I consider myself a pretty avid reader of Chick Lit – so when Chick Lit Reviews & News, a great website and blogger, published her Chick Lit Hall of Fame, I was very surprised that I had only read 16 out of the 127 novels listed.
What Have I read: A Vintage Affair, The Very Picture of You, The Help, My Best Friends Girl, the Ice Cream Girls, Mini Shopaholic, The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, The Undomestic Goddess, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got your Number, After the Party, Something Borrowed, The Weird Sisters, The Book of Tomorrow, Where Rainbows End and Then Came You
This inspired me to start going through her list, reading some of the books, and see whether I agree that they are Hall of Fame Worthy or not. Regardless, its over 100+ ideas and inspirations on what to read next! Here are the reviews of the ones I’m currently starting with:
Vanity Fare by Megan Caldwell
Official Description Molly Hagan is overwhelmed.Her husband left her for a younger, blonder woman; her six-year-old son is questioning her authority, and now so is she. In order to pay her Brooklyn rent and keep her son supplied with Pokémon and Legos, not to mention food and clothing, she has to get a job—fast. So when an old friend offers Molly a freelance position copywriting for a new bakery, finding romance is just about the last thing on her mind. But the sexy British pastry chef who’s heading up the bakery has other thoughts. And then so does Molly, when she meets the chef’s intimidating business partner—who also happens to have a secret that might prevent Molly from getting her own happily ever after.
My Take: I actually really enjoyed this book. I dont know if it would crack my best of chick lit or even hall of fame, but it mixed three great tings: food, books and romance. I really enjoyed all the puns mixing great literature with baked goods. The characters are relatable and its a very quick and fun read. Stars: 3
From Notting Hill With Love… Actually by Ali McNamara
Official Description: She was just a girl, standing in front of a boy …wishing he looked more like Hugh Grant. Scarlett loves the movies. But does she love sensible fiance David just as much? With a big white wedding on the horizon, Scarlett really should have decided by now …When she has the chance to house-sit in Notting Hill – the setting of one of her favourite movies – Scarlett jumps at the chance. But living life like a movie is trickier than it seems, especially when her new neighbour Sean is so irritating. And so irritatingly handsome, too. Scarlett soon finds herself starring in a romantic comedy of her very own: but who will end up as the leading man?
My Take: loved this book! I am such a fan of movies, especially romantic comedies, and I could not get enough of the movie references throughout! And also you have London & Paris locations, which just adds a cherry on top, including a lot of my favorite parts of my old neighborhood Notting Hill. The story is predictable but then, most chick lit is, and at least this one has some interesting twists and a fabulous endings! A must read for Romantic Comedy fans. Stars: 4
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
Official Description: Izzy Spellman is 28, single and works for Spellman Investigations, a family-run private detective agency. She might have a chequered past littered with romantic mistakes – but at least she’s good at her job. Invading people’s privacy comes naturally. To the whole family. To be a Spellman is to snoop on a Spellman; tail a Spellman; dig up dirt on, blackmail and wiretap a Spellman. But when Izzy’s parents hire her 14-year-old sister to discover the identity of her new boyfriend, Izzy decides she wants out. Before they’ll let her go, her parents ask her to solve one last case – a 15-year-old, ice-cold, missing person, impossible-to-solve case. But when a disappearance occurs far closer to home, Izzy’s Impossible Case becomes the most important of her life.
My Take: I was looking forward to this book, because it currently has 5 books in the series, and I was exited that if it was good I could keep the story going for a while! Unfortunately it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It really didn’t get into the story for half of the book, and then it just didn’t engage me. The narrative is too scattered and I just wanted to be more engaged with the characters. I know its a blockbuster but it’s not for me. Stars: 2
Tati's Tidbits 
Ooh I’m going to have to bookmark that site. Looks like a good one to follow!
Chick lit hall of fame! I have always considered myself to be a connoisseur of chick-lit books but this has proven me wrong! I have a lot of catching up to do. I know that you’re busy reading through this list too but I thought I would recommend a fantastic book I’ve read recently entitled, “Shanghai Love” by author Layne Wong (http://laynewong.com/). It is an unlikely love story between a Chinese herbalist and a Jewish refugee looking for safety from Nazi Germany. The female herbalist, Peilin, was betrothed to a man who was killed before their wedding but tradition and honor forced the marriage along anyways. She is sent to Shanghai to manage his family’s herbal shop. Shanghai is also Henri’s destination as he has graduated from medical school as Hitler is rising to power. He flees to Shanghai where he’s befriended by Ping, Peilin’s brother. Through her kindness, Henri becomes fascinated with Chinese herbs as well as the exotic culture surrounding him. It is such a gripping story with a female character that you care about and that deserves a happy ending! Good luck to everyone trying to get through this list!