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Original poster

I'm so down right now, please help me find a book to read

134 replies

adaptiveness · 16/09/2021 11:28

I'm not going into the details, but I'm not in a good place right now and I badly need a good book.

I have 5 mins to write this, so am going to be really unreasonable and just list the stuff that I can't deal with reading about right now.

No sex, suicide, romance, bad stuff happening to kids, sad endings, books that will make me think about the fucked up state of the world. No kooky, random, wet, indecisive protagonists. No 'hilarious' bad parenting.

Any genre fine: fiction, literature, sci-fi, fantasy, non-fiction, historical, comedy, biography, sport. Whatever. I just need to disappear into a good book.

Please help!

OP posts:
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Powerpotpie · 28/10/2021 19:38

@lazylinguist

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. Long, adventurous fantasy book, and my favourite book in the world! It has a sequel (A Wise Man's Fear) and will eventually have a (long-awaited) third and final book. It's not totally without romance, but it's not mournful, maudlin or soppy at all.
Thank you so much for this recommendation lazylinguist, I’m just coming to end of this now having been drawn in hook, line and sinker! It’s been an amazing read and very different to anything else I’ve read before.

Do I buy book number 2 though? Sad to see that it has quite mixed reviews- what went wrong!

AuntyMabelandPippin · 24/10/2021 17:44

@adaptiveness

Update: Turns out that Anne of Green Gables was the book I needed. I've definitely read the first one before, but possibly not all of them, so that should keep me busy for a while. Thanks everyone!
I quite envy you that you get to read the whole series as new. They really are my favourite books.

I hope you're feeling better.

Carolinesyear · 24/10/2021 12:30

Great post, Anne of green gables for sure

elkiedee · 24/10/2021 11:34

@Dillydollydingdong Yes, I loved Mr Loverman too and have bn recommending it to lots of people for the last 6 years? since I read it. There are some sad bits but I think it's quite a funny and life affirming novel overall.

@adaptiveness Glad that you found Anne of Green Gables and that it worked for you, and you have the whole series ahead of you - though I think that the first 3 or 4 books are the best - Anne of Avonlea sees Anne through some of her teenage years, then in Anne of the Island she goes to college.

When you've worked your way through the Anne series, or even just the earlier and better ones (pre marriage), I also recommend L M Montgomery's Emily trilogy, starting with Emily of New Moon, though I found the 3rd book in the trilogy a bit of a letdown after the brilliance of Emly in the first two.

Feawen · 03/10/2021 13:42

I find Anne of Green Gables very comforting, too. The next few in the series are lovely and gentle, but Anne’s House of Dreams is sadder and more serious, just as a heads up.

For something completely different but very uplifting, Consolation Songs edited by Iona Datt Sharma is a collection of optimistic Sci Fi stories with profits going to the University College London Hospitals charity.

EatSleepRantRepeat · 03/10/2021 10:57

Such a great read @adaptiveness, books can be so soothing. Your thread has been a great idea, every other book on the kindle store at the moment seems to be a badly written murder thriller Hmm so I've been sticking with the classics. At the moment I'm on a Nancy Mitford anthology, pure escapism with barmy caricatures!

RickOShay · 02/10/2021 21:45

That’s a great book Smile
Hope you are feeling better.

Original poster
adaptiveness · 01/10/2021 12:33

Update: Turns out that Anne of Green Gables was the book I needed. I've definitely read the first one before, but possibly not all of them, so that should keep me busy for a while. Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
RickOShay · 28/09/2021 16:24

@mum2jakie
Oh yes!
Perhaps not.

Clawdy · 28/09/2021 13:35

[quote SailYourShips]@futureghost. I'm intrigued why do you find Diary of a Nobody sad? Mr Pooter is delighted with his quiet life, he doesn't crave anything, does get everything he needs and would be shocked I'm sure to think anyone found him sad.

I've recommended it many times and this is the very first time someone has said it's sad.[/quote]
Exactly! Its a funny, warm-hearted book that has some absolutely hilarious moments. Can't believe it was written so many years ago!

Dillydollydingdong · 28/09/2021 11:23

Mr Loverman by Bernardine Everisto. She's a mixed race author writing about the life and loves of a man who came over from the Caribbean to live here. I found it unputdownable. It's not sad. It's a rollicking read!

NEE1302 · 28/09/2021 11:16

The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris

mum2jakie · 28/09/2021 11:09

@RickOShay

Now reading The Appeal. It’s good.
Although the story revolves around an appeal to raise funds for a child with cancer!
SolitaryTree · 28/09/2021 09:50

Sarah millican how to be champion helped to get me through a very dark time, that and cake.
Sorry you’re not in a good place, I hope things improve for you soon BrewCake

bevelino · 28/09/2021 09:46

@Rassy

Anything by Alexander McCall Smith, especially Scotland Street Series
The No 1 Ladies Detective series is a nice and enjoyable read.
RickOShay · 28/09/2021 09:44

Now reading The Appeal. It’s good.

ColonelNobbyNobbs · 28/09/2021 01:25

Not Chronicles of St Mary’s!!! I’ve just read the first two and they are full of romance and sex and violence and terrible things happening. I found them tough going.

Agree with Provincial Lady series though.

MagratGarlikInDisguise · 25/09/2021 17:52

Although there is some romance, read the Court of Thorns and Roses books. Very good and absorbing.

languagelover96 · 25/09/2021 13:26

Little Women
Party Shoes
Ballet Shoes
Anne of Green Gables

RickOShay · 24/09/2021 20:15

Hope you are feeling better @adaptiveness
Catherine Cooper. The Chalet and The Chateau.
I’m halfway through The Chateau, and I’m enjoying it so far.

Paleodiet · 24/09/2021 19:27

Notes on a Small Island by Bill Bryson

PenguindreamsofDraco · 24/09/2021 19:24

And Cabin Pressure, which is nothing less than life affirming.

PenguindreamsofDraco · 24/09/2021 19:23

The man who died twice (sequel to the Thursday murder club - avoid that one given your list to avoid, but the second one is completely joyous).

Ormally · 23/09/2021 16:18

David Lodge, Nice Work (Disclaimer, bit of sex. Not romantic; knee trembler.) Feminist academic and old school factory owner end up doing exchange placements at each other's workplaces.

Elizaeliza · 21/09/2021 21:55

James Herriot, Marion Keyes, bill bryson all lift my mood