In the past, I’ve been the type of reader that gravitates mostly to literary fiction, but enjoys something lighter every now and then. But, things changed this year when lighter fiction has, on the whole, worked better for me than more serious literary fiction. And, as I discussed a few weeks ago, I’ve struggled to adjust to this new normal. I’ve been sub-consciously short-changing some of my favorite lighter books in the ratings department, so I wanted to give them their very own showcase.
I want my light fiction to be more than straight-up fluff…I appreciate smart writing, biting social commentary, wit, and an engrossing plot. And, the books on this list have all those qualities. They’re also books I’ve recommended over and over to other people. As with all my recommendation lists, I’ll continue adding books as I find them.
For a version of this list that I continually update, click here!
The List
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
Fiction (Released May, 2013)
357 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Summary: In the summer of 1938, Lily plans to relax at her family’s vacation home in Seaview, Rhode Island (a blue blood beach enclave), but her childhood best friend and former fiancé’s appearance throws a wrench in her plans.
My Thoughts: A Hundred Summers is a light, fun book that would make a great beach read. However, it does have some depth to it, which is why I enjoyed it so much. Continue Reading…
Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Fiction (Released May, 2014)
385 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Summary: When the beautiful and wealthy Genevra (Ev) Winslow invites her very average roommate, Mabel Dagmar, to spend the summer at her family’s summer retreat, Mabel enters a world of secrets, lies, threats, and betrayal.
My Thoughts: Bittersweet was my favorite book of the summer of 2014! It joined We Were Liars in the category of summer books about “extremely wealthy families behaving badly in private vacation compounds” (yes, that seems to be a budding category these days…and an exciting one!). Continue Reading…
Siracusa by Delia Ephron
Fiction (Released July 12, 2016)
304 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Plot Summary: Relationships are put to the test when two couples (and one couple’s somewhat odd daughter) vacation together in Italy.
My Thoughts: Siracusa might be my favorite vacation-type read so far this year! It’s light and fast-moving, but also smartly written. The story is told from each of the four adults’ perspectives and the writing style shifts with each voice. Going into the trip, both marriages had their own issues, with each spouse frequently mocking his/her partner. As the trip takes on a somewhat surreal quality, everyone starts acting out…refusing to hide their pent-up resentments any longer. Continue Reading…
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
Fiction (Released June 12, 2012)
302 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Plot Summary: Family and friends gather on a small island in New England for the wedding of Daphne Van Meter, who is seven months pregnant, and Greyson Duff.
My Thoughts: The Van Meters (Winn and Biddy are the parents – I mean, get a load of those names!) and Duffs are snobby, New England families that don’t talk about anything unpleasant and fear “inappropriateness” and “social embarrassment” above all else. Obviously, a wedding where the bride is knocked up has the potential for many moments that would send these people into a tailspin. Continue Reading…
Summerlong by Dean Bakopoulos
Fiction (Released June 16, 2015)
320 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Summary: During one particularly hot summer in Grinnell, Iowa, Don and Claire Lowry find that their marriage isn’t as strong as they thought; their discontent and the heat driving them to act uncharacteristically.
My Thoughts: Summerlong was a surprise hit for me…it’s darker and edgier than the cover would lead you to believe. You can really feel this book…the simmering suburban discontent, everyone having an itch that’s just waiting to be scratched, the restlessness that comes with sweltering summer days. It’s like a sea of smoldering embers threatening to ignite at the slightest catalyst. Continue Reading…
The Expatriates by Janice Y.K. Lee
Fiction (Released January 12, 2016)
336 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Summary: A story about life as an American expat in Hong Kong told through the eyes of three women: Margaret (a married mother of three recovering from a tragedy), Mercy (a twenty-something Korean American Columbia grad trying to get her life on track), and Hilary (a housewife struggling with fertility).
My Thoughts: The Expatriates hit a couple of my “what makes a book work for me” buttons: a good balance between plot and style, dark undertones, and social commentary. I was expecting a light novel about wealthy, successful expats living it up in Hong Kong and I was delighted to find the story also had surprising depth. Yes, many of the characters’ lives sparkle on the surface, but darkness lurks just underneath as it becomes apparent that reality is quite different from appearances. Continue Reading…
The Fever by Megan Abbott
Fiction (Released June, 2014)
320 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Summary: When Deenie’s best friend, Lise, is struck by an unexplained fainting spell/seizure in the middle of class, Deenie’s family and entire high school community are thrown into the middle of the fear and hysteria associated with a strange and quickly spreading epidemic.
My Thoughts: The Fever was the only novel that I chose to read off the New York Times Summer Reading List and was also an Amazon Best Book of the Month for June. Stacey from The Novel Life best described it as “unputdownable” and I can’t come up with a better one word description. This was a book that kept me up late at night…I plowed through 3/4 of the book without taking a single note! Continue Reading…
The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
Fiction (Released April 7, 2015)
465 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Summary: Inspired by the real life courtship of Prince William and Kate Middleton, American Rebecca “Bex” Porter embarks on a relationship with Prince Nicholas after meeting at Oxford.
My Thoughts: The Royal We is fun, cheeky, and romantic (but not overly cheesy)! It pokes fun at the idiosyncrasies of the British monarchy (I love any book that refers to the fictional Prince Charles as a “douchelord”…who knew he had so much in common with Scott Disick?!), but it’s equally heartfelt about the emotions that go along with existing in a gilded royal cage. Continue Reading…
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
Historical Fiction (Released: January 26, 2016)
368 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Summary: A novel (wink, wink) based on the friendship between author Truman Capote and his New York City socialite “swans” (i.e. Babe Paley, Slim Keith, Marella Agnelli, Gloria Guinness, etc) and his eventual betrayal of them via the short story, “La Cote Basque, 1965”.
My Thoughts: The Swans of Fifth Avenue is one of those deliciously scandalous guilty pleasures…wealthy people behaving badly at its best…with the added bonuses of the right amount of depth and writing that strikes the perfect tone. While this book is technically fiction, the major events and timelines are real with dialogue, emotions, and details imagined by the author. Continue Reading…
Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Fiction (Released August 14, 2012)
320 Pages
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Plot Summary: Bernadette Fox disappears following a series of embarrassing incidents at home and issues with anxiety, sending her eighth grade daughter (Bee) on a quest to find her.
My Thoughts: This book is surprising, quirky, heartwarming, and suspenseful. At first, I thought it was going to be a flighty read about neurotic mothers in the carpool line. But, about a quarter into the book, you learn more about Bernadette…she’s a complex character and I was hooked on her after reading the ArtForum article profiling her former architecture career. Continue Reading…
Thanks for the recommendations! I actually had assumed, for some reason, that “The Expatriates” was a heavier read, so that’s good to know. I haven’t read any Beatriz Williams yet but I’ve got two of her books on my to-read list. And “The Royal We” just came in for me at the library!
I liked “Bittersweet” too — but the author’s new book, “June” was SO good. You should definitely give it a try if you haven’t. It’s one of my favorites of the year so far!
Expatriates does get a bit dark on the topic front, but I included it here anyway b/c I like my “light” fiction with a dark streak running beneath the surface and it’s incredibly readable.
Glad you’re getting to The Royal We – it’s so fun!
And I tried June but didn’t make it far into it…I’m wondering if I should try it again sometime.
Great list, Sarah! I would like to try a few on this list.
Hope you do!
I’ve read and enjoyed almost all of the books on this list. I am very uncomfortable categorizing books as light or more literary or whatever. Some combination of quality writing, a compelling story, or intriguing (or relatable) characters will add up to a positive reading experience. Did you notice that all but one of the brain candy books on this list are by female authors? Do we subconsciously categorize fiction by women as “lighter”? I hope not.
I realize categorizing books rubs some people the wrong way, but I find it helpful when recommending books to others and deciding what I’m going to read myself. Sometimes I’m in the mood for something more serious, or something lighter/easier to read, etc, so it makes picking the right books for the right time easier for me.
I didn’t notice that all but one were female authors…I just chose my ten favorite “brain candy” type books regardless of who wrote them. I can’t speak for others, but I don’t think I subconsciously categorize fiction by women as “lighter” fiction. Many (actually, well over 50%) of the literary fiction (i.e. more serious) books I read are by women.
I like this list and loved what I’ve read from it. I still have Bernadette to get to, as it collects dust sitting on my shelf. I WILL get to that one this year.
Oh my gosh – you have to read Bernadette!! Especially with her new one coming out in October.
Excellent list! I have to read Siracusa now based on the books on your list that I’ve loved. I desperately need to unpack the Swans so I can read that too!
YES to Siracusa…that might have been my favorite book of the summer! And Swans is so fantastic too.
Oh I love this! I’m currently reading What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty and I would definitely add it to this list. It’s been reminding me a bit of Where’d You Go Bernadette in terms of feel. I’ve heard great things about The Royal We as well…need to add that one to my list.
You must must read The Royal We when you need something light – it’s perfection!
Great recommendations! Look forward to adding some to my reading list.
What a fantastic list – I’ve seen many of these titles on bookshelves, but I’m afraid I haven’t read any of them – yet!
So glad to see Where’d You Go Bernadette in this list! It’s definitely light but also very fun and awesome to read. I don’t read a lot of light books either but like you, appreciate them better if they are not fluffy or silly.
I’m stealing Brain Candy- just letting you know. What a perfect term! I’ve read almost all the books on your list and agree completely.
I’ve read and loved so many of these… adding the rest to my list (although most are already there!)
I’ve got so many of these on my TBR (which means I’m extra looking forward to them now…there’s something so much more exciting about reading a book that you’ve not only picked up, but someone else has told you is good!)
I 100% agree!
Wow, I’ve read 6 out of the 10, and enjoyed them all. I have not gotten to Siracusa yet, but based on reviews I really need to.
Please, please read Siracusa..it’s one of my faves!
Having read only half of these, I’ll need to add some of the others to my TBR list for next time I feel like something sweet!
Half is a lot! Hope you can knock out the other half!
This list is what I need right now. I’m struggling to stay attentive to my usual picks and need some “brain candy”- a term I will now adopt. I’ve disliked “Chick-lit” and “Women’s lit” so much and think you’ve found the perfect description for books that are lighter, but still thought provoking with more substance. Siracusa is on my library holds after you talking much about it and I hope to get it soon!
Haha!!! I’m pretty sure the term brain candy is out there in the world somewhere…I don’t think it was my original!
I hope you get to Siracusa soon…Catherine just read it and loved it! It was my favorite book of the summer and I really regret only giving it 4 stars (which I did just because it was a light read). It deserves 5.
I’m veeery curious about Siracusa, but it’s so out of the realm of what I normally read.
It is definitely different from your normal fare, but I really loved it. It’s exactly everything I want in a beach read!