Seeking “Hen Lit” Recommendations (a.k.a. Chick Lit, but older)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where’d you go Bernadette?
Good book

I loved that one and another with a similar quirkiness, is “Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine”.

[Anonymous]

Miss Bensons Beetle

[Anonymous]

Drop everything and read Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Circe! Did you do Circe yet?

Not yet. What did you think of it? I don't know much about mythology.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I’m now reading Same As It Ever Was, by Claire Lombardo, and am enjoying it a lot. Main character is late 50s, married with kids who are 17 and 23(?). Book flips between her life “now” and her life 20 years ago. I’m finding both parts thoughtful and relatable. I appreciate the views of her inner world, and the surprises and connections between past/present keep coming in ways that pull me in deeper. 👍

[Anonymous]

The Good House by Ann Leary

[Anonymous]

I always recommend Laurie Colwin's books. They are all focused on domestic issues--navigating romance, marriage, kids--and they are just the best. I love all of them but a good starting place is Family Happiness. Her two books about cooking are also amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m now reading Same As It Ever Was, by Claire Lombardo, and am enjoying it a lot. Main character is late 50s, married with kids who are 17 and 23(?). Book flips between her life “now” and her life 20 years ago. I’m finding both parts thoughtful and relatable. I appreciate the views of her inner world, and the surprises and connections between past/present keep coming in ways that pull me in deeper. 👍

I’m glad you posted. A bunch of mid life books came out this summer that I want to read including this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always recommend Laurie Colwin's books. They are all focused on domestic issues--navigating romance, marriage, kids--and they are just the best. I love all of them but a good starting place is Family Happiness. Her two books about cooking are also amazing.

YES—Fellow Laurie Colwin lover (there are at least 2 of us on here)

[Anonymous]

Love this thread and the term. Thanks for posting.

[Anonymous]

adding-
My Ex Life by Stephen McCauley
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always recommend Laurie Colwin's books. They are all focused on domestic issues--navigating romance, marriage, kids--and they are just the best. I love all of them but a good starting place is Family Happiness. Her two books about cooking are also amazing.

Yes, I idolized her!

OP, some other authors you might like are J. Courtney Sullivan, Meg Mitchell Moore, Alice McDermott

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Circe! Did you do Circe yet?

Not yet. What did you think of it? I don't know much about mythology.

You don't need to have more than a passing knowledge of mythology to enjoy this book. It's wonderful.

[Anonymous]

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
now a series - targeted to an older, wiser crowd

[Anonymous]

Which one are light and fun and which are more serious?

I am needing light and fun.