Elinor Lipman - Adored Author

Elinor Lipman writes witty novels filled with vivid, memorable characters. Often my favorite is whatever novel she's most recently published.  Some of my favorites are: Ladies’ Man - A tale of three sisters, all spinsters and living together in Boston; Isabel’s Bed – A writer takes a ghost writing position for scandal queen; and When She Found Me - A shy teacher is sought out by her gregarious birth mother.  My Latest Grievance feels like a revisiting of some themes from her first novel: Then She Found Me. Namely, girl raised by conservative, quiet parents runs into a mother figure who is outrageous (in a Lipman way) and shakes up her life. And I'll always love The Inn at Lake Devine about a young girl who witnesses anti-Semitism from the Inn of the title who grows up and finds her life inextricably linked with that of the owners. Funny, romantic, meaningful.  Plus, I love the inside look at the great Jewish resorts of the Catskills.

Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson (2004)

Young, single girl who loves shopping gets hit by a car and wakes up in the morgue as a vampire. Oh, not just a vampire, but the vampire queen.  Very funny chick lit, very untraditional vampire story. An enjoyable, fun read and set in Minnesota, no less!  Continued for many, many volumes, but as I don't really like long-running series, I can't attest to more recent volumes.

Dixieland Sushi by Cara Lockwood (2005)

The heroine is a TV producer who is heading back to her Southern hometown to attend the wedding of her childhood crush, who is marrying her cousin. Her attractive coworker joins her for the trip. Romance ensues. Very much of the 80s childhood is evoked, which always pleases me.

Jenny Colgan - Adored Author

One of the most genuinely funny authors of British chick lit, Colgan creates interesting, believable, quirky (but not too quirky) characters relationships and writes truly hilarious dialogue. I loved Amanda's Wedding, wherein our heroine's snobby, bitchy friend is marrying her longtime crush. Wedding sabotage attempts, much drinking, and yes, hilarity ensues.  In Looking for Andrew McCarthy, our heroine hits 30 and wonders why life is not a John Hughes movie. Thinks a road trip in America to find Andrew McCarthy is a good solution.  And The Boy I Loved Before is a cute romantic comedy fantasy. Flora attends her friend's wedding with her boyfriend, runs into her high school ex, makes a wish, and wakes up the next day as her sixteen-year-old self.  All are fun and funny reads.

Timeline by Michael Crichton (1999)

Incredibly cinematic and action-packed, Crichton makes this novel about scientists traveling back in time fascinating--even the science parts.  Terribly romantic for an action/adventure novel.  I read this book and thought how on earth could they possibly screw up the movie adaptation? But they so did. With the exception of the casting of Gerard Butler, which was genius.

Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook (2002)

Fortyish chick with big quirky Irish Catholic family undergoes dating travails (including accidentally answering her father's personal ad). Great characters, hilarious situations, and sweet storyline.  Also a not-entirely-awful film.

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (1996)

Chick keeps diary of alcohol use, weight gain, workplace drama, and romantic troubles. Loosely based on Pride & Prejudice. The book that started it all. Utterly hilarious and utterly re-readable. 

Followed by Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, based this time (even more loosely) on Austen's Persuasion. Noteworthy for the utterly hilarious scene in which Bridget Jones interviews the actor Colin Firth about his role as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.

Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty (2005)

An utterly delightful novel about Lyn, Gemma and Cat--triplets in various stages of matrimonial and romantic drama, as well as drama in their relationships with each other and their parents. Fabulously endearing characters, fabulous quotes about being a sister. Must read.

How to Meet Cute Boys by Deanna Kizis (2003)

Narrated by Benjamina Franklin (!) a writer for the Glamour-like magazine Filly, the novel is interspersed with quizzes and articles. Ben and her publishing friends live in L.A., attend fashionable parties and, in general, try to meet cute boys. Great characters and realistic but funny dating situations add up to a great chick lit read.

Snowed In by Christina Bartolomeo (2004)

Though the plot description may sound a bit dull (freelance writer moves to Portland, has marital problems, joins a walking club), this endearing, subtly humorous book is filled with wonderfully vivid, believeable and sympathetic characters, particularly Sophie, who starts out unassertive and mildly neurotic, but develops backbone and courage.

Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson (2005)

Seamlessly blending fantasy and chick lit, this novel is about Texas girl who moves to NYC and gets a job with a company that creates magic spells. Endearing characters, hilarious situations, and despite the presence of magic and talking gargoyles and kissing frogs in Central Park, far more believable than most chick lit. See also the adorable sequel Once Upon a Stiletto, the third Damsel Under Stress, and the fourth and final novel, Don't Hex with Texas, which follows our heroine back to her family home, magic and all.