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Original poster

Comfort reading

65 replies

starchildareyoulistening · 21/07/2016 20:57

Which books do you find yourself returning to when you want to snuggle in something familiar? The book version of stew and dumplings? :)
Mine is Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, particularly the City Watch storyline. While despairing over the whole Brexit fiasco I found myself thinking "Sam Vimes should weigh in on this" and ended up re-reading them all.

OP posts:
MotherofPearl · 28/07/2016 16:32

not sure!

MotherofPearl · 28/07/2016 16:32

not sure!

MotherofPearl · 28/07/2016 15:13

Can I please ask the Georgette Hayer fans: where is a good place to start? She appears to have published dozens of books and I'm sure where to begin.

MerricatsHouse · 28/07/2016 14:17

Definitely off to search for Monica Dickens now!

I don't prefer to read on a screen (because I look at one all day I suppose), but there is something about reading on a device which is...easier /simpler maybe? I find it hard to put into words - it might be because you can read without constantly being aware of how much is left in a book, so you just keep going without thoughts of finishing? I know that even though I favour paper books, sometimes if I'm just casually sitting there I will put a kindle book on my ipad and breeze through it without even realising I'm doing it.

MrsDeVere · 28/07/2016 12:23

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MerricatsHouse · 28/07/2016 11:50

Sorry about your DD MrsDeVere Flowers I hope your reading concentration continues to improve.

I seem to have the same habit as you with inter-war posh people books, I can't keep away from them and am always trying to find more. I have been through a lot of Agatha Christies and PG Wodehouses for this reason. And the Mitfords, though I need to read more of those. I have Vol 1 of A Dance to the Music of Time on the shelf which seems right up this street but the size of it is a bit daunting! Sometimes I tell myself to read more 'realistically', but I can't resist a country house party and some upper class family drama Smile

MrsDeVere · 28/07/2016 10:22

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MrsDeVere · 28/07/2016 10:19

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 28/07/2016 10:16

Jane Austen
Harry Potter
King's Dark Tower series
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Old children's books -
Ballet Shoes
Tom's Midnight Garden
Charlotte Sometimes
The 'Katy' and 'Little Women' books.
Famous Five books!

WavingNotDrowning · 28/07/2016 10:13

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WavingNotDrowning · 28/07/2016 10:13

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cosmicglittergirl · 28/07/2016 10:11

I love the old Maeve Bincheys. Read them as a 14 year old over 20 years ago. Echoes and Light a Penny Candle and Circle of Friends are great.
The James Herriot 'All Creatures'.
Harry Potter.
Jane Austen.
Hound of the Baskervilles.

reader77 · 28/07/2016 10:07

Miss Marple, the short stories.

Miss Marple is GOALS (as my teen would say) Grin

MerricatsHouse · 28/07/2016 10:04

The Adrian Mole books, since I was a kid and now into adulthood, they can always get me out of a slump. I've just taken delivery this morning of a brand new matching set of them all for my new bookshelves as I've read the others literally to pieces. Similarly I also repeat read Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith - bit of a grandfather to Mole I guess!

I wonder if the Cazalet Chronicles will become comfort books for me too - I just finished the final one last month and feel quite bereft without the Cazalet family world to dive into!

TaraCarter · 28/07/2016 09:25

Diana Wynne Jones. I don't care if her books are aimed at children and YA!

OttoTheOnly · 28/07/2016 09:20

Tales of the City series. I love them all and have read them numerous times over the last twenty plus years.
Also, The Outsider. I found it in the school library one rainy lunchtime and it's been my favourite book ever since.

MotherofPearl · 28/07/2016 08:55

I agree with Biggins about Barbara Pym. Lovely and soothing. I also find any Elizabeth Jane Howard very comforting. I'm Blush to say I've not tried Georgette Hayer but think I'm going to after all the mentions on this thread. Lord know we all need some calming comfort at the moment!

FeckinCrutches · 28/07/2016 08:38

Anne of Green Gables
The Witching Hour
The Outlander Series
Rebecca

ArieltheMermaid1720 · 28/07/2016 08:35

Agree with the older maeve binchy books, echoes and circle of friends. Also the Emily series by LM Montgomery. I read them in childhood and am still really fond of them. Harry Potter series.

cupofrooibos · 28/07/2016 06:21

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

tobee · 27/07/2016 16:48

Can I add Sherlock Holmes, especially the long stories?

Tiggy78 · 25/07/2016 23:32

James Herriot books

HopeClearwater · 25/07/2016 23:31

Three Men in a Boat Smile

spookyelectric · 25/07/2016 22:40

Vanity Fair (Thackery)
The Crimson Petal and the White (michel faber)
Dorothy Whipple books
George Gissing books
Two Thousand Streets under the Sky (Patrick hamilton)
The Avenue books - RF Delderfield

FellOutOfBed2wice · 25/07/2016 14:35

The Adrian Mole books
Bill Bryson
Jane Eyre