Chicks On Lit discussion

Hi,

I'm going to the UK (London and Scotland) and Ireland in a few months. I was hoping some of you could tell me some chick lit books that take place there- preferably novels about young women from America traveling to either Scotland or Ireland, with most of the plot taking place over there. I'm looking for something light and fun. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Joy - how lucky you are! I just read a chick-lit book by Harriet Evans called The Love of Her Life. If you're looking for Ireland, try reading or listening to Maeve Binchy's books. I love to listen to them. Cecelia Ahern's books are also about Ireland and good.

Hi Joy -

I don't have any book suggestions, but I am going to London and Paris in two weeks. Last night I On-demanded via Verizon Cable the Travel Network and they had 10 clips on London. It was very informative. You should try to check it out.

Have a great time!

If you want travel-type stuff, my husband and I had great luck with the Rick Steve's books. (They may be harder to find outside the US.)

It's not remotely chick-lit, so possibly may not be your thing, but I do feel that Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere could be quite a fun read for a trip to London.

If I remember correctly, first book in shopaholic series is based in London. And there is a lot of shopping involved. So it may help you, if you are a compulsive shopper :)

The Lacemakers of Glenmara is a wonderful novel about a woman traveling to Ireland, not sure if I'd classify it as chick-lit but give it a try any how :-)

It is not chick lit, but I loved it: Ireland by Delaney is a story teller that goes from village to village. It is huge though.

Also, Trinity by Leon Uris.

I was in London for Christmas, didn't make it to Ireland and I am envious!

London at Christmas time must have been magical Meg!

Thanks for all the suggestions! Keep them coming, please!

I'm going to have to do some perusing for sure. Megan- I actually saw those too and watched them a few weeks ago- thanks, though!

I'm only going to be in London for one day :(, so I don't know how much I'll get to see, but at least walking around must be incredible. I am very excited, yes.

One day I plan on taking a trip to London & the English country side, Ireland to where my Nana was born & raised, Paris & Provence France.

You're going to have a lovely time!!!

That sounds great! I'm going to Glasgow, where my grandfather was born. I'm hoping to find my family "plaid" and bring some back with me!

I'd love to go back (look at me, I'm already planning my next trip...) and get a better look at England. I'm touring all through Scotland and Ireland, with very little time in England, which I'd also love to see.

Joy wrote: "That sounds great! I'm going to Glasgow, where my grandfather was born. I'm hoping to find my family "plaid" and bring some back with me!

I'd love to go back (look at me, I'm already planning my..."

Have a great time Joy! You are going to such a great trip! Make sure you give us details. And if you didn't read Confessions of a Shopaholic I would also suggest that. It is fun!

Joy wrote: "Hi,

I'm going to the UK (London and Scotland) and Ireland in a few months. I was hoping some of you could tell me some chick lit books that take place there- preferably novels about young women..."

I really enjoyed Blessed Are the Cheesemakers.

Joy - It sounds like the trip of a lifetime! My family is Scottish and Irish, so I am very jealous!

For Ireland, I am very fond of Roddy Doyle's books. The Barrytown trilogy is an absolute hoot.

I recently finished Dawn on a Distant Shore and a significant portion of the book takes place in Scotland. It is classified as historical fiction, I believe, and is the second in the Wilderness series, the first is Into the Wilderness.

I recommend My Dream of You. It isn't chick lit, but is an amazingly beautiful narrative set in contemporary Ireland with evocative glimpses of the past. The main character is a middle aged travel writer who has been escaping Ireland all her adult life. The story begins as she returns to Ireland and begins to research the past. Very lyrical.

Another good one is Ireland by Frank Delaney. It gives you a great history of Ireland as told by a wandering story teller. Delaney spins a great tale.

This book is mostly set in the US, but the main characters do go to Scotland during the story and it's a good book: The Friday Night Knitting Club. The Shell Seekers is set in the UK.