Dear Santa,
Should you choose to call me (or text or email, I know you’re very busy) this year for gift-giving advice (I’ve only been waiting 36 years, maybe 2009 will be the time you come a’ calling?), I’ll be ready to give you ideas for the Chick Lit novels you can place in the stockings of those in need of a pick-me-up during the holidays. You know, for those people that just barely missed the naughty list? Or for the ones that might go all Scrooge on you if they don’t get a happy ending, ASAP?
For those on your nice list who are fed up with their job or lack of one, who are in need of a majuh brain vacation, The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus is the way to go. The tired and frustrated will definitely relate to Nanny “Nan” as she struggles to deal with her demanding boss, Mrs. X. Let’s just say Nanny is doing ALL of the child rearing while Mrs. X does everything but. I think we can all relate to a beyotch-face boss who has treated us like (as described on the back of the book), “the fungus growing out of her Hermes bag.” And BTW, Santa, the sequel, Nanny Returns, is in stores December 15th (It sounds really juicy: Mr. X finds the nanny cam that Nan left behind and then Nan gets sucked back into the world she vowed she’d permanently leave behind). So now is the perfect time to give this book as a gift! Hey, Santa, now that I think about it, if it’s not too much to ask, maybe you can throw them both into my stocking as a package set. (I swear I haven’t been that naughty!)
While we’re on the subject of be-yotch faces, I would also highly recommend the fabulous The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. This fantastically written tale of Andrea Sachs, another overworked and underpaid employee, this time in the magazine world, is also a must for anyone who wants to be inspired to be able to say enough is enough—to anyone in their life who’s not treating them like what they’re worth. Not only do I love the book, but I also think the movie that is based on it is absolute awesomeness. And, Santa, while you’re at it, could you please drop another Oscar in Meryl Streep’s stocking?
In addition to The Nanny Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada, another great novel based on the authors’ own experiences is Schooled by Anisha Lakhani. In this fast-paced story, the main character, Anna Taggert, is a teacher by day and tutor by night for children who
attend an elite private school in Manhattan. In this juicy read you’re taken behind the scenes into a world where parents take the role of a tutor to a level Anna never expected and she quickly learns that everything, including her dignity, has a price tag.
So Santa, let’s face the facts: most of the women on your Nice list are tired and overworked, in dire need of a little high fashion and happy ending tied up in a big red bow (something your partial to, I’m sure!). So do the right thing Santa! Give those women some fabulous chick lit!
Love,
Lisa xoxo
Lisa Steinke, along with her best friend Liz Fenton, co-authored the chick lit novel I’ll Have Who She’s Having and co-created the popular Chick Lit blog, http://www.chicklitisnotdead.com.
