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Original poster

Cosy reads

53 replies

RedLemonade · 11/08/2022 14:54

I’m looking for inspiration for a list of “cosy” books. You know the sort- old world sort of books with gentle story lines; mild peril, if any; descriptions of woodlands and lovely houses.

Books I’ve recently read and loved in this vein include the Cazalet chronicles, Wind in the Willows, Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher, The Herb of Grace/Eliot trilogy.

I’m also currently reading Goodnight Mister Tom to my daughter which I’ve always loved so I’m not at all averse to children’s books.

Many thanks for your suggestions oh wise mumsnetters!

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TheHorrorOfIt · 16/08/2022 16:28

The Darling Buds of May and all the rest of that series are lovely books; I always like ones where good things happen to good people!

Original poster
RedLemonade · 14/08/2022 08:45

I do that too @Sally99 ! More often with music actually but I’ve already found another book that way on foot of a recommendation on here😊

I’m so looking forward to getting cracking on this list. My local bookshop is also very pleased😂

Just a plug for the independent bookshops- mine is brilliant for ordering in any books I want that they haven’t got in stock and it’s great to support them rather than the mega-sellers. They take email orders if I can’t get in to them or phone them- I’m sure they aren’t the only ones.

I love having a poke around in a bookshop of a Saturday and they are brilliant for recommendations. Also, I feel deeply happy to be able to go in and to know the staff all by name and have everyone know my name. Gives me a lovely sense of belonging. It’s like Cheers but with books!

Thanks again to everyone for your suggestionsFlowers

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Sally99 · 13/08/2022 19:58

I've ordered the first of the seven sisters books mentioned on here, so thank you!

I often find good books by putting a favourite book into Amazon search and then looking at the recommended books they come up with based on your search. Have found lots of good books this way Wink

Zott · 13/08/2022 13:22

Villette by Charlotte Bronte
Claudine at School by Colette

tobee · 13/08/2022 01:31

Oh yes the movie of Swallows and Amazons was a childhood favourite of mine!

tobee · 13/08/2022 01:21

Yes I agree with lots of these:-

Mapp and Lucia
Enchanted April
DE Stevenson again but Mrs Tim of The Regiment
The Village and
Little Boy Lost both by Marghanita Laski
and also Black Swan Green by David Mitchell; especially good if, like me, you were a teenager in the 80s

Children's book set in Sweden The Children of Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren (sometimes called The Bullerby Children)
Smile

Original poster
RedLemonade · 12/08/2022 21:10

More great recommendations!!

@snowqu33n I have Miss Pettigrew in my current “to be read” stack.

@KnittingAuntie i just bought two of the recommended books from Persephone. I’ve got a few from them already and have bought them as gifts too. They are such beautiful editions. Will definitely checked out Furrowed Middlebrow. Thank you!

Also adding PG Wodehouse and Agatha Christie as I’ve heard so many good things. Swallows and Amazons- I downloaded the movie of this as it looked cosy! Will add that to the list😊

This list is getting longer and longer. I’m going to have to ask for Christmas book tokens too- hurrah! We put our TV away for the summer and I’ve been flying through books. I’m properly addicted to reading again which hasn’t been the case since pre-DC. The TV is hereby staying in storage for the winter- too many books, too little lifetime!

Thank you all so much for a wonderful reading list❤️

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Stripsorspots · 12/08/2022 19:38

I second PG Wodehouse- funny and charming.
Agatha Christie - crime but no unpleasantness, and you can fantasise about having a cook and a maid
Benson Mapp and Lucia books - slightly cutting but funny and a great escape
Cold Comfort Farm - hilarious

Great thread!

TeaAndStrumpets · 12/08/2022 12:09

Great list!

Luredbyapomegranate · 12/08/2022 12:06

Still Life by Sarah Bingham is fantastic

As is Matt Haig’s How to Stop Time

and small pleasures by Claire chambers

marion Keyes - Rachel’s Holiday, The Other side of the story, Angels - are some good ones

The Country girls by Edna O’Brien

Kids books - Ballet Shoes and the Growing Summer by Noel Stretfield

for previous post it’s GATTY’s Tale not Garry

Luredbyapomegranate · 12/08/2022 11:58

Someone recommended Harriet Evans on here recently, I just read Happy Ever After and it was great.

I personally find Jilly Coopers bonkbusters comforting, they are funny and jolly and you know it will come right (Riders, Rivals, Pandora etc)

Pride and Prejudice obviously.

Eloisa James’ Paris is Love is a memoir of living in Paris for a year, which I really like.

Kid’s novels - Swallows and Amazons, Susan Cooper’s series, Kevin Crossley Holland’s Garry’s Tale is fantastic

Circle of Friends is the only decent book Maeve Binchy ever wrote, so don’t bother with the rest.

KnittingAuntie · 12/08/2022 11:27

Hiya . . . have just joined up just so I can add to this lovely discussion.

Not books or authors but I would like to highly recommend 2 publishers for their wonderfully cosy books . . . . many of the authors they publish have already been mentioned by other PP's. They are Persephone Books (all have a lovely grey cover and come with a bookmark which matches the inside cover) and Furrowed Middlebrow books

TeaAndStrumpets · 12/08/2022 11:19

Just checked, they seem to have most of the Heyer books!

TeaAndStrumpets · 12/08/2022 10:56

Just reading this thread gives me a cosy feeling!

Second Georgette Heyer, Angela Thirkell, Patricia Wentworth.

For those seeking older or out of print books, I always recommend Openlibrary.org. They have millions of books free to read online. What I love is that you read the scans of the actual books, so you see the cover art, library stamps, etc. You can borrow for an hour at a time, but keep renewing as you read.

KosherDill · 12/08/2022 10:24

Older, but: the light mysteries by MM Kaye are my go-to.

Also, if you can find them, from the 70s/early 80s, "Moonraker's Bride" and other novels by Madeleine Brent are really good romantic suspense.

snowqu33n · 12/08/2022 10:14

Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day

snowqu33n · 12/08/2022 10:13

The Enchanted April

Sally99 · 12/08/2022 09:46

Have a look at Sarah Harrison and Charlotte Bingham too.

I have a whole bookcase full of cosy reads Smile

Original poster
RedLemonade · 11/08/2022 22:48

I Capture The Castle is one of my favourites and I read Tom’s Midnight Garden to DD a year or two ago and loved it myself!

@Shinyandnew1 Oops! It was worse getting it the other way around reading aloud in biology class thoughBlush

Loving all of these recommendations. You’re all wonderful!

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FreezerOrgReq · 11/08/2022 22:40

Apple Bough, Noel Streatfield, a childrens book I read a few years ago at 50 odd and thoroughly enjoyed.

Riverlee · 11/08/2022 22:36

Maeve Binchley was my first thought.

Lucinda Riley stand alone books are worth reading also.

I’m a big fan of Rhys Bowen books also, which have a similar feel to Lucinda Riley.

Popular books often cited on mn include

Away with the Penguins
Mrs Benson Beetles
The Lido
Harold Fry (can’t remember full title)
A single thread

Shinyandnew1 · 11/08/2022 22:32

RedLemonade · 11/08/2022 15:02

Ooh I’ve heard of the Seven Sisters. Might give that a go.

I read Circle of Friends which was great though I hear some of her stuff can be hit and miss? Haven’t tried Santa Montefiore so will have a look. Thank you!

I did try Penny Vincenzi also but found it a bit too “everyone is stunningly beautiful and having multiple organisms” for me😳

Multiple organisms 😂

There are some good recommendations on here, thanks for starting the thread!

Pandorapitstop · 11/08/2022 22:27

I Capture the Castle

KangarooKenny · 11/08/2022 22:11

My cosy book is Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher.

3luckystars · 11/08/2022 22:10

I’m taking notes here!