Best trashy novel

[Rosamultiflora]

Dear Readers, what’s the best trashy, easy-going novel you’ve read and why was it good?? Thanks.

A Jack Reacher novel by Lee Childs. Any of them. I usually read more middlebrow stuff, but sometimes a good thriller hits the spot.

@thebakerwithboobs - sorry for long wait to reply to your question. I have been pondering. Did you muscle through the book or give up?
Sometimes I have to suspend my human view of real people's actions in order to be sucked into the world of the novel. So much so that I can find myself silently cheering on the murderous protagonist!
When reading Getting Rid of Matthew I disliked Matthew far more than Helen from the start and found that she became more sympathetic as the story progressed.

I got a free book with a magazine more than 20 years ago. It was called ‘Catwalk’ by a either a Georgia or Georgina something. Set around Paris fashion week and featuring supermodels, designers, magazine editors, millionaires, kidnapping. Brilliant! Lost my copy years ago - off to see if I can download.

Rachel's Holiday for me too. I reread it last week as I was in New York for the first time and wanted to put the book into context.

Can we please stop calling novels 'trashy'?

Enjoyable, light reading, easy to read, a quick read, even a beach read, but not trash.

On behalf of all us authors who spend months of our lives writing these books and being depressed that people call them 'trash'.

Jilly Cooper and Mary Stewart have given me some of the best times of my life and helped me through the down times - I agree about not calling them trash - books that make you laugh and feel good are incredibly valuable.

@ShinyMe, who wrote “first born”? Sounds right up my street 🤣, but amazon not yielding likely candidates

Jilly Cooper, obviously.

I've read 'Getting Rid of Matthew' but I can't say it made much of an impression - I charity shopped it years ago.

Also, 'Unsticky' by Sarra Manning is my favourite easy read ever - it's written by the author who wrote the Diary of a Crush series in J17.

@NeedingCoffee I'm sorry I can't remember right now! I won't be home again for a week so I'll check when I get back.

Agree about not calling them trashy.

Many thanks to the authors who make life just that much happier!

Or do I mean so much happier?

They make me happy.

I don't like the woman or her politics, but Louise Bagshawe writes fabulous light novels.

Another vote for Jilly!

Also agree that 'trashy' isn't an accurate way to describe novels that are an easy read, lightly romantic or sensationalist. They simply fit a different need/mood from literary fiction or niche genre fiction.

@NeverEverAnythingEver

Thank you.

It can take us just as long to write a so-called 'trashy' novel as to write a Booker Prize Winner, and most of us aren't making a lot of money either! It's lovely to hear that our work is appreciated.

I don't like the woman or her politics, but Louise Bagshawe writes fabulous light novels.

@Zaphodsotherhead ooh, can you say which novels you've written?

Sorry, @MyDarlingWhatIfYouFly - I'm not going to say as it's completely outing.

Just suffice to say that none of my books are mentioned here, although I am sometimes referred to in the same breath as some of these. And it can take a year to write a book (at the same time as working a day job and doing all the other life admin) and to hear someone dismiss something you wrote as 'trashy' is a bit of a blow.

@NeedingCoffee I'm back! It's by Doris Mortman.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/373205.First_Born

Also, 'Unsticky' by Sarra Manning is my favourite easy read ever - it's written by the author who wrote the Diary of a Crush series in J17.

I loved Diary of a Crush, I was in love with the Crush - ....Dylan? I'll have to track down Unsticky!

@ShinyMe thanks so much! Looking forward to it.

I like Sophie Kinsella's standalone novels much more than the Shopaholic ones. I agree about Jane Fallon - I think she's on here (judging by how she comes across in interviews. Mind you, I think her husband is, too.)

I don't think Marian Keyes writes trashy novels. For me a trashy novel is one you don't remember once you've read it. Her books are (usually) very, very funny and cover a topical issue in a really interesting way. My favourite of her books is Angels.

Mary Stewart is amazing - no way should she be called a trashy writer!

Do it @CallingOnAvengingAngels - it's excellent!