Chick Lit help!

I didn't hate Nanny Diaries as much as I didn't like The Devil Wears Prada.  I kind of thought Nanny Diaries was cute...

Yeah, I pretty much assumed The Devil Wears Prada wouldn't be for me.  And the thing about The Nanny Diaries that ruined it for me was about halfway through the book when I realized that this poor kid was going to wind up abandoned by the only person who cared about him.  Just put a damper on the rest of it.


Well, thank you so much one and all!  I've got a whopping ten books on my hold list at the library and two requested for pickup.  Can't wait to dig in and read!

what's plain crap out there. 

it's not all plain crap.  some of it is highly decorated, pungent crap. 

I don't really know what I'm looking for, which is the problem. 

Whatever you're looking for, 'chick lit' (there's a contradiction in terms!) isn't it. 

Go back to Terry Pratchett, at least he knows he's taking the p(*s.

Whatever you're looking for, 'chick lit' (there's a contradiction in terms!) isn't it.

I'm curious as to why you would say this?  Why would chick lit not be a good recommendation for someone who wants a light read that won't tax them too much mentally, just a good time?

Whatever you're looking for, 'chick lit' (there's a contradiction in terms!) isn't it.

Well, yeah, it is.  That's why I asked about it.

Go back to Terry Pratchett, at least he knows he's taking the p(*s.

Never been a big Terry Pratchett fan.  He's funny, but I just can't get into that whole fantasy/sci fi-type thing that he does.  DH has tried and tried but I just can't.

Never been a big Terry Pratchett fan.  He's funny, but I just can't get into that whole fantasy/sci fi-type thing that he does.  DH has tried and tried but I just can't.

Me either. Pratchett is my bf's favourite author, but I never got into it. However, there are a lot of other books out there between Discworld and chick-lit!

Marian Keyes is excellent! 

right!

I finished a book a few months ago by Irish writer Cecelia Ahern... Where Rainbows End. That was cute and certainly qualified as check your head at the door chick lit... I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what happened next.

...btw, any Londoner want it? I am wanting to pass it on at a meet up.

a colleague passed me three Shiela O'Flanagan books. I haven't got into them yet so I can't vouch for their chick lit worthiness 

It isn't chick lit, but one of the funniest little books I've read in a long time is 'Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About' by Mil Millington. It is SUCH a hoot.

Another good one is 'Starter for Ten' by David Nicholls.

You could also try Ben Elton or Jasper Fforde, or for non-fiction reads try Andrew Collins or Tony Hawks.

I can't recommend any actual chick lit authors; it's a genre I personally just can't stomach.

I just read Angry Housewives by Lorna Landvik, she's great!! Now I want to read all her other books. This one reminded me a little of the Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood books.

I LOVE,LOVE, LOVE Lorna Landvick!!!!!  Patty Jane's House of Curl was great!!  the great mysterious, Your oasis on flame lake..  All really good reads.  Great suggestion.

Another one, (because I read her at the same time as Patty Jane's house of curl) is Fannie Flag.  She's another good chick-lit-with-substance. 

note to self:  Read Angry Housewives..

I'm curious as to why you would say this?  Why would chick lit not be a good recommendation for someone who wants a light read that won't tax them too much mentally, just a good time?

B/c to me, much of it embodies gender or cultural stereotypes I really deplore, and that's not such a 'good time' for some.

I'm w/Carla, it's a genre I can't stomach, but thanks for the suggestions, Carla! 

Another one I found funny for some reason, although it's non-fiction, is 'He's Just Not That into You'.

Well, yeah, it is.  That's why I asked about it.

But at the same time, you write:

'I tend to find myself annoyed when characters... female characters... blithely let other people walk all over them.  And I fear that is the underlying theme in this genre.'
 

Just want to second a few authors that have been mentioned...

Marion Keyes
Sophie Kinsella
Katie Fford

Everything I have read by them has been entertaining, heartwarming and engaging.  I understand that chick-lit is not exactly the deepest genre, but I think it's a bit like watching sitcoms on TV or romantic comedies for films.  The cookie cutter characters are there, but if written well, you can usually find yourself connected to the character in some way.  Well...at least if you are a singleton in London, surronded by smug marrieds 

It isn't chick lit, but one of the funniest little books I've read in a long time is 'Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About' by Mil Millington. It is SUCH a hoot.

Another good one is 'Starter for Ten' by David Nicholls.

You could also try Ben Elton or Jasper Fforde, or for non-fiction reads try Andrew Collins or Tony Hawks.

I can't recommend any actual chick lit authors; it's a genre I personally just can't stomach.

That's Lad Lit! Mil Millington is very funny, I read that column in the Guardian. I've also read Starter for Ten and that is another good read.

Also, you might enjoy Janet Evanovich, I know she's crime fiction rather than "chick lit" but it's lighthearted and an easy read for those times when you don't want anything too weighty.   I also find Agathie Christie a good read when I'm in that mood.

But at the same time, you write:

'I tend to find myself annoyed when characters... female characters... blithely let other people walk all over them.  And I fear that is the underlying theme in this genre.'
 

True, but the main reason I posted this thread is to see what else is out there.  I've only read two books from this genre, which I didn't feel was enough to give it a fair shake.  I may decide after another couple reads that it's not for me, but I want to give it another chance before I decide I don't like it.

Going back to the Terry Pratchett thing....  weirdly I love Neil Gaiman.  I wonder why that is?  We've got Good Omens sitting on our bookshelf, but I just can't get myself to read it.