Can you help me find a book for my mum’s birthday?

[SuptHastingsLikeTheBattle]

It’s her birthday next month, she doesn’t get a lot of time to read so needs to be something she can get into fairly easily. Nothing too dark eg child abuse, no thrillers, nothing ‘edgy’, just a good, well written story. There’s so much hype for what turns out to be nothing interesting or special I find it hard to sift through. Any recommendations?

[MargotMoon]

You can't beat a good Maeve Binchy IMO. Circle of Friends would be a good one

[PotteringAlong]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Oliphant_is_Completely_Fine

I really enjoyed this one.

[PotteringAlong]

www.amazon.co.uk/Keeper-Lost-Things-feel-good-novel/dp/1473635462?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

And this one, actually.

[sashh]

Have a look at Cecelia Ahern, they are like modern day fairy tales.

[Marlena1]

I second Maeve Binchy. Light a penny candle is another giod one of hers.

[AdaColeman]

Does she like historical stuff?
Philippa Gregory usually spins good yarn, try The White Queen, it's the first book in the Cousins War Series, so if she likes it she can go on with the rest of the series.

[BikeRunSki]

Mavis Cherk - Janice Gentle Gets Sexy is fun.

[MerlinsScarf]

Does she like Downton Abbey? The Mitford Murders series by Jessica Fellowes has lots of early 20th C style with an Agatha Christie-ish mystery. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I think there are a few preview pages on Amazon so you can check out the style.

[SuptHastingsLikeTheBattle]

Wow thank you everyone. Weirdly I was just looking at that one today MerlinsScarf. She does like Downton Abbey.

[Mother87]

Dear Mrs Bird - - lovely read/good story/quirky...

[UCOinanOCG]

How old is she? If my DDs gave me a Maeve Binchy to read would look at them askance! I am mid 50s. Even my 79yo DM would be a little taken aback. They are very old fashioned novels imho. Last book my DD gave me was called Bitter Orange. I really enjoyed it.

[SuptHastingsLikeTheBattle]

Same age as you UCO (love the username!), so maybe I will give Maeve a miss!

[GiantPretzel]

Well, what does she like to read, other than 'not dark'? Literary fiction, chick lit, crime, sci-fi, romantic fiction, biography, memoir, history etc? Who are her favourite authors?

[Doidontimmm]

I just finished the dream daughter by Diane chamberlain. So unusual & unputdownable!

[Nonnymum]

Has she read Eleanor Olliphant is. Completely fine. I loved that book and found it uplifting

[mary81]

I recently bought my mum 'Dear Mrs Bird', and she absolutely loved it. Came out recenly with amazing reviews, set in wartime England. She said it's funny but also v sad.

[keepingbees]

I love JoJo Moyes, her books are all very good and easy to get into. The Girl You Left Behind is excellent or Me Before You

[Buster144]

I would agree with those that have suggested Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. Such an easy read with a good twist. Leant it to someone at work who started reading it on Thursday and had finished by the Sunday.

[thislido]

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

[Pinkruler]

Elizabeth is Missing is really good IMO.

The Cazalet chronicles also.

[Nonnymum]

Agree with the cazelet chronicles too. Loved those as well

[elkiedee]

I'm 49 and I really enjoyed Maeve Binchy's books. My mum normally read more literary fiction and non fiction but liked Maeve Binchy too.

The Mitford Murders does sound like a better suggestion though. I also enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

[MargotMoon]

I started reading Maeve Binchy when I was 16 I loved her warmth towards the characters even though the stories are set in a time and place far removed from my own. Am going to try Eleanor Oliphant after so many recommendations on here!

[Jfw82]

Lucinda Riley - the seven sisters - first in a series (if wanting a series) and a mix of historical and contemporary story

[Fuktifano]

The truth about goats and sheep by joanna cannon is superb