Top 6 Chick Lit Books to Add to Your Bookshelf!

It's April 2020, and here in the UK we're on lockdown because of the coronavirus. For us bookworms, that means a hell of a lot more time to get some solid reading done. A lot of people are probably thinking that they can use the spare time to finally read that book on their shelf that they've been meaning to tuck into for years. What I've noticed from a lot of people, however, is that stress and anxiety mean it isn't quite that simple. Reading difficult books like The Lord of the Rings or Anna Karenina become impossible.

Trying to forget about these worries just isn't doable, but instead, I've found that choosing the right book that can whisk us away to a happier world is a great remedy. Not perfect, but helpful. In my experience, I've found that reading an old favourite can relieve some of the anxiety; Pride and Prejudice and The Hunger Games have been helpful in equal measures over the last few weeks! 

Nonetheless, not everybody is keen to spend their time rereading. For this reason, I've compiled some of my favourite 'chick lit' books into a list, so that any eager readers out there can find something new to read, whilst knowing that it's not going to be too difficult to get into the story. 

Although I've classified these as 'chick lit', they won't necessarily be enjoyed just by women (as is the usual expectation). These are simply some of the easiest reads for adults that I've experienced over the last few years. They've remained on my bookshelf exactly for times like this, as old reliables that can always be counted upon to lift my spirits. Have you read any of my top 6?

I hope you find something that appeals to you, and feel free to send any other recommendations my way! 😊

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Number 6: The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Meet Pat. Pat has a theory: his life is a movie produced by God. And his God-given mission is to become physically fit and emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure a happy ending for him—the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent time in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pat's now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; he's being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, he's being hunted by Kenny G!

Blurb taken from Goodreads.

Okay, so this one isn't necessarily 'chick lit' (I told you that I was using the term loosely). But I do go back to it as one that is easy to read, uplifting and inspiring. I, like many others, saw the film before reading the book, but I would definitely recommend tucking into the original story too. The blurb really does not do justice to the beauty and uniqueness of the story, so try not to judge the book too much by its cover!

This isn't the typical structure of a chick lit book; it's a little messy, and the characters are complicated and different. However, I loved reading about the complicated lives of Pat and Tiffany, and how they found a way to heal their pain through friendship. It's a really rewarding read, whilst being very easy to get into.

If you're looking for something easy to read but that is meaningful at the same time, I'd suggest giving The Silver Linings Playbook a chance.

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Number 5: Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Meet Bridget Jones—a 30-something Singleton who is certain she would have all the answers if she could:
a. lose 7 pounds
b. stop smoking
c. develop Inner Poise 

"123 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds in the middle of the night? Could flesh have somehow solidified becoming denser and heavier? Repulsive, horrifying notion), alcohol units 4 (excellent), cigarettes 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow), number of correct lottery numbers 2 (better, but nevertheless useless)..." 

Bridget Jones' Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget's permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement — a year in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult, and learn to program the VCR. Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic.

Blurb taken from Goodreads.

I would be very surprised if there was a single person alive in the UK who does not already know of the fiction Bridget Jones. This is another one that made for a popular film, but is another that I would equally urge people to read the original book.

This is written in diary form that makes it incredibly easy to read and engage with. Bridget herself is also a very endearing character. There isn't a person who could not relate to her lack of motivation to start a diet or give up smoking, and when reading through her diary entries, you feel like you're reading about a friend.

Don't judge the book by the film adaptation - the book is well worth a read.

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Number 4: Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

Emmy is newly single, and not by choice. She was this close to the ring and the baby she's wanted her whole life when her boyfriend left her for his twenty-three-year-old personal trainer - whose fees are paid by Emmy. With her plans for the perfect white wedding in the trash, Emmy is now ordering takeout for one. Her friends insist an around-the-world sex-fueled adventure will solve all her problems - could they be right? 

Leigh, a young star in the publishing business, is within striking distance of landing her dream job as senior editor and marrying her dream guy. And to top it all off, she has just purchased her dream apartment. Only when Leigh begins to edit the brilliant and brooding Jesse Chapman of the literary world does she start to notice some cracks in her perfect life... 

Adriana is the drop-dead-gorgeous daughter of a famous supermodel. She possesses the kind of feminine wiles made only in Brazil, and she never hesitates to use them. But she's about to turn thirty and - as her mother keeps reminding her - she won't have her pick of the men forever. Everyone knows beauty is ephemeral and there's always someone younger and prettier right around the corner. Suddenly she's wondering...does Mother know best? 

These three very different girls have been best friends for a decade in the greatest city on earth. As they near thirty, they're looking toward their future...but despite all they've earned - first-class travel, career promotions, invites to all the right parties, and luxuries small and large - they're not quite sure they like what they see... 

One Saturday night at the Waverly Inn, Adriana and Emmy make a pact: within a single year, each will drastically change her life. Leigh watches from the sidelines, not making any promises, but she'll soon discover she has the most to lose. Their friendship is forever, but everything else is on the table. Three best friends. Two resolutions. One year to pull it off.

Blurb taken from Goodreads.

You may know the author of Chasing Harry Winston, Lauren Weisberger, from her hugely successful book The Devil Wears Prada. As much as I loved this book and the other stories she has written, I loved Chasing Harry Winston for the way it focuses on three vastly different characters. There is so much power in the stories of these three women, and you'd be hard pushed not to see yourself in at least one of them.

This is one to pick up if you want some seriously sophisticated chick lit. It's one that I wasn't sure I would enjoy, but which I've read multiple times over the years, because the satisfaction of reading about these three journeys is great. Weisberger knows how to create realistic characters, with just the right amount of sass and sparkle. As you can probably tell from the cover of the book...

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Number 3: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. 

Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer–and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope–and finds love–is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. 

But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?

Blurb taken from Goodreads.

Sophie Kinsella is the personification of chick lit. I've never read any of her famous Confessions of a Shopaholic series, but I have read this story and Remember Me? by her. The Undomestic Goddess has been on my bookshelf for more years than I can count, and I just think it's a beautiful story about how you can find happiness where you were least expecting it.

This is probably the most traditional chick lit  bookin my list, and it's simplicity makes for a really easy read. Samantha is a great character to follow, and this is probably a story that can be read in a very short time. If you've read any other books by Sophie Kinsella, know that this will definitely live up to her other work. If you haven't, I'd encourage you to start with this one!

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Number 2: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?). 

Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay. 

New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.

Blurb taken from Goodreads.

This is another title that will probably be recognised by a substantial portion of people, due to the television adaption starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. Sadly, I haven't yet got round to watching this, but if it is anything like the book, it's very enjoyable!

Liane Moriarty is one of my go-to authors, and I could recommend so many of her books to people. I've read every single one of her books, and I think she absolutely nails this genre every time. When I was compiling this list, I looked at the ratings I had given all of her books on Goodreads to see which one came out on top. Although I've given her a smattering of solid four star ratings, this was the one that had a shiny five star rating next to it. Voila!

Big Little Lies is in equal parts easy to read, sweet, and gritty. It focuses on the importance of friendship between women more than anything else, so if you're not one for soppy romance, this is the one for you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

When you're done, go and check out all of her other novels too.

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Number 1: Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern

From naughty children to rebellious teenagers, Rosie and Alex have stuck by each other through thick and thin. But just as as they're discovering the joys of teenage nights on the town and dating disasters, they're separated. Alex's family move from Dublin to America - and Alex goes with them. For good. 

Rosie's lost without him. But on the eve of her departure to join Alex in Boston, Rosie gets news that will change her life forever - and keep her at home in Ireland. 

Their magical connection sees them through the ups and downs of each others lives, but neither of them knows whether their friendship can survive the years and miles - or new relationships. And at the back of Rosie's mind is whether they were meant to be more than just good friends all along. Misunderstandings, circumstances and sheer bad luck have kept them apart, but when presented with the ultimate opportunity, will they gamble everything for true love?

Blurb taken from Goodreads.

Here we are, at the top position on my list!

I have to say, the choice was very easy for me. Where Rainbows End is a beautiful story, very easy to read, and refreshing. Most people know Cecelia Ahern for the famous story of P.S. I Love You. I, however, think this book is arguably even better, and deserves more recognition from readers. If you've seen or heard of the film Love, Rosie, this the book that inspired the film (and what a film it is!).

The story is written through letters, emails, and other written communication between Rosie and her childhood friend Alex. Best friends since their youth, they find themselves always just missing each other. If you want a really satisfying love story, full of suspense and an almost torturous journey between two people destined to be together, this is for you. Although it's a long book, I would urge anybody to read it. Trust me, you won't regret it!

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Wrap-Up

So there you have it!

There are so many books I could have chosen to put on this list, and lots by the same authors, but these are my ultimate picks. Hopefully you've found something that you want to try, and if not, check out some of the authors anyway, as they've written a whole host of different stories that I've really enjoyed over the past few years!

If you have any books that you think should be on this list, let me know, and I'll check them out!