they're part of the Bond story world. Although were I a shop owner, I'd likely shelve them in a couple of places, to ensure that they're seen.
I don't hate the covers as covers - but they are spectacularly awful for these books. They don't fit with what you've quoted or told us about at all. They verge on disrespectful to the work, imo.
I don't mind the chick-lit label when it's used properly. Sometimes I want to read a book about female friendships, with or without romance (as long as the romance isn't the focus) - these books feel like the slumber parities of yore to me. :) Women's Lit ... well, it's a marketing label, but it still makes me think of serious, adult issues discussed with maturity and gravity. And probably tears, or at least a heavy dose of melancholia.
I can see how these books (which sound really good, btw) would be difficult to classify, from a marketing perspective. They're definitely not chick-lit, but calling them a straight up spy thriller probably would have doomed them in the shops; not a lot of women I know spare even a passing glance at the spy/thriller section of the shops, as they're dominated by a male POV. I don't mind a good spy story every once in a while, but even I avoid that section for fear of testosterone poisoning by osmosis. Likewise, a straight up Literature tag would likely keep the titles hidden, because mentally it's all Bronte, Twain, Austen, Dostoyevsky, etc.
When I get Mysterious Books' newsletter, they always break down the new releases by specific mystery genre, but they have one at the end called "Unclassifiable". These books sound like they'd be at home in this category. Bookshops everywhere should adopt it, I think, as really, who would be able to resist investigating the books on those shelves or tables?
I get what you're saying about having to find a shelf for them, but at the same time, this is meant to appeal to Bond fans, not necessarily your standard thriller afficionado. It should should sit with the rest of the Bond series and Trigger Mortis, Colonel Sun, and all the follow ons.
I don't hate the covers as covers - but they are spectacularly awful for these books. They don't fit with what you've quoted or told us about at all. They verge on disrespectful to the work, imo.