Bound to be a controversial list, here's our pick of those novels that just never lived up to their publicity blurbs. We're not saying don't read 'em - several of these belong in the ranks of classic chick lit - but just don't expect a gripping read.

1. The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing - Melissa Bank

   This is often touted as one of the definitive chick lit books, but I'm not a short story fan so maybe that's why the format threw me. Really hope the movie enlightens me to whatever appealed so much to the book's fans.

2. Citizen Girl - Nicola Kraus and Emma McLaughlin

   Possibly chicklit's most unsuccessful follow-up to a blockbuster debut novel.

3. Diary of a Manhattan Call Girl - Tracy Quan

   There was something so bland about this spicy call girl's story. Haven't even bothered to find the sequel.

4. Bergdorf Blondes - Plum Sykes

   Maybe Moi should have just ended it all in that Paris hotel room.

5. The Wonder Spot - Melissa Bank

   I'm obviously just not getting this author.

6. Sex and the City - Candace Bushnell

   Great TV show - gotta admit I never finished the book.

7. Wish You Were Here - Phillipa Ashley

   With its cringe-inspiring dialogue and lacklustre plot, I'd want to be anywhere but here reading this book.

8. The Zygote Chronicles - Suzanne Finnamore

   Mercifully, it was a short book. Although I'm sure it rightly holds a special place in the author's family library.

9. Things to Make and Mend - Ruth Thomas

   I normally love friends-torn-asunder-but-reunited-years-later storylines and even though I knew this had stuff about needlework (which wouldn't interest me), I was still looking forward to getting my hands on this new release. But even the one good twist couldn't save this book from being more boring than unpicking rows and rows of stitching.

10. Smart vs. Pretty - Valerie Frankel

    This book supposedly about sibling rivalry between sisters - one pretty, one smart - was on my want-to-read list for so long. With its implausible plot, weak dialogue and too many characters to keep track of, the smart thing to do would have been to just stop reading.