What ridiculously trashy books/authors do you love?

[Sadik]

Not the likes of Georgette Heyer (not truly trashy IMO), but the really indefensible.

Mine is Cassandra Clare - I'm currently eking out her latest book, ignoring the massive plot holes (and improbable lack of communication without which things would be resolved in about 2 chapters) in the certain knowledge that it'll no doubt end on a cliffhanger which won't be resolved until book 3 in about 2 years time.

Very happy matilda! 😅

Imagine Miss Annersley's dismay at hearing her gels wholesome Alpine pursuits being described as trash. No kaffee und kuchen for you my girl! 👎☕️🍰

I too have no guilt at enjoying Chalet School books. Just pure pleasure.

DH2 and I swapped our ten favourite novels of all time while we were dating. Chalet School in Exile was one of mine - obvs. He started off reading it like this and ended up crying. The Chalet School Peace League is an extradinary thing for a book published in 1940.

When trying to explain about the Chalet School to people I always mention the Chalet School in Exile. The description of the lynch mob attacking the Jewish jeweller who they'd known for years, together with the clear distinction between Nazis and Germans was... well, it's not what you'd have expected from a book published in 1940.

I will have to completely retract my statement of the Chalet School as trash based on this book alone.

I'm still awaiting an apology for even suggesting it, Matilda...

Sorry for the alpine de-rail, OP!

To bring it back to trash, in all honesty when I fancy reading some utter trash I don't reach for a book. I log onto AO3 and indulge in some fanfic. Once Upon a Time fic, mostly, at the moment.

Wendy Holden and Catherine Alliott.

Wendy Holden isn't quite as formulaic as Catherine Alliott though.

With Catherine Alliott I can pretty much guarantee the women's names will be Imogen, Olivia or Molly, their children are bookish and knowing, some sort of landed gentry will be involved plus farming and a handsome vet and some one will have an affair with their secretary. Still live them though!

I offer the most sincere apologies, Somerville, and will shortly be off out to purchase a hair shirt.

As my last offer to the trashy fiction has been withdrawn, I'd like to put forward Dick Francis. Every book is the same, but they're still great for a long journey. I buy them from charity shops and leave them on the train. Doesn't matter if I've read them before because, well, see above.

I love Jennifer Crusie. Welcome To Temptation is a great one-handed read.

I adored Danielle Steel as a teenager. I seem to remember she loved the word 'chagrin.'

Catherine Cookson and Agatha Christie.

Theonlylivingboy - I love Laurel Hamilton too - I once went as ANita Blake at Halloween

Have you tried the Merry Gentry series too? Much of the same but I love them.

Yes to Jilly Cooper and Judith Krantz.

'The St. Tropez Lonely Hearts Club' by Her Majesty Joan Collins is GLORIOUSLY shit. Best Poundland impulse buy ever

VC ANDREWS

So very, very wrong and yet so right.

Jilly Cooper

But only the early ones are a bit tongue in cheek trashy.

Julia Quinn

Louise Bagshawe (now Mensch).

I very much dislike the woman (she used to be a Tory MP) but her books are pure, trashy escapism. I think I've read them all.

I love settling down with a large Penny Vincenzi. Although they're light escapist reading they're well written IMO. Particularly love the family saga about the publishing house though the name escapes me!

Sarah Morgan

Has nobody mentioned Jackie Collins?

Lucky Santangelo got me through my English literature degree when I couldn't bear to read anything except for trash when I wasn't studying.

Can't believe no one has mentioned Stephenie Meyer. Her books make me angry but I've read them several times! I just love to hate them.

I also enjoy Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and similar chicklit.

Just checking that the Chalet School fans have read the hardback version of Exile as well as the paperback, which was abridged? There is an additional chapter!

The first chicklit book I read was Rosie Meadows Regrets by Catherine Alliot and it still makes me laugh. I also love Freya North, although I'm not sure her most recent books count as trashy!

I like Sophie Kinsella too! I love Marian Keyes but I wouldn't call her trashy. Fiona Walker is another one especially French Relations and Well groomed.

I'm very fond of Jenny Colgan's books. They're very formulaic - heroine breaks up with partner, moves to remote place or new city and starts some food based enterprise at which she excels and all the locals take her to heart immediately. I love them.

Loving the Chalet School love!

Please don't judge but the occasional Mills and Boon got me through my PhD. Also Stephen King although I didn't bother finishing some of the longer later ones. I kept putting them down and then completely forgot what was happening in the over-convoluted plot.

Oooh yes, Jilly Cooper! And Linda Howard - terrible, but so very readable!

I have just acquired the whole series of Chalet School books courtesy of the PILs' attic so will be starting them soon!