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Original poster

Something lovely please

36 replies

Backingvocals · 27/12/2017 20:37

I’m in a reading rut. Please help. I need something compelling, not stressful (no thrillers), a reasonable amount of literary merit (nothing with one of those wishy washy covers or anything that’s described as “a tale of life, love and chocolate” or similar - I’m trying not to say no chick lit as I hate that phrase but really that’s what I mean).

I have loved Poisonwood Bible, The Signature of All Things, lots of Dickens ....I guess these are plot and character driven. I quite enjoyed the Essex Serpent. Wanted to love Golden Hill but not sure I’ve got the stamina for it right now (lots of life stress).
Anything you can recommend that I can fall in love with?

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skincarejunkie · 28/12/2017 19:03

Ooh i have The Night Circus. Not read it yet. Thank you for reminding me!

MulhuddartDrive · 28/12/2017 18:35

Another vote for Elinor Oliphant.

I keep recommending The Night Circus on these threads. About time for me to reread it, I think.

TimeGoesBy · 28/12/2017 18:24

Both not Boyle... Don’t know where that came from!!

TimeGoesBy · 28/12/2017 18:23

Already mentioned but Keeper of Lost Things and All the Light You Cannot See are Boyle lovely books. Easy reading but not drivel. Loved both.

SatsukiKusakabe · 28/12/2017 18:22

And I meant to say Gilead is slow, not leave you hanging there!

MadisonAvenue · 28/12/2017 18:21

The Keeper Of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan is lovely!

VanderlyleGeek · 28/12/2017 18:19

William. Blush

VanderlyleGeek · 28/12/2017 18:18

I second the previous recommendation of Ann Patchett's and Maria Semple's books.

Ordinary Grace by Willuam Kent Kreuger is a wonderful novel.

SatsukiKusakabe · 28/12/2017 11:50

Yes Gilead is really lovely, but it is and you have to be prepared for a meandering, thoughtful read.

Shardlake are just easy to knock chapters off and are quite enjoyable - they are my idea of a beach read, reasonably intelligent and well researched but not taxing at all.

I loved Where’d You Go Bernadette, smart and funny and quite like Elinor Oliphant.

I loved Rush Oh by Shirley Barrett as well, comic, romantic, historical, bittersweet but not sentimental.

Scabbersley · 28/12/2017 09:28

Vinegar girl isn't great but it couldn't be easier to read

Scabbersley · 28/12/2017 09:28

I really wanted to like the shardlake series but found it really boring. Sad

NambiBambi · 28/12/2017 08:52

Yes to Eleanor Oliphant. Maybe try Where'd You Go, Bernadette? I agree with PP about Anne Tyler although Vinegar Girl is one of my least favourite of hers.
For the sort of mood you are in try Fanny Flagg who wrote Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe but also a lot of other books which are often lengthy (like Dickens) but very gentle and heart-warming. Standing in the Rainbow is a good one. Laurie Graham is in a similar vein - I enjoyed Gone with the Windsors, The Future Homemakers of America and A Humble Companion in particular.

anothermama · 28/12/2017 08:40

I'm enjoying My Beautiful Friend by Elena Ferrante at the moment. It's pretty gentle reading, but really immersive, and beautifully written. And if you like it there are three more books in the series to get stuck into.

junebirthdaygirl · 28/12/2017 08:27

Elinor Olliphant is completely fine..think you would love that book..
Poisonwood Bible one of my favourite books and l like all Barbara Kingsolver.

BipBippadotta · 28/12/2017 08:26

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson is just about the most beautiful, moving book I have ever read.

Didiusfalco · 28/12/2017 08:12

I was in a similar rut earlier this year, the Essex Serpent didn’t get me out of it. What did was ‘A spot of bother’ by Mark Haddon. He writes so well, and is funny.

Turnturnturn2 · 28/12/2017 08:04

Diary of a nobody!! Lovely easy and very funny!

RMC123 · 28/12/2017 08:00

The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard, Gillespie and I by Jane Harris.
Second the Shardlake series. Jk Rowling's /Robert Galbraith Strike series are very engaging too.

BikeRunSki · 27/12/2017 22:34

From Sand and Ash by Amy Mercer. Compelling, interesting, gripping.

WisestIsShe · 27/12/2017 22:31

I've just started A Gentleman in Moscow, so far it is perfectly lovely!

skincarejunkie · 27/12/2017 22:29

Yes yes to All The Light We Cannot See x

highlandcoo · 27/12/2017 22:29

The Observations by Jane Harris could be just what you're looking for OP. Original, engaging and with a great narrative voice. Must reread it soon.

Also, have a look at Ann Patchett, one of my favourite authors. Bel Canto, State of Wonder and Commonwealth are all excellent.

Btw, when you say "not stressful" would reading about explicit cruelty upset you? Because although I agree that Underground Railroad is a great book, there are some harrowing scenes in it so you have to be feeling strong to read it I think. Same goes for Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. Beautifully written but deeply disturbing in parts.

Humpsfor20yards · 27/12/2017 22:27

The Paris wife is a lovely book.

irregularegular · 27/12/2017 21:58

Or Half a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ndgozi Adichi

Very sad though.

Think I should read Underground Railroad as I really liked both of Rainbow's suggestions.

Frouby · 27/12/2017 21:56

Following this thread as I fancy a lovely book too!