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Original poster

Your favourite cosy, autumn-wintery, curl up by the fire books?

116 replies

LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 15/09/2013 16:45

I put this in Adult Fiction but I'd be happy with recommendations for memoirs or children's books or whatever, as well. Just has to be the sort of book you love to sit down with on a cold autumn day and read from cover to cover. Bonus points if you come up with suggestions for good Christmas reading for later on.

Doesn't have to be set in/evocative of autumn and winter, just books you feel you'd want to read at this time of year.

Thank you. Smile

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 21:37

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 21:34

I've finished it, yes! Was it you who recommended it? If so, thank you. Beautifully spooky. I've read quite a lot of hers now.

I must dig out my copy of Wolves. That is good winter stuff.

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ModeratelyObvious · 19/09/2013 21:28

No-one said The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase yet?

And have you finished The Nine Tailors? That's pretty wintery!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/09/2013 21:26

Hated Beyond Black. Wolf Hall, I completed but was growling most of the way through it due to dubious writing quality. Not read Bodies.

Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 21:22

Bring Up is a lot easier to read on that score, I think.

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 21:21

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 21:18

Yes, and Bring up the Bodies. I really enjoyed them. I can't get on with Beyond Black, though. I've read the Cornwell, and it is good - I think I've read pretty much everything he's written except the new Grail story one, because DH and I are very slowly getting through the audio tapes on car journeys, and I don't want to dash ahead.

I should look into Mary Renault, thanks.

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 21:14

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 21:03

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 20:59

Oh, I already have a thing for Keeley Hawes after Ashes to Ashes. And thanks - but I have got a copy, I just haven't got around to watching it. Will do now. Smile

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BOF · 19/09/2013 20:45

I've got it on DVD- it was on last week on one of the cable channels actually. I'll post you my copy, and you can bring it back at the next meet-up. Likewise Fingersmith, but you must promise to read them both first.

BOF · 19/09/2013 20:44

The TV version of Tipping The Velvet? Yes, it's EXCELLENT. I defy you not to fall in love with Keeley Hawes.

MrsBennetsEldest · 19/09/2013 18:01

The Diary of a Country Parson, James Woodforde 1758-1802

.....a brilliant picture of traditional English rural society......

This is my perfect fireside reading as the nights draw in, cat on lap , a glass of Sloe Gin and the sounds of the hearth to keep me company. I have read it many times and just adore James Woodforde.

Please read this book and join the many James Woodforde fans ( there are James Woodforde societies too).

Whitershadeofpale · 19/09/2013 17:59

I agree with Sarah Waters.

My favorite, although it's a harder read is Michael Faber's The Crimson Petal and The White and then The Apple, a collection of short stories about the same characters.

There's some great passages near the beginning describing the cold weather that are perfectly written and make you so glad to be wrapped up in the warm.

Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 17:49
Grin

I'll rectify that.

trazzle - I'll keep an eye out for an old copy. I hunt out of print children's books in charity shops. Smile

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Trazzletoes · 19/09/2013 17:48

Sorry just realised Moondial is out of print Sad

LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 17:46

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 17:45

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 17:44

I have heard it recommended a lot. I must!

Moondial would be nice.

I'm not wild about Terry Goodkind, the writing style just doesn't quite do it for me, somehow?

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 17:40

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Trazzletoes · 19/09/2013 17:39

Moondial is a bit like Tom's Midnight Garden. I've just realised I haven't read it since I was a child. Off to find out if its available on Kindle...

LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 17:38

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 17:38

I do like Jane Austen. I'm quite happy with something that might get samey - I've got a high tolerance for it. I'll just mix with other things.

frett - oh, I like fantasy too. Not as much as some other things, maybe, but I do like it. I'd not heard of Marissa Meyer or Kristin Britain, and it's lovely reading stuff with female protagonists.

Thanks!

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Frettchen · 19/09/2013 17:36

My favourite autumn/winter nights by the fire books tend to be my guilty pleasure books... But I refuse to be ashamed by them! They're easy to read and although the plots might be a little too obvious to the experienced reader, it's just too easy to read them through... Oh, and I err toward the fantasy genre, so these might not be exactly what you're after, but might help someone else...

  • Crown Duel and Court Duel by Sherwood Smith - usually released as a two-volumes-in-one-book deal, this is a wonderfully written fantasy romp. The first part is very much a tale of a rebellious heroine fighting against a tyrant king/dictator/ruler and traversing the land to do so. The second part, as the name suggests, deals more with court intrigue and the politics of being around the Lords and Ladies of the realm. There are some wonderfully indepth rules on the language of the fan, as well as a dastardly villain or two.

  • The Green Rider series by Kristin Britain - probably my favourite fantasy series. There are 4 books so far, although they're being released slower than George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series! (almost) Again it's your typical fantasy set up; young girl falls into HUGE adventure. Except it takes twists and turns all over the place, and each book raises the stakes to a higher state of peril than the one before. I've just re-read book 1; The Green Rider, and shall soon be re-starting First Rider's Call

  • Cinder and Scarlet by Marissa Meyer - the first two of a 4-part series retelling fairytales in a fantasy/sci-fi futuristic world. Love, love, love these books.

  • Any of Eva Ibbotson's more grown up books; 'The Secret Countess', 'Magic Flutes', 'The Morning Gift', 'A Song For Summer', 'A Company Of Swans' - these are lovely, inoffensive, romance books. From about 20 pages in you will be under no illusion what's going to happen; the handsome hero is eventually going to sweep the sweet young heroine off her feet and they'll live happily ever after. I enjoy reading them anyway to get caught along in the journey. I especially like to read one of these between two more challenging books; they're like junk food when you want a quick calorie fix but don't want a bit dinner.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/09/2013 17:35

Do you like Jane Austen? If so, I think you'll enjoy Georgette H. But don't read too many consecutively, or they get a bit wearing and samey.