The term
chick lit
describes books detailing the social
lives and relationships of young
professional women.
Also known as
female literary tradition
this genre has
exploded in the past few years, with
success stories such as Helen Fielding’s
Bridget Jones’s Diary
and the television series
Sex and the City, inspired by
Candace Bushnell’s book. Readers
can’t get enough of these fun novels.
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| Check out these chick lit favorites: |
| Babyville by Jane Green. This
Mommy lit book, a variation of chick
lit, chronicles three English
thirtysomethings coping with the diverse
challenges of motherhood. Julia
struggles to conceive, Maeve is faced
with an unexpected pregnancy, and
Samantha has the postpartum blues. |
| Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie
Kinsella. From the author of The
Shopaholic series comes this enchanting
novel set in London. After a perfectly
horrid day, Emma spills her darkest
secrets to a stranger on a plane and
then is mortified to discover the
stranger is the owner of her company. |
|
Cupid and Diana by Christina
Bartolomeo. A Washington, D.C.,
vintage clothing store owner is torn
between her perfect political boyfriend
and the fun man she didn’t want to get
serious about. Published in 1998, it
blazed the trail for tales of women with
love triangles and a passion for
clothes. |
|
Dating Big Bird by Laura Zigman.
Ellen has everything: a glamorous job,
good friends, and a boyfriend, but at 35
she contracts “Pregnancy Fantasy
Disorder” and decides she wants a baby.
This absorbing and wry tale comes from
the author of the chick lit classic,
Animal Husbandry. |
|
Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa
Valdes-Rodriguez. Six very
different friends in their late twenties
are bound by their years together at
college and their Latina backgrounds.
This lively novel chronicles one
eventful year of friendships, careers,
and romances with humor and honesty. |
Dumping Billy by Olivia Goldsmith.
In this fun read by the author of The
First Wives Club, every girl who is
dumped by Billy immediately finds a
husband. Kate sets her brokenhearted
friend up with him, but falls in love
with the Brooklyn heartthrob herself. |
|
For Matrimonial Purposes by Kavita
Dashwani. Indian culture, the
fashion industry, and a search for love
collide in this fast-paced debut novel.
Readers watch Anju transform into a
savvy, independent Indian-American. |
|
Getting Over It by Anna Maxted.
The sudden death of her father, a needy
mother, a lousy boyfriend, and a dismal
job make it hard for Helen to get her
life in order. Honest and witty, this is
a charming tale about relationships and
love from the author of Running in
Heels. |
|
The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing
by Melissa Bank. Follow Jane from
defiant teenager yearning to experience
love to career woman who is having an
affair with an alcoholic twenty-eight
years her senior. It’s funny, poignant,
well-written and compulsively readable. |
|
In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner.
Maggie and Rose are two very different
sisters who have one thing in common:
their shoe size. After Rose cuts Maggie
out of her life, only their long-lost
grandmother and her friends at the
senior citizen’s home can help.
Memorable characters and fast pacing
make this book a perfect fit. |
|
Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes.
In this novel, there’s someone for
everyone to relate to: a lovable,
awkward “Girl Friday”, a tough boss with
a heart, and a funky best friend who’s
bored with her life. The editorial
offices of a new Irish women’s magazines
provide plenty of drama in this
delightful fast read. |
|
Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan.
Four African-American women rely on each
other as they face tough times in their
lives. Published in 1992, this
bittersweet novel is a chick lit pioneer
for books about smart, strong women who
come together to commiserate and
celebrate, talking about men and their
careers.
|
Thrilling Chick
Lit
Check out these stories of
heroines with an eye for style and a
nose for trouble: |
|
Dating Dead Men by Harley Jane Kozak.
Meet Wollie, who is dating forty men in
sixty days for her job as a book
researcher. Her assignment gets
complicated when she finds a dead body
and is attracted to a man on the run.
This fun and wacky debut novel is set in
L.A. |
|
Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie.
Recently-divorced Nel’s new job as a
secretary in a detective agency leads to
romance, blackmail, and murder. Readers
are treated to a satisfying and
hilarious ride. |
|
Olivia Joules and the Overactive
Imagination by Helen Fielding. The
author of The Bridget Jones Diary turns
her skills to a mystery/adventure with a
sassy heroine, Olivia, who is a
journalist turned spy. With twists and
turns, romance, and exotic locales, this
is a deliciously fun page-turner.
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One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.
Out of work and out of money, Stephanie
Plum becomes a bounty hunter and her
first assignment is to track down a cop
on the run who happens to be her
ex-flame. This laugh-aloud mystery will
make you run for the next installment in
the series.
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