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Original poster

Who are the BEST chic lit writers?

70 replies

poodlepusher · 26/02/2008 20:23

And by best it could mean most compelling, or most artfully written, or most moving, or most funny, depending on how you'd define "best".

I've read 1 Marian Keyes and found it a bit too harsh / grim reality (does she fit the chic lit moniker?) for my taste, and I've read a Penny Vincenzi which was a huge rambling saga that worked through 6 generations of women - it was exhausting but not compelling enough for me. And I've seen the Bridget Jones films but not read the books. But that's it - so my knowledge is very limited.

I'd really like to know which writers other MNers would recommend?

OP posts:
strawberrylace · 27/02/2008 22:22

My chick lit faves are Jane Green and Louise Bagshawe - they write good stories that I don't need to think deeply about when reading, they zip along at a fair pace and their characters are generally quite likeable. Plus they're not always London based which annoys me about alot of chick lit. I also like Dorothy Koomson, Rowan Coleman, Anna Maxted, and Freya North.
Oh, and Emily Barr is great, but i wouldn't class her as chick lit

Trolleydolly71 · 27/02/2008 22:15

Message withdrawn

choosyfloosy · 27/02/2008 22:13

i like chicklit but can't defend it.

i dislike catherine alliott as i don't find her jokes funny

i like patricia scanlan a lot although i feel a bit dirty for reading them - all those crystals and justification of infidelity

jill mansell always readable - don't know why - i think because she is not extreme in any direction

anna maxted writes proper books with real plots - i recommend

and have you read 'miss pym disposes' by josephine tey?

llynnnn · 27/02/2008 22:12

Carole Matthews, I've just finished the chocolate lovers club. very funny and touching in places and a good story about 4 friends all from different backgrounds who originally met through their love of chocolate!

PABLOP · 27/02/2008 22:09

"Chick-lit is a sub-standard genre for non-reading readers and an embarassment to women"

That's a bit of a sweeping statement trolleydolly71, and a tad insulting, why is it an embarrassment to women? I am most definitely a reader but sometimes I want something, I can read quickly is lighthearted and will make me laugh then I'll go for chick lit.

itsahardknocklife · 27/02/2008 22:08

I think I am looking for less from a book than most readers. I'm an English teacher and after a day of decoding and looking fro symbolism etc etc I just want to read something straightforward and easy as I drift off to sleep.

EachPeachPearMum · 27/02/2008 22:06

and kinsella?
eek- i read undomestic goddess, it was tosh....
or is that the point?

EachPeachPearMum · 27/02/2008 22:04

Hey- Emily Barr isn't chick lit [grump]

re Eva Rice- yes- lost art of keeping secrets was awesome though not sire chicklit, but her earlier stuff was dire urgh

itsahardknocklife · 27/02/2008 22:04

Shallow, maybe, but how are they insulting?

Trolleydolly71 · 27/02/2008 22:00

Message withdrawn

itsahardknocklife · 27/02/2008 21:55

I've never really been a fan of chick lit - but I do like Sophie Kinsella. Easy bedtime reading

posieflump · 27/02/2008 21:53

have you actually read any so called 'chick lit' ???

Trolleydolly71 · 27/02/2008 21:51

Message withdrawn

PABLOP · 27/02/2008 21:48

so shes your sister?

stepfordwife · 27/02/2008 21:39

marian keyes
largely because her mum IS my mum

threestars · 27/02/2008 21:35

Emily Barr is excellent. Her writing style is good and her books are absorbing, making you not want to put them down till they're finished. She's good at getting into her characters' heads and the books don't seem to be formulaic as many others can be.

colditz · 26/02/2008 21:32

There is a writer called (I think) Melanie Wilson, and I like her books too.

bran · 26/02/2008 21:02

I also think this one by Serena Mackesey is great, she hasn't written very much though, only 3 books I think. It's quite a clever book (in a chicklit, easy-read sort of way), with a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, a bit of humour and quite a big dig at tabloid journalism.

For quite indulgent, soppy, female-bonding type of stories I like Nora Roberts. I like a happy ending, but some of hers are a bit twee.

MorocconOil · 26/02/2008 21:02

I quite like Emily Barr. She often has French connection, and as I often read them on holiday in France it's good.

Original poster
poodlepusher · 26/02/2008 20:55

Thank you Bran!
Yes, reasons do really help - as I can tell what is going to appeal to me personally.

OP posts:
bran · 26/02/2008 20:54

Also Sparkle Hayter, although I'm not sure it's necessarily chick lit. She's immensely funny.

PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife · 26/02/2008 20:52
bran · 26/02/2008 20:52

Sorry, I've just noticed that you need reasons why they are best.

Jennifer Crusie writes proper English (light fiction is no excuse for sloppy grammer), the dialogue is great, and it is very funny as well as romantic. I recommend Welcome to Temptation.

Jane Green is also quite funny, and has quite lively, if not always terribly intelligent, female characters.

Linda Howard is good for romantic thrillers that aren't too tense or gory. She does tend to go in for the Mills & Boon type of slightly helpless female and overly macho male, but sometimes that's what I want.

posieflump · 26/02/2008 20:49

forgot Adele Parks and Anna Maxted - just having a look at my book shelves!

posieflump · 26/02/2008 20:48

also Jessica Adams, Jenny Colgan, Zoe Barnes and Carole Matthews

I also used to read loads of them!