Recommend a good book

Solarball10

Any of you ladies read her books? Absolutely love 'em! Sophie Kinsella is also brill - the Shopaholic books are fab! Also Sarah Webb is great...I love my "chick-lit" books, as u can see lol!

Quality

Yeah Marian is good

Have you read Sinead Moriarty??


SHe is hilarious....

Solarball10

No I haven't - haven't heard of her! Might try pick up one of her books...

Quality

The baby trail....ITs the first in a three book series.

It is very very funny,

Then she did "In my sisters shoes" I brought this on holidays this year.

The people at the poolside must have thought I was deranged, sitting there laughing to my self...:D:D

gidget

yep!!

love both their collections

have you read " Can you keep a secret" Brilliant

Jenny Colgan would also be a favourite of mine, esp "Amanda's Wedding"[/QUOTE]

smaoifs

Really liked Is there Anybody out There. Cried my eyes out reading that one!
Just about finished a Clare Dowling one, No Strings Attached. Easy read, very enjoyable but not all sunshine and flowers.

Nightwish

I read one when I was in bed sick for a week, and I was staying in my aunts. I wanted to burn it, to ensure no one else had to endure such muck ever again.

Peared

Ah theres an awful lot of people out there who think a book has to be high brow to be worth anything. Or about the famine or child abuse or a "serious" subject. Theres a place for all kinds of tastes and imo a well written book is a well written book. I dont think Marian Keyes is any less valid than say, Ann Enright. The difference is, if people dont like Ann Enright (random example) they dont get on their high horse denouncing her and all like her as the worst writing ever. There is a lot of sh*te out there, a lot of books that somehow manage to get published despite being mediocre at best. But Marian Keyes, even if not to your taste, is a talented writer. I read about 2 or 3 books a week, many different kinds depending on my mood. I like to think my horizons are being broadened. I dont feel I need to assert my intelligence by rubbishing popular fiction just because millions of other women read it. I understand people have different tastes, its the vehemence I cannot understand when I hear people discussing Marian et al. If you don't like it then dont read it.

takola

I used to read her books when I was in my teens. Wouldn't really be bothered with them these days. But it's not because I don't like her, Recently I've found myself drawn more towards fantasy books. My girlie indulgence is Nora Roberts. I'm collecting her books. She has such a variety of subjects which I love as I rarely get bored with her. Don't have to read the same story with new characters repeatedly!

I picked up Accidental Mother by Rowan Coleman recently! I thought it was brilliant! Has anyone read it?

Solarball10

Peared wrote: »

Ah theres an awful lot of people out there who think a book has to be high brow to be worth anything. Or about the famine or child abuse or a "serious" subject. Theres a place for all kinds of tastes and imo a well written book is a well written book. I dont think Marian Keyes is any less valid than say, Ann Enright. The difference is, if people dont like Ann Enright (random example) they dont get on their high horse denouncing her and all like her as the worst writing ever. There is a lot of sh*te out there, a lot of books that somehow manage to get published despite being mediocre at best. But Marian Keyes, even if not to your taste, is a talented writer. I read about 2 or 3 books a week, many different kinds depending on my mood. I like to think my horizons are being broadened. I dont feel I need to assert my intelligence by rubbishing popular fiction just because millions of other women read it. I understand people have different tastes, its the vehemence I cannot understand when I hear people discussing Marian et al. If you don't like it then dont read it.

Well said!


Anyone read Melissa Hill's books? Bought one the other day, gonna start reading it soon..

My b/f also got me PS. I Love You, has anybody read it?

Femelade

i loved PS i love you! cant wait to see what the film is like

Solarball10

Yeah I'm looking forward to the film too, the previews look good! I wanna read the book before I see it though!

I love adele parks
oh and Mike gayle he is my absolute fave (chick lit from a guy)

John Mason

life is far too short to read that kind of rubbish unless you are stuck on a desert island in the middle of nowhere

takola

coolsmileygirl wrote: »

I love adele parks
oh and Mike gayle he is my absolute fave (chick lit from a guy)

Ooh Mike Gayle!! His books are brilliant!

Solarball10

irishbird wrote: »

life is far too short to read that kind of rubbish unless you are stuck on a desert island in the middle of nowhere

It ain't rubbish, and unless you have something positive positive to say, don't bother posting.

Peared

Gotta say, although I love Marian Keyes work, I really dont understand the hype when it comes to Cecilia Ahern. She has some nice ideas but I think they are very averagely (is that even a word) written at best. I think there's a world of difference in quality between herself and Marian. Actually to be honest it kinda annoys me when her books get so much recognition as people take them as a typical example of the quality of "chick lit" when there are so many great books by fantastic writers out there. Granted there is a lot of rubbish too. Anna Maxted would be another example of a brilliant writer that gets tarred with the fluffy brush when she's anything but fluffy.

*Page*

I prefer Jodi Picoult, she wrote My Sister's Keeper

takola

I read PS. I love you. It was good enough, She has a way of writing that drags you in I think. The start of the book when she's grieving, I thought she had that down to a T. I actually felt it so that kind of dragged me in. There were parts of the book that were so boring! To be honest by the end I felt like I was reading it against my will. (Stupid I know but that's the only way I could describe it ) I just had to get to the end. I was relieved when I did!

Of course I'm still going to see the movie!! :rolleyes:

panda100

I read two pages of that celia ahern book and just couldnt read anymore.That sort ofChick-lit is definatly not for me!
I absolutely love Philip Gregory books though.She wrote 'the other Boelyn girl'!I like the mix of fictional and factual and love the whole bodice ripping tudor period

Quality

ozzyoh wrote: »

Well said!


Anyone read Melissa Hill's books? Bought one the other day, gonna start reading it soon..

My b/f also got me PS. I Love You, has anybody read it?

I cried my eyes out reading this book

Nightwish

ozzyoh wrote: »

It ain't rubbish, and unless you have something positive positive to say, don't bother posting.

So only one point of view is allowed to be aired?

Femelade

*Page* wrote: »

I prefer Jodi Picoult, she wrote My Sister's Keeper

Just discovered her lately..read her newest one, "nineteen minutes"..very good read. i was reading "plain truth" but i forgot it on a plane last thur..going mad so i was, cos i had a few hours wait in dublin before heading home...what i read of it was good though.

bergdorf

I always use to try and read serious award winning books, but discovered Marian keyes about 2 years ago on holiday and i'm a fan now, the issues she deals with aren't fluffy (alcoholism, depression, death) but ya she always wraps them up pretty sweetly, so i love abit of escapism. I never got into any of the other chick-lit writers, must take alook at some of the other suggestions. But why do they always have to be pink and pastel coloured covered books, don't want to look like a big girls blouse on the train.

Solarball10

Nightwish wrote: »

So only one point of view is allowed to be aired?

Yep, from people who actually LIKE her books.

Solarball10

bergdorf wrote: »

But why do they always have to be pink and pastel coloured covered books, don't want to look like a big girls blouse on the train.

Lol! I find that they're the most eye-catching ones - I don't know why, pink covers just attract me!!

Nightwish

ozzyoh wrote: »

Yep, from people who actually LIKE her books.

As far as I'm aware, censorship on boards doesnt apply to chick lit.

Jules

Nightwish wrote: »

As far as I'm aware, censorship on boards doesnt apply to chick lit.

QFT.

People can express their opinion as long as its in a respectful and plesent manner, and not "thats my ****ing opinion so **** off."


Personally im not majorly into chick-lit books, one from time to time would get me but i love my crime novels a la patricia cornwall.

Solarball10

irishbird wrote: »

life is far too short to read that kind of rubbish unless you are stuck on a desert island in the middle of nowhere

Hmm well in my opinion, calling something "rubbish" isn't exactly being respectful!

Solarball10

Jules80 wrote: »

QFT.

Personally im not majorly into chick-lit books, one from time to time would get me but i love my crime novels a la patricia cornwall.

See, THIS is being respectful!

Jules

But she was not being disrespectful to you. Its her choice if she wants to call a book rubbish. Some people are just a bit more abrupt with there opinions. Now we are all adults in here so lets just accept her opinion and move on.

panda100

Jules80 wrote: »

But she was not being disrespectful to you. Its her choice if she wants to call a book rubbish. Some people are just a bit more abrupt with there opinions. Now we are all adults in here so lets just accept her opinion and move on.

Now thats a rubbish reply

Ive never read a Marian keyes book, not because I have anything against them but It would seriously damage my uber cool reputation If I was seen reading anything other then hardcore serious books! Hence I only ever read chick lit when Im away on hols!

Solarball10

Jules80 wrote: »

But she was not being disrespectful to you. Its her choice if she wants to call a book rubbish. Some people are just a bit more abrupt with there opinions. Now we are all adults in here so lets just accept her opinion and move on.

That's for sure!

Panda - lol, c'mon now, marian is the "uber-cool" of chicklit

Dinxminx

I love the trashy sex-every-ten-pages books with oh-so-cheesy clinches on the covers. Like Stephanie Laurens! Such a guilty pleasure!!

Also love Marian Keyes and Patricia Cornwell and all of that... I'll read anything really!

Quality

i love my chick lit, its usually nice soft and romantic, I dont get time to read during the day with work and kids and I dont commute by bus train etc.

The only time I get to read is night time going to bed, If I dont read I dont sleep so I like nice easy chick lits that will help me nod off with romance humour on my mind,

I buy most of these in dunnes or tescos. they do there €4.50/€5.95 book specials and they have a lot of Irish fiction writers in stock cause I only like Irish chick lit writers

Some of my favourites are

Marion KEyes
Sinead Moriarty
Cathy kelly
Collette Caddle
Ber Carroll

Solarball10

Quality wrote: »

I buy most of these in dunnes or tescos. they do there €4.50/€5.95 book specials and they have a lot of Irish fiction writers in stock cause I only like Irish chick lit writers

Oooh, do they do Marian books there? I love buying books but they normally cost me a tenner - I did get 4 books for 2 euro from a charity shop before though, I was well happy about that!!

Quality

I am not sure if the do Marian at that price but they sell much cheaper than a book store and they have a great selection of Irish fiction...

Maple

Marian Keyes is a fantastic writer, her stories draw you in and her characters are easy to identify with. Do not rate Cecilia Ahern at all, although I do think that PS I love you will make a fantastic film.

Jodi Picoult is great, Mike Gayle is gas, Sinead Moriarty is good too. Adele Parks is an excellent read too.

I like chick lit for the escapism, everything works out in the end, everyone is happy and the sex is always fantastic. Happy days.

Wolff

Hi Ladies

Know nothing about chick lit but I do know movies and this ones is shaping up to be a real stinker !

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ps_i_love_you/

izaaaj

hello everyone :)i'm writing my thesis on the basis of Marian Keyes's novels.I'm mainly interested in popular women fiction as a self-help literature.Is it really possible to treat Marian's books as a kind of guide for modern women? Do they provide any kind of advice and help modern women to solve their problems or find answers to some nagging doubts or questions? Or maybe they can serve as a solace for somebody?Is there anyone who could share his opinion about this matter with me? Maybe Marian's books helped somebody in some way?

Solarball10

Actually, wasn't there a mini-series of "Watermelon" and "Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married"? Didn't see either, just found out on the net. Dammit, would have liked to see them!

Ps. Gerard Butler is yummy!

takola

I remember seeing the mini-series of Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married alright. Was a load of shyte to be honest!!!

John Mason

takola wrote: »

I remember seeing the mini-series of Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married alright. Was a load of shyte to be honest!!!

LOL thank you

Solarball10

why are u thanking her??

takola

Probably because I saved her the time it would have taken her to write that post!

John Mason

ozzyoh wrote: »

why are u thanking her??

because i agree with her

Solarball10

irishbird wrote: »

because i agree with her

Ohhh-ok. U seem confused about it though?

takola

I'm assuming you haven't seen it Ozzyoh? I don't think it actually stayed with the story at all from what I remember. Mind you to be honest I didn't like the book much better at all really so I could be a bad judge here.

I though watermelon was good though. Never seen a mini-series of that. They'd have needed to have kept it to the story for me to like it though!

Solarball10

takola wrote: »

I'm assuming you haven't seen it Ozzyoh? I don't think it actually stayed with the story at all from what I remember. Mind you to be honest I didn't like the book much better at all really so I could be a bad judge here.

I though watermelon was good though. Never seen a mini-series of that. They'd have needed to have kept it to the story for me to like it though!

Ahhh ok. I thought Lucy Sullivan (the book) was pretty good, although I have to admit my fave is Sushi for Beginners - absolutely love that book!

Yeah I think Anna Friel played the lead character in Watermelon...think twas on TV3 a couple of yrs back...my b/f bought me the book recently so I'm looking forward to reading it

John Mason

ozzyoh wrote: »

Ohhh-ok. U seem confused about it though?

No i was confused by your post

WindSock

Most ofMarian keyes books involve an Irish woman that lives abroad (usually england) and she has at least 3 'wacky' friends. One is usually a gay guy. A bit formulaic for me.