Three Chick-Lit Books for Summer

Summer is here, bringing with it hot days, stormy nights, and a desire for all things light and fresh. Who wants to eat a heavy meal or exercise in a dark, dingy gym on the free and lazy days of summer? From the same standpoint, who wants to read a heavy, philosophical, intellectual book while sitting on the beach or sitting on a screen porch waiting for the rain to stop and the game of catch to resume?

Chick-Lit is loosely defined as a genre of books aimed at women. These books tend to be light, popular, and quick and easy to read. Like a cool salad or a glass of pink lemonade, they refresh the palate and offer a not-so-guilty pleasure for a summer day. So grab your paperbacks and head for a sunny spot to relax away your summer day.

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisenberger

Recently released as a motion picture, this book follows Andrea Sachs a young would-be writer who lands her first publishing job as the personal assistant to big name fashion editor Miranda Priestly. With the free clothes, the celebrity parties, and the promise of a job anywhere in the industry at the end of a year, this seems like a young woman’s dream job. It isn’t. Tormented by Miranda, Andrea finds herself slowly being drawn into this fashion world and letting it consume her entire life.

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin

The appropriately named Nanny has been working as a nanny to upscale New York families for years when she first meets Mrs. X. Faced with a child who at first seems to be a monster, Nanny struggles to use all of her talents to succeed in this new position. When Grayer begins to warm to her, however, she realizes that it is perhaps Mrs. X who is more of a monster. At the same time, Nanny meets a boy in the X’s building and begins a romance which leads her to question even more her role in the modern caste system of NYC.

The Girl’s Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank

This book is divided charmingly into several short stories, or vignettes, which can be read in order or independently. Each story but one focuses on Jane Rosenal, following her as she goes through many of the stages in a woman’s life. The various stories delve into issues such as family relationships, love, career, illness and loss, but always with a touch of humor and a charming voice that keeps the reader from becoming too caught up in life’s every day tragedies.