Light but not (too) dumb (845 books)

This is an eclectic list of books to read when you're just not in the mood for something heavy or overly depressing, but don't want a lot of eye-rolling moments either. It can be a thriller, romance, chick-lit, family saga, memoir, non-fiction, or anything else that's enjoyable and easy to read.

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1	Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 1,698,673 ratings score: 13,502, and 137 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling 4.47 avg rating — 11,377,493 ratings score: 13,230, and 136 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Bridget Jones’s Diary (Bridget Jones, #1) by Helen Fielding (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 1,022,201 ratings score: 11,156, and 116 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,856,204 ratings score: 8,661, and 89 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2) by Dan Brown (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 2,518,810 ratings score: 8,182, and 85 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 4.29 avg rating — 4,785,037 ratings score: 8,136, and 86 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) by J.K. Rowling 4.43 avg rating — 4,477,190 ratings score: 7,648, and 81 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4) by J.K. Rowling 4.57 avg rating — 4,181,026 ratings score: 6,008, and 65 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1) by L.M. Montgomery 4.33 avg rating — 1,110,349 ratings score: 5,996, and 63 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer 4.19 avg rating — 809,023 ratings score: 5,561, and 59 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 2,870,687 ratings score: 5,269, and 56 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 1,841,494 ratings score: 5,218, and 55 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1) by Stephenie Meyer 3.67 avg rating — 7,294,511 ratings score: 5,217, and 55 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden 4.16 avg rating — 2,107,539 ratings score: 5,183, and 56 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) by J.K. Rowling 4.62 avg rating — 4,099,695 ratings score: 5,150, and 57 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	High Fidelity by Nick Hornby 3.90 avg rating — 215,060 ratings score: 4,985, and 52 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1) by Douglas Adams 4.22 avg rating — 2,011,424 ratings score: 4,881, and 53 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) by J.K. Rowling 4.58 avg rating — 4,824,091 ratings score: 4,847, and 55 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) by J.K. Rowling 4.50 avg rating — 3,784,306 ratings score: 4,786, and 54 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Sisterhood, #1) by Ann Brashares 3.85 avg rating — 733,663 ratings score: 4,636, and 49 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) by J.K. Rowling 4.58 avg rating — 3,647,513 ratings score: 4,632, and 53 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 1,274,260 ratings score: 4,569, and 48 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 4.26 avg rating — 6,864,680 ratings score: 4,495, and 49 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 1,351,154 ratings score: 3,966, and 44 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	White Oleander by Janet Fitch (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 366,273 ratings score: 3,906, and 41 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Alice in Wonderland by Jane Carruth (Adapted By) 4.03 avg rating — 396,716 ratings score: 3,741, and 41 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky 4.24 avg rating — 1,995,531 ratings score: 3,605, and 38 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy 4.08 avg rating — 68,355 ratings score: 3,539, and 38 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë 4.16 avg rating — 2,317,154 ratings score: 3,516, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next, #1) by Jasper Fforde (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 137,143 ratings score: 3,442, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot, #10) by Agatha Christie 4.20 avg rating — 728,929 ratings score: 3,393, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Crossing the Seas: A Diary of My Thoughts by Yuehai Xiao 3.57 avg rating — 1,979 ratings score: 3,300, and 33 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	About a Boy by Nick Hornby 3.80 avg rating — 141,270 ratings score: 3,258, and 35 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 3,483,651 ratings score: 3,234, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The Princess Bride by William Goldman 4.27 avg rating — 946,888 ratings score: 3,203, and 36 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Outlander (Outlander, #1) by Diana Gabaldon (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 1,151,461 ratings score: 3,199, and 36 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Nanny Diaries (Nanny, #1) by Emma McLaughlin (Goodreads Author) 3.47 avg rating — 389,549 ratings score: 3,160, and 35 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 362,564 ratings score: 3,059, and 33 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 325,936 ratings score: 3,023, and 32 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, #3) by Stephenie Meyer 3.74 avg rating — 1,988,870 ratings score: 2,930, and 32 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.30 avg rating — 4,444,425 ratings score: 2,850, and 33 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Goodreads Author) 4.47 avg rating — 3,014,368 ratings score: 2,833, and 32 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Firm by Robin Waterfield (Adaptor) 4.07 avg rating — 638,352 ratings score: 2,822, and 31 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	New Moon (The Twilight Saga, #2) by Stephenie Meyer 3.62 avg rating — 2,123,144 ratings score: 2,693, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell 4.31 avg rating — 1,255,666 ratings score: 2,678, and 31 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Animal Farm by George Orwell 4.02 avg rating — 4,531,362 ratings score: 2,670, and 31 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1) by Michael Crichton 4.13 avg rating — 1,059,001 ratings score: 2,511, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 709,066 ratings score: 2,491, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 3.93 avg rating — 5,897,110 ratings score: 2,467, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck 3.90 avg rating — 2,827,094 ratings score: 2,458, and 28 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, #4) by Stephenie Meyer 3.76 avg rating — 1,868,967 ratings score: 2,254, and 26 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Good in Bed (Cannie Shapiro, #1) by Jennifer Weiner (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 314,914 ratings score: 2,252, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein 4.35 avg rating — 1,506,968 ratings score: 2,100, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel 3.95 avg rating — 394,140 ratings score: 1,983, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver 4.11 avg rating — 792,373 ratings score: 1,951, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Practical Magic (Practical Magic, #1) by Alice Hoffman (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 165,205 ratings score: 1,942, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Ella Enchanted (Ella Enchanted, #1) by Gail Carson Levine (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 423,776 ratings score: 1,884, and 21 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Lord of the Flies by William Golding 3.70 avg rating — 3,191,868 ratings score: 1,802, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 3.80 avg rating — 3,884,331 ratings score: 1,792, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby 3.44 avg rating — 91,425 ratings score: 1,775, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Love Story (Love Story, #1) by Erich Segal 3.65 avg rating — 64,251 ratings score: 1,748, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Pact by Jodi Picoult (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 327,156 ratings score: 1,733, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	The Spellman Files (The Spellmans, #1) by Lisa Lutz (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 37,696 ratings score: 1,705, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	The Runaway Jury by John Grisham (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 314,585 ratings score: 1,689, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1) by Carlos Ruiz Zafón 4.31 avg rating — 717,660 ratings score: 1,587, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 84,621 ratings score: 1,579, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri 4.14 avg rating — 96,637 ratings score: 1,565, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Garden Spells (Waverley Family, #1) by Sarah Addison Allen (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 107,900 ratings score: 1,535, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Moloka'i (Moloka'i, #1) by Alan Brennert (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 140,300 ratings score: 1,526, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 46,624 ratings score: 1,525, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy 3.99 avg rating — 25,003 ratings score: 1,393, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	Oceans of Trouble by Travis Casey (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 121 ratings score: 1,392, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	The Essential Calvin and Hobbes: A Calvin and Hobbes Treasury by Bill Watterson 4.65 avg rating — 123,549 ratings score: 1,383, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Adventures of Tom and Huck, #2) by Mark Twain 3.83 avg rating — 1,335,639 ratings score: 1,364, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Little Children by Tom Perrotta 3.64 avg rating — 33,077 ratings score: 1,348, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	Love Walked In (Love Walked In, #1) by Marisa de los Santos (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 38,442 ratings score: 1,339, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Hogwarts Library, #3) by J.K. Rowling 4.03 avg rating — 511,833 ratings score: 1,339, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
78	Emma by Jane Austen 4.05 avg rating — 980,288 ratings score: 1,313, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
79	Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare 4.06 avg rating — 258,211 ratings score: 1,306, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
80	Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen 3.85 avg rating — 452,548 ratings score: 1,292, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 69,044 ratings score: 1,286, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1) by Ken Follett (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 828,604 ratings score: 1,264, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
83	Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella 3.82 avg rating — 475,037 ratings score: 1,211, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	The Color of Magic (Discworld, #1; Rincewind, #1) by Terry Pratchett 3.99 avg rating — 421,353 ratings score: 1,206, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	The Big Over Easy (Nursery Crime, #1) by Jasper Fforde (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 34,491 ratings score: 1,192, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	How to Be Good by Nick Hornby 3.22 avg rating — 57,897 ratings score: 1,160, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
87	The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1) by Alan Bradley (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 178,589 ratings score: 1,155, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	One True Thing by Anna Quindlen 4.05 avg rating — 40,116 ratings score: 1,111, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
89	Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare 3.74 avg rating — 2,817,132 ratings score: 1,107, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy 3.98 avg rating — 22,666 ratings score: 1,053, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
91	The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 4.32 avg rating — 1,020,919 ratings score: 1,046, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	Welcome to the World, Baby Girl! (Elmwood Springs, #1) by Fannie Flagg 3.92 avg rating — 28,202 ratings score: 1,017, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg 4.28 avg rating — 326,238 ratings score: 1,003, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	I Don't Know How She Does It (Kate Reddy, #1) by Allison Pearson 3.34 avg rating — 22,485 ratings score: 950, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith 3.99 avg rating — 115,169 ratings score: 943, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	In Cold Blood by Truman Capote 4.09 avg rating — 727,561 ratings score: 935, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	Timeline by Michael Crichton 3.87 avg rating — 216,854 ratings score: 902, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
98	A Room with a View by E.M. Forster 3.89 avg rating — 201,397 ratings score: 892, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 16,663 ratings score: 874, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
100	Midwives by Chris Bohjalian (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 163,168 ratings score: 864, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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845 books · 838 voters · list created September 3rd, 2008 by K (votes) .

Tags: chick-lit, light-reads, romance, thriller

135 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (838)

K 1336 books
644 friends

M 2232 books
276 friends

Tamar 1548 books
1152 friends

Haley 838 books
96 friends

P. 3408 books
109 friends

Jen 135 books
23 friends

Ruth 822 books
46 friends

La Petite Américaine 490 books
504 friends

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message 1: by Stephanie (new)

Oct 10, 2008 07:24PM

I was surprised by some of the books here. Tis list is supposed to be for not-too-heavy books. And, for example, The Book Theif for me was a really thought-provoking and powerful book. Anything that takes place in Nazi Germany isn't light. And My Sister's Keeper wasn't light either.

Right. So my point? None.
I hope I wasn't an annoyance. I suppose I just wished to express my dissagreement. And I suppose that would be my point.

Right. Have a good day.

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message 2: by Kate (new)

Jun 01, 2009 08:09AM

White Oleander is "light"??

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message 3: by Alana (new)

Nov 12, 2009 10:12AM

Revolutionary Road didn't strike me as light either.

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message 4: by [deleted user] (new)

Jun 15, 2010 06:49AM

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message 5: by [deleted user] (new)

Jun 15, 2010 06:52AM

In Cold Blood is very depressing! Who added that? This list needs to be edited IMO.

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message 6: by Mike (the Paladin) (new)

Jun 15, 2010 07:47AM

That's what I find interesting about "these lists". I like to see the differences in what we think. For me the idea of something being a light read implied a certain amount of humor, not too serious as well as not so deep. Then I saw books dealing with fairly serious topics. It says to me that the actual phrase meant something different to each of us. As "Spock" would say...."fascinating".

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message 7: by [deleted user] (new)

Jun 15, 2010 09:00AM

Mike wrote: "That's what I find interesting about "these lists". I like to see the differences in what we think. For me the idea of something being a light read implied a certain amount of humor, not too seriou..."

We think alike on what light should mean here. I think sometimes people don't carefully read what is asked and I have been guilty of the same.

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message 8: by Margarida (new)

Jun 15, 2010 11:18AM

Lord of the Flies is light since when?

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message 9: by Margarida (new)

Jun 15, 2010 12:35PM

Alice wrote: "Margarida wrote: "Lord of the Flies is light since when?"

Oh, very true! That is not light either."

There's at least 5 books in this list that I would never classified as light.

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message 10: by Mike (the Paladin) (new)

Jun 15, 2010 01:26PM

As I said...just wondering about it. Either the words meant something totally different to some, or....well, I suppose that maybe they just didn't read the heading

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message 11: by Thom (new)

Jun 15, 2010 04:55PM

Mike wrote: "As I said...just wondering about it. Either the words meant something totally different to some, or....well, I suppose that maybe they just didn't read the heading"

I thought of adding The Crucible and Last Exit to Brooklyn. Or perhaps Journal of the Plague Year.

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message 12: by Lobstergirl (last edited Jun 15, 2010 05:06PM) (new)

Jun 15, 2010 05:06PM

I'm trying to figure out how to add the Book of Job.

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message 13: by Mike (the Paladin) (new)

Jun 15, 2010 05:23PM

There's always Alive....

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message 14: by Deb (new)

Jun 16, 2010 03:17AM

I wouldn't even call the Harry Potter books "light". Light is the opposite of dark, surely?

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message 15: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jun 16, 2010 10:13AM

I voted for Harry Potter. It is a fast, fun read, at least for me.

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message 16: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jun 16, 2010 10:13AM

Lobstergirl wrote: "I'm trying to figure out how to add the Book of Job."

How about some Samuel Beckett?

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message 17: by Tanya (new)

Jun 16, 2010 11:21AM

Deb wrote: "I wouldn't even call the Harry Potter books "light". Light is the opposite of dark, surely?"

I believe they don't mean that kind of light. I think they mean books where you don't really have to think about (like Harry Potter). Not hard to read, simple.

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message 18: by Zoë (new)

Jun 16, 2010 12:51PM

ummm... white oleander light? i dont think so!

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message 19: by Tanya (new)

Jun 16, 2010 01:43PM

'The Great Gatsby' and 'Catcher in the Rye' are considered light? I really don't get this list.

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message 20: by Mike (the Paladin) (new)

Jun 16, 2010 03:36PM

Okay....I'm very much a "to each their own" sort of guy, but I'm now forced to the conclusion that either there are a large number of people with a sense of irony...or they just don't understand the point of this list as I do/did. Murder, racism, death...all "light but not too dumb" oooookkkkaaaayyyyy.

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message 21: by Deb (new)

Jun 17, 2010 12:17AM

Possibly the people who voted for "Lord of the Flies" think it's a simple adventure story and don't understand the underlying message?

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message 22: by Mike (the Paladin) (new)

Jun 17, 2010 07:29AM

Ya but, Pillars of the Earth(murder, broken lives), To Kill a Mockingbird (racism, bigotry), Animal Farm (totalitarian rule, betrayal), The Count of Monte Cristo (false imprisonment, more murder), I could go on, but...at this point I'm forced to the conclusion that some people have a totally different view of a "light read" than I do.

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message 23: by Lioba (new)

Jun 23, 2010 09:51AM

Not many light reads here altogether.

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message 24: by kerri (new)

Jun 25, 2010 10:58AM

I agree with Mike....... different strokes. Strange choice of words for this title.

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message 25: by ♥ Marlene♥ (new)

Jul 04, 2010 11:50AM

I agree with you here. What about the Wally Lamb books on the list. They are both definitely NOT light at all. lol

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message 26: by Lesley (new)

Jul 07, 2010 12:01AM

Twilight is NOT too dumb?

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message 27: by Mike (the Paladin) (new)

Jul 07, 2010 09:54AM

I think the problem here may be the definition of "too". :)

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message 28: by [deleted user] (new)

Oct 14, 2010 07:11PM

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message 29: by Dominique (new)

May 04, 2011 12:06AM

Maybe it's light as in a light read? Like, easier to handle than, say, War and Peace. If so, some of these should NOT be on here.

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message 30: by Kathryn (new)

May 04, 2011 08:01PM

Many of these books cannot possibly be considered light! Who is adding this stuff?

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message 31: by Mauve7 (new)

Aug 23, 2011 05:31PM

The Hobbit is light reading???

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message 32: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (last edited Aug 23, 2011 08:29PM) (new)

Aug 23, 2011 08:29PM

I like how tastes vary.

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message 33: by Danna (new)

Sep 18, 2011 09:07AM

such a brilliant list!

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message 34: by Elaine (new)

Oct 01, 2011 01:27PM

Les Mis is a really heavy book. Someone who has actually read the book knows that it is way more intense than the musical. The musical is sad/depressing yet in most ways much lighter than the book. Whomever put this book on the list was not (too) intelligent.

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message 35: by Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship (new)

Dec 16, 2011 04:45PM

I'm forced to conclude that some people just go around adding their favorite books indiscriminately to every list they can find.

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message 36: by [deleted user] (new)

Dec 16, 2011 04:48PM

Emma wrote: "I'm forced to conclude that some people just go around adding their favorite books indiscriminately to every list they can find."

That is definitely true. I have noticed it over and over too.

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message 37: by Tisa (new)

Jan 05, 2012 04:31AM

I have to agree with most of them; a lot of items in this list cannot be labeled light.

But of course, isn't lightness subjective?

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message 38: by [deleted user] (new)

Jan 15, 2012 07:50PM

This is just a random assortment of books. Very few of them even coordinate to the list. Poor poor list.

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message 39: by Elisabeth (new)

May 20, 2012 09:01PM

Kite Runner is so not a light book.

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message 40: by Stela (new)

Jun 15, 2012 12:53PM

Honestly, people will vote anything!

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message 41: by Tunkabean (new)

Aug 08, 2012 11:36PM

Is this list some kinda parody twist? A LOT of the books mentioned here are NOT light reads

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message 42: by Mirta (new)

Dec 24, 2012 11:24PM

With Love, The Argentina Family: Memories of Tango and Kugel; Mate with Knishes

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message 43: by between the lines (new)

Mar 16, 2014 06:28AM

I don't understand. Does “light” mean a book that is easy understand and does need much though before flipping the page? Or is it that the book doesn't deal with death or any other serious issues. Either ways there are way too many books that don't belong here.

The Harry Potter books, especially the last ones, The Pact and My Sister's Keeper made me cry like a baby.

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message 44: by Joy (new)

Sep 18, 2014 06:11PM

SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN has a horrendously detailed depiction of foot-binding.

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message 45: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Nov 07, 2015 11:33PM) (new)

Nov 07, 2015 11:21PM

Stephanie wrote: "I was surprised by some of the books here. Tis list is supposed to be for not-too-heavy books. And, for example, The Book Theif for me was a really thought-provoking and powerful book. Anything tha..."

Tunkabean wrote: "Is this list some kinda parody twist? A LOT of the books mentioned here are NOT light reads"

Tisa wrote: "...But of course, isn't lightness subjective?"

It's all about what people think, or read into it, I guess. I for one was surprised to see Pride and Prejudice on this list, to name just one title, as it definitely isn't what I would consider 'light' reading.

To me, Georgette Heyer's books, which I love by the way, are light reading. Or Agatha Christie's novels. Or Leslie Charteris' books about The Saint. And so on, and so forth.

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message 46: by Andy (new)

May 31, 2018 12:38AM

Booklovinglady wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "I was surprised by some of the books here. Tis list is supposed to be for not-too-heavy books. And, for example, The Book Theif for me was a really thought-provoking and powerful ..."

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "There's always Alive...."

Oh gawd! Just thinking about that story is traumatic.

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message 47: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited May 31, 2018 05:18AM) (new)

May 31, 2018 05:17AM

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "I voted for Harry Potter. It is a fast, fun read, at least for me."

Yeah, same for me, so I totally support your choice :-)

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