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Original poster

Lovely cosy non-upsetting recommendations?

31 replies

Rollermum · 24/07/2015 19:27

I'm going through a difficult time at the moment and feel like I can't cope with reading anything too emotionally challenging or upsetting, but don't want total mind numbing froth either.

Any recommendations?

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ilooktothehills · 29/07/2015 20:54

I'd highly recommend 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

Kasterborous · 29/07/2015 20:49

I second the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency ones. Very 'gentle' lovely books.

princessnest · 28/07/2015 13:41

Jenny Colgan's 'Little Beach Street Bakery' and its sequel.

minipie · 28/07/2015 12:29

Came on to say Georgette Heyer but Statslover beat me to it! Perfect comfort reading - it's fluff but well written fluff.

Statslover · 28/07/2015 12:27

Agree with Miss Pettigrew too. Other options I'd suggest are the delightful Miss Buncle's Book or Georgette Heyer's regency romances (Book People do a cheap collection of some of her best)

Twugaroon · 28/07/2015 12:20

Tales of the City
Children's fiction -eg Little House on the Prairie books

GoulashSoup · 28/07/2015 12:12

If you want a little bit of farse and humour I would recomend Marina Lewycka as easy read well written and funny.

Albaalba · 27/07/2015 23:31

Depending on your sensibilities you could also try fan fiction by Saras girl on the site archive of your own. She writes beautiful fluffy Harry potter fan fiction and is really an excellent writer (she is published and this is nothing like shades of grey, I promise you).

Also the films of miss Pettigrew, north and south, and again sensibilities dependent, the 2007 film Shelter which is now my go to cheer up film.

Albaalba · 27/07/2015 23:26

Miss Pettigrew
John MacNab by John Buchan
Alexander McCall Smith
PG Wodehouse especially Blandings (much better than recent TV series)
Anne of Green Gables etc
Daddy long legs and Dear Enemy
I Capture the Castle
Little Women, Rose in Bloom,
The following Lord Peter Wimsey books - strong poison, have his carcass, gaudy night, Busmans Honeymoon,

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/07/2015 16:26

I didn't like, 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' at all.

YY to the Miss Pettigrew film - it's lovely.

For something slightly more 'highbrow' but still fun and fluffy, try Evelyn Waugh's, 'Vile Bodies' or, 'The Loved One.' Also PG Wodehouse.

TheRealMaryMillington · 26/07/2015 16:23

oh yes to Neil Gaiman Stardust cannot fail to absorb and cheer
(Avoid the heavy duty stuff though)

tumbletumble · 26/07/2015 14:27

Period Piece by Gwen Raverat is lovely.
Have you read Anne Tyler?

RiverTam · 26/07/2015 13:37

Oh, and agree about Love Nina.

RiverTam · 26/07/2015 13:37

Oh, and I Capture the Castle and Cold Comfort Farm.

RiverTam · 26/07/2015 13:36

Miss Pettigrew is lovely, and I enjoyed the film too, though can't remember how accurate it was.

I find YA fantasy good for when I can't be doing with RL. Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Boy and The Ocean at the End of the Lane are both good.

Early Sookie Stackhouses (True Blood) are also fun escapism.

hackmum · 26/07/2015 13:32

I agree about Love Nina and Miss Pettigrew.

Tim Dowling's book The Giles Wareing Haters Club is a very enjoyable and lightly humorous read, and particularly good fun for those of us who spend too much time on the internet. It's about a freelance journalist who finds that there's an online forum devoted to slagging him off.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/07/2015 12:51

Or old children;s books - Ballet Shoes / The Secret Garden / Charlotte Sometimes / What Katy Did / Little Women

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/07/2015 12:50

Got to be Miss Pettigrew.
Or the Number One Ladies Detective Agency.

Theas18 · 25/07/2015 22:19

Don't like the Scotland street serious but get yourself all the no 1 ladies series and spend some very happy hours wrapped in the " traditionally built" arms of mma ramotswe and her beloved Botswana. It's absolutely just what you need.

FranBrodie · 25/07/2015 22:17

The Daisy Dalrymple mystery series

AndMiffyWentToSleep · 25/07/2015 22:16

Was going to say Miss Petricrew too!

Optimist1 · 25/07/2015 22:11

Anything by Alexander McCall Smith, especially the Scotland Street series - well written, interesting characters and stories told with gentle humour.

Elllimam · 25/07/2015 21:52

Anything by Susan Scarlett and loads by ODouglas.

whitewineandchocolate · 25/07/2015 21:39

Agreed, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is good fun if you need a lift.

notnowImreading · 24/07/2015 22:32

The Enchanted April. Just the loveliest, cheeriest book.

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