So, after my last book I needed something a teeeeeeny bit lighter.
Something that made me laugh instead of stay up all night in fear.
I loved this book by Barbara O’Neal! It was light, heartfelt and fun to read. The recipes were great as well, and there’s a muffin recipe in it that I want to try next week! I love reading about bakeries (shocker, huh?), and in this book the main character owns a little boulangerie in Colorado. I love the way the author describes the breads and, at points, flashes between past and present.
I read this book on the plane last week when I was going to Oregon and finished it on my way home. It was quick, fun read and I recommend to anyone that likes to read about food. It’s chick lit, but good chick lit! I really enjoyed it and am now hunting down other books Barbara O’Neal has written.
What are y’all reading now?! Anything good? Mom and I are looking for a good {funny} audiobook to rent (do people even still do that?) next month when we drive all over the South on the book tour. Any ideas?
Sharon
August 25, 2012 at 3:59 amI HIGHLY recommend Bossypants, by Tina Fey. I listened to the audio book and laughed out loud, by myself, in the car… It’s that good. I really think you can’t go wrong with this one. Great life lessons from a person I’ve always admired. And she has a way of talking about the hard stuff in such a funny light.
Enjoy, and please make your way to FL!
Jen
August 25, 2012 at 4:37 amLol- I was going to say the same! I haven’t read BossyPants (yet) but I’ve heard it’s awesome on Audio.
Angie @ Pint of Goals
August 25, 2012 at 4:43 amI also listened to Bossypants on audio and enjoyed it a lot – even my husband liked it!
Molly @ RDexposed
August 25, 2012 at 10:06 amI was just going to recommend this!! We listened to it during our lengthy Christmas travels; my boyfriend and I were laughing the entire trip. Hearing Tina Fey read this was amazing. I would love to go on and on about the book but who likes the commenter that writes a novel? ha
Alexis
August 30, 2012 at 12:41 amOh my gosh and the SNL clips they played in the audiobook!!! Best. Audiobook. Ever.
And not only do they still do audiobooks, but you can download them online FREE from the library! I have a horribly long commute (2-3 hours/day) and these get me through. Load up an iPod with them and they’ll stay on until you remove them (iPhone deletes them after 21 days, the technical “checkout period”). They have all recent books too. I’m currently listening to Night Circus (it’s amazing!).
My husband and I did a month long road trip throughout New Zealand for our honeymoon and I downloaded some audiobooks for the trip. We both were dying laughing with the Chelsea Handler books!
Barbara
August 25, 2012 at 4:23 amtry jonathan tropper….im currently loving his books.
Tracie
August 25, 2012 at 2:55 pmI agree! I read ‘This is Where I Leave You’ last year and absolutely LOVED it and I just started his most recent, ‘One Last Thing Before I Go’ and it is pretty good so far.
Jen
August 25, 2012 at 4:38 amCheck out anything by David Sedaris if you like wit, sarcasm and insight.
Cara Craves...
August 25, 2012 at 4:39 amAudio books are great for long road trips; makes the drive so much nicer. I always go to my local library and stock up on audio books.
Angie @ Pint of Goals
August 25, 2012 at 4:42 amI have the book for you! However, it is young adult and it does briefly mention masturbation (but in a funny way). It’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie. The audio of it is the author reading it, which adds a lot to the experience. Some of the book is autobiographical, but it is fiction. You will laugh out loud…but you may cry at least once as well.
Elisabeth
August 25, 2012 at 4:44 amYou have to read The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Oneal! I loved it & am planning to read the one you posted 🙂
Elisabeth
August 25, 2012 at 4:45 am*O’Neal
Tomekia
August 25, 2012 at 4:50 amThe Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evonavich always make me laugh.
KatyHaltertop
August 25, 2012 at 5:02 amMy mom and I listened to “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” by The Bloggess Jenny Lawson on our recent road trip and we laughed so hard we cried. Literally there was one point where she had to pull the car over and let the tears of laughter subside so she could see to drive. You can get the audiobook on iTunes which makes it super convenient to buy too! Highly recommend.
jenna
August 25, 2012 at 6:38 amThat sounds like something we need on our road trip!!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy
August 25, 2012 at 6:22 amI need a new book to read, and I love to bake, so I’m going to see if my library has this one!
Angie
August 25, 2012 at 6:34 amI laughed out loud reading Bossypants and hearing it in Tina Fey’s voice would have made it that much funnier. I just pre-ordered your book and can’t wait to read it!
Tammy
August 25, 2012 at 6:48 amI just read “How to Eat a Cupcake” by Meg Donahue because I was in the mood for a fluffy chick lit book and this book definitely was satisfying! I finished it rather quickly and can recommend it if you want somthing light that centers around yummy food!
Sara
August 25, 2012 at 6:58 amI just finished reading Faithful Place by Tana French and it was enthralling. It is a mystery set in Dublin, but what makes the book is the characters and how they interact with each other. It is really a story about family, loss, love. Beautiful. I have a friend who listened to it on audio and loved it–the dialect and “quirks” of Irish speaking really comes out. (warning though: lots of four letter words)
Tracie
August 25, 2012 at 2:56 pmLOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of her books. Her new one Broken Harbor just came out and it and it is equally as good as her other three. I never thought I would like mystery books but these are fantastic!
Carolyn
August 25, 2012 at 6:58 ami also recommend Bossypants in audio form. Shes so funny and smart. Another audiobook I’ve read (listened to) is Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell. Shes a former Rolling Stone writer turned political type history buff and the book is about how she visits different places having to do with the first 5 presidential assassinations. She has a great sense of humor and a unique voice, and the audiobook features other cool people like Conan O’brien and Jon Stuart.
And another great audiobook is the Graveyard Book, written and narrated by Neil Gaiman, the same guy who wrote Coraline and a whole mess of other wonderful books. He has a great voice and this book is sooo good. Its really good young adult fiction that adults can appreciate, like Harry Potter or the Chronicles of Narnia. The premise is that its like the Jungle Book but about a kid that is raised in a graveyard by ghosts, instead of in the jungle by animals. I recommended a lot, but i really enjoy audiobooks 🙂 Have fun on the tour!
Carolyn
August 25, 2012 at 7:09 amBossypants is hilarious!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
August 25, 2012 at 7:33 amLove this book! I want to bake everything in it!
laura
August 25, 2012 at 8:04 amI really enjoyed this book too. The recipes I tried were great. If you are looking for something similar I highly recommend Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballistic. Yummy food and a good story line
Kyra
August 25, 2012 at 8:29 amI just finished When In Doubt, Add Butter. It was good!
Margarita
August 25, 2012 at 8:52 amThe girl with the dragon tattoo series is not lighthearted, but very good. Since they are pretty long, they might be good for road trips. The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball is a good one on farming.
Christina @ The Pastry Posts
August 25, 2012 at 9:40 amSounds like a great read! Adding to my list. Thanks for the rec!
karla
August 25, 2012 at 10:42 amJENNA I JUST GOT YOUR BOOK IN THE MAIL!!!!!
ahhhhhh so excited for you!
(I’ve been reading since day one – so i guess i can say I’m SO proud of you!)
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama
August 25, 2012 at 11:12 amStealing on the suggestions! I need an audio too. I read Bossypants and loved it! I can just imagine the audio would be great with Tina!
Blog is the New Black
August 25, 2012 at 11:13 amJenna, I am reading The Tiger’s Wife right now, and although it’s not a funny book like what you want right now, I totally thought to myself, this is a book Jenna would review! Look into it! 🙂
And yes I still get books out of the library on CD for the car! And sometimes for my ipod when I work out! 🙂
Jilian Murphy
August 25, 2012 at 11:34 amI love good, light reads – I’ll have to check this out. At the end of the day I love a funny, light read that just erases whatever stresses occurred .
Kim@hungryhealthygirl
August 25, 2012 at 12:31 pmI love audiobooks and actually have a subscription to audible.com. I do a lot of driving. Check out joshilyn Jackson. I’ve read several of her books and they are all great light reads. Thanks for sharing this recommendation. I love reading about food too! 😉
Alli
August 25, 2012 at 1:24 pmI’m adding this book to my “must read list”. I’m a foodie, so I think that I will enjoy this book. So far I’ve read 3 books from your recommendations and you never disappointed me.
I just finished “the Languages of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and I highly recommend this book.
Jennifer
August 25, 2012 at 1:30 pmOne of my favorites! I love all of her books- though for me her first one ( The Lost Recipe for Happiness) will always be the “best” one.
Julie Lemar
August 25, 2012 at 1:57 pmI loved How To Bake A Perfect Life, made me want to bake bread all.the.time! I wanted to seek ancient old sour dough starters 😉 ! I loooooved Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah!! It was a story about the friendship of two girls that spanned 3 decades, very good. Another favorite is a trilogy called the Mark of the Lion series, by Francine Rivers. This first book in the series lays the ground work of introducing a lot of biblical history and characters and might seem a little overwhelming but oh my it is GOOD!! I’m not a huge love story reader but Redeeming Love, also by Francine Rivers, is a must read for every.single.person!! I love your book reviews so keep them coming! 🙂
Leslie Fisher
August 25, 2012 at 2:31 pmHave you read any of Elin Hilderbrand’s books? They are all set in/around Nantucket. My favorite is Blue Bistro- the main character gets a job working at a restaurant in its last season before closing. The storyline is great, great writing & you get to read about what is on the menu each night. It’s amazing.
Tracie
August 25, 2012 at 2:59 pmAre you on Good Reads? I’ve read so much this Summer and they have all been great.
Erin Kelly – The Poison Tree
Kevin Wilson – The Family Fang
Lars Kepler – The Nightmare
Sadie Jones – The Uninvited Guests
Tana French – Broken Harbor
Sarah
August 25, 2012 at 3:12 pmThis is a little off topic but I remember you saying you read the Bible daily, but what form are you currently reading. I went thru old posts but couldn’t find what you’re currently using. Thanks!!!
jenna
August 25, 2012 at 5:21 pmI really like The Message and am currently reading Proverbs 🙂
pluvk
August 25, 2012 at 6:27 pmI actually JUST read this book, and really liked it! I also loved The Love Goddess’ Cooking School by Melissa Senate. It’s more a love story than comedy, but there’s some great recipes included!
luv what you do
August 25, 2012 at 6:39 pmI’m so impressed with all of the books that you read. I am a big fan of chick lit books for the light side. JAne Green’s early books are pretty funny…like Mr. Maybe!
elizabeth
August 25, 2012 at 6:48 pmPatty Jane’s House of Curl…a great mother/daughter audio book!
Kenzie E
August 25, 2012 at 10:58 pmI listened to an audio book on my 6 hour drive to college this morning. It was a little old, 3rd Degree by James Patterson. Intriguing and suspenseful and my the ride go by a lot faster!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
August 26, 2012 at 3:14 amI saw this book in Barnes & Noble today and was wondering if it would be good!!! Definitely need to check it out now 🙂
Traci
August 26, 2012 at 5:57 amI’ve been reading a lot of James Patterson & I need something light. I’m going to get this one. Thanks for the recommendation! I read a book called The Next Thing On My List awhile back that was so good! I don’t remember the author.
Julie @ Table for Two
August 26, 2012 at 9:34 amYou need to come to DC 🙂 please! hehe
A bowl full of simple
August 26, 2012 at 11:52 amHave you read How to Eat a Cupcake? My friend Meg Donohue wrote this novel. It was released last March. It’s a light read and takes place in The City which is always fun.
Lauren
August 26, 2012 at 5:29 pmI don’t think I can read this book. I’d be too jealous that I live in Colorado but DON’T own a bakery! 🙂
Melissa
August 26, 2012 at 5:51 pmWhere we belong by Emily Giffin is a light read and I enjoyed the narrator.
It is about a woman who is reconnected with her daughter she gave up for adoption at birth.
Mo
August 26, 2012 at 6:06 pmI’m not sure if this would be a good book to share with your mother, but my mom, grandmother, and I read the Chelsea Handler books! Are You There Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea…and My Horizontal Life all made us pee our pants laughing!
kk
August 26, 2012 at 6:34 pmI also HIGHLY rec Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers … it is not funny but it is absolutley one of the best books I have ever read.
Emily
August 26, 2012 at 6:50 pmI LOVE that book!
Emily
August 26, 2012 at 6:50 pmReading The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe right now… It goes back and forth between a college student at Harvard and Salem during the whole Witch Trials era. It’s great so far!
Ruth
August 26, 2012 at 6:53 pmI love audio books! They keep my commute interesting, to say the least. I just finished listening to The Undomestic Goddess. It’s incredibly good!
Here’s a glance at what the book is about:
Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership.
Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer–and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope–and finds love–is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake.
But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?
Sonal
August 27, 2012 at 2:25 amThis book sounds so cute! I love your book reviews. Not sure if you can get this in audio, but I am now reading Drop dead healthy, and it is so witty and entertaining. :)Yeyyy your book tour is coming up!!
Carissa
August 27, 2012 at 9:50 amI read that book & I’m obsessed with making her whole wheat sourdough bread. It’s our new favorite!
Judith
August 27, 2012 at 10:20 amJenna,
Yes, people do still get books on CD, try your library. My bookclub had selected South of Broad by Pat Conroy…love his stuff. As a Southerner I’m sure you are familiar with him. Anyway, I requested the book at my library, only to find out I had to get the CD if i wanted to finish on time. It was great, and the reader has a wonderful Southern accent and lilt to his voice. It is full of descriptions of Charleston, which I know you love, so might be a good choice for your road trip.
Also, not as dark as some of his other work.
Enjoy whatever you choose, wish I was going on a road trip/book tour!
allisonemme
August 27, 2012 at 12:17 pmI LOVE Barbara O’Neal’s books! I found them in library and adored them, searched for more immediately AND wrote down all the recipes 🙂 Ditto on the request for anything similar!
LynnG
August 27, 2012 at 1:21 pmI’m reading South of Broad by Pat Conroy right now – I’m about half way through & am really enjoying it. I’ve just finished The Weight of Silence upon your recent recommendation & also The Blessing of the Animals by Katrina Kittle – enjoyed both very much!
Kristen
August 27, 2012 at 6:40 pmBossypants is hilarious (audio book) if you haven’t read it already.
Right now I’m reading The Island, which is good chick lit kind of book. I have this book on my long list of books to be read too. Thanks for the review!
srherr2
August 27, 2012 at 7:06 pmTry “I think I love you” by Allison Pearson about a British lady who finds out after her mom dies that she and her friend had won a David Cassidy contest in the 70s and she wants to collect the trip now. Also loved “Blessed are the Cheesemakers” by Sarah-Kate Lynch is off the wall but fun.
srherr2
August 27, 2012 at 7:07 pmOh, and check out audiobooks for free at your library (yes I am a Librarian)
TiffanyS
August 28, 2012 at 5:36 amWhen I traveled on the road for my last job, I highly ejoyed the Janet Evanovich numbers series. The audio versions are so well done for the characters. I checked them out at the library for free. I would be laughing my head off in the car. People probably thought I was nuts. Start at the beginning with One for the Money, and work your way up. I’ve tried to read them in paper version, but I missed the narrator:(
Chris
August 28, 2012 at 6:59 amAnything by Nora Ephron (and read by her). Like I HATE MY NECK. Esp since you’re on the road with your mom. She’ll appreciate it. Lots of LOLs.
Alexis
August 30, 2012 at 12:44 amYes! I Remember Nothing was hilarious:) I also listened to it as an audiobook.
Sarah
August 28, 2012 at 8:47 amI still check audiobooks out from the library 😉 Sounds like fun!
Jamie
August 29, 2012 at 4:48 pmHey Jenna if you haven’t read it yet you really should read The Guensey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Especially since you like historical fiction! It’s ww2 era and written as letters between the characters!
Alexis
August 30, 2012 at 12:48 amNot an audiobook suggestion (I think its one of those books that would be way too confusing as an audiobook!) but if you haven’t read Cloud Atlas yet then you absolutely MUST! It’s one of the best books I have read in a long time. The movie is actually coming out in October, and looks phenomenal. YouTube the trailer and you’ll be hooked:)
Erin
August 30, 2012 at 4:21 pmWhat everyone previously said about bossy pants is true…laugh out loud pee your pants funny! I just started the discovery of witches by Deborah Harkness and so far it’s pretty good. I can’t wait to read How to bake a perfect life. Sounds like it was great! If you get a sec, I’d love to hear your thoughts on my latest posts!
Peacelovedecor.com
Megan Infantino
September 9, 2012 at 4:58 amJodi Picoult has some really excellent books. I just read Sing You Home and thought it was great. Nineteen Minutes and My Sisters Keeper are also excellent books of hers.
Jenn
March 4, 2013 at 12:12 pmSuch a great book! I really enjoyed reading it!