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Need recommendations for funny or absorbing but not too demanding reads for a hospital stay

50 replies

MrsJohnDeere · 23/02/2013 15:40

Nothing about babies/birth or cancer or death.

Not a fan of chick lit but not really likely to be in the mood for some tricky magic realism type literature either.

Authors I love (but have read all of) include Anne Tyler, Margaret Atwood, Iain Banks, Bill Bryson. Have read lots of Scandi crime stuff recently too.

Authors I can't get on with include Thomas Hardy, John Irving, and I thought that The Help and One Day were absolute drivel. No sci-fi.

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Bilbobagginstummy · 23/02/2013 15:48

Can I be the first to recommend practically anything by Georgette Heyer. Very funny historical romances. Not mushy though - and very well written.

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TheOneAndOnlyAlpha · 23/02/2013 15:56

P G Wodehouse. My standby for any crappy moments in life. You can't beat Jeeves and Wooster.

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happyAvocado · 23/02/2013 15:59

Three men in a boat, even though you are going to read it in hospital :)

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MrsMiniversCharlady · 23/02/2013 15:59

The Diary of a Provincial Lady is my sick-in-bed-need-the literature-equivalent-of-comfort-food remedy.

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hatchypom · 23/02/2013 16:02

damn was going to recommend bryson .... i tend to go low brow in hospital read all 3 hunger games during stay last year.

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starsandunicorns · 23/02/2013 16:03

There is a book called A short history of tractors in the Ukaine that is good. Its a ficton.

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MrsJohnDeere · 23/02/2013 16:43

All great ideas. Just the sort of thing I'm after. Keep them coming!

Have read all Jeeves but it could be time for a re-read.

Shockingly Diary of a Provincial Lady isn't available on Kindle.

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Wishiwasanheiress · 23/02/2013 16:47

I'm going to whisper this but Alan titchmarsh writes a decent enough book for holidays or this type of escapism. I've really enjoyed them all. Ill no doubt be laughed on here and I was surprised too in truth but they were really good!

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MrsJohnDeere · 23/02/2013 16:50

Any in particular you'd recommend?

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TomArchersSausage · 23/02/2013 16:53

Unreliable Memoirs by Clive James. Watch out if you have stitches though, it's v funnyGrin

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elvislives2012 · 23/02/2013 16:54

I just read the woman who went to bed for a year by sue Townsend. Really enjoyed it. Don't need to think too much and made me chuckle

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TomArchersSausage · 23/02/2013 16:56

Starter For Ten is hilarious esp if (like me) you were a teenager in the 80's. I can remember crying with laughter reading it.

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dapplegrey · 23/02/2013 16:57

Dear Lupin by Charlie Mortimer

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DuchessofMalfi · 23/02/2013 17:16

WishIwasanheiress - I admit to scoffing at DH for picking up an Alan Titchmarsh novel and reading it recently, but he said it was (surprisingly) rather good. He can tell a good story, apparently. If you're interested, it was called The Haunting. I might even be tempted to give it a go myself :)

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hugoagogo · 23/02/2013 17:38

How about 'Diary of a nobody' by George and William Grossmith? Very funny.

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MrsJohnDeere · 23/02/2013 17:42

Free to download on the Kindle Wink . Excellent.

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hugoagogo · 23/02/2013 18:02

I thought it might be. Grin

I hope you enjoy it.

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hugoagogo · 23/02/2013 18:05

PooH! it's Weedon not William, that's what I get for not checking. Blush

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PotteringAlong · 23/02/2013 18:17

Have you read 'an American wife' by Curtis sittenfeld? Or I absolutely loved 'Marjorie Morningstar' by Herman Wouk.

Both well worth it but don't involve too much concentrating!

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timidviper · 23/02/2013 18:20

I gave my DM A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine when she was in hospital and she got so engrossed she asked us not to visit one day so she could finish it!

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bumbez · 23/02/2013 18:27

How to be a woman Caitlin Moran . It's very funny.

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MrsJohnDeere · 23/02/2013 19:36

Have read Ukrainian Tractor book, Caitlin Moran (found irritating, sorry), Clive James and American Wife.

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MrsJohnDeere · 23/02/2013 19:38

Like the sound of the Herman Wouk one but no Kindle edition.

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PotteringAlong · 23/02/2013 21:05

'Peyton place' - grace metalious?

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difficultpickle · 23/02/2013 21:06

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. Best book I have read in years and totally absorbing.

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