I've never been through labor, but I personally enjoy Chick Lit. Sometimes it's mindless drivel but I find it a good escape and one I can easily throw myself into. I noticed Jennifer Weiner (love everything she's written!) has a new book out that is a collection of stories that's she's written over the years. Might be a good fit of shorter snippets of reading.

I have another bedside book that I pick up from time to time too that is very short stories The Idiot Girls Action Adventure Stories... some of the quips are downright stupid but each one only lasts a few pages.

Girls Night In is a collection of short stories by Chick Lit authors. I enjoyed the book in that it exposed me to some new authors.... some I liked, others I didn't.

I've also recently become a fan of the NY Times best seller list... I know you said you didn't want that, but there really have been some great books recently.

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