Monday, September 12, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday : All Time Favorites...Chick Lit!


So, this week is ALL TIME FAVORITES in X Genre. The challenge is - I often pull out my top favorites in my most read genres and I like to keep my lists semi-fresh. Historical fiction? Fantasy? I usually like romance but I don't read it often. It's mostly secondary to the plot. Ok, not always...oh! I know! Chick Lit! 

Definition (as found on Wikipedia) -  “consists of heroine-centered narratives that focus on the trials and tribulations of their individual protagonists.” The genre often addresses issues of modern womanhood – from romantic relationships to female friendships to matters in the workplace – in humorous and lighthearted ways.

Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb


Ah, my first introduction to Cathy Lamb. I remember being grabbed by the first scene of the book where the main character throws her emotionally (and physically) oppressive wedding dress up into a tree branch and going at it like it was war because the damn thing kept falling back onto her face. It made me laugh, cry, and all that good stuff. And absolutely chock full of female power and more importantly - friendship. Romance happens but the journey of the character comes first. 

Such a Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb


My second favorite Lamb! The backstory really squeezes the heart. I have this on my bookshef actually. (Recently re-organized my books and re-acquainted myself with my old and constant friendlies). 

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen


Sarah Addison Allen is one of my all time favorite authors and the Sugar Queen is my all time favorite. Mostly because there is a character who has the ability to always have the right book appear to her whenever and whatever she might need. And, the main character, has a secret closet of candies and magazines and wears a magic red sweater. :)


Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell


Before there was Eleanor and Park - there was Fangirl. Fangirl also falls under the category 'New Adult' - a young woman off to college for her first year, she is a well-known fan-fic author, and has to adjust to all that college stuff and finish up her fanfiction while trying to figure out...can she write original work of her own outside of her fandom? Rainbow Rowell for the win, per usual. ;)


Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot


It's pretty much a crime against Chick Lit to have a list without Meg Cabot. From Princess Diaries to her Boy Series - I've pretty much read them all. And what's on my bookshelf? A former pop-star turned dorm manager/amateur detective. Don't check into her dorm building but don't be afraid to hire her to solve your case! 




Talk about the mystery solving! I haven't read the entire series (like twenty five books so far) but I have read the first one a couple of times. I love the voice in it, the way Evanovich brings to life the neighborhood characters and the action. 

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts


Oh, the heart strings be tugging. Where the Heart Is is more than the movie (although that movie is amazing) and reading the book is a must.

Phantom Waltz by Catherine Anderson


It's so very rare to find a healthy, accurately depicted romance featuring a disabled main character. It's mostly tragic tropes (ahem, Me Before You, lol), and inspiration porn. Phantom Waltz features a disabled (paralyzed) woman as the romantic lead. Anderson is completely adorable - it reads like a Hallmark movie - but she did her research and put her heart into bringing an authentic, heart-warming romance to the table. 



Kristen Ashley has been my secret guilty pleasure for a while and it started with the Dream Man series - in particular Motorcycle Man. She rambles quite a bit and the language structure of the characters is unique and takes a little adapting to but she does her genre well. 



And, to end this list - Anne Shirley striking it out on her own after University. My favorite of the entire series is Anne of the Island and Anne's House of Dreams. I'm in L.M. Montgomery mode right now. Ever since Netflix announced they were adopting her to adapt into a series. Windy Poplars is so dreamy of a read, I love her exploring what it's like to be on her own away from her friends and her home. :)

And that's a wrap! What do you think, what's your favorite chick lit? 

Until next week, 

Jess

12 comments :

Lauren September 13, 2016 at 6:06 AM  

I've had Fangirl on audible for like a year now but I still haven't listened to it :/

Have you ever watched the One for the Money movie adaption? I don't care much for Katherine Heigl but it's still a pretty good movie.

Jessica Henry September 13, 2016 at 9:01 AM  

Oh, on Audible? Why didn't I think of that? It'd be so much fun to listen to (I love a good audio)!

Yes, I have. It's how I learned about the book series. The book is better - Heigl was a interesting cast choice for her. I think they were trying to make it big by casting her but they probably could have made a bigger splash if they cast someone who embodied her more. It was still a good movie, very funny! I like the book better. ;)

Thank you for visiting!

Petra September 13, 2016 at 9:30 AM  

I've only read Fangirl, but it's one of my all time favorites! :) Great list. Thanks for sharing, and for stopping by my TTT earlier!

Jessica Henry September 13, 2016 at 9:53 AM  

You're very welcome! Fangirl is so amazing, I think, because it's SO TRUE to life. Rainbow Rowell expresses our species of girl quite well. ;) Thanks for stopping by too! :)

Unknown September 13, 2016 at 10:01 AM  

I love anything by Rainbow Rowell. She's an amazing writer.

Jessica Henry September 13, 2016 at 11:16 AM  

Rainbow Rowell rocks her craft, for sure. Thanks for stopping by! :)

Grace @ RebelMommyBookBlog September 13, 2016 at 11:49 AM  

I loved Fangirl!! Rainbow Rowell is amazing. One for the Money is such a fun book and series too. Great list!!

Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra September 13, 2016 at 1:25 PM  

Fangirl is such a great read! I also really enjoy all of the Stephanie Plum books. Fun list! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my TTT :)

Jessica Henry September 13, 2016 at 4:16 PM  

Fangirl and One for the Money for the win. \o/ Thank you for visiting! :)

Jessica Henry September 13, 2016 at 4:55 PM  

I think Fangirl is quickly becoming a classic! Thank you for visiting, too. :)

Lori September 14, 2016 at 3:22 AM  

I really don't read enough chick lit, but I have read a couple from your list! Fangirl is such a fun book. I also loved The Sugar Queen. I really want to read the Anne of Green Gables books. I can't believe I haven't yet!

Thanks for stopping by my TTT!

Jessica Henry September 14, 2016 at 6:48 AM  

I'm doing a mini (as in just the two of us so far) book club reading Anne of Green Gables with my bestie. :) If you've read the Sugar Queen you should definitely check out Garden Spells and First Frost! Thanks for stopping by too. :)