So we all know that books can rip out your still beating heart, squash it flat and run it through with a machete just to be sure that you can no longer feel anything other than agonising, brutal pain. Ok, so maybe they don’t literally do that but we all know that feeling when your favourite character dies or your OTP isn’t made canon. It hurts.
So here’s my list of fun, easy reads that (probably) won’t make it feel like Dexter has gone all Dark Defender on your ribcage.
(Disclaimer – I make no promises to the above.)
The Rebel Belle series by Rachel Hawkins
Rebel Belle tells the story of Harper, a girl who becomes a Paladin, a guardian gifted with mysterious powers after a dying janitor kisses her in the bathroom before Homecoming. This book is like a filler Buffy episode – full of snappy one liners, magic and a girl in a bitching dress fighting the bad guys. These books are fun to read and hard to put down.
Red by Alison Cherry
Red is the story of Felicity, a girl who has it all in the town of Scarletville. The only problem is that it’ll all come crumbling down if her secret is exposed – Felicity isn’t actually a redhead. For in the town of Scarletville, having red hair means everything and Felicity’s natural strawberry blonde just won’t cut it. Unfortunately though, someone discovers the truth about her dyed locks and will expose her if she doesn’t play along.
This book is a hilarious read all the way through, with the added bonus of a cute romance subplot. If satire isn’t your thing, maybe it’s not for you. This book isn’t perfect but if you want a fun, easy read, I recommend this.
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
This book is…weird. But so so much fun! Much like Red it’s not meant to be taken seriously. It’s satire and a bit of black humour and makes fun of…well, most things regarding teenage girls. Beauty standards, commercialising, gender roles are all brought up and made endless fun of. It’s silly. It’s entertaining. It’s…weirdly diverse. You may also hate it because that’s the risk you take with these kinds of books.
A plane crash strands 13 beauty contestants on a desert island, filled with natural dangers, strange inhabitants and no curling irons. This can only end well…
Murder Most Unladylike Series by Robin Stevens
I love and adore this series, which tells the adventures of Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong as they solve mysteries and track down murderers. Daisy is sharp, caustic and too clever for her own good but a brilliant detective. Hazel is the kinder of the two, friendly and compassionate with a more level head to Daisy’s occasional hot-headed moments. The girls suit each other and work well together to solve murders.
Considering the age group these are marketed to, they’re well written and I enjoy trying to figure out the mysteries. There are scenes of actual tension and sometimes the girls deal with other issues that teenagers struggle with but for the most part, I like picking these up when I want an interesting story without wanting to have my heart broken.
Heist Society by Ally Carter
We’re talking teens who commit heists here, people. Big heists, involving heavily guarded buildings with guards and cameras. Amazing, never done before heists, to steal incredible, priceless items. WITH ONLY SEVEN TEENAGERS. THIS IS ULTIMATE RULE OF COOL.
I love these books and Ally Carter’s previous series The Gallagher Girls. The one thing – NAY, THE ONLY THING – that has made me put Kat over Cammie is that I prefer the romance in Heist Society. That’s all. Read both series, they’re both great. TEENAGE THIEVES AND SPIES, IT’S ALL AWESOME.
Size 12 is Not Fat – Meg Cabot
This series is great and probably my favourite thing that Meg Cabot has ever written. This series follows Heather Wells, a former teen pop sensation down on her luck. Her mom ran off with her money, her dad is in jail and her fiance dumped her for Tania Trace. She’s working as an assistant dorm director and living in her ex-fiance’s brother. Things seem to be looking up for her though…until a girl turns up dead at the bottom of an elevator shaft.
These books are what I want to read when I still want something entertaining but need a little bit more substance. Heather is one of my all time favourite MCs and the mysteries are well thought out and will have you gripped to the last page.
Honorary mentions
Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella
The Nine Princesses Series by Anita Valle
Feeling Sorry for Celia – Jaclyn Moriarty
Actually, any Meg Cabot will do. Sophie Kinsella standalones are great and Jill Mansell has funny and wonderful chick lit.
It’s been a while since we did a proper book rec post and with Andy busy with PHD work, I thought I’d tell you guys about the books I go to when the world is stressful and I want to be distracted for a while.
If you guys have any books you go to when your brain needs a break from the feels or anything that’s worth a good laugh or two, please let me know. I’d love to hear them.
Now I’m going to bed, because I ate too many chips and I’m sleepy.
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