Oops, misread the brief - those two quite emotional. Try anything by Jane Fallon, I've read Getting Rid of Matthew and the Ugly Sister both feel good books.
Try Roald Dahl's short stories for adults- Kiss Kiss, Uncle Oswald, Switch Bitch....
Don Camillo is funny too
Lust for Life by Irving Stone (Vincent van Gogh biog) is written like a novel, very light, though I think the slant's a little much really (van Gogh as a childish genius who wasn't very self aware and just stumbled into things).
Chaim Potok is fab....I recommend him all.the.time. Not exactly light but very worth a try! Try The Chosen or the Gift of Asher Lev. Very readable, very sympathetic characters.
Travel writing? Patrick Leigh Fermor....
I used to really like Sophie Kinsella, I still think she's fab people who say she's too repetitive or Becky is just too silly to be believable are missing the point IMO...
What about kids books? Chalet School, beluv'd by MNetters? Or Jennings, hilarious. The Thief Lord and Crusade in Jeans are good too.
Hmm light stuff....nonfiction books about stuff like the Great Exhibitions, turn of the century, Renaissance?
Nancy Mitford!! perfect vintage chick lit also Mitford biographies are good reads too. And her history books (only read Fred the Great and Voltaire in Love, think she wrote one or two more).
Me Before You is a lovely book which sort of comes into the category of romance. It is emotional but the characters are really engrossing so it's worth it and the end is uplifting.
Maggie O'Farrell's books are very good - well crafted stories told without too much fuss.
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian is very enjoyable - it's actually funny and isn't about tractors at all so don't be put off by the title.
I second mimble's recommendation of A Short History of Tractors - it's very funny - utterly bonkers. And if you like Marina Lewycka's writing style, she's written three more.
I love reading Janet Evanovich's comedy thrillers, which start with One For The Money. They are all numbered, and there's 19 (or maybe 20 now) of them. The earlier ones are better, but the later ones are still worth reading.
For romances - you could try Katie Fforde's novels - sweet and funny, happy ending ( a long way from Fifty Shades type stuff )
Or, for a gentle romance/mystery and all round nice story, which I read last year, and loved - The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen.
If you're not an obsessive reader it's good to start with something absorbing but not too demanding. Maybe Marian Keyes, Maeve Binchy or early Judy Astley? Engaging characters and warm, light writing styles.
Read anything. Go to your library, have a browse and just borrow and armful of books - anything that appeals. Don't worry about whether it's popular or has a ton of five star reviews on Amazon. Then if you read something you like, make a note of the author and look other stuff up by them and ask your library to reserve copies. Your library should have (and you can also do this online) a Who Writes Like guide so you can find similar writers to one you enjoy.
As mentioned above, Getting Rid of Matthew is a funny one to start with. I am not a chick lit fan at all but this I enjoyed.
people who say she's too repetitive or Becky is just too silly to be believable are missing the point IMO...