by
Nicky Wells
Chicken Broth. What’s not to love? It’s
tasty and nourishing, easy to make and delicious. It fills you up and warms you
through, yet it’s not too heavy and it’s definitely not fattening. It’s
versatile, too. Add some sweetcorn (whole or mushed) or Chinese cabbage,
chillies or mushrooms for a different heat level and a different taste
sensation. Carb it up with noodles or croutons, or enjoy it clear. The taste universe
is yours to play with, but you’ll always walk away from a good bowl of chicken
broth feeling cheered and satisfied and all-round happy. (And smug, too,
because you’re extremely unlikely to overindulge on the calorie front).
Chick lit is just the same. Chick lit is
chicken broth for the soul. It’s fun, and it warms you through, but it doesn’t
require any seriously heavy lifting. The skill of the chick lit author lies in
bringing you emotion in a light-hearted way, in making you laugh through the
tears and cheer through the despair. Contemporary chick lit tackles all manner
of hefty issues in addition to romance. I’ve read about bereavement and
illness, loss, despair and heartbreak, but it’s done in a positive way that
makes you feel better about life. And, of course, there’s always the happy
ending that allows you to put down the book smiley and smug.
But there’s more, isn’t there? Everyone has
a bit of a chick lit heroine in her. Well, okay, that’s a sweeping
overstatement, I agree. At the end of the day, I can’t speak for everyone. Really, I can only speak for
myself. But I know that I certainly have a bit of a chick lit heroine in me.
I’m ditzy, seductive, funny, sexy, clumsy, supportive, warm, caring—and
occasionally, I’m all of those things at the same time. Chick lit heroines help
me discover myself and encourage me to try new things. You know, you read a
scene and you think, wow, I wish I could have done that… I wish I could have
said that, or reacted like that. And a short while later, you find occasion to
do just that. Weekend mini-break with
unscheduled dip in the pond, anyone?
Of course, we’re not all turning into
imitation Bridget Joneses or Becky Bloomwoods. But don’t you think that reading
a cracking chick lit novel has the power, even just occasionally, to change how
you feel about things in your life?
Doesn’t it give you hope? And happiness? Isn’t that simply amazing? And isn’t it even more amazing that all of that happens in
a really fun, bubbly, cheerful way? The world is plenty gloomy, so we can all
do with some chicken broth for the soul. Chick lit rules, I say! And now I have
to go and make some chicken broth. I think today I fancy the hot and spicy
version with chillies and noodles. How about you?
Nicky’s Favourite Chicken Broth Recipe
