A few people around here have mentioned that the summertime leaves a lot to be desired for us avid TV watchers. How true that is. In my home, after our last finale, my husband and I turn to each other and ask when football season starts. The next night, we break out the Scrabble.

However, during those long hot summer days I like to find myself sitting by the pool reading a good book - about TV! Last year was a no brainer, Bill Carter's Desperate Networks is a must-read for anyone hung up on the TV industry. This year I just picked up summer reading Book #1, and am already about halfway through. Unlike, Desperate Networks, Textual Poachers focuses on TV Fans, not the shows themselves or even industry insiders. It is about you and me. It's about the types of people who sent their NUTS to CBS to try desperately to save Jericho. It's about the world of television fandom written from a sociological and anthropological perspective. It is actually a slightly older book, written in the early 90's, so it talks a lot of Star Trek, Beauty and The Beast, Quantum Leap, Twin Peaks, and other 80's cult shows. However, the discussion still resonates with shows of today. Besides, I have no doubt that there are fans of the afore mentioned shows right here reading this blog. The text discusses the differences between being a regular viewer of a program, or of TV in general, and being a Fan of a particular show. It talks about taking ownership in a program, "reworking" the "text" to get out of the show that which we are looking to find, and about community - the relationships of the fans with one another and with the writers. It points out the rather interesting differences between male and female fans, and shows that each tend to gravitate towards and why. And more importantly, it respects those of us who care about our shows. I've read countless stories of "those crazy Trekkies/Trekkers" and the like. I've been told that my own love for certain programs is unhealthy. This book introduces television fans as members of a legitimate sub-culture. Not only does it make me feel entirely better about my own interests, but it is truly a fascinating look at my fellow TV Addicts.

So for anyone looking for an interesting summer TV read, I highly suggest this book. Textual Poachers by Henry Jenkins. And if anyone else has suggestions for a great TV read, I'm taking suggestions for Summer Reading Book #2!