Fun, zingy, more lit fiction than chick lit - any recommendations?

[Growingboys]

I'm permanently knackered thanks to work and children, so need pacy books that have a good story.

BUT I am not a fan of chick lit!

Recent books I've loved include Eleanor Oliphant, The Last Mrs Parrish, Little Fires Everywhere, The Wife Between Us, etc.

Can anyone share any recommendations pls? Thank you!

Have you tried Claire North? She writes mysteries/thrillers with time travel-type twists- not sure how to describe them, but they're really good.

www.amazon.co.uk/First-Fifteen-Lives-August-mouth-ebook/dp/B00DI7HLDG/ref=pd_cp_351_2?psc=1&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B00DI7HLDG&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=3262852920272843952&_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=D190t&pf_rd_r=C5P0E0XT5B8KZC4WQ9SH&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_w=t9IjU&tag=mumsnetforum-21&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&refRID=C5P0E0XT5B8KZC4WQ9SH&pd_rd_r=d4b413f9-658f-11e8-aaa6-e11c812a7507

I haven't even heard of her - will read reviews and maybe buy now, thank you!

The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Very funny, well written and not "chick-lit" (IMHO)

Kate Atkinson - Behind The Scenes At The Museum

If you don’t mind historical novels, The Observations by Jane Harris was a lot of fun to read. It does get quite dark, but the narrator is delightful.

Thanks all! I have read - and loved - Behind The Scenes - but will look the others up.

Thank you!

Where D’you Go, Bernadette?

Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory might fit the bill @Growingboys - I raced through it, but ended up taking breaks in the last third because I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to the characters.

Where d'you go Bernadette is a good shout. In a similar vein, The Portable Veblen (Elizabeth McKenzie) and Be Frank with me (Julia Claiborne Johnson)

I second Where d'you Go, Bernadette.

Also recommend A Visit from the Good Squad, Jennifer Egan.

Yes Where’d you Go Bernadette. Wish there was more like it. Some Curtis Sittenfeld?

I’m similar in that I don’t like cheesy chick lit but need something undemanding and easy to read at the moment!

Recently I’ve enjoyed:
Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear
Things We Never Said by Nick Alexander
That Awkward Age by Francesca Segal
The Girl Before by Tony Strong
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Cows by Dawn O’Porter
The Break by Marian Keyes (I thought it would be too chick lit for
me but it totally drew me in)

I’d also recommend anything by Maggie O’Farrell, she’s brilliant.

Loved Bernadette thank you all! And Curtis Sittenfeld but haven't read any for years so will google and see if there's a new one.

Also love Maggie O'Farrell.

Will also look up all the other suggestions, thank you!

Following for ideas. Will add my suggestions later.

I recommend 'The First Bad Man' by Miranda July.

It's quirky, smart, light but deep. And a bit out there.

I also loved Where dyou go Bernadette, she's had a second novel out that may be good...Curtis Sittenfield has some short stories out at the mo' I think - Reece Witherspoons book club!

I liked Dear Mrs Bird. Hist Fiction but fits the bill, I reckon.

Semple’s next book was Today Will be Different and I quite enjoyed it, though perhaps not so much as Bernadette. Sittenfeld’s short stories were entertaining too.

Today I read a review of The Pisces by Nelissa Broder describes as an x-rated Eleanor Oliphant with mermen, so might be worth a quick look at!

The Circle by Dave Eggars is really compelling.

I really enjoyed Dear Mrs Bird.

The Party by Elizabeth Day is worth reading

Just bought the new Marian Keyes. I've taken note of some of the suggestions on here. Kate Atkinson is one of my favourite authors. I'm also a big fan of Jonathan franzen. I don't like formulaic novels.

Love some of the ones mentioned here, Kate Atkinson, Maggie O’Farrell, Little Fires Everywhere. Have you read Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiney? I adored that book.