Rightly or wrongly, I'm one of those people that believe (within reason of course) that no matter what young people are reading, at least they are reading something - take our nephew for example, he isn't really interested in reading anything that's not football related (better still if its Newcastle United related) but at least he's reading something unlike Niece #1 who believes (despite our trying to persuade her otherwise) that ALL books are boring.
So, though not my idea of a good read by any stretch of the imagination, I was interested to see that Katie Price (once known as Jordan) had released a set of books all about ponies aimed at young girls as well as an autobiography that chronicled her life thus far - Niece #1 had gone to the lengths of BUYING this but it too has gone unread - that were proving popular.
Imagine my dismay then to read the following article in our local Sunday newspaper and to view this IMAGE on the Internet both of which detail the day that Jordan came to the area to sign copies of her latest book.
"Katie Price sparked a frenzy among fans yesterday as thousands clamoured to see the former glamour girl during her whistle stop tour of the North.
"The star - also known as Jordan - brought Newcastle city centre and the METROCENTRE in Gateshead to a stand-still at two separate events to promote her new book.
"And books certainly flew off the shelves when she attended the MetroCentre signing, although not quite in the way organisers intended - young fans proceeded to clamber all over the shop's stands to get a better view".
Now call me a book snob if you wish but most of these so-called fans of Jordan are just that - fans of Jordan - as opposed to fans of books and it may be controversial but I'd even go as far as to say that I'd put money on the fact that many of these people aren't usually book readers with some of them never having set foot in a book shop before. (And probably not doing so again until Jordan is back in town though I'd be very surprised if WATERSTONES, the shop in question, would have her back).
Apologies for my rant but, setting aside any other personal concerns I may have about Jordan and her business ventures, as a book lover, it both upsets and angers me to see books being destroyed in such a way.
SOURCES: Newspaper article, an edited version, courtesy of Coreena Ford reporting in the Sunday Sun. Internet image taken from the Sun's website.
12 comments:
Oh Petty, I know how you feel...it's icky, isn't it? It's like, why does she have to ooze herself onto something lovely like books and reading? Shudder.
Might be cynical of me Bybee but I think that question can be summed up in one word - money.
I don't know who this Jordan is, but her fans should be better behaved, (where were their parents?). But she does have them buying books. Some of them at least will get read and maybe they will pick up another book written by a 'more worthy' author.
Sorry Heather perhaps I should have included a link to Jordan for those who don't know who she is - I'm just reluctant to give the women any more publicity if I'm being honest but, to be brief, Jordan is a so-called 'glamour' model who made her name by appearing topless in several newspapers/magazines before going on to launch ranges in underwear, jewellery, books and several other things.
Totally agree with you. What bothers me as well, is that Jordan probably didn't write the books anyway. Some poor sucker wrote them and Jordan gets all the credit and the money. There is no way, with everything else she does, that she would have time to read them. I am not sure she could even string a whole sentence together!
Maybe some of the kids who bought Katie's book will actually find that they like reading!!! Fingers crossed!!! I could not imagine a life wihtout reading!!!
xxxx
Hi Tracy,
I think I'll have to agree with you on this one. It was probably a publicity stunt. And she probably hasn't even read her own book. Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a great evening!
Sherrie
Just Books
Katie Price sat on Graham Norton's couch the other night and said she'd written 35 books. I was shocked!
People want a show, and line up to buy the book so they can tell their friends they saw "Katie Price" or whoever the flavour of the day is.
It is is really sad.
Oh, no! No one messes with books. I'm always surprised when people say stuff like "I am not a big reader"...I've heard of those people, but have yet to meet one in person!
Hi Deidre, many thanks for joining us at Pen And Paper. Sadly I've met all too many people who are not big readers and several who are non readers - in my humble opinion, they don't know what they are missing.
Vivienne and Dutch donut girl: Like you both, I also find it hard to believe she's written one book let alone 35.
Kissed by an angel: I would truly love to believe that all those children reading books written by Jordan will grow up to appreciate books more than these 'fans' who trashed the book shop.
I dislike anything to do with 'celebrity'... over-rated it seems to me. And like you, wouldn't have been at all pleased to see books being treated in such a way, just to get a glimpse of someone you can see in most tabloids and 'gossip' magazines.
Oh dear. I'm all for getting young people to read ... but I'm all for politeness and respect of people's property too. This is a shame.
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