UPLIFTING HAPPY BOOKS TO TAKE ON HOLIDAY - what are you packing?

[TillyBookClub]

Last time I went on holiday I thought I?d get all my books at the airport. That would have been a great plan, had I fancied Jilly Cooper or endless wizard adventures. I made a resolution to be a bit more organised next time. So here?s my list of the best feelgood reads to pack before you go. And I would love to hear everyone else?s top summer books ? pop your suggestions here and we can reconvene on September 9th to discuss what we loved and what got dumped in the swimming pool on Chapter 2.

Love in a Cold Climate ? Nancy Mitford
Almost like a Jilly Cooper ? lots of rich people, lots of gossipy jokes ? but far fumier and brilliant characters. Fanny is the poor relation who finds herself at the centre of scandal when her best friend and super-beautiful heiress Polly falls for a totally inappropriate suitor. Terrifying aristocrats, barmy families and excellent social observations pour out of every page. I?d never understood the fascination with the Mitford sisters, but now I can see the attraction: Nancy describes a sparkling, eccentric England that is superbly entertaining.

Mother?s Milk ? Edward St Aubyn
This is worth reading for the first chapter alone (must be the best description of a birth ever). It?s a ?family in crisis? novel ? mother is absorbed by the kids, father feels neglected and becomes unfaithful, eldest son is trying to work out what the world?s all about. (I know, we?ve had a few families in crisis, but I promise you this one is very good indeed). It?s really the modern day equivalent to the Mitford/Evelyn Waugh/E.M Forster genre ? the tone is bitingly funny and sharp ? and I class it as feelgood even though there are moments where it all becomes a little black. And it was 2007 Booker-shortlisted too, so you get double-points and lots of respect.

The Uncommon Reader ? Alan Bennett
Probably my definition of feelgood. Alan Bennett is like a repeat summer holiday in book form. You know you?re going to relax, have a good time, go to the familiar places, come back with a smile on your face. His writing is always soothing, like a cup of tea. This book was suggested on another thread as good happy read for summer and I?m not going to describe the plot because it doesn?t really matter ? its Alan Bennett. Enough said.

Devil May Care ? Sebastian Faulks writing as Ian Fleming
On the opposite end of the spectrum to Bennett? What all beach reads should have is an element of escapism, and can you get any more escapist than 007? Funnily, like Bennett, it is the familiarity that eases the soul and smoothes the wrinkles, and makes you feel like a teenager again. Plus it makes me think of Sean Connery and I?m quite happy to have that image in mind whilst doing laps of the pool.

Gods Behaving Badly ? Marie Phillips
Okay, a sneaky one ? this book has already come up in Book Club, only it lost out in our January Book of the Month vote to the lovely Tim Dowling. But I still have to recommend it to anyone searching for an upbeat, witty, unchallenging beach read. It?ll take no more than a day of sunbathing and you?ll laugh a lot.

As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning ? Laurie Lee
How did it take me this long to find this book? It?s a masterpiece of travel writing. And you can gasp and gawp at Laurie Lees adventures walking through Spain whilst thanking Christ you?re comfortably not walking anywhere and are cosily ensconced in your deckchair. Lee?s descriptions of 1930s Spain are remarkably beautiful and uplifting. You?ll taste the chorizo even if you?re in a caravan in Wales.

That?s my lot. In the new spirit of holidaying at home, they?re all British and all extremely cheering,

What?s your top pick for the summer? Let us know here and then come back in early September to tell us what else you read?

[sophiewd]

I wish I was going on holiday (not until November) meanwhile making sure everyone else enjoys theirs (we run a B&B) hows the baby getting along. Ours is fine now 5 weks old and thriving.

[lalaa]

Thanks for doing this Tilly - really appreciate the guidance!

[sophiewd]

Cold Comfort Farm - loving it and very ashamed that I only discovered it through MN

[TillyBookClub]

Cold Comfort Farm is ace, I agree.
Why is no-one writing books like that anymore?

[Notyummy]

Aaah, Laurie Lee...I read all of his stuff just before I went to uni and loved his writing.

Just finished Black Swan Green by David Mitchell (for those who don't know him, he is best known for Cloud Atlas - that scooped loads of prizes.) This one is less mannered, and more easy summer reading....but I thought it was great! It's about a 13 year old boy growing up in the early 80's, and although I am a few years younger than that, there were loads of references I got, and the descriptive passages are great. Very funny in parts too.

Highly recommended.

[chrysanthemum]

divine secrets of the yaya sisterhood by rebecca wells.

agree any nancy mitford.

coming home by rosamund pilcher - DON'T dismiss at as an old-lady novel, i think it is a lovely lovely story that is a fab summer read

[colette]

NotYummy loved Black Swan Green and Cloud Atlas .

A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon is light , witty but also poignant. He also wrote The Curious Incident Of The Dog At Nightime.

[TillyBookClub]

Cloud Atlas was so fantastic, I was too scared to read Black Swan Green in case disappointing. Been on my shelf for ages, going to pack it for our Scottish holiday. Suspect there will be a lot of reading opportunity as the rain hammers down...

notyummy, am now reading Cider With Rosie. Total bliss.

[TillyBookClub]

sophiewd, forgot to say our baby v well (was called Atticus, then we got cold feet and now called Fergus - this has confused everyone into calling him 'Baby'). He's 13 weeks, full of smiles and only waking up once at 4ish so everything lots easier. Not sure when a 4am wake up became 'easy' but somehow it feels that way. Hope you're not too knackered and are getting the first gummy grins....

[Maria2007]

Oops, I know this thread was written ages ago (in the summer)... but since holidays are now coming up again, thought I'd resurrect it & suggest any of Susan Isaacs' books as fantastic easy-going & feel-good novels! She's an american writer who is brilliant when it comes to easygoing, funny, well written novels that you'll enjoy & read very quickly. Real page-turners. Magic hour is one that I would recommend, and also compromising positions, almost paradise & many others.