Top ten chick lit books of 2006: Sara-Jade, Brentford.

When forced into a corner with a blunt instrument, I found picking just my Top Ten list impossible....and whittling them down has almost had me reduced to a snivelling nervous wreck.  But here it is - my current favourite Chick Lit of 2006. At least, so far. To date. Perhaps. With the exception of  the new Catherine Alliott and Zoe Barnes' latest, obviously.

Jackie Collins comeback (Lovers & Players) was great, and Jane Green's fantastic Life Swap, and of course, the Freya North... This is impossible! I love Chick Lit. I love everything about it. I love the shoes, the makeup, the mates, the cocktails, the men, the careers, and all the sex.... There is of course some chick lit that I don't like as much, and some "on the cusp" books that are really erotica, or romance, or contemporary women's fiction that I really really do like.

There are some authors that don't quite hit the mark for me, and others that can make me laugh out loud and cry buckets with every word they write. And there are some stories and characters that rise head and shoulders above the others, and I will read over and over and over again till the jackets fall off and the pages fall out and I get to go and buy the very latest edition (Yipppeee!) And some that I struggle to finish the first page, let alone chapter. But here is my favourite list today. (Ask me again tomorrow though and I'll get back to you).

Buy the book

Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
The Summer Psychic   by Jessica Adams
If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern
The Godmother by Carrie Adams
West End Girls by Jenny Colgan
The Double Life of Anna Day by Louise Candlish
Flora's Lot by Katie Fforde
Brand New Friend by Mike Gayle
Love on the Rocks by Veronica Henry
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Comments

[Mark (Notting Hill)]

No Adele Parks? Lisa Jewell? Criminal...

[Sara-Jade Piper]

Hi Mark - If only either of those authors had published a book in 2006!!! But alas we need to wait till March next year for the release of the fantastic 31 Dream Street from Lisa - which I was lucky enough to read last week - it is a superb read!

[Nicola Jane]

I've just read The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook by Matt Dunn - very funny male point of view chick-lit. If you like Mike Gayle you'll like this.

[Lynne Barrett-Lee]

Nothing by me yet?!!! If not, perhaps I can steer you (okay, anyone reading this...) towards Barefoot in the Dark; on special offer at this very internet emporium as I write. Well, yes, okay, I admit it, I AM plugging my own wares here, but like all writers, my fragile self-esteem is (of necessity)offset by an ego the size of (insert name of small european nation of your choice)so simply can't help myself, sorry. Plus if you like realistic plotlines, believable relationships between credible, life-scarred, empathetic people (that's everyone, right?) and a few good ten-hankie moments to leaven the humour, then this is definitely for you. Quick while stocks last etc. etc.
Incidentally, if we're talking great reads, I can also recommend the brilliant 'A Gathering Light' by Jennifer Donnelly. Sort of U.S. turn of the century rites of passage important issues of the day type chick lit. So not really chick lit. But a stunning, stunning book.

[Rachel - Bolton]

I agree with you Sara-Jade about Anybody Out There? Fab! Marian Keyes is the Queen of all chick lit writers. Cant wait for next one, any idea of when????

[Mark (Notting Hill)]

Lynn, Absolutely shameless.

Sorry Sarah-Jade, didn't realise it was a yearly one. Of course, Valley of the Dolls would be on the top of an all time list. Vince and Joy was fantastic, I read the proof when it came out and I couldn't put the book down.

Adele (incidentally) will be appearing at our store when her book is released in the Spring.

[emma]

Hi has anyone read A place called here cecelia Ahern ? what did you think ?