Chick Lit

[carrier76]

I'm just reading the Jack Wagner novel and it's okay, not great. I just wish she'd spend more of the novel in the present. I didn't like how much of the novel was descriptions of all the guys she dated in the past. It just wore on me after awhile. I skipped the whole college dating section - and I don't often do that.

You know what? The college part was annoying. I didn't want to read about the dirty hippies she lived with because I don't like those kinds of people (sorry to offend anyone!). I like showers.

I spent the whole book wanting her to hook up with her guy friend. Whatever.

[WestEndGirl]

I liked the concept of "Getting Over Jack Wagner" but it did drag at times. Has anyone read "Wish" by Melina Gerosa Bellows? It's sort of similar.

I just finished "the Other Woman" by Jane Green and really disliked it. Were we supposed to like the main character Ellie? She was so annoying, right from the very beginning. The big "revelation" at the end involving her friend was not surprising, either.

[Peggy Lane]

Last night I read "Otherwise Engaged" by Suzanne Finnamore. It had a blurb on the back by Anne Lamott, so I thought it might be a slightly different sort of chick lit. Finnamore definately went in a more cerebral direction than the vast majority of writers, and I vastly enjoyed the book. The heroine was a little older, had suffered some actual tragedy in her life, and was good at her job.

On the other hand, I also started "Bergdorf Blondes" and I'm already bored.

[tinyshoes]

peggylane said:

On the other hand, I also started "Bergdorf Blondes" and I'm already bored.

You're not the only one. I couldn't make it past chapter 2. Some people were trying to convince me that it was a satire, but I ain't buying it.

[Deleted]

I just bought and finished Shopaholic & Baby. I have always enjoyed the previous ones because although the protagonist is annoying and self-centered, they were light pieces of fluff I could read in one day. This one was just "Grrr!" Maybe it's because I'm currently in the process of trying for a baby and I didn't need to read a whole book of immature Mom Porn where Becky is only concerned about buying up the best designer clothes for her baby. Grow up already. Sheeesh, could you exhibit some character develop at some point in one of these five books?

[dragonfly80]

jensational said:

I just bought and finished Shopaholic & Baby. I have always enjoyed the previous ones because although the protagonist is annoying and self-centered, they were light pieces of fluff I could read in one day. This one was just "Grrr!" Maybe it's because I'm currently in the process of trying for a baby and I didn't need to read a whole book of immature Mom Porn where Becky is only concerned about buying up the best designer clothes for her baby. Grow up already. Sheeesh, could you exhibit some character develop at some point in one of these five books?

That's out already? I liked the first Shopaholic but the second and third weren't very good. The fourth one with the "sister" was absolute garbage. You're right that she doesn't develop or grow or learn from her mistakes at all. She's becoming a rather unsympathetic character.

I wanted to like Charmed Thirds so badly but I hate what has been done to Jessica Darling. They took a great, strong girl and turned her into a nympho who now embodies many of the traits she hated in others during high school. I just don't believe that Jessica would have evolved into what Megan Mcafferty has made her. There will be a fourth book coming out but I'm not sure if I can stomach it. Ideally I'd like to see Jessica and Marcus together but not unless there is some change, personal growth and maturing happening to both of them.

[carrier76]

I didn't like the first Shopaholic book, because it got so frustrating for me watching Becky spend, spend, spend. I forced myself to finish it, but I didn't go back.

"Charmed Thirds." I'm getting ready to reread it, as I reread "Sloppy Firsts" and "Second Helpings" both for the umpeen millionth time, and I want to read it again and remember everything. Marcus frustrated me to no end, as I remember, but so did her revolving door of annoying men. However, I will say this--going to college changes people. And perhaps all of that was just a means to an end? I hope?

[dragonfly80]

carrier76 said:

However, I will say this--going to college changes people. And perhaps all of that was just a means to an end? I hope?

She seemed to change into a member of the Clueless Crew within a few pages. I know that when I went to college it opened a lot of doors for new experiences, clubs, and social activities. It seemed like Jessica should have experienced more of those and gotten more involved in the things she belives in, or rather used to believe in. I had hoped for some Hy interactions and even more Bridget and Pepe would have been a nice break. It's just that the character did such an about-face that I have a hard time chalking that up to college life. Bridget, Len, Manda and Pepe didn't really change all that much, they didn't regress into totally despicable characters. I can't go back and re-read it because I actually sold mine on Ebay! Right after it came out I rushed to buy it in hardcover but couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Here is to hoping Fourth Comings will be a better story.

Recently I read the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood and found it touching and it seemed to be a fitting end to the series. The third book lagged but the final one was on par with the first two, IMO. I can't say I loved all of the Carmen storyline, I don't believe she could lose her spirit and confidence quite so easily.

[Deleted]

I'm re-reading Jenny Colgan's Looking for Andrew McCarthy. Loved it when I first read it years ago, loved it now. It's sweet and doesn't go the usual chick lit route. And while the main character might be frustrating at times in her slightly inmature actions, it's not overdone and Ellie actually goes through some changes and does a lot of growing up. And her love interest belongs into the Literary Crushes thread.
I don't really like Jenny Colgan's other books, I hated Amanda's Wedding and thought that Talking To Addison was stupid.

[Deleted]

Recently I read the Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood and found it touching and it seemed to be a fitting end to the series.

I just finished reading this as well and loved it. I found that it was a very accurate portrayal of what happens to friends when you start college.

I must say that although I've never really like Bee I ended up invested in her storyline more than the others.

I've also finished Size 14 is not fat Either. I can't say that it was the best book, but at least in this one there were fewer "wow you're/size 12 is so huge!" That was very annoying in the first one.