Book recommendations!

ShannonCC · May 20, 2004

Ok, please read before you suggest anything! 
I am looking for some novel titles for me to read. I want something FUN. Lighthearted. Romantic is fine. Fantasy adventure or Sci-Fi would be GREAT. I want happy endings. I do not want deep, introspective, navel staring dialogues. Yes, I admit it, I might co-sleep, homeschool, nurse til 4.5, natural birth, etc, but when it comes to entertainment, I'm MAINSTREAM, BABY! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> 
Can anyone help me here? 
(I took out A Prayer for Owen Meany yesterday and couldn't get through the first chapter without being in danger of falling asleep if that tells you anything!)

TranscendentalMom · May 20, 2004

My favorite author when I'm in the mood for something funny is David Sedaris. His books are all short story satires....they are hysterical. "Me Talk Pretty One Day" is my favorite. Other favorites that are lighthearted and funny: "Bridget Jones Diary" & "Bridget Jones: the Edge of Reason" by Helen Fielding(sp?), "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" Tom Robbins (if you like zany out there humor), "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" Douglas Adams (funny sci-fi), "Animal Husbandry" & "Her" Laura Zigman are both funny. "Cupid & Diana" by Christina Bartolomeo is a good fluff romance story I read recently. Also, anything by Maeve Binchy is light & fun. 
I'm totally with you on "A Prayer for Owen Meany" I've heard people say how amazing they thought that book was but I didn't get it at all. I think I made it about halfway through.

hummingbear · May 23, 2004

JenLove · May 23, 2004

"Girl with a Pearl Earring" 
"Three Weeks with my Brother" Nicholas Sparks <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> 
Those are my recent favorites.

warriorprincess · May 23, 2004

Have you read Piers Anthony's Xanth series, or Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Both very long series, and they are very funny books. Xanth is pure fluff, Discworld less so. 
Less lighthearted, but still humerous, is Steven Brust's two series, Vlad Taltos, and the Pheonix Guards. They are an engaging, never boring read, but they are violent.

ShannonCC · May 23, 2004

Is David Sedaris related to Amy Sedaris? Her brother right? 
Warrorprincess, other than Discworld, I've read all those <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I really like Steven Brust. I read those series' a long time ago, I bet I could re-read and not remember anything <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> I have a vampire book of his around here somewhere. It's now 8 years overdue from the library of the last town I lived in. I keep meaning to return it . . . . . <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hide.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hide">: (maybe if I put on a wig and sunglasses and drop it in the box at 3 am?) 
Thanks for all the suggestions! I will make a list and see which ones my library has. 
And thanks for the birthday balloons hummingbear <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/kiss.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="kiss">

TranscendentalMom · May 25, 2004

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<div style="font-style:italic;">Is David Sedaris related to Amy Sedaris? Her brother right?</div>
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Yes, they are brother & sister....both are hilarious and talented. David's stories about their childhood are so funny, even funnier when you know how awesome Amy Sedaris is.

georgia · May 25, 2004

Ok, nevermind---Owen Meany is my favorite book of all time! 
Let us know what you pick <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

Momma Aimee · May 26, 2004

I am a book -addict. 
Main-strem ... no social value.... but I warn you these authors are addiction. same charters in each book -- they become family. 
Jonthan Kellerman (psychologist help dective solve crime) 
Faye Kellerman (strong female wife helps cop husband solve crime --they are orthodox Jewish too -- vey intresting) 
-------------yes these authors are married 
James Patterson (DC Cop Alex Cross and his buddy solve crime -- in last coupld of book Alex; sinlge dad raiseing kids with his granma moves to FBI) 
Patrica Cromwell (strong female medical examiner sloves crime in VA -- warning her personal life is the defination of strife and gets emotional) 
Jeffery Dever (wheelchair bound forsic scients sloves crimes) 
----------------------see a theme yet---------------- 
another great -- fluffy and romance with a little majic in it -- is the Key Triolgy by Nora Roberts. I think THAT is just what you are describing wanting. easy reads -- each book took about a day while watching and careing for my 2 newphews ( 2 and 4). Not deep -- romance; strong females and fun. 
Hope that helps. 
Aimee------------------and yes I am currently banned from book stores <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/ROTFLMAO.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rotflmao"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/ROTFLMAO.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rotflmao"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/ROTFLMAO.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rotflmao"> DH recently reinterduced me to the libary!!!!!!!

Heather30ish · May 26, 2004

I would suggest fantasies by Barbara Hambly; they are a great combo of fantasy/romance and they always end happily. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/love.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="love"> I especially recommend The Windrose Chronicles which start with The Silent Tower and also The Darwath Trilogy which starts with The Time of the Dark.

annelizabeth · May 27, 2004

-The shopohloic books- sophie kinsella 
- I Don't Know HoW she Dose 
- ANything by Douglas COupland 
-Middlesex

Queen Gwen · May 27, 2004

Another vote for Terry Pratchett. His stuff is absolutely addictive. 
I love fun books with happy endings, too, so this is a great thread. I'm jotting down tons of ideas for my next trip to the library.

librarymom · May 27, 2004

Deborah Smith--romances with brains. 
Jennifer Cruisie--very funny, smart, little bit salty. 
Haven Kimmel--1st book (Solace of Leaving Early) a little deep, 2nd (Something Rising, Light and Swift) lighter, a great heroine and great conversations. 
Elizabeth Berg--tends toward dysfunctional family tales--but not alarmingly dysfunctional. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> 
If you use the library, there is a publishing company called Red Dress Ink that publishes good quality romances. I think that's also a searchable field at BN.com & Amazon. I would also recommend YA (Young Adult) literature. There are lots of great authors in that field writing smart, funny coming-of-age tales. Louise Rennison, Meg Cabot, E.L. Konigsburg, Michael Chabon, Richard Peck-a few off the top of my head. 
Good luck!

CerridwenLorelei · May 27, 2004

Sci Fi -David Eddings 
R.A. Salvatore Drizz't series starts with homeland 20something book is the Lone Drow 
Really good one by Mercedes Lackey and Piers Anthony "if I pay thee not in gold" 
Funny Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy

velochic · May 27, 2004

Wow, I have to admit that I totally agree to sooooooo many of these. I also love David Sedaris - rolling on the floor laughing funny (especially if you're heard him in interviews, etc. - the thought of him telling these in his own voice always somehow make them funnyier for me). I also love David Eddings - favorite Fantasy author. Ditto for Jeffry Deaver and Patricia Cornwell - favorites. 
Other suggestions: 
Jan Burke (mystery) 
Francis Mayes (travel writer - Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany which are absolutely NOTHING like the movie) 
Peter Mayle (Encore Provence - another travel writer) 
Tony Hawks ("Around Irland with a Fridge - really funny!) 
Margaret Atwood 
Robert Parker (mystery) 
James Herbert (British horror/fantasy author, not well known in the U.S.) 
Can't think of any others right now. Good luck. Let us know what you pick out and if you like it!

friendtoall · May 27, 2004

Last summer, while nursing, I read and thoroughly enjoyed Juliet Marillier's trilogy, starting with "Daughter of the Forest". This is kind of fantasy, kind of historical fiction. It was described to me as "Lord of the Rings" for girls, but I don't think it is that in depth or intricate. I found the books to be engrossing and fast to read. 
Thought you might like a suggestion other than comedy or sci-fi. Have fun, whatever you choose!

ShannonCC · Jun 5, 2004

Boy, lose your computer for two weeks and come back to tons of great suggestions <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> Thanks! 
So far I've just been reading old Sword and Sorceress anthologies I had around the house. I think I'm going to get the David Sedaris to start. If he's half as funny as I find his sister then I'll be happy. 
Isn't it nice when your kids start to grow a bit and play together for five minutes at a time without killing each other and suddenly you have time to (gasp!) read something that doesn't have big pictures on every page! Wow, what a concept :LOL

Fisherb · Jun 5, 2004

I totally agree with the Helen Fielding 'Bridget Jones' books above... Super funny, quick to read (diary style)... And, there are movies you can watch later and wonder why some of the really funny stuff is missing.... Although, if they made the movie character as neurotic as the book one, I think we'd all worry too much about her. 
Anyway, if you like those, consider: 
Jane Green books. She has a few. They are total "chic-lit". All London based, which is fun. Quick reads. Romance, smart women characters (well, they usually have big flaws revolving around men...) 
Nanny Diaries... This one I read long before having DS... I've read about it elsewhere on here, and if you're going to compare parenting styles, then don't read it -- if you can just read it for fun, then it's great. I laughed and finished it in 3 days.

karen ann · Jun 5, 2004

One author I love now is Jasper Fforde. He wrote "The Eyre Affair," ""Lost in a Good Book," and "The Well of Lost Plots." I've just taken the 3rd title from the library, but the first two were very funny, witty and well-written. It's hard to describe them. The dustjacket of "The Well of Lost Plots" describes it as "a genre-bending blend of crime fiction, fantasy and top-drawer literary entertainment." There's a LOT of humor in them too.

dospinos · Jun 6, 2004

Owen Meany is SUPER hard to get into, but completely worth it afterwards. Maybe not the best for lightweight summer reading, though. 
Do you like historical fiction? If so, you might like... 
Philippa Gregory - The Other Boleyn Girl, Wideacre and others 
Diana Gabaldon - the Outlander series - classified as romance novels, but they are good historical reads 
Ken Follett - Pillars of the Earth - lots of his stuff are easy reads, actually

Book recommendations!

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