GS vs STA: Gry is Looking for Fun, Lighthearted Happy Romance

In my inbox this week is an email from regular reader Gry, who lives in Oslo, Norway, where the news has been terrifying and heartbreaking:

Gry writes:

I live in Oslo. (‘nuff said, I think) I am also a very serious bookaholic.
Whenever I have a spare minute, you will vind I have my nose buried in a
book (or its electronic equivalent). So what kind of book should I choose
when the world has suddenly turned dark, violent and bloody?

 

My usual fare of action-packed SF and Fantasy books are just too bloody (pun
intended) relevant right now – some of my favorite authors tend to end up
with too hefty body counts for me to be entirely happy with them right now.

Or, occasionally, as in S. M. Stirling’s books (which I am usually very
happy to reread) the villains’ personalities are also too bloody (pun
intended, again) similar to what I imagine the local contribution to world
terrorism (sort of hanging onto my composure by my fingernails here) is
likely to be. So no go.

Another all-time favorite is Lois McMaster Bujold. The theme of her latest
book is mortality, and despite her genius as an author, it is not one I
would want to read (or reread) right now, but something like her A Civil
Campaign
, is just about what I need. Because it is fun. And light-hearted.
And incredibly well-written. And has a happy ending. And did I mention fun?

I can do with a bit more fun in my life right now. So perhaps the Bitchery
can help out with their favorite happy, light-hearted and fun books?

I totally understand the desire for fun, lighthearted, and happy books right now. We’ve talked about comfort reads that provide respite from grief and unhappiness in the past, but we haven’t done a happy, funny, light-hearted recommendation list.

My immediate recommendations are for books that make me laugh out loud, and that are on the goofy-humor side of amusement, such as Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (my review), or Exclusively Yours and Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey, which cracked me up as well. 

What books made you laugh, and feel happy? Anyone got any suggestions?

 

Comments are Closed

  1. Candace Hern’s regencies are my favorite fun reads. She’s also recently released most of her backlist as new ebooks – much easier than trying to track down a used copy.

    Madeline Hunter’s latest little series is fun too on the historical front.

    Might be on the very edge (covert teams and crazy aliens to fight), but Gini Koch’s current sci-fi-rom series is hilarious. Touched by an Alien, Alien Tango, Alien in the Family, with the fourth due out in December.

    My other feel good reads are L.E. Modesitt’s Recluse Saga … but that has the same issues as any other fantasy series.

  2. Kimi McG says:

    Another for for Crusie and Pratchett. ^.^ Also if your looking for seriously snortable books, The Corset Diaries and Blow Me Down by Katie MacAlister is really high on my list.  The Corset Diaries is a great book if you’ve ever worn a corset. You can really empathize with the gas situation. ;D Blow Me Down is about getting stuck in a VR game, so its a bit scifi-y.

  3. MarieC says:

    So many great authors/books!  Ditto for the Molly Harper rec. I would also recommend Jill Myles’ “Succubus” series.

  4. Karenmc says:

    I’m glad to see that Anne Gracie’s Merridew Sisters have been mentioned several times, as well as Loretta Chase (Mr. Impossible, Lord Perfect and Last NIght’s Scandal are laugh-out-loud funny).

    Heyer’s Arabella is sweet and has a hero who is bemused and happily resigned to his fate. Also, Julia Anne Long’s Like No Other Lover contains a great, hilarious drinking game and dogs exhibiting inappropriate behavior.

    I hope that whatever you choose to read, it lightens your day.

  5. Ariana says:

    I’ll add my name to the pile of recommendations for Terry Pratchett. I also love Christopher Moore’s books for the wacky and silly.

    One of my friends gave me Mama Makes Up Her Mind, which is a set of essays, when I needed some cheering up and distraction. (Although nowhere near as seriously as this. My thoughts go out to you.)

    And The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster is one of my ultimate comfort and awesome reads.

  6. becca says:

    If you like Bujold, have you tried the Liaden books by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller? they’re available from Baen at reasonable prices.

  7. Hydecat says:

    I second the recommendation for the Sorcery and Cecilia series and also for Connie Willis’s Bellwether and To Say Nothing of the Dog. For Nora Roberts, I always turn to the Irish trilogy that starts with Jewels of the Sun if I want a comfort read.

  8. EC Spurlock says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Gry. My MIL’s family hails from Norway so we have a special sympathy for you in this dark time.

    I will second all the recommendations for Heyer, Willig and Quinn. Robin McKinley is always comfort reading for me, especially her original version of Beauty (Rose Daughter got a little too metaphysical) and Spindle’s End. Pretty much anything by Katie MacAlister can be really funny; her Aisling Grey novels do get darker as they go on but still have a lot of snark to balance it out, and there are others, like Ain’t Mythbehavin’, that don’t have any violence at all. And my latest laugh-out-loud read, Whippoorwill by Maggie Osborne, just had me giggling nonstop. If you don’t mind a Western, it’s as bawdy and silly as all get-out, capped by the most riotous revival meeting ever captured on paper.

  9. Lovecow2000 says:

    And Then He Kissed Her is a fabulous book by Laura Lee Guhrke and the start of her “Girl Bachelors” series; however, I found the others in the series not nearly as fresh or satisfying. This one has the right balance of humor and manners that I think you’d enjoy. It certainly picked up my spirits.

  10. Kathleen O says:

    My heart goes out to you and all of your fellow country men for the tragedy that happen. It was senseless and in human what happend.
    Although I am not a reader of SF or Fantasy persay. I like to read paranormals and one of my fav who fills her books with humour and mayhem is Amanda Quick. She writes dellightfully witty stories which take place in the regancy and victorian eras.. I think you will fun them fun and they will leave you laughing out loud. ‘
    God Bless you all, my prayers are with all of Norway.

  11. Gail says:

    I endorse all the Jennifer Crusie and Loretta Chase recommendations as comfort reads, particularly for Bet Me. Crusie’s stuff in particular is mostly character driven and Manhunting and Anyone But You are others on her backlist I love that do not feature suspense subplots.
    I would also add Eva Ibbotson’s A Countess Below Stairs to the list, that book makes me smile every time.

  12. teshara says:

    :: cough cough ::
    fanfic
    :: cough cough ::

    Fun and free. If you’re looking for something published I just finished Loki’s Daughters. Its put out by Samhain Press and it’s freaking hilarious. Least bloody vikings I’ve ever seen.

    Movie wise: Mean Girls

  13. Christine says:

    I re-recommend Willig, Crusie, Chase, and Sorcery & Cecilia. Also, Patricia Wrede wrote a similarly good magically influenced regency book that’s fun, Mairelon the Magician and its sequel, the Magician’s Ward (which is a little more romance-y).

    Totally recommend Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series (starts with Soulless) which is basically if Wodehouse wrote steampunk. Her books give me snort-giggle fits.

    Also re-recommend the Stephanie Plum series, but maybe not the same ones. I think the first few are more intense than the later ones, which are much more fluffy. Also, the in-between novels with Diesel aren’t half-bad either; I defy anyone to read Plum Lucky and not laugh. (Grandma Mazur in Atlantic City. ‘Nuff said.)

  14. Fran says:

    For historicals, Julia Quinn is queen (in my head) of the light hearted, but I’d go for How to Marry a Marquis, as I don’t believe there’s even a reference to violence.  And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke also is cute but a bit heart-achy towards the end until the HEA.  For contemporary, Susan Elizabeth Philip’s Heaven, Texas——-I read it and a smile pops right onto my face!  Julie James books are great too, and only the two that involve law enforcement have violence—- Just the Sexiest Man Alive and Practice Makes Perfect don’t.  I prefer PMP!  Moving to adorable chick lit books, Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella.  It’s one of my all time favorites, hands down.  no violence and a sweet love story.  Jill Mansell’s Perfect Timing is also ultra wonderful and really cheap on amazon right now as an e-book (1.99).  I wish you the best o luck with reading and I hope it helps remove some of the ache, even temporarily.

  15. LizW65 says:

    Not much to say that hasn’t already been said, except to reiterate the recommendations for Terry Pratchett, Jennifer Crusie, and PG Wodehouse.  (You didn’t mention whether you prefer to read in English or in translation, though—and I have a sneaking suspicion that Pratchett and Wodehouse don’t translate into other languages very well.)

  16. Ellielu says:

    If you can get your hands on any old copies of anything by Zenna Henderson about The People, I recommend them. Her stories are gentle, old-fashioned sci fi that is beautifully written. The plots have sadness and negative events but they have happy endings and remind you of the decency in humanity (and those who are not quite human). After I read her stories, I always have a quiet, peaceful feeling that maybe there are a few things right with the world.

    Hugs across the ether….

  17. Cyranetta says:

    You have received a number of truly excellent and heart-warming suggestions, but I’d like to add a couple of nonfiction authors full of humor and wonderful exploits that make for great distraction from difficult days:

    Bill Bryson’s travel books (well, anything by Bill Bryson)

    Gerald Durrell’s books about his animal-collecting expeditions.

  18. Liz says:

    Gry, I am so sorry.  Being from New York, I know that the pain doesn’t go away very quickly, and sometimes it comes back when you least expect it.  I am preparing for the pain this coming September for the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

    i haven’t read through all of the comments, so i’m sorry if there are any doubles.

    Nora Roberts is sometimes light and fun—just stay away from the ones with serial killers.  I always like the Three Sisters Island Trilogy.

    Also, give Rachel Gibson a try.  Her books tend to be very fun and make me laugh.

    Jennifer Crusie is really good.  I loved Welcome to Temptation and Bet Me. 

    Maureen Child has a few good one.  I love her Candellano series.

    For a little cheese with your light and fun, you can try Candace Camp.  I love the series involving the siblings that were split up during the French Revolution.  I think the first book is A Stolen Heart (but there are a few with Heart in the title.  This is the one about Alexandra and Sebastion.)

  19. Rosemary says:

    Gry, our hearts are with you in these dark times. I live right outside NYC, and after 9/11, I buried myself in Jane Austen—night after night after night. Austen kept me sane and hopeful during those first terrible days.

    Many prayers and good thoughts coming your way.

  20. Patrice says:

    Sending virtual hugs along with our book ideas I’m sure!

    One of my feel good books is Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon. And Kindle has it at a lowered price at the moment! I read it when I was in the midst of a terribly sad time for my family and it lifted my spirits. It has a love story and mythology and an ancient Macedonian commander cursed into a book who is the son of Aphrodite. I laugh at how she makes the ancient Gods so disfunctionally human.

    Other UF series I like seem like they would fall into the catagory you don’t want to read right now. Like Ann Aguirre’s series that starts with Grimspace. It’s cool but there are very violent sad parts with marauding aliens. But maybe you could check out some of Linnea Sinclair stories, they are more SF then UF but if I recall correctly they don’t have sweeping wars or such and have great characters. oh and maybe Robin D. Owens Heartmate series? And what was the triology Nora Roberts did with the 3 women who were sort of witchy/psychic and it centered around a small town bookstore/cafe one of them owned? dang it! Umm…all I can think of is the Irish trilogy with Jewels of the Sun, etc. Which was also very good! Now I have to go dig through Amazon to find those NR stories titles! lol

  21. quichepup says:

    I’m very sorry Gry and wishing you and your countrymen (and women) comfort at this time.

    As for recommends, so many good ones have been listed. I’d like to add my favorite comfort read author, Miss Read. Any of her Thrush Green or Village books are great for the nerves, calming and well written. She’s funny, a little snarky, there’s no sex or violence but its good stuff.

    My favorite funny author is Sarah Vowell, she writes nonfiction, usually history. The Partly Cloudy Patriot, Take the Cannoli are my favorites. Assassination Vacation (she visits sites related to US presidential assassinations) is good too but deals with violence and may not be what you want right now.
    [One of my friends gave me Mama Makes Up Her Mind,][/]
    Bailey White! Another great recommendation.

  22. Liz says:

    i know you’re asking for fun light books, but have you tried escaping into television?  a couple of months back, my mom got really sick, and the only think that really helped me was a marathon of every episode of Chuck.

    I don’t know what is available (on t.v. or over the internet) in Norway, but I would definitely check out Chuck.  He’s a computer nerd, who accidentally downloads all of the US national secrets into his brain and ends up being a part of a joint CIA-NSA task force.  There are four full seasons, and nothing really bad ever actually happens.  It is absolutely the funniest show I have ever seen.  (Also, there is a bit of romance between Chuck and his CIA handler, Sarah.)

  23. Holly James says:

    If you want something that is a good light hearted sci fi read I would second Terry Pratchett. I would also suggest Joe Haldmen’s Accidental Time Machine. It is something hilarious.

  24. lijakaca says:

    I don’t know if these are still in print, but I find Judith Nelson’s and Marian Devon’s sweet Regencies to be quick and very funny. Patience is a Virtue (JD), Two Hearts Trump (JD), Miss Osborne Misbehaves (MD), and Georgiana (MD) are my favourites.

  25. Leslie says:

    For SF humor, absolutely Pratchett, and Gini Koch’s “Alien” series that begins with “Touched by an Alien” – the violence is SF over-the-top and generally not dark at all.
    I would second Shelley Laurenston – all of her shapeshifter stories are full of humor, sexytimes, and some really cool women.
    Re: the TV suggestion – after some surgeries and stressful times, i found Coupling from the BBC, which I think is available streaming internationally (except to the US) on the BBC uk site. Hilarious stuff that is pure escape.

  26. henofthewoods says:

    I second the Parasol Protectorate (and many others that people have named).

    Caroline Stevermere and Patricia Wrede – Sorcery and Cecilia
    Their other books are fun (separately and as a team) but this is the one I love best. Plus it has been reissued pretty recently so you can get a copy of it. (Many of my comfort reads are not reprinted.) (I looked back through the list and this was already mentioned.  Sigh)

    I love the Heroes series from Moira J. Moore but it does have disasters. There is something very innocent about the books though, and that can outweigh the storms and quakes.

    Charlotte MacLeod/Alisa Craig – they are murder mysteries but they are really fun (and there is usually only one death at a time – mostly of unpleasant people – and that death is not a reason to contemplate mortality, but a problem to solve).

    I am going to keep listing mysteries that don’t focus on gore or suspense, but rather on mystery-to-be-solved as plot device

    I was going to list Stephanie Plum (a series by Janet Evanovich) and realized that each book has an explosion or two. They are really damn funny for the first 7 or 8 books of the series but Stephanie does have an ongoing problem with her cars being destroyed. The destruction is cartoon-violence, but sometimes even cartoons are too much.

    Donna Andrews, Joan Hess, Sarah Strohmeyer and Barbara Paul also write mysteries with a hint of romance and some humor. (The Maggody books by Joan Hess are a favorite but the oldest are harder to get. Barbara Paul hasn’t had a book out for a long time. Donna Andrews has a brand new book that I am reading currently but start with Murder with Peacocks. There is one that takes place at a sci-fi convention that is wonderful, I believe it is “We’ll Always Have Parrots”.)

    The sci-fi books I like tend to have battles and wars as backdrops, even the fun ones like Naomi Novik; all of the para-normals and urban fantasies I like seem potentially too violent or dark.) At least in a mystery, the crimes are usually committed by the wicked and the wicked are punished. Much more satisfying than reality with it’s unsolved crimes, random disasters and sadly obviously crazy people who kill for little or no reason.

  27. SKapusniak says:

    Something About Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle

    A fluffy Regency in which Baron Sedgewick invents the existence of a invalid wife in the country order to get his matchmaking minded relatives off his back.  A plan that seemingly works perfectly until his non-existant wife turns up and start spending his money refurbishing his London townhouse…. 🙂

    Someone further upthread recommended the Liaden novels, and I *normally* would in other circumstances, but I have to say that I would have thought the Department of the Interior, and some of the stuff that happens with Pat Rin on Surebleak are likely a to be a wee bit too close to the bone.

    My Non-standard Heyer recommendation is The Masqueraders

    In tough times, breaking out my favourite Shakespeare comedy always help; mine’s Much Ado about Nothing

    And my non-fiction, non-book, comfort read is The Apollo Lunar Surface Journals.

  28. Liz says:

    also, a little off topic.  try escaping into movies.  one of my favorites that cheers me up is Foul Play staring Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn.  Its from the 70’s (so there’s a lot of Barry Manilow music).

    Also, there’s Singing in the Rain staring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.  Really any musical—Grease is another good one (actually i listened to the Grease soundtrack a lot in the days following 9/11).

    There’s an Italian movie that was a lot of fun (but you need to read the subtitles unless you speak fluent Italian).  It is Il Pane e I Tulipani (Bread and Tulips).

    Also, if you can get past the fact that Mel Gibson is an abusive ass (sadly, I can’t, so i can’t watch some of my formerly favorite movies), you can try Bird on a Wire, which also stars Goldie Hawn.

  29. Kitala says:

    I like Julia Quinn for light and fluffy romance. However, if you’re looking for scifi/fantasy I’d recommend books by John Moore, particularly “Heroics for Beginners”. I enjoy them because they like to play with and poke fun at the usually fantasy cliches.

  30. Jenn3128 says:

    Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series are my go to books for when I’m crazing something romantically sweet!  The 4th book in the series, Only Mine, was released yesterday!

  31. jill says:

    Lots of great recommendations already. I’ll add my endorsements of the Patricia C Wrede and Caroline Stevermeyer books, Gail Carriger’s series, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Jennifer Crusie. Anyone who likes Crusie should also check out the newly-released Making Waves by Tawna Fenske: over-the-top humor and sexy fun (and inept pirates).

  32. Ashley says:

    The series from James Harriot is lovely, funny, and calm—even the ones about the war years.  Start with All Creatures Great and Small.

    Also Jan Karon’s At Home in Mitford series—gentle, almost too sweet, but great when you’re feeling bruised (Christian themes)

  33. ghn says:

    Thank you, all, for some very good ideas – and for the compassion!

    <3
    As soon as I got your recommendations, Sarah, I zipped over to Books On Board and got

    Exclusively Yours and Yours to Keep – and Undeniably Yours. I am right now reading Exclusively Yourss, and it certainly is a fun read! I’ll probably pick up some more of Shannon Stacey’s books, too. On Spoiled, I unfortunately got a go-look-in-the-torrents message, or I would have picked that one up, too.
    I have some of Crusie’s books, so I’ll put them into my spiffy new Happy Reads pile – and my Heyer books were already there.
    I already have some of Pratchett’s books, thanks to those who reminded me of him, and I’ll make a point of looking for the Majistral books you mentioned, Janice G. I have read a couple of the Maureen Birnbaum stories in various short story collections, but I did not know that they had been published in their own compilation. I’ll have to look into that! I also already have Sorcery and Cecilia and the sequels – I really like Patricia C Wrede – I think I’ll add her Enchanted Forest Chronicles to my Happy Reads pile.
    I’ll also definitely look around for some Loretta Chase (so many have recommended her books, and I think I have some of her books as well!) – and Sel, right now I really don’t mind fluff!
    I have read some Wodehouse, once upon a time – that is a really long time ago now. I can remember the books being very silly, in a delightful way – I must look into those books as well, I think!
    StarOpal, I think I have most of DWJ’s books, and I particularly like her Crestomanci books.
    Kimi McG, I’ll certainly look into Katie Mac Alister’s books – and as for corsets, I had a period when I was very interested in that – I have even made one!
    becca, I certainly love the Liaden books! I have them all – including the chapbooks!
    Christine, I adore the Parasol Protectorate books – they are incredibly funny, and I have been recommending them right and left myself – my most successful coup of that sort is a craftswoman who makes steampunk-themed jewelry on Etsy. I have bought a number of items from her, and I suggested that she should have a look at the books – for research purposes, of course! 😉 She devoured the first book, and last I was in contact with her, she was eagerly awaiting the second book in the series. 😀
    Ellielu, I have a collection of all the People stories – thank you for reminding me of her books!
    Thank you all, for very, very many good suggestions! Let us all hope that not too many those that are available as e-books are not also held captive by the Geographic Restrictions monster – way too many of the books I want to read just aren’t readily available to me these days.

  34. Amanda says:

    Jennifer Crusie. Any of her stand alone books, except maybe Wild Ride, which is a bit darker.

    Strong Women, Bet Me, Crazy for You…any of these are wonderful, funny, smart books.

  35. EC Spurlock says:

    Sorry, this is what I get for (a) posting from work where my addled brain does not have access to my bookshelf and (b) reading similar books back to back. Whippoorwill, that riotous Western confection, is by Sharon Sala. Maggie Osborne wrote Prairie Moon which, while an excellent book in its own right, is NOT one you want to read if you’re looking for lightness. Mea Culpa.

  36. Dancing_Angel says:

    I love Elizabeth Goudge when I am down, especially “Make-Believe”, “Island Magic”, “The Dean’s Watch” and any of her short story collections.  She has this way of making me feel that everything is going to turn out all right, no matter what is going on right now.

    Grace Livingston Hill writes old-fashioned romantic comfort food stories, if the religious elements don’t bother you.  The heroines have a surprising amount of spunk, given when they were written.

    Joan Wolf’s King Arthur trilogy is an old friend.  So is Gillian Bradshaw’s.  Joan Aiken is wonderful, especially “The Wolves of Willoughby Chase” and “Black Hearts in Battersea.”

    I probably have reread “The Hounds of the Morrigan” by Pat O’Shea about fifty times.  Sharon Shinn’s science fiction/fantasy isn’t too violent, usually, and has a really nice tone to it.  There’s also the Harper Hall trilogy by Anne McCaffrey.

    You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  Such a difficult time.

  37. EbonyMcKenna says:

    Dear Gry,
    ((((((hugs))))))) and tears. My heart is with Norway.

    I highly recommend The Princess Bride by William Goldman
    (do not confuse with Lord of the Flies by William Goldman!) LOL! It’s a gorgeous escape and delicious fun.

    Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls books are really good fun..

    Sure-fire winners are any books by Kate Noble: “Revealed” is my fave. Also can’t go past Loretta Chase’s “Lord of Scoundrels”

    This is very naughty of me to mention, but my two ONDINE novels are light-heared comedy romances with references to the Eurovision Song Contest. (Oslo put on a fabulous show last year!) If you like, please email me author @ ebonymckenna . com and I’ll send them to you. They also feature a talking ferret.

    ((((((hugs))))))) to you and Norway.

  38. Wahoo Suze says:

    I find Shelly Laurenston to be wildly amusing.  Her shapeshiter stories are getting to have a large cast of characters, though, so you might want to read them in order.

    I love a good light n fluffy, happy ending story to beat down the stress.  I hope the books help you.

    My whole heart goes out to Norway.

  39. Lilian Darcy says:

    All of our thoughts are with the people of Norway.  Just tragic and wrong.  Understand the need for different reading, and believe very much in the healing power of books.

    Re-recommending Jennifer Crusie, Jill Mansell and Anne Gracie.  And, wow, Zenna Henderson.  I LOVED her, hadn’t thought about her stuff in years.  Speaking of older books, for really dark times in the past, I’ve found Betty Neels and D.E. Stevenson good – very, very, VERY chaste and old-fashioned and British, though.  Not really any humor, either.  Or, still on the old-fashioned British kick, but with humor, Monica Dickens and Nancy Mitford.

  40. Kirsten says:

    I agree with MariDonne, the first books I thought of were Bellwether and To Say Nothing of the Dog. Inside Job is very funny too, but it might be a limited edition.And every woman should read her short story Even the Queen, which appears in Uncharted Territory (I’m not sure a guy would quite appreciate it).  I can’t recommend all of her work, because she does deal with some very serious topics, but Bellwether is one of my favorite reads.

    Jennifer Crusie is also one of my comfort reads. A lot of her books do have gunplay or violence in them at some point, it’s true, but Faking It cracks me up every time. Even my husband referred to the muffin/doughnut controversy recently.

    And I don’t think her books are widely available anymore, but I love Marion Chesney’s regency romances. I first discovered them in the library when I was maybe twelve, and she wrote them in series of six books. Finessing Clarissa is a wonderful book. I don’t believe her books were entirely violence free either, but they are so charming, and the supporting characters are wonderful.

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