'Stop trying to rationalize what you like': Brian Francis shares 3 books on guilty pleasures
The Next Chapter contributor spoke with Antonio Michael Downing about indulging in donuts, reality TV and horr
Is there truly such a thing as a guilty pleasure? Canadian writer Brian Francis defines it as those indulgences in life that are reserved for only us and are often kept a secret. At the same time, especially in reading, he questions if calling certain genres guilty pleasures serves us any good.
"I think at some point in your life, you just have to stop trying to rationalize what you like. Stop trying to feel like you're not up to speed with everyone else and just do what you enjoy doing because you're happier when you do that… within moderation," said Francis.
Francis is the author of the Canada Reads 2009 shortlisted book Fruit and the memoir Missed Connections, which was a finalist for the 2022 Trillium Book Award, recognizing excellence in literature by Ontario writers.
He joined Antonio Michael Downing on The Next Chapter to spill some of his guilty pleasures, as well as books that explore why things like donuts and reality television are often seen as such.
The Donut by Steve Penfold
"All of us sort of have a food that maybe we know isn't maybe the best for us, but we can't help indulging in when we're feeling a certain way or coming home late at night … and certainly in Canada, I think donuts tend to be a bit of a guilty pleasure," said Francis.
In The Donut: A Canadian History scholar Steve Penfold delves into what makes the sugary pastry the unofficial national food. Examining the social and cultural impact of donuts as something found at most rest stops across the country, as well as the commercial impact of chains like Tim Horton's, Penfold notes donuts as key examples of consumerism in Canada in the twentieth century.
Penfold is a writer and professor at the University of Toronto. His work focuses on the cultural history of twentieth century Canada and his other works include A Mile of Make-Believe and The Worker's Festival.
Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum
"I think many of us have sort of conflicted emotions about [reality TV] in general. I think that for me, it's seeing people on TV sometimes that are either chasing after fame or they are perfectly fine with putting their messy lives on the screen for everybody to kind of watch and judge, but at the same time I can't stop watching it," said Francis.
Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV traces the origins of the pop culture genre and how it has evolved into the media seen today. Beginning with the turn from reality radio to television, then rise of the "dirty documentary" and then popularization of shows like Survivor or The Bachelor, staff writer for The New Yorker, Emily Nussbaum provides a comprehensive history of the genre.
Nussabaum is an American writer, culture critic and current staff writer for The New Yorker. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016 for criticism and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix
"Of all the movies and all the quality entertainment I could be indulging in right now, why am I going to Children of the Corn? … When I think about why I'm drawn to like horror, particularly bad horror, is that it reminds me probably of being a kid," said Francis.
Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction is a collection of iconic and forgotten horror book covers from decades past. Grady Hendrix, a fellow writer of the genre, explores the fascination with 'trashy' thrillers in this period and graphic design trends that sought to be the next Exorcist or Stephen King. This compilation also includes short insights to the artists and writers behind the spooky and sometimes cheesy paperback book covers.
Hendrix is an American horror novelist and screenwriter. His novels include How to Sell a Haunted House, The Final Girl Support Group and The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. He currently lives in New York.
Francis' comments have been edited for length and clarity.
