It’s time for a Very Special Good Shit vs. Shit to Avoid, which is also partly a “Help a Bitch Out” request as well. Bitchery Reader L is on bedrest going through hellacious chemotherapy. The drugs have weakened her legs to the point where walking is painful, and so she’s staring at her bedroom walls for way, WAY too much time while she attempts to Kick Cancer’s Ass.
So! She has a request of the well-read and brilliant Bitchery: we’re looking for total escape romance, the kind that sucks you in and pulls you into another world, preferably one with a superb happy ending. We need your favorite “removes me from my present location immediately” romance reads because bed rest + chemo = NEED FOR GOOD BOOKS. L adds regarding the Bitchery:
They are so incredibly smart well-read in the romance area and I suspect other areas as well. If they have any recommendations of funny laugh-out-loud Regencies , I’d really be a happy camper. To give you an idea I love love love Loretta Chase and have read every one of her books, but unfortunately she doesn’t write fast enough.
Bring it on! We’re looking for the very best in uplifting, happy, happy, joy, joy, funny, funny romance. I’m going to open the suggestions to all subgenres, not just Regencies, so as to compile a longer collection list of romance that makes your day better. So please let us know the subgenre of your suggestion.
And special message to L: kick ass, take names, and I wish you many, many happy new years.
Good luck, L! We’re cheering for you!
I’m joining the leagues of ‘Ravished” and Elosia James fans. ‘Ravished’ is a great read and Eloisa James’ books are funny and very witty.
For very light, very fluffy stuff, I go to Judith Stacy. ‘The Marriage Mishap’ and ‘The Heart of a Hero’ are my two favorites by her. They’re definitely not as well written as any by James of Amanda Quick, but I still have a soft spot for them.
Well, what’s a bitch to do when all her favorites have already been suggested? I don’t know about L, but I know I got a lot from the comments here!
And I’m frantically wracking my brain but all the ones that instantly sprang to mind have already been suggested.
I can definitely ditto on the MacAlisters, any Lynsay Sands, Nora, any Evanovich, the early (one word titles) Quicks, the historical Garwoods, etc.
Hang in there, L, and laugh a lot!
I second with happiness Bad Kitty by M. Jaffee. Though it’s written for teens, the book is laugh out loud funny. The conversations in footnotes? Priceless.
In a similar vein, may I recommend the Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison. The first is Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging. Laugh out loud funny.
I echo the recommendations of julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Suzanne Elisabeth Phillips (Breathing Room being my fave), Jennifer Crusie (Bet Me as my fave), and Meg Cabot.
For stupid punny stuff, there are the early Xanth books by Piers Anthony (Ogre Ogre and Night Mare being the top two in my opinion)
They’re not ‘romance novels’ per se, but for pure immersive and utterly hilarious crack (with a few inexplicably moving moments thrown in for good measure if you want them), try Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.
There must be nearly forty of them by now, so L. isn’t going to run out of material any time soon, and it’s one of those rare series that can be started and finished almost anywhere.
Personally, I’d recommend starting with the Witches books, rather than in chronological order – begin with Wyrd Sisters, then read Equal Rites, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies, Maskerade and Carpe Jugulum.
The Watch books are also good – if L starts there, she should start with Guards! Guards!, then move on to Men At Arms, Feet Of Clay, Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Night Watch and Thud!.
To L. herself, I have nothing to offer but my best wishes and the hope that she kicks cancer somewhere into the next century.
Hi, L!
As everyone else has done, I’m sending good thoughts your way to help you in your battle.
Can’t believe no one’s mentioned Laura London’s books, particularly “The Windflower” I also loved “The Bad Baron’s Daughter”. Excellent dialogue! Will definitely transport you. Calgon, take me away!!!!
I read everything written by Connie Brockway that I could get my hands on when I was undergoing chemo. I especially remember loving As You Desire. It has made it on my DIK list.
Good luck and I wish you the best.
As a fellow chemo survivor I recommend going back to the oldies (chemo brain is not conducive to taking in new books as I remember).
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Linda Howard
Julie Garwood
Nora Roberts
Judith McNaught
Sending healing thoughts.
The following are all comtemporary, fun, uplifting and happy that don’t have any themes that are depressing or upsetting at all (sorry, I don’t read historicals generally):-
Any Jenny Crusie, but NOT ‘Tell me Lies’ as this one has some upsetting themes.
Janet Evanovich’s re-released Loveswept screwball comedies re-released by Harper Collins in particular
The Rocky Road to Romance
Love Overboard
Manhunt
Rachael Gibson – Truly Madly Yours.
As I’m English, some really good reads in the same theme from over the pond are:-
Belinda Jones –
The California Club, and
The Love Academy
Sophie Kinsella –
The Undomestic Goddess, and
Can you keep a secret?
Melissa Nathan –
The Nanny, and
The Waitress
Bernadette Strachan (Irish author)
Diamonds and Daises
and my most favourite for uplifting and general good feelings all round is the wonderful
The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by
Eva Rice
My other comfort reads are fantasy romances:-
Heart Mate by Robin D. Owens
– the guy has absolutely know idea how to win the heart of his lady love and his attempts are hilarious, God love him, but he just doesn’t give up trying even though he’s making a pigs ear of it all and knows it. He also works a smithy in a loin cloth, all impressive sweaty muscles…
Kiss of the Highlander – Karen Marie Moning
-again similar to the above in that the courtship is mostly disastrous and funny, but the romance is so touching and just plain glorious.
Knight of a Trillion Stars- Dara Joy
– ladies get over yourselves already this book is a wonderful comfort read!
L – Hope you make a speedy recovery with all these lovely book recommendations everyone has given.
i tried to think of these titles last night but was way tired…today-however-brings me The White Raven by Diana Paxson (Tristan and Iseult by other names)…the first two Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon…The Princess Bride (of course)….Kristen Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset…..but if you’re ill maybe all the historical stuff is too Heavy…it’s definitely escapist though…i hope these ideas help…if not contact me at
i have more ideas
I must be well read – I ditto all those mentioned above – but would INCLUDE:
For funny shape shifter romance – Christine Warren – esp She’s No Fairy Princess (big werewolf refusing sex with nympho fairy!! Say what?)
For pee your pants funny (seriously, I really did) – Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder series and Help, I’m being Held Prisoner
Too damn funny Sci Fi – Eric Flint’s 1632 series – bunch of West Virginia red necks time traveled back to 1632 Europe – YE HAW, let the games begin.
OOH, THOSE CARPATHIANS (get me hot!) – Christine Feehan – my personal fav – Dark Fire.
Good Luck and Keep Laughing,
Donna
Good – Linnea Sinclair – Accidental Goddess (imagine time traveling to the future to find out you’ve been deified!)