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Just wondering really? And who are your favourite chick-lit/romance authors?

I like Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews, Marian Keyes and Jodi Picoult.

(if this should be in a different section, please move it) xx

I've tried chick-lit a few times but haven't found one that really appeals...

These are some that sort of fit that I liked:

Makedown by Gitty Daneshvari
An Invisible Sign of My Own by Aimee Bender
Flying Leap by Judy Budnitz
No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July
This Is Not Chick Lit: Original Stories by America's Best Women Writers by Elizabeth Merrick
Doctors and Nurses: A Novel by Lucy Ellmann
Cassandra French's Finishing School for Boys: A Novel by Eric Garcia

I read some chicklit, I think the most recent one I really liked was Nice to Come Home To, it's basically a modern version of Sense and Sensibility that takes place in D.C.. I sometimes love Sophie Kinsella, but not the shopaholic series so much. They were ok, but Becky grated on my nerves sometimes, especially in Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. My favorites of her are Can You Keep a Secret? and The Undomestic Goddess. I also enjoyed both the Bridgit Jones books by Helen Fielding.

It's not my usual genre. I'm apparently too moody for chick-lit, and the genre is changing a lot. I'm not sure if Kristan Higgins qualifies, but her books are definitely quirky enough to make you giggle out loud. Also, I have a soft spot for Mindy Klasky and her Girl's Guide To Witchcraft series.

Chick-lit to me is one of those words that have bad connotations. It’s linked with sappy and unrealistic love. I think that’s sad. I don't search out chick-lit ever but when I stumble on a chick-lit I find that I usually enjoy it.

I would recommend Driftwood Summer and the Traveling Pants series.

Chick-lit is not my genre. I find it much too slushy and unrealistic.

I think Sam's sum up of chick-lit is how it is often seen. I don't love most chick-lit for that reason. But some that I really like that I'm pretty sure fall into this category without the mush factor are
The Nanny Diaries
Jennifer Weiner-she really develops characters and relationships well, not just romantic but friend and family relationships as well.

Robin Carr
Susan Wiggs
Sherryl Woods
Debbie Macomber
Fern Michaels
Maeve Binchy

I think Kristin Higgins is technically contemporary romance because all her books end with HEA's which aren't necessarily a requirement for chick-lit...

i'm not really a fan of it per-say, but the Queen Betsy series by Mary Janice Davidson (paranormal chick-lit) is entertaining...a shoe-obessed bimbo who is killed and somehow rises as the prophesized queen of the vampires...

What would be your definition of chick-lit? It would be interesting to see how different people define that genre.

Chick Lit definition

"Chick lit" is a term used to denote genre fiction written for and marketed to young women, especially single, working women in their twenties and thirties. Chick lit features hip, stylish female protagonists, usually in their twenties and thirties, in urban settings (usually London or Manhattan), and follows their love lives and struggles in business (often in the publishing, advertising, public relations or fashion industry).





The books usually feature an airy, irreverent tone and frank sexual themes.

If this is the norm then no I don't read chick lit.

But if it is writers like Binchy,Wiggs etc. I do on occasion read them

the Sex and the city books; lipstick jungle; carrie diaries; queen betsy series are all good examples of chick lit...because there isn't that focus on a happy ever after...

Women's Lit is more focused on the development of female relationships - mothers, women, friends - maybe focused on the issues - like jodi picoult, kristin hannah

Karen wrote: "Robin Carr
Susan Wiggs
Sherryl Woods
Debbie Macomber
Fern Michaels
Maeve Binchy"

Actually, and technically speaking, none of these authors fall into the genre of chick lit. Maeve Binchy is considered general fiction. The rest are either romance or womens fiction (and some write both).

Romance has to end with the HEA (Happy Ever After), with couples either ending up married or "happy for now." Romance follows one woman and one man; womens fiction can follow entertwining stories of a couple of different women.

Womens fiction features older, more mature women and are not as "breezy" or irreverent as chick lit. They don't contain the same language, and don't necessarily end with a HEA, but the ending has to be satisfying for the main character(s); there has to be some growth (which is not necessary to chick lit). As Dee said, the focus is on the issues and relationships.

MaryJanice Davidson's "Undead" series is an excellent example of chick lit mystery. So are the High Heels books by Gemma Halliday.

I like to read chic lit every now and then, to alternate with my other books. I like chic lits by Sophie Kinsella and Lauren Weisberger

I like Emily Giffin, particularly Something Borrowed and Something Blue. They aren't as "trashy" as other chick lit if anyone wants to give chick lit a shot :)

I tried to read Confessions of a Shopaholic but I think seeing the movie first ruined it for me because I knew what was going to happen for the most part

Rosabelle wrote: "I like to read chic lit every now and then, to alternate with my other books. I like chic lits by Sophie Kinsella and Lauren Weisberger"

Jennifer Crusie has some great books (my personal favs are Faking It and Bet Me) so does Janet Evanovich with the Stephanie Plum Series. If you want funny, sarcastic and sartorial then try Jen Lancaster. Carly Phillips and Lori Foster (esp foster's SBC books) are good too.

Rosabelle wrote: "I like to read chic lit every now and then, to alternate with my other books. I like chic lits by Sophie Kinsella and Lauren Weisberger"

I read Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada (I know many hated it) and enjoyed it. It was a nice break from school when I needed it most. I don't read a lot of chick lit, but if someone can suggest books in the genre that are well-written, entertaining, and take place in Paris, I would likely end up being interested.

A good chick lit novel is, if nothing else, a nice way to take a break after reading heavier material so your brain can relax before the next heavy book.

Jennifer wrote: "Jennifer Crusie has some great books (my personal favs are Faking It and Bet Me)"

I like Jennifer Crusie as well particularly Bet Me. I would, however, consider her books to be romance books due to their more obvious sexual contents.

Was starting to write about the difference between chick lit and women's fiction then saw Heather L already covered it. I always think that if it has a bit more substance and maybe even made me cry it's probably women's fiction, not chick lit. Secret Life of Bees, The Help-I think of as Women's fiction, the Shopaholic books, Devil Wears Prada etc-chick lit. I feel like Emily Giffin, Anna Maxted, and Marian Keyes fall somewhere in the middle.

I like both chick lit and women's fiction-sometimes I just need to read something fast and easy and fun. I don't usually read the more romance type of chick lit but I did read Bet Me for a book club and liked it.