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Original poster

Well-written chick lit?

55 replies

mimolette · 28/06/2013 09:28

Please don't flame me, but am after some easy reading! Can anyone recommend any well-written, not too cringey chick lit (or even mum lit)?
Or anything easy going and funny (eg really loved The Common Reader)?

OP posts:
AvonCallingBarksdale · 30/06/2013 20:25

You Had Me At Hello - v easy read, can't remember who it's by, though!

DuchessofMalfi · 30/06/2013 18:15

I forgot to mention one I read a couple of weeks ago, which I thought was very good - Pear Shaped by Stella Newman.

Fairyloo · 30/06/2013 15:34

Emily Barr my current fave after reading 5 back to back on holiday and now mourning!!!

MalkieFraser · 30/06/2013 15:30

Jojo Moyes and Emily Barr are greatSmile

Salbertina · 30/06/2013 10:16

Zoe Heller Jane Green Mary Wesley emily Barr india knight fay weldon
Joanna Trollope

MildredH · 30/06/2013 10:01

I have a heavy going job and love a bit of light hearted reading ( thank god for kindles where noone can see what tripe I'm sometimes reading).

I just finished Fern Britton- The Holiday Home. Also recently enjoyed Amy Bratt can't recall exact title but something about the antenatal group.

I'm watching this thread for suggestions for my next read! Smile

highlandcoo · 30/06/2013 09:49

I generally avoid chick lit but I do like Marian Keyes for her sense of humour, Rosie Thomas - Other People's Marriages is really well-written - Douglas Kennedy and Mary Wesley.

DramaAlpaca · 30/06/2013 00:33

Cathy Kelly. A bit formulaic but always a nice, light read.

PeteCampbellsRecedingHairline · 30/06/2013 00:30

Yes to Silver Linings Playbook and Marian Keyes.

Definitely check out Douglas Kennedy, The Pursuit of Happiness. I love it. Also Kate Morton, Amor Towles and if you want proper chick lit Jenny Colgan.

GW297 · 30/06/2013 00:12

Definitely Marion Keyes. I've also just read Sophie Kinsella's Wedding Night and enjoyed it.

phoenixfox · 30/06/2013 00:04

Catherine Alliott, Catherine Alliott, Catherine Alliott! The best and funniest chick lit ever! Personal favourites are Rosie meadows regrets, Olivia's luck and a married man. I keep giving Rosie meadows regrets away to people and then having to buy it again to reread it.

tumbletumble · 29/06/2013 16:39

I like Penelope Lively and Anne Tyler

Alfonso1 · 29/06/2013 08:58

Second Marion Keyes and I recently read and liked Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

JessieMcJessie · 29/06/2013 07:09

Lucy Dillon.

BOF · 28/06/2013 16:43

I've just read This Is Where I Leave You, by Jonathan Tropper, which is a great easy but thoughtful and funny read. If you enjoyed The Silver Linings Playbook or David Nicholls/Nick Hornby stuff, you'll love this. I know they are male authors, but I maintain that they basically write chicklit, even if they get taken more seriously than women who write humorously about love and family.

ScooseIsLoose · 28/06/2013 16:38

I love all of Sophie kinsellas shopaholic series. Also the lindsey Kelk I heart series are brilliant.

eurozammo · 28/06/2013 15:39

Polly Williams and Marion Keyes are my faves.

Original poster
mimolette · 28/06/2013 15:37

Thank you, everyone - off on to amazon now :)

OP posts:
superbagpuss · 28/06/2013 13:39

Emily Barr is very good

EnglishGirlApproximately · 28/06/2013 13:35

I like Jojo Moyes and Emily Barr - easy reading but a bit more to it than most chick lit. Emily Barr stuff has got a bit samey but I loved Backpack and Baggage in particular.

Also try Douglas Kennedy - his books are normally pretty light reading but still well written.

SkiBumMum · 28/06/2013 13:30

Jojo Moyes is good

devilinside · 28/06/2013 13:22

I second Veronica henry, also Lesley Lokko

StickyProblem · 28/06/2013 13:03

Marion Keyes. Shouldn't really be called chick lit, it's like modern Tolstoy! Rachel's Holiday, The Other Side of the Story, and the latest one (can't remember) are the best, although if you read the whole lot in order you'll get to know the whole Walsh family and enjoy them more.

Nepotism · 28/06/2013 13:02

India Knight's first couple of books.

burberryqueen · 28/06/2013 13:00

The Camomile Lawn - Mary Wesley