Enter the World of Smart Pop Books (Lit 101 Part 2)

Last week, I brought to our readers another list of Smart Pop Books that are dedicated to many of the popular works of fiction. To review, Smart Pop Books have been published by Benbella Books since 2003, covering topics ranging from Star Wars to Gilmore Girls to the work of Joss Whedon. The writers of these books are New York Times best-selling authors, television writers, psychologists, philosophers. They are actually anyone with a love of pop culture and who have something worth sharing.

Here is the second part of a three part list from their collection of books dedicated to popular literature:

Pride & Prejudice

In an effort to provide a “fresh perspectives on the original Chick-Lit masterpiece” Smart Pop Books created the book “Flirting with Pride & Prejudice,” which is dedicated to the Jane Austen classic, one of the most beloved novels of our time, transcending the literary world to earn a spot on every woman’s nightstand. As stated before, this book takes a fresh and humorous look at the classic tale of looking for Mr. Right, marrying rich and finding true love in the process.

You can get your copy of “Flirting with Pride & Prejudice” here.

Stephanie Plum

Next is the Smart Pop Book called “Perfectly Plum” that features unauthorized essays on the life, loves, and other disasters of the fictional character Stephanie Plum, Trenton Bounty Hunter as brought to life by author Janet Evanovich. The book speculates the cultural metaphors of the wildly popular mystery series (which includes eleven books).

According to the Smart Pop Books website, this anthology takes a look at lingerie-buyer-turned-bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum and catalogs her bad luck with cars, her good luck with men, her unorthodox approach to weapon storage, and the rich tapestry of her milieu: Trenton, New Jersey, also known as The Burg.

You can get your copy of “Perfectly Plum” here.

Spencer Mysteries

Then there is the Smart Pop Book “In Pursuit of Spenser” dedicated to the legendary character created by the late mystery writer Robert B. Parker. As shared at the website, Parker was an iconic American crime novelist whose books have sold more than 6 million copies worldwide and his best-known creation Spencer not only influenced the work of countless of today’s writers but is also credited with reviving and forever changing the genre.

You can get your copy of “In Pursuit of Spenser” here.

Harry Potter

Next up are two separate Smart Pop Books dedicated to the world of Harry Potter and its creator J. K. Rowling: “Mapping the World of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “The Psychology of Harry Potter”.

“Mapping the World of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice” offers a comprehensive look at the series through the eyes of leading science fiction and fantasy writers and religion, psychology and science experts.

Harry Potter

Meanwhile, “The Psychology of Harry Potter” is an unauthorized examination of the ‘Boy Who Lived’. This book is an examination of Harry, his friends and his enemies that take the readers through the psyche of the Muggle (and wizard) mind. According to the site, the twists and turns of the series, as well as the psychological depth and complexity of J. K. Rowling’s characters, have kept fans enthralled with and puzzling over the many mysteries that permeate Hogwarts and beyond.

You can get your copy of “Mapping the World of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice” here and your copy of “The Psychology of Harry Potter” here.

Chronicles of Narnia

Lastly, there are the two Smart Pop Books that are dedicated to the legendary classic Chronicles of Narnia series of books by author C.S. Lewis: “Through the Wardrobe” and “Revisiting Narnia”.

According to the website “Through the Wardrobe” is a collection of always thoughtful, frequently clever explorations of the series by sixteen popular young adult authors that proves the series is more than its religious underpinnings. Step through the wardrobe and into the imaginations of these friends of Aslan as they explore Narnia—from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to The Last Battle, from the heart of Caspian’s kingdom to the Eastern Seas.

Chronicles of Narnia

Meanwhile, according to the Smart Pop Books website, C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia have stimulated imaginations for more than half a century, inspiring childhood wonder, earnest faith and spirited debate regarding Christian doctrine. Widely studied and revered, Lewis’ Chronicles are structured around deep paradigms and resounding questions. Among those featured in “Revisiting Narnia” include: How do the books form such an intimate, personal bond with readers both young and old? Does Narnia betray some hidden Universalism in Lewis’ theology? What are we to think of the evil dark-skinned Calormenes from the South who seem to represent the Arab race? What really prevented Susan from entering Narnia? And What does Aslan’s characterization as a “tame lion” say about Lewis’ thoughts on providence?

You can get your copy of “Through the Wardrobe” here and you can get your copy of “Revisiting Narnia” here.

In next week’s column – the final of the three-part series – some of the popular books that were written about in the Smart Pop Books literature collection will include (but not be limited to) Eragon, the collective works by Michael Crichton and the War of the Worlds.

To find out more about Smart Pop Books, please visit their official website.