Top Ten Books When You Need Something Light and Fun

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. There is a new subject each week and this week's topic is "Top Ten Books When You Need Something Light and Fun"

So I sort of already did this topic last month when I listed my Top Ten Humorous Books. Now here are more books that are light and fun (I may have gone a little overboard):

If you like chick lit or contemporary fiction:

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

When you want something lighthearted, you can't go wrong with Sophie Kinsella. This is one of my favorites among her standalone novels.

The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer

What do you do when your boyfriend proposes on Oprah and everyone you know thinks he was calling you but he wasn't? Fake your engagement! Hilarity ensues...

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

This is a fun and quirky story about a girl who finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her with an online persona so she decides she's had enough of technology and she is going to live like it's 1965...

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker

While I doubt this experiment would ever happen in today's high schools, this is a fun look at relationships and stereotypes. It reminded me of Saved By the Bell a little bit.

If you like historical romance: 

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

This is the first Julia Quinn book that I read and I kind of became a fan after that. I was surprised by how funny it was for a historical romance novel.

The Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn

This is a series about the very large Bridgerton family. I liked some of the books more than the others but all of them have a very humorous tone.

If you like Jane Austen:

Austenland by Shannon Hale

What happens when Mr. Darcy eclipses all other men for you? The main character in this book gets a chance to stay at an unusual and exclusive resort where there are actors in Regency period clothing and the guests get to dress the part too. Will she find her own Mr. Darcy? This book is being made into a movie with Keri Russell. 

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

I enjoyed this Regency romance and it does have some humor but it doesn't try to ape Jane Austen, which is a good thing. This is a very light story, good for when you want something entertaining to escape into.

Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl

This YA novel involves a castle that looks ready to crumble to ruins and a young woman who believes she must marry for money in order to save her family's legacy. Of course the wealthy gentleman in her sights is Lord Boring (that really is his name) but fate may have something else in store...

An Accomplished Woman by Jude Morgan

This book reads like a mash-up of various Jane Austen plots but I found it very enjoyable, especially the romance.  I  think I need to reread it this summer!

If you like mystery:

Gone With a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West

This book was recommended to me by another librarian and though it has its flaws it is a humorous mystery with a heroine that reminded me of Sookie Stackhouse. The book starts with her being arrested for throwing peaches at her husband (she caught him playing naked badminton with two women) and the humorous story kind of rolls from there.

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury

This YA Regency mystery has mummies in it-and a heroine who loves Jane Austen. If you like lighter mysteries with romance and intelligent heroines, this book might be right for you!

Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews

I love Savannah and I am becoming a fan of Mary Kay Andrews's Southern fiction. This mystery reminded me of Gone with a Handsomer Man a little bit too. If you like Southern fiction and funny mysteries, maybe give this one a try. 

Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

Lucy Valentine's family runs a matchmaking service and they are amazing at what they do considering that they can read people's auras to pick the perfect match. Unfortunately Lucy lost that talent though she does have another gift that leads her to helping a handsome P.I. with his investigations...

The Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig

While I didn't care for the first book as much, I like this Regency mystery/romance series. Sometimes the romance is a little heavier than the mystery but it is all in good fun.

If you like stories with girl power:

The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg

What do you do when your heart is broken by a boy? Form a club with a bunch of other girls, pledge not to date, and have a lot of fun!

Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer

This is a lighthearted book with a positive message about friendship and encouraging each other to go after your dreams. 

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

D.J. is an unusual heroine and I admired her determination and hard work to become a football player and prove herself to her family and others. I also learned a lot about football and dairy farming...

If you like paranormal or fantasy:

Sucks To Be Me by Kimberly Pauley

I made the mistake of reading this book in public because it made me laugh out loud. Mina has a very dry wit and she enjoys poking fun at vampire lore even while she makes the decision about whether or not to become one (her parents are).

Soulless by Gail Carriger

This book is a genre bender. It has romance, steampunk, romance, and the paranormal. I also really like the dry humor and Englishness.

Poison by Bridget Zinn

While Kyra is on the run for attempting to murder her best friend, Princess Ariana, this is still a lighthearted book with an enchanted piglet and a love interest named Fred. 

If you like fairy tales:

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

This book sets the record straight on what really happened in all those fairy tales where the prince heroically rescues the princess or damsel in distress. Good for fans of Shrek...

The Sleeping Beauty by Mercedes Lackey

This is a retelling of various Sleeping Beauty tales and though it is part of a series, the books can be read as standalone novels. If you are a hero and you see a sleeping young maiden in the woods, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction...

One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey

If you like spy or adventure novels:

Also Known As by Robin Benway

While I don't think this is as good as the Gallagher Girls series, it is still a funny book about a teenager raised to be a spy who has to infiltrate a high school and pretend to be a normal teen.

Original Sin by Beth McMullen

Once known as Sally Sin, Lucy Hamilton has retired from her career in espionage to be a wife and stay at home mom. What will she do when she is expected to go back into the field? I think this would make a fun movie.

Star Wars: Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn

This heist caper is set between the events of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. If you like Star Wars and Ocean's Eleven, I would give this book a try!