What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

So, I like to read a good trashy novel now and again but I often end up throwing the book at the wall because the female characters are so shallow and irritating or because the "happy ending" is marrying a boring rich dude for his money or "taming" a bad guy.

An example of something in this genre that I *like* is Valley of the Dolls, where the women often get a raw deal but it seems like the author knows this is because they are women working in a sexist industry, and you see the negative consequences of marrying for money etc, even though the book predates the second wave of feminism.

Candace Bushnell is the closest writer I can think of in recent years, who at least has some awareness of feminism even when her characters are incredibly shallow. I also like a few by Jennifer Weiner but have read most of hers.

An example of what I want to *avoid* is Unsticky or It Felt Like a Kiss where the main characters end up in relationships with terrible controlling men who treat them like crap and it's supposed to be a happy ending.

Is it asking too much for a trashy novel to have female characters who have jobs and lives and are not looking to be rescued by a man? Any ideas welcome!

Maybe Enchanted, Inc. I think the series is better than 'trashy', but it's still really light...and the heroine maintains her independence and genuinely cares about being self-sufficient and the like. Not sure it's 100 percent what you're looking for, but it's the closest I can think of at the moment.

It's old but A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford is one of my favorites, and there are a bunch of sequels.

It's been a really long time since I've read it (actually I've read it twice but for some reason no memories of it have ever adhered), but The Women's Room might fit. It's definitely feminist, perhaps slightly less trashy than you're hoping for. (As I said, I can't remember!)

Rachel wrote: "Candace Bushnell is the closest writer I can think of in recent years, who at least has some awareness of feminism even when her characters are incredibly shallow."

I have to agree. I thought the Sex and the City novel was pretty good. Certainly less frivolous than the TV show. I thought Four Blondes and Trading Up were weaker.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. A Woman of Substance looks like a good one (I don't mind if the books aren't recent). I have read the Women's Room a while back but anything similar to that would be good.

Lobstergirl, I preferred the SATC book to the TV series as well, and don't even get me started on the films! I thought her more recent book One Fifth Avenue was actually pretty good. It has a wonderfully bratty Millennial teenager in it called Lola Fabrikant :)

I haven't read it, but Diary of a Mad Housewife is described as: "The 1967 potboiler perhaps is a pioneer of chick-lit as it follows a would-be artist who abandons her dream of painting for a successful husband, two kids, and a nice Manhattan home only to discover her perfect life is driving her nuts."

I read The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith last year and really enjoyed it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I wouldn't call it "trashy" so much as "light" (but one woman's trashy is another woman's light, right?), but it was definitely a quick and easy read. I was surprised by how much I liked it.

I think you should be able to read my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'd recommend ANY of Julie James's books. I wouldn't call them TRASHY, but they're definitely steamy romance novels. All the heroines are powerful urban women (lawyers, mostly) who would love a romance, but are definitely not the need-to-be-rescued type or the type who are planning on giving up their jobs if they had kids... or even the type to change their name when they get married.

But, for example, in Something About You, the heroine also isn't a full-of-herself idiot. She's an Assistant US Attorney who (sorta) witnesses a crime and needs to be protected by the FBI (hero), and there's a really great balance of strong woman and woman who doesn't think she's above accepting the help of professionals, you know? She's NOT TSTL (too stupid to live), thinking she can handle everything herself.

Anyway, the FBI/US Attorney series is really good. I like that the heroes and heroines are equals. None of the secretary falling for the boss crap or rich woman falling for the handyman or whatever.

Lace might be a good match for you, also perhaps The Group.

Ooh, also Options.

OMG Lace! Now there's a trashy novel that's just perfectly awesome 80s excess. Loved it!

Michele wrote: "OMG Lace! Now there's a trashy novel that's just perfectly awesome 80s excess. Loved it!"

Exactly :)

The Lucky Santangelo series or anything else by Jackie Collins!
Lucky
Jackie Collins

One for the Money. There are heaps of books in the series, and I've stopped reading now cause she is milkin it... But lacking further plot movement - but the first 10-12 are hilarious. And I mean, can't read in public funny... laughing too much, eyes watering etc.

Oh, and don't be put off by the movie. As per the usual... They BUTCHERED it.

Maybe The Magician's Girl?

This story of love and passion centers on Minna Grant, Liz Becker, and Maud Noon, three New York women who meet at Barnard in the late thirties and fulfill their destinies in the seventies.

Have you read any of Judith Krantz trashy novels?

Fay one of my favorite trashy novels of all time - it doesn't pay to mess around with Fay, that's for sure.

I created a list "Best Trashy Novels" not too long ago than you might find helpful.

Edited* https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

Someone just sent The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe through my feed. I haven't read her books but she seems like the type of 50s-70s chick lit you're looking for.

Would this be something like that? I haven't read it, though.
Pussy, King of the Pirates

I can't believe I forgot about Fear of Flying.

Thanks lobstergirl, I love Fear of Flying and The Best of Everything, but have already read them! Anything else along those lines would be great.

Butterfly by Kathryn Harvey fits this, imo.