"Chick Lit"

I've gotta weigh in and say the Sookie Stackhouse books are great, and a fast read as well. I started reading them and had to read them all. Now my daughter has discovered them, and she loves them too.
The HBO series "True Blood" is based on these books, but the books are so different than the TV series.

Luann Rice does great chick books, beach read type. For total fluff chick suspense books: Julie Garwood, Lisa Gardner, Lisa Jackson, Tami Hoag, Suzanne Brockman, Iris Johansen, Nora Roberts (not all of hers are suspense).

My library carries a book review magazine in which I have found a lot of good books. Here is the web site:

http://bookpage.com/

Really enjoyed The Help. It was a good read, historical fiction about the south in the 60's. Another great read was Hunger Games. Interesting book, characters, didn't think I would like it, but it is very compelling, they has a sequel called Catching Fire, and the third book will be out this August. Very good and exciting reads! Hope you have some good ideas for reads. You should join goodreads.com, you and your friends can plug in all the books you have read and get many ideas from each other!

I could not agree more about "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society". I absolutely loved this book as did the friends I recommended it to and my step-mother. You will laugh and cry and wish that the book would go on and on - or at least, that you could personally meet the characters. It is also a fairly quick read - perfect for traveling.

I've recently discovered Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy and Constable Evans series. I love Janet Evanovich, Sue Grafton, both Kellermans, Mary and Carol Higgins Clark, Stuart Woods, Robert B. Parker, Elizabeth Peters (both the Amelia series and Vicky Bliss).

I have two "chic lit" mommy books (fiction) that I totally recommend:

This Little Mommy Stayed Home
by Samantha Wilde

The Bright Side of Disaster
Katherine Center

Both of these books are very light reading, flow easy ... and made me laugh out loud!! :)

I'm certainly going to give some of the books recommended a try this summer. I agree about The Help. I read it last summer and loved it. I'd also recommend the Queen Betsy and the Alaskan Royalty series by MaryJanice Davidson. The Queen Betsy series is about vampires, just to give you a head's up in case you don't like that kind of thing. It's very funny, like if Buffy was an adult. The Alaskan Royalty series is about an alternative reality where Alaska never became a state and is ruled by an crazy pseudo-Russian royal family.

I saw no one else recommended this, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" (I think this is the title). This is a charming, historical fiction novel written in "letter form" about the German occupation of the English island of Guernsey during the second world war. There is a lot of wonderful dry humor, heartbreak, and feelings of gratitude and love for fellow mankind in this book. I loved it and so did a lot of my friends.

12 Angry Housewives Eating BonBons

i have to second (or maybe fifth or sixth) The Help. I'm not a reader, but i found time to read this one and i'm so glad i did!

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik is a must

I know this question is wrapping up, but I just have to plug "A Girl Named Zippy" by Haven Kimmel. It's about a hysterically funny little girl growing up in a really small town in the 70s. It's just pure delight. Did I mention it's really funny, too?

Jennifer Weiner, Jane Green, Sophie Kinsella and Emily Giffen are a few of my favorites!

The School of Essential Ingredients is a delightful read about a group of people in a cooking class.

I really liked The Book of Bright Ideas by Sanda Kring. Very light and fun.

I'm with Laurie A. I just read "The Help" and it was wonderful!!!

I love anything by Andrew McCall Smith--most of his books are light and very enjoyable. I've read most of the Ladies No 1 Detective Agency series. The latest I've read by him (not from the series) is called La's Orchestra Saves the Day. Another great page turner by Mary Ann Shaffer is called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Read "The Company She Keeps". If you take it on vacation, bring two books. You'll read this in one day. It's a page turner.

"The Help" by K. Sockett was one of the best books I have ever read... the other women who were also reading it (various ages) all said the same thing and no one could put it down!

To anyone who is looking for a great book.

One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus. It waould also be a good one to save for your book group or have them read it after you because it will inspire great discussions.

MRL

I just read "Into the Wild Nerd Yonder" by Julie Halpern. If the title appeals to you at all, you'll love it. Don't read the book flap though. I read it after the fact and realized it would have spoiled a little for me; I enjoyed it not knowing where it was going.

I might be a little late replying to this, but wanted to add a couple I didn't see mentioned; Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series is addictive. It starts as a fun read about a lady in the late 1800's or early 1900's (it's been a long time since I read the first one, 'Crocodile on the Sandbank') and ends up following her adventures through many books and up through I believe the second world war. Also, a lighter read aimed at teens, Patricia C. Wrede's 'Enchanted Forest Chronicles'. They provide an interesting contemporary look at life inside the Enchanted Forest where most fairytales are set. And of course, 'Good Omens', a book I do not lend but instead buy for people who want to read it, as I know I won't get it back. It follows an angel and a demon trying to thwart the apocalypse. Funnier than it sounds.

Happy reading!

I just saw this post, but I wanted to add to it....Robert Fulghum's books, ie: all I ever needed to know I Learned in Kindergarten. His book are wonderful!

Where is Joe Merchant and Tales of Margaritaville byJimmy Buffett are alot of fun and quick reads. (Great beach reads)
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons is also one of my favorites!!!

Just read "The Secret Life of Bees"...not a new book out there...but awesome!

I'm going to 3rd the Sookie Stackhouse series.

The Sookie Stackhouse series are great! My DH even read them with me! They are very small and a very quick read...if you like them you should buy several because you can pretty much read 1 in a day :) DH and I are patiently waiting for the next one in the series! We have a standing Date Night when "True Blood" returns...can't wait!

I didn't want to read any of the Twilight books but after my 15 yr old SS begged me and his father to read them (we read all the Harry Potters as a family) we tried them...DH stopped when he got to the part where they describe that the vampires "sparkle", he just couldn't get into it...but I liked them very much...they really are a pretty sweet love story!

Anything by Lisa Gardner is an easy quick read too!

my favorite summer book (and i read it every summer) is beach music by pat conroy. it's one of those generational saga books: so touching, so beautiful and so gripping.
T.
http://www.wavyo.com

Just finished reading "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford and it was a very sweet, easy to read novel. Love all these ideas as summer reading is right around the corner!

I'd also recommend Jen Lancaster. Start with Bitter is the New Black. She is incredibly funny.

The Mitford Series by Jan Karon is the best feel good lit I have read in years. The setting is in Blowing Rock, NC and the author lived there while writing the series. She has an insight to human nature that is a breath of fresh air.

Yes ! eat , pray ,love by Elisabeth Gilbert. I read a lot, i don't like a lot of the books mentioned here, too goody goody. this book... you can't put it down, it's a memoir, it makes you feel warm and fuzzy AND you'll laugh !!!
Enjoy
V.

I really enjoy some of Jennifer Weiner's books too! Specifically, "Good In Bed" (no, not a book about sex), "In Her Shoes," and for a good Mommy perspective, "Little Earthquakes."

I also really enjoyed, "Belong To Me," by Marisa De Los Santos.

Jennifer Weiner books are fun. Enjoy your trip!

I'm convinced you don't have to be a fan of tennis to enjoy Andre Agassi's "Open" - it's so delightfully written and he has such an amazing way of telling stories! While I was reading it I used to walk around hugging it the way my son hugged truck books when he was 2!! I never wanted it to end!

A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vannuken - it shounds heavy, but it is the most amazing love story that I have ever read or heard about, bar none. This book should be made into a movie. It is about an American couple who go over to England and come back to America. It is truly magical and wonderful in how you have to use your imagination to picture the different settings. There is a picture of Davy (female) on the back of the book that clues you into the fact that this couple is going to be something quite different - original and marvelously so.
Then, there is Michael Chabon who won the pulitzer for, "The Amazing Adventures of Cavalier and Clay." K.

If you like things with magic, I totally recommend Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson. It's really light, but cute, about a girl who is "immune" to magic, so it doesnt work on her, but she thinks she's going a little crazy when she moves to new york and starts seeing people with fairy wings and stuff. Fun and light.

Not sure if this would fall into that category, but the Sookie Stackhouse series is pretty cute, quick read, by Charlaine Harris. If you want out and out romance novel...you can't go wrong with Jude Deveraux, if you want make you blush steamy...Emma Holly ( but don't say I didn't warn you!)
Someone reccomended In Her Shoes...if you have a sister a great book!!!

Updated

Not sure if this would fall into that category, but the Sookie Stackhouse series is pretty cute, quick read, by Charlaine Harris. If you want out and out romance novel...you can't go wrong with Jude Deveraux, if you want make you blush steamy...Emma Holly ( but don't say I didn't warn you!)
Someone reccomended In Her Shoes...if you have a sister a great book!!!

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - loved it!!

Oh, and for a very fun read without a whole lot of substance, try Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination by Helen Fielding.

Also (of course) The Help, and Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner.

I know I'm late coming to this but for light reading with a fun, feel good attitude, I HIGHLY suggest Janet Evanovich's One for the Money. It's the first in a series of Stephanie Plum novels: An out of work Jersey girl turned bounty hunter with near disasterous but always hilarious results. Sidekick is a colorful, take no prisoners, and have no fear (well, mostly) ex-ho. And there's a good dash of romance thrown in the mix. Just enough to leave ya squealing for more. Good thing there's already a sequal (or dozen) written for ya to hop right into. =O)

"The Help" by Kathryn Sockett

OMG, I could not put it down.. I have now passed the book to more than 6 people and every one of them has loved it..

I LOVE any book by Robyn Carr. She has a series called "Virgin River" and "Grace Valley" with a bunch of books in it that just keep me captivated and wanting to read more and more all of the time. In the last year I've read all the books in both series that have come out in the last few years - that's how hooked I am. Her characters are realistic and it makes you feel like you're actually there. GREAT books for a summer no brainer read :)

Janet Evonavich, Jennifer Weiner, Summer Sisters by Judy Bloom, Marian Keyes are a few of my favorites. If you choose Janet Evonavich, you'll want to take several books. They're a really quick read, but oh so funny!

I concur with many of the books here, but wanted to add books by Katie Fforde (yes, two F's), and I REALLY recommend the books by Alexandra Raife - "Wild Highland Home" is my favorite - she's out of print, but is worth checking for at your local library. I read Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" every year, and I also read "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck every year (not chick lit, but a good read).

Happy Reading!

I am with everyone else-Jennifer Weiner , Sophia Kinsella (who writes under Madeline Wickham also), Jane Green, and Emily Giffin. The Help was great book also (not really chick lit but a great read!).

The series by Jan Karon if you haven't read them yet.

The Janet Evanovich books are very light reading. So are the Sue Grafton.

Upon Eagles Light by Clover Autrey

I loved Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah!

Sorry, I need to add, Helen Fielding, Bridget Jones Diaries, the second book is even funnier but I loved them! Joanne Fluke, Maeve Binchy, Marian Keyes, and so on...I'm repeating but it they need to be repeated lol If you want something a bit steamy, Jennifer Cruise...sexy stuff, very quick to read.

chick lit??
well, i am into historical fiction 'chick lit' i guess you could call it. i get at barnes and noble website click on bargain books and click on historical fiction, anything with ann boleyn, henry VIII (no not him, his wives), all of those are awesome readings. if you need a title and are interested in the type of books i read PM me i can give you a few titles.

"The Shop On Blossom Street" by Debbie Macomber. This is the first in a series, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

I recommend the book "Eat, Pray, Love"

Hi Cindy!
Well the weekend is over, but I have a book club on my website
www.loving--life.blogspot.com let me know what you think.
Thanks,
A.

Like Sherry K., I enjoyed Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert, but that book has gotten a lot of criticism and for good reason (she got a book advance before embarking on her journey to heal, which makes the entire experience a little disingenuous). Another powerful healing journey is captured in Kathleen Morton Willis' Blue Poppy and The Mustard Seed (published by the Buddhist publication, Wisdom Publications) in which the author travels with her husband to find solace following the passing of their 6-week old son. I'm in my first pregnancy and it was a page turner for me! I don't know if it qualifies as something "a little lighter" but I thought I'd put a plug in for this book.

Someone else recommended Jen Lancaster - and I second that...She is hilarious. Every summer she also posts a summer reading list on her blog (jennsylvania.com). I have read several great books this past year from that list and I am waiting to read others (they were super new last summer and the library did not have them - and except for certain authors I hardly ever buy hardback books) and I look forward to her new list this coming summer.

The Last Song or any of Elin Hildebrand's books. I liked them all.

Janet Evanovich has several series with a little suspense and some that are more romance only, Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series (love these and waiting for a new one), The Blossom Street series by Debbie Maccomber, Carly Phillips, Toni McGee Causey.

Great question, now I have some authors to check out too :)

I agree about Jennifer Weiner and Sophia Kinsella. I also love Marisa de los Santos (Belong to Me would be perfect for your trip) and Maeve Binchy .

emily giffin, terry mac millan

I agree with a lot of the suggestions here, Sophie Kinsella; Jennifer Weiner, I especially enjoyed Good in Bed (not really what the title implies.) and I also liked A Girl Named Zippy. But want to add one more:
Devil in the Junior League by Linda Francis Lee. Definitely falls into the chick lit category. It's not going to win any literary awards, but it's a light and fun read. Perfect for the beach.

Have you read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert yet? That's great.

Fern michaels has a sisterhood series out it is great quick reads i think there are 17 in all and once you read the first couple you dont have to read them in too much of an order

twilight!all of them

anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips I just finished What I did for Love it was great. made me laugh out loud. nora roberts wedding series Vision in white or bed or roses are both out. waiting for the next one due out either this month or next. janet evanavitch is great also.

Someone introduced me to the Sisterchicks series by Robin Gunn.... easy reads and about friendships, with a little religion thrown in, but you don't feel like you are reading a book about God. In each book, friends are made during trips abroad (they travel to Paris, Venice, Mexico, New Zealand, and many more.) I loved the friendship themes! All about adult women in the present time. Nice if you want to get off the 'romance' kick (a friend going through a divorce appreciated this!)

Hope this helps.

Debbie Macomber has a wonderful series called "cedar cove". All the book titles are street address and they are all interlinked! Enjoyed it very much!