The Best Chick Lit

Led by Bridget Jones’s Diary, chick lit was a phenomenon of the 1990s and early 2000s, before (sadly) the term fell from favour. The stories of heroines making their way in life—looking for love, a career and happiness—made for incredibly popular books because they resonated with readers who found solace in their light-heartedness, humour, and ultimately happy endings. In 2010, Sophie sent us this list of some of her own favourites, though we also highly recommend her own books.

Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes.

This book had me right from the moment the protagonist, Rachel, opines that she can’t be an addict: ‘Surely drug addicts were thinner?’ She thinks rehab will be glamorous and filled with celebrities – instead it’s hard work. Addiction is a gritty subject, but the story of Rachel’s progress is told with such humour and reality that you devour the pages – and there are a lot of them.

Amanda’s Wedding by Jenny Colgan.

This fast, funny romp was Jenny Colgan’s debut. The premise is great – a group of friends band together to save their titled friend from marrying a bitchy social climber by sabotaging the wedding. One-liners come thick and fast throughout the action, and the dialogue is always spot-on and hilarious.

31 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell?

Reclusive Toby has filled his rambling house with a collection of misfits for 15 years. Now he needs to move on, so they must too, and this is the story of him gently edging them on. This book is rich with Lisa Jewell’s trademark warmth, wonderfully drawn characters and descriptions. It’s funny, touching and true.

Old Maid by Suzanne Finnamore. Tell me about it.

Published as Otherwise Engaged in the States, this is one of the most caustic, true books I have ever read – the kind you immediately start quoting at your friends. It follows the story of Eve after her engagement and subsequent panic – the joy of the book is in her relentlessly witty, dry-as-a-bone take on marriage, advertising and life.

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield.

This is chick lit of the 1930s, and the wry, self-deprecating ‘provincial lady’ is one of the funniest characters in literature. It proves that 80 years ago woman had exactly the same concerns as us – from what our husbands are really thinking, to how to conceal that latest dress bill (thankfully we are spared the ordeal of having to Speak to the Cook). It’s a book you can dip into for a little burst of pleasure, any time.