Trashy books that are so much better than they ought to be!

[sadpapercourtesan]

Does anyone else have guilty pleasure books that are utter rubbish, but so lovely to read? The literary equivalent of a Pot Noodle?

Some of mine:

Dark Cathedral by Freda Warrington
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
Helen Forrester's books
Stepping by Nancy Thayer

All nonsense, but I've read them all more than once!

Any recommendations?

Anything by Jackie Collins

Jackie Collins books are entertaining
Harold Robbins

Jilly Cooper books

Proper wank fodder when you're 14

Flowers in the attic series

Jackie Collins Hollywood wives

Princess Daisy by Judith Kranzt

Danielle Steel and Nicholas Sparks

Mills and Boon.

Oh my!
Nora Roberts!
The later ones are better than the 1980s, which are very romance!

She also writes as JD Robb, crime novels set in 2060s.

No one has any money worries, the women are feisty,clever, independent.
The men are handsome, often Irish with long dark hair and blue eyes.

I love them for a comfort read.

I apologise now!

I love Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I'm totally in love with him and I aspire to her witty, scathing retorts and attitude. I think of witty retorts half an hour too late to say them and my attitude is more moody than fierce.

Why do you describe them as trashy? Why look down on something millions of people (mostly women) have enjoyed so much?

The Thorn Birds is a Virago Modern Classic for one thing!

@Toilenstripes that's one of my faves as well!
Harold Robbins yes!
Jackie Collins
Elizabeth Chadwick
Alan Stratton - recommend The Empire Builders; bloody ridiculous fun
Wilbur Smith - also often absurd but ripping yarns!

Samantha Smyths Modern Family Journal (think theres 3 books). Look like shite, chic lit fluff.

But they are great. She refers to her husband and ex husband as John the First and John the Second. She's a great character. I'm sad the series has ended.

I look down on no book - someone took the time to write them. I'll have a go at anything. Some of them aren't worth finishing due to cringe (looking at you, Fifty Shades) but you find some gems in the quid pile at The Works!

I've been reading a lot of regency Mills and Boon types. Proper corset rippers. Started with Mary Balogh and now onto Tessa Dare. The latter is just pure filth. Very enjoyable

I have loads of these. Black Dagger Brotherhood series are my current favourites. Also seconding J.D. Robb. Lastly I always return to Diana Wynne Jones.

Yes to Black Dagger Brotherhood! And many others in the same genre - the Demonica series, Night Huntress series, Immortals After Dark. When I get my kindle out, DH always asks if I'm reading my "smutty stuff"

@BobbinThreadbare123

I look down on no book - someone took the time to write them. I'll have a go at anything. Some of them aren't worth finishing due to cringe (looking at you, Fifty Shades) but you find some gems in the quid pile at The Works!

I agree with this. A lot of skill goes into writing so-called low-brow fiction. I'm convinced more work goes into a good old bonk-buster than some of these 'literary' novella-length pseud-fests where nothing actually happens. (Julian Barnes - looking at you )

Jilly Cooper. Polo and rivals. Bloody marvellous.

I read a lot of literary fiction - I try and read the Booker Longlist every year for example.

Jilly Cooper's Rivals is still one of my favourite books of all time though.

Jilly Cooper
Always my comfort read

Anything by Karen Rose - crime/mystery/thriller held together by (frankly) unbelievable romances and shagging I love 'em!

Lace!

Helen Forrester is absolutely not “trashy”!

Jill mansell

Jilly Cooper. Witty, brilliant filth.