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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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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 17:30

I've not read Sharon Penman. I've ordered some.

I have to admit, with the Plantagenets stuff, I'm a bit jaded by The White Queen atm.

Thanks for the recs howgood. I've just ordered my first ever Georgette Heyer. Smile

remus - no, not read Virgin Suicides (I think the title put me off). But I will, and likewise Waugh.

This thread is really helpful - I'm so sick of going into Waterstones and finding nothing but chicklit or 3 for 2 on stuff I've already read. I love chicklit but you can get a bit tired of it.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/09/2013 17:23

Urgh - I didn't like Fingersmith at all. Dp loved it though. The Litte Stranger was okay only; her others I've found unreadable, so have entirely given up on her now.

Have you read The Virgin Suicides? A quick and easy read, so perfect for snuggling with one evening (you could probably read it in its entirety).

Also, how about some Jeeves and Wooster, or some Evelyn Waugh?

HowGoodIsThat · 19/09/2013 17:21

I was coming on to recommend In This House of Brede!

YOur later list sounds much like my top list (although I would have Georgette Heyer up there for my favourite curl-up-books - but she's a list all by herself.)

I recently discovered Stella Riley - thanks to Kindle - start with The Parfait Knight.

And MM Bennetts is fabulous - only two books so far but I could re-read for ever. Set during Napoleonic wars and just beautifully detailed. Lovely.

LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 17:05

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 16:43

I've read Jonathan Strange. I liked it, but wished it'd been a bit shorter as I got bored in the middle. I loved the idea of it, though.

I have just ordered something by Susan Howatch (I spent the other evening combing through all the threads in this section! Grin). But will keep in mind those title as I don't think it was any of them.

BOF - is the TV version any good? Or should I hold out for the book?

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BOF · 19/09/2013 16:43

I think that's on my kindle somewhere, Thurlow. I will look it out when I've finished my Denise Mina.

Beeyump · 19/09/2013 16:43

And The Little Stranger! Flip me, it's so good. Probably my favourite from Sarah Waters.

AlisonClare · 19/09/2013 16:41

Another vote for Fingersmith!

Also - Cashelmara, Penmarric and The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch.

BOF · 19/09/2013 16:41

I loved Tipping The Velvet too.

Thurlow · 19/09/2013 16:40

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - almost impossible to explain, a sort of Austen meets Harry Potter but for grown ups, it's the book that fires and armchairs were invented for.

Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 16:38

Now that's a recommendation. Grin

I think I have a copy knocking around somewhere, so I will dig it out.

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BeerTricksPotter · 19/09/2013 16:34

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Beeyump · 19/09/2013 16:30

Fingersmith is absolutely wonderful. It's the kind of book that makes me forget to breath, and I end up gasping at the end of the page to the consternation of anyone nearby.

BOF · 19/09/2013 16:29

I second Sarah Waters. You must read Fingersmith.

BeerTricksPotter · 19/09/2013 16:03

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 15:59

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BeerTricksPotter · 19/09/2013 15:58

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 15:47

I will, I will.

I like Arthurian legends through women's eyes - it sounds great. And huge books. Both very good things.

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LaQueenForADay · 19/09/2013 15:44

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Original poster
LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti · 19/09/2013 15:36

Thanks, this is great. Smile

bee, hope you like it, it's one of my favourite books.

remus - read all but Daddy Long-Legs, so I will try that. Thank you!

Not read the Gaskell - I will, thanks.

LaQ - I have RHJ on my wishlist (since one of the long history threads). The Mists of Avalon sounds my cup of tea, too.

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LaQueenForADay · 18/09/2013 23:23

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LaQueenForADay · 18/09/2013 23:18

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SecretSpi · 18/09/2013 21:24

I love The Wind in the Willows at Christmas - the chapter where Mole rediscovers his old home and the carolling field mice turn up.

penguinpaperback · 18/09/2013 20:56

I've had a year of re-reading children's books. Daddy Long Legs is in my TBR pile but it's one I never read when growing up. Along with this one A Stitch in Time by Penelope Lively. I've read all her adult books. (anyone who reads P.L. there's a new book out this Autumn.)
And how about Gothic Tales by Elizabeth Gaskell?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 18/09/2013 17:57

I take it you've read, Goodnight Mr Tom?'
Since you seem to like children's books too, have you read (some of my absolute favourite comfort reads):
Daddy Long Legs
Charlotte Sometimes
Tom's Midnight Garden
Ballet Shoes