Send Frivolous Help
Whenever I'm in the mood for a 'vacation-ish' read, I find myself very disappointed in my options. There are times I love reading memoirs, books on specific spiritual topics, moving fiction, self help, perspective broadening books, etc., etc. But, sometimes a I just want to have fun!
And, as an aside, have you ever found a blogger, podcaster, or maybe even just a friend who recommends frivolous reading material?! I am guessing that making trivial reading suggestions feels shallow, but I will happily take the role of said recommender, if only I can figure out how to find these books!
So, here are some things I want and some things that I don't want in a frivolous read, and if you have any suggestions for me, please make my day and start commenting!
Qualifications:
Some books you might be tempted to recommend, accompanied by my reasons for rejecting them as vacation reads :) :
And, as an aside, have you ever found a blogger, podcaster, or maybe even just a friend who recommends frivolous reading material?! I am guessing that making trivial reading suggestions feels shallow, but I will happily take the role of said recommender, if only I can figure out how to find these books!
So, here are some things I want and some things that I don't want in a frivolous read, and if you have any suggestions for me, please make my day and start commenting!
Qualifications:
- Lighthearted-nothing deep or moving
- Fast paced-I want something that I can hardly put down
- Mystery and/or romance are always enjoyed, but nothing smutty or dark, please
- Could just be a book with a snarky/humorous take on an otherwise boring topic
- I want authentic characters in well written stories
Some books you might be tempted to recommend, accompanied by my reasons for rejecting them as vacation reads :) :
- Books like the Mitford series-fairly light hearted, completely clean, and well written. However, they are not fast paced.
- Many, many children's books-often well written, generally not heavy or dark like adult books on similar topics. However, they are rarely fast paced with mystery or romance that engages me. I guess I want a story about adults.?
- Mary Higgins Clark type mysteries-fast paced for sure, well written, contain mystery, but tend to be a bit dark (at least the ones I've read)
- I also have a hard time finding Christian fiction that qualifies. They are often lighthearted, include mystery and romance, but the characters' emotions or predicaments are not things I can relate to.
So, what do you think? Is there anything out there that I would consider a good vacation read?
Comments
I can't recommend these personally but I've heard the Mindy Kaling books are really funny/easy reads. They're on my list. Kate Morton? It's VERY hard for me to find fiction that I can't put down, but I've loved her books. I'm reading "at home in the world" by Tsh Oxenrider...about hauling their 3 kids around the world for a year. I'm really enjoying it
Little Fires Everywhere
Girl in Disguise
Necessary Lies
The Admissions
The Family Next Door
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
Something other than God (by Jennifer Fulwiler).... this is non fiction, but I absolutely adore Jennifer- she was an atheist who converted to Catholicism and this book tells her story. She also has a second book, One Beautiful Dream, which is good but not as good as her first!)
I also love Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilt series. These aren't necessarily "can't put it down" books, but they are good for a light read. There are probably close to 15 books in the series which could keep you busy all winter :) It's important to read them in order though!!!
Happy reading! I hope to read some of the suggestions from the comments, also!
Fatherless, Godless, And Childless by Dr. Dobson and Kurt Bruner (This is an adult fiction trilogy about life in 2043. Fascinating characters. This is the suggestion I think you’d like the most. Fast paced & romance.
Call the Midwife trilogy by Jennifer Worth. Nonfiction series about a midwife in England in the 1950’s. Think James Herriot as a midwife. But better because it’s people not animals. Fascinating stories! Better than fiction!
Antelope in the Living Room by Melanie Shankle. Fun, lighthearted memoir about marriage.
The rest of these are young adult books. I know you said you weren’t interested but I thought I’d try anyway!
Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz
Theodore Boone series by John Grisham
Sons of Angels series by Jerel Law (think a Christian version of Percy Jackson)
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus
I’d love to hear what you think of these or any others recommended to you!! Even a sentence or two would be great!
Thanks for all the suggestions! I love the show “Call the Midwife”, so it’s good to hear the books recommended.
I don’t get lots of reading done, but do occasionally review books here. I will try to remember to write a review if I find some good vacations reads, or maybe even if I don’t, huh? :)