Comfort Reads discussion
Chick Lit
>
... with a Brit Wit twist?
Mod
I lent it to my "mum" (she's not British, but given the chat topic ......)"
I hope she enjoys it, Maria.
Maria wrote: "I am starting Nancy Mitford's The Blessing. She wrote this one after Love In A Cold Climate, which I loved. So far, two chapters in, it has the WIT that I enjoyed .... fingers crossed!"Ah, the Brit Wit from Nancy Mitford that I was hoping for! Very annoyed at the "that's what men do, so you may as well accept it" theme throughout, but still a jolly good read.
You should read anything by Marian Keyes! She's Irish and really very good!
2nd Marian!! Love her.
Lisa wrote: "You should read anything by Marian Keyes! She's Irish and really very good!"will look that up right now ... speaking of Irish, I am reading The Pub Across The Pondright now and liking it .....
Deborah wrote: "2nd Marian!! Love her.".... oh1 oh! oh! I see that in "The Other Side of the Story", one of the characters is named Gemma so I MUST read this book ... Gemma is my 15-month-old's name! (She of the Jackie-O white shades in my profile picture).
OK, it isn't Brit, but it is (geographically) close ... I finished reading The Pub Across The Pond, and recommend as it a sweet, entertaining Chick Lit for any woman who has dreamed of meeting a handsome Irish man, with a merry band of regulars, in a village pub.
Gundula wrote: "What about Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason? They are both chick-lit and witty (I usually don't go for chick lit, but found these excellent)."I am reading Holly's Inbox right now, and it is an email version of the Bridget books. It is oer 600 pages!!! But it goes quickly because of the email format. It is funny so far (I'm halfway through), but not sure it is on par with Bridget. I will let you all know when I am done!!
Holly's Inbox
I read Holly's Inbox ages ago..and the sequel. Loved them both...don't know if there will be a 3rd..because each of the others only goes through 4 months each...Hysterical!
Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "What about Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason? They are both chick-lit and witty (I usually don't go for chick lit, but found these excellent)."I am read..."
Hmm, maybe I should check if the library has it, not sure I want to actually buy any books right now, I have no room for them, my bookshelves are bursting.
Holly's Inbox finished in two weeks (it's over 600 pages)! LOTS of fun .... was thinking it wasn't as good as the Bridget Jones books, but then at page 400 it really took off and was a hoot up until the final page!
Mary wrote: "Hi Maria. I recommend Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (no relation to Miss Pettigrew!!)"Hi Mary! I just finished this one (got it from the library) ... really enjoyed it. The beginning was a bit slow for me, and the Major, his son Roger, and other characters need a good "Moonstruck"-type slap with the accompanying "snap out of it!" But, the friendship between the Major and Mrs. Ali became so endearing, and Abdul Wahid's story very interesting ... Thank you for the recommendation.
Mod
Kathryn wrote: "Great thread! I, too, love these sorts of books :-)For modern stuff, check out a few of Katie Fforde's earlier books like Second Thyme Around and, my favorite, Stately Pursuits. They are a bit ..."
Kathryn -- I finally read a Lucia book. I read Queen Lucia, which I believe is the first one. It did start funny and witty but the continuous shallow competition became, as the characters say, "tarsome." Lucia became too nasty for my liking. Sorry!
Maria wrote: "Lucia became too nasty for my liking. Sorry!..."Maria, I'm feeling exactly the same way. I picked up in the middle-ish of the series (Mapp and Lucia) and although I'm going to try very hard to finish it, I don't know if I'll make it. This a horrid group of people, and the fact that it's supposed to be funny makes me feel like I've had a humor-ectomy. Yech.
Tracey wrote: "Maria wrote: "Lucia became too nasty for my liking. Sorry!..."Maria, I'm feeling exactly the same way. I picked up in the middle-ish of the series (Mapp and Lucia) and although I'm going to try v..."
Tracey -- You have not had a "humor-ectomy!" very funny term!
how about Jill Mansell....she has written several bokos that I really likedMiranda's Big Mistake
Nadia Knows Best
A Walk in the Park
Take a Chance on Me
Catherine wrote: "how about Jill Mansell....she has written several bokos that I really likedMiranda's Big Mistake
Nadia Knows Best
A Walk in the Park
Take a Chance on Me"
I am putting A Walk in the Park on my to read list .... picked this one out of the four because it takes place in Bath, an English city that I adore.
It took me a bit to warm up to this one. I was not sympathetic toward Gemma, and then JoJo seemed to come out of nowhere. But, the book got rolling in the second half, and I was cheering on all three ladies (Gemma, JoJo, and Lily) up to the end.
Catherine wrote: "I am currently reading Sheer Mischief which takes place in Cornwall..and so far I am enjoing it! :)"how was it?
Maria wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I am currently reading Sheer Mischief which takes place in Cornwall..and so far I am enjoing it! :)"how was it?"
I really liked it. I like all Jill Mansell's that I've read so far. now I'm reading Bad Heir Day..Wendy Holden...takes place in Scotland...and so far enjoying it...she's a new author to me...found by accident whilst I was meandering in a bookshop.. *hangs head in shame*
Catherine wrote: "Maria wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I am currently reading Sheer Mischief which takes place in Cornwall..and so far I am enjoing it! :)"how was it?"
I really liked it. I like all Jill Mansell's th..."
why 'hangs hed in shame?'
just read Matt Dunn's The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook. Predictable, didn't really see an "insight into the male mind", but still cute and funny.
Maria wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Maria wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I am currently reading Sheer Mischief which takes place in Cornwall..and so far I am enjoing it! :)"how was it?"
I really liked it. I like all..."
because....I need more books like a hole in the head! lol :)
I just finished Miss Buncle's Book. It was written in the 1930's. I was surprised how how quickly it hooked me and I couldn't put it down !If you go to the link, ignore that cover that makes her look like she's doing body building stuff (hunched over, displaying, like body builders do). It annoys me when book covers are weird for the content (probably more than it should).
I'm going to definately read more of this author !
Jaye wrote: "I just finished Miss Buncle's Book. It was written in the 1930's. I was surprised how how quickly it hooked me and I couldn't put it down !If you go to the link, ignore that cover that makes he..."
just added to my "to read" list. Your observation about the cover was a riot.
I've just stumbled on this thread via Maria's page (thanks, Maria!). I read a lot of this sort of thing. I live in England, and am a big fan of Brit wit. (Also a big fan of Jennifer Weiner...)How about Julie Cohen? Getting Away with It or Katie Fforde and Sophie Kinsella as mentioned before.
Victoria Connely's books are pretty funny - some of her books are Austen based and some are not. I especially liked
I think Jane Lovering's books are hilarious too. Especially Vampire State of Mind - but that's a bit dark and contains vampires (not normally by cup of tea, but I liked this one)
For something a bit different there's Kate Johnson's
I'm off to check out some of the other books mentioned on here. Holly's Inbox sounds like fun.
Mod
I remember reading and enjoying Miss Buncle's Book some time ago too, Jaye and Maria. I had to take a look at that old cover after you mentioned it. I got a giggle out of your description.
Catherine wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Great thread! I, too, love these sorts of books :-)For modern stuff, check out a few of Katie Fforde's earlier books like Second Thyme Around and, my favorite, [b....."
Did I ever reply to let you know how much I loved Holly's Inobx and the sequel? Well, great, funny stuff!!!
Rhoda wrote: "I've just stumbled on this thread via Maria's page (thanks, Maria!). I read a lot of this sort of thing. I live in England, and am a big fan of Brit wit. (Also a big fan of Jennifer Weiner...)How ..."
Just added 2 books to my "to read" list!
Rhoda, you HAVE to read Holly's Inbox and the sequel (I think it is Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City). SUCH a hoot!!
@ Maria.....I read them like a year ago! I loved them both! :)
Maria wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Maria wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Great thread! I, too, love these sorts of books :-)For modern stuff, check out a few of Katie Fforde's earlier books like Second Thyme Around and,..."
you did not...until now! glad you liked them :)
Hello, everybodeeeeeeeee! (that's Grover from Sesame Street.) Just finished
Having a Ball by Goodreads author Rhoda Baxter. It is precisely what chick lit is supposed to be ...humorous, lighthearted, romantic, well-written. The story just carried me along, past my bedtime. Definitely a Comfort Read with Brit atmosphere.
So....how about
..Katie Fford.
..although she's not British....several of her books take place there...and I do love her!
...even though the bulk of this takes place in...well...Paris....it is typical Brit Wit. Found this autor by accident also!
Is anyone seeing a trend?!?
I've just started reading Holly's Inbox, since so many of your suggested it. Really enjoying it so far!I read The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris - that's a fun read. Although I got through a mountain of chocolate while reading it because I had to eat some every time there was a description of the chocolate shop...
Rhoda wrote: "I've just started reading Holly's Inbox, since so many of your suggested it. Really enjoying it so far!..." Rhoda, I liked that book so much that I am almost jealous of you! Wish I could go back and read it for the first time again! :-)
Maria wrote: "just read Matt Dunn's The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook. Predictable, didn't really see an "insight into the male mind", but still cute and funny.
"I read this a few years ago and found it very funny. The sequel was hilarious.
Rhoda wrote: "Maria wrote: "just read Matt Dunn's The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook. Predictable, didn't really see an "insight into the male mind", but still cute and funny. [bookcover:The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbo..."
OK, Rhoda ... I will have to give the sequel a try if it is better....
I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding decided to (view spoiler)
Gundula wrote: "I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding decided to [spoilers removed]"Gundula, I read in an article that when Fielding told Colin Firth what she was planning, she cried.
Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding decided to [spoilers removed]"Gundula, I rea..."
I can imagine that (it's a good book so far, but I still sort of think that (view spoiler) was and is a bit of a plot device, and one I could have done without.
Gundula wrote: "Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding decided to [spoilers removed]"..."
Gundula -- I didn't enjoy the book nearly as much as the first two.
Gundula wrote: "Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding decided to [spoilers removed]"..."
and, how do you put a :spoiler alert: on a portion of your post? I have no idea how to do that, and it would be very useful!
Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding decided to [spoi..."Check the some html is ok icon, above the comment box on the upper right hand side (right beside the add book/author link). It shows you exactly what to do, alongside some other helpful hints, like how to do underlines, bolds and italics. How to do spoilers is at the bottom.
Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding decided to [spoi..."I am still finding it enjoyable, but not as good as the first two, and I really think that Fielding did (view spoiler).
Gundula wrote: "Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Maria wrote: "Gundula wrote: "I'm currently reading the third Bridget Jones book, Mad About the Boy (enjoyable, but I feel kind of sad that Fielding de..."Thanks for the instructions! Just trying to see if it works.... (view spoiler)
Comfort Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
The Meddlesome Ghost (other topics)Mad About the Boy (other topics)
Mad About the Boy (other topics)
Mad About the Boy (other topics)
Mad About the Boy (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jill Mansell (other topics)Agatha Christie (other topics)
Sophie Kinsella (other topics)
Norah Lofts (other topics)
Sophie Kinsella (other topics)
More...
I lent it to my "mum" (she's not British, but given the chat topic ......)