Mr. Lynch's Holiday by Catherine O'Flynn (2013)

Despite the fact that she's only written a few books, Catherine O'Flynn is one of those authors that I will request and read her books without reading a single word of the description.  (See also her amazing What Was Lost.)

This short novel is about Dermot Lynch, a widower who travels to a town in Spain where his son Eamonn has purchased a condo and emigrated with his wife.  As the novel begins, Eamonn's wife has just left him and he is unemployed when his father drops in for a visit from England.

Terribly poignant and just a lovely, lovely story of the complex relationship between an adult child and his father (and vice versa).  As always with O'Flynn you get a little something extra, and this time, it's a fascinating look at expatriate communities, not just the one Eamonn lives in Spain, but also his father's in England and so on. Just lovely.

In the Bag by Kate Klise (2012)

As light and fluffy and delicious as cotton candy, this is a novel told from four perspectives: A mother and daughter traveling to Paris, and a father and son traveling to Madrid to work on an art installation. A glass of spilled wine, and two similar looking bags lead to a note left in a carry-on, mixed up bags, surreptitious email conversations, faking sickness, and planned meetings in Paris and Barcelona.

Dishy and light and fun, with realistic, charming characters.  Klise will definitely be an author I'll keep an eye out for again. 

Tuscany for Beginners by Imogen Edwards-Jones (2004)

Enchanting novel (by the author of Hotel Babylon) about a woman who runs a B & B in Tuscany and models herself after Frances Mayes. For those who read Under the Tuscan Sun and found Mayes insufferable, this clueless character is especially hilarious and delightful. Great characterizations all around especially the expat community (Derek and Barbara) in her valley, her long-suffering daughter, and the American who moves in to start a hotel of her own. Plus, hilarious recipes—yes, hilarious recipes! So witty, so British, and such dishy, soapy fun!

Driving Sideways by Jess Riley (2008)

Driving Sideways is about Leigh, who just recovered from a kidney transplant, and is taking a road trip from her native Wisconsin to try to find her mother in California. Riley has a beautiful Midwestern voice, and fabulous humor. There are at least four laugh out loud moments on every other page of this hilarious novel. Plus, it's poignant and touching as well. SO good. So so so good.

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.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (2001)

Not quite an adored author yet, I do really love Ann Patchett's writing.  Bel Canto is a lovely and complicated novel about a birthday party for a Japanese businessman in South America where guerillas crash the party and take all the partygoers hostage, including the opera singer scheduled to sing at the party.  What stays with me is Patchett's relationships and her beautiful writing on opera.  I also love Run, a marvelous, gripping novel about a white, Irish family who adopted young black boys and the family secrets and dramas that unfold after a woman pushes one of the boys out of the way of a car, and ends up in the hospital.

Maeve Binchy - Adored Author

Maeve Binchy writes sweet, Irish tales people with heaps of memorable characters. Like a big, cozy quilt in book form. I love all of her books, but can't always remember exactly what they were about after reading them.  I adore This Year It Will Be Different: the best Christmas short story collection ever. These stories have a definite edge and are infused with dark humor. Mothers who feel that their hard holiday work goes unappreciated should definitely check this collection out.  Other outstanding Binchy novels include Circle of Friends, Evening Class, Tara Road, and, especially, Night of Rain and Stars, which is set on a Greek island and revolves around four tourists from England, America, Germany and, of course, Ireland. After a tragedy occurs on the island, the four find themselves caught up in island life and reluctant to leave. Love blossoms, family troubles spark and are resolved, colorful island folk add their two cents and the whole novel is just delightful.