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In the Top Ten Tuesday this week readers were asked to share some book turn-offs. I noticed that a lot of people had pop culture as a huge pet peeve of theirs. This has been a topic that I have wanted to discuss lately, so I figured this was the best week to do so.
Does pop culture belong in a book?
Ultimately, I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer. In my opinion, I don’t really like reading books with strong pop cult references, but it is most certainly the author’s right to include it in their novel.
What’s your opinion on the matter?
When does pop culture work in a book?
I know I just said that I don’t like pop cult in a book, but I think that sometimes it adds to a story. When references are current I will probably read right over them without thinking about it. If the reference isn’t in-your-face-obvious, I think it is much easier to pull off and much more appealing. I do think there are certain genres that call for the occasional pop cult reference, like contemporary. Then, pop cult can support and help the world-building/setting. Also, novels set in later decades (like Eleanor & Park) should reference some pop cult to make the story more convincing and to help the reader picture the lifestyles of people in that time.
Do you think that certain genres lend themselves to including pop culture references? When does pop cult work for you?
When doesn’t pop culture work in a book?
The downside of including relevant pop culture allusions is that one day they will be outdated. When I am reading a story and there is talk of a show or celebrity that was big at the time but isn’t so anymore, it pulls me from the story. This is especially true when I am reading a paranormal novel. Like, how can Miley Cyrus exist in a novel full of ghosts and vampires and supernatural powers? For example, when I read Onyx the Jonas Brothers were mentioned. It was just too weird to be reading about aliens and then have the characters talk about the Jonas Brothers (which is also coincidentally a dated reference). I mentioned in my review of Being Jamie Baker that there were some dated and odd pop cult references that didn’t blend well with the story. It seems as though I can find more reasons as to when pop culture doesn’t work than when it does.
Do we share any opinions? Can you think of other examples?
Are you a fan of pop culture in a book? Why or why not? Any other thoughts on the topic you want to share? Any and all discussion welcome.
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In Italics 
Christine @ Oh, Chrys!
Pop culture references when used in moderation do not bother me. While I do prefer to read current ones, most of the time, I let outdated ones pass. If an author wishes to talk about now-extinct bands, I excuse him or her because the book was written in a more accurate time. Now if a 2013 book, heralded Jessica Simpson as a thriving queen of pop, then I’d be suspicious. Concisely. I am not bothered by them once they make logical sense (publication date vs. date of pop culture reference) and are not superfluous.
Arial at In Italics
I am also okay with dated pop culture references because obviously they won’t stay current forever. The reason Onyx’s mention of the Jonas Brothers was weird to me was because it was published in 2012, quite some time after their popularity had declined.
So far, you are the first person to say they don’t mind pop culture references too much. I am curious to see who else will share your opinion!
Thanks for being a part of this discussion!
Cee
I really dislike books that has pop culture references because those books get dated extremely fast. Five years from now, those references won’t apply to the present world. It distracts me from the plot and makes me cringe. At times, those pop culture references make me feel old and it feels forced, almost like the author is trying to be cool for pulling out these references. Every time that happens, I go “please stop.”
Like you said, pop culture references is better if it’s vague or kind of nostalgia-based (a person thinking about what they used to watch) or about music (which can never be outdated).
Arial at In Italics
I just replied to Christine’s comment that I can forgive a book for having outdated pop culture references when it was published a while ago. But, also like you, outdated references draw me out of the story. I can totally see how the references can feel forced! When I can tell a pop culture reference has been included simply because it made the characters seem cooler, I get annoyed as well.
I think the subtle, “vague” references are the best too. It is interesting to hear that you think music can never be outdated. What exactly do you mean by this? Do you mean styles of music or bands?
I appreciate you participating in the discussion.
Kayla Sanchez
I think you nailed it on the head when you say that it’s fine in moderation, and especially when it’s a bit more subtle. More of a backdoor allusion than an outright reference, I guess. Like a borrowed line from a cult movie or something like that – you’ll get it if you’ve seen the movie, and then you get that little smirk because you understand.
But if it’s just throwing names out there to be “cool” – no. I literally cringe when I see the word iPhone in a book. I don’t know why, I just can’t stand it at all. Like some people and the word moist.
Arial at In Italics
You are the second to agree that subtle references are the best way to include pop culture in a book. I love getting that smirk when I have picked up on something only because I have seen/heard/read it. When it is hidden well enough to not distract from the story but still be fun for readers who get the reference, I really like it.
iPhone is a killer word in my opinion too! I recently read a book series where the character constantly talked about her Mac, or her MacBook, or her MacBook Air. Needless to say, I would have preferred the word laptop instead. Most people and the word moist definitely do not get along! I don’t have a problem with that word though.
Thanks so much for being a part of the discussion!
Meggy (Adrift on Vulcan)
Fab discussion, Arial! You probably know that I’m not a fan of pop culture in books, and they tend to bias my opinion of the book on the whole as a result. But I have read some books where pop cult references were used pretty frequently, and I was still able to enjoy the story. A good example is THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales. There were a lot of references to bands and songs, and the weirdest part is that it didn’t bother me a single bit. Then again, the title probably gave me a sort of warning, so does it still count…?
I think, though, that it really depends on what kind of book it is. Like, if it was a fantasy/paranormal book, and references to Apple products were made (I’ve come across this before and it was not pretty), then that would only serve to annoy me, and my opinion will probably decrease as well. But if this were a contemporary novel, perhaps I’d be more willing to let it slide, because contemps are usually set in our current world, so these things would probably add more to the environment of the story. But, like you said, they must also be used in moderation, otherwise, regardless of whatever book it is, I’d probably get REALLY annoyed.
But overall, I just feel like books will be better off without pop culture, because it tends to take away its impact on me. UNLESS, and a very big unless, your book IS about pop culture. Then that’s an entirely different story!
Arial at In Italics
You were one of the bloggers I had in mind when starting this discussion! I hoped you would stop by to share your thoughts and am so glad you did.
I can definitely see why This Song Will Save Your Life would need pop culture references to strengthen the story. The title does clue the reader into the fact that the book will probably mention current references to bands and the like. While I haven’t read the book myself I think the book could count as a good example of pop culture in books.
We share the same opinion when it comes to paranormal and pop culture. I have also read a paranormal story where the characters constantly referred to Apple products, and it really started to bother me. I forgive pop culture references in contemporaries much easier than in other genres, and I think it’s because, like you said, they are typically set in our world.
Of course if a book is about pop culture it is a completely different story. 🙂
Nikki @ The Paper Sea
I tend not to be a fan of pop culture references, unless they really add something to the story. So, for example, saying a character is a fan of the boyband, 5ive (uh…old UK boyband from when I was a kid, haha), for development/to showcase her personality is likely to get a groan from me and will make me look down on the book as a whole, but in the case of This Song Will Save Your Life I felt like it worked with the story.
For me, whether the references work or not depends on what’s being referenced. I typically dislike them because they outdate the books really quickly, but if they’re referencing something that’s basically timeless (in the case of music,something like Nirvana, Oasis, Elton John) then that doesn’t happen. It would alter characterisation, e.g. character is more the older the reference gets, but it wouldn’t drastically alter the whole book as much.
Arial at In Italics
Ooh, you are the second person to say that This Song Will Save Your Life is a book that uses pop culture well. I have yet to read that book, but hopefully I can get my hands on a copy soon.
I think references get dated really quickly too, which is why I typically don’t like them. You have a very interesting point though – that some pop culture is timeless and would never be outdated. I think in that case I wouldn’t be as bothered by it. Also, I really like how you pointed out that pop culture can be used as a sort of indirect characterize .
Thanks for joining the discussion!
acps927
I agree with you that a lot of times, it dates a book in a not so good way. It only takes a couple of years for a band or some sort of tech to become irrelevant. Obviously it’s fine if the year is clearly established and it’s not meant to be just contemporary, but otherwise, no thanks!
Arial at In Italics
I think the fact that pop culture gets dated is the main reason that I don’t like it in my books. I guess if the year was clearly stated I would like the references more because it adds to the setting. I agree with you though that if the year is ambiguous and pop culture is referenced it doesn’t work well.
I appreciate you joining the discussion.
ashleyc29
I don’t mind pop culture in a book unless it overloads the book. The occasional reference is okay, but I prefer my books not to have them. It can definitely date a book as the book gets older. I think it only works well for books told in the past like you mentioned. I read Ready Player One (amazing book), which is a book set in the future and the entire book is one big pop culture reference, but it works because that’s what the plot revolves around.
Arial at In Italics
It seems like the overall consensus so far has been that most people don’t mind the occasional reference. I think they can really date a book too. I haven’t heard of Ready Player One, but I am glad that it is an example of a book with good pop culture. It sounds like it makes the futuristic setting more believable. Another book that seems to use pop culture well is This Song Will Save Your Life.
Thanks for joining the discussion!
flipthatpage
HMM… I sort of think I am at a neutral standstill when it comes to pop cult! I like it sometimes, because it makes the characters feel like they’re real people when they deal with real celebrities or movies, but I do share that fear that when the pop cult reference gets outdated, so will the book I’m reading, And that’s hardly something I want happening D: So yeah, a little torn on this one XD But great discussion 🙂
Arial at In Italics
I can understand remaining neutral! There are pros and cons to each side, so it can be hard to choose.
You have a good point when you say that pop culture can make the characters seem more realistic. For me, I guess the fear of the outdated references keeps me from really loving pop culture in my books.
Thanks for being a part of the discussion!
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Sandra @ Tea Between Bookss
Even though I’m not a huge fan of pop culture in books I sometimes do enjoy reading a book and thinking “Hey! That’s familiar!” and I think it really helps bulding a sense of authenticity in a book. Especially if it’s a contemporary where our world is shown in a way that it really is. If that kind of book misses out on something as important in our world as pop culture it is not really relatable.
Arial at In Italics
I think adding authenticity to a book is definitely a positive of pop culture in books.
I haven’t thought about how not adding pop culture would make the story not relatable, but it is a good point in contemporaries
Thanks for joining the discussion!
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Rinn (Rinn Reads) (@RinnReads)
Generally I don’t like it, but one book in which it REALLY works is Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Amazing pop culture references to do with 80s music, films and games =)
Arial at In Italics
You are the second person to mention Ready Player One! I think I will have to get my hands on a copy of this book. I would love to read about some pop culture references in the 80s.
Thanks so much for joining the discussion!