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Original poster

Cosy, uplifting, but still "literary" novel to read in the evenings?

52 replies

Psm92 · 29/09/2022 18:03

^^ Just that. I'd like a novel to read in the evenings after work, but as of late seem to have been drawn towards dark-ish stuff, or at least novels with heavy themes. I'd like something a bit more relaxing, not trash nor chicklit/YAetc., but still on substance. Recommendations welcome!

OP posts:
BadGranny · 29/09/2022 21:30

Elif Shafak ‘The Island of Missing Trees’ is wonderful.

Narwhaleahoy · 29/09/2022 21:25

Deffo recommend Georgette Heyer too. Love Cotillion and Arabella especially. Mary Stewart wrote really well, they are obviously of their time, 1940s - 60s, but are great. The Ivy Tree or Nine Coaches Waiting are both really good.

RobinHobb · 29/09/2022 21:23

Readytogogogo · 29/09/2022 20:30

I capture the castle - Dodie Smith

Was about to say that's

Narwhaleahoy · 29/09/2022 21:17

i agree with those who recommend Persephone Press. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is adorable (although you can read it in an hour), just make sure you read the descriptions before you order as they also publish some really depressing ones!
To kill a Mockingbird is always worth rereading. If you read it in school you probably identified with Scout but, as you get older your perspective changes and it becomes a completely different narrative.

SparklingLime · 29/09/2022 21:15

HaggisBurger · 29/09/2022 20:53

the Cazelet Chronicles - Elizabeth Jane Howard - I’ve read and reread these.

Seconded. So good.

MoreThanRubies · 29/09/2022 21:13

Anything by Georgette Heyer (witty, cosy) or Elizabeth Goudge (dreamy, comforting)

WoolyMammoth55 · 29/09/2022 21:06

My default comfort books are all the Jane Austen novels, Cold Comfort Farm for absolute hilarity, and the lovely Georgette Heyer ones - Cotillion, The Talisman Ring, A Convenient Marriage, The Unknown Ajax are all brilliantly, warmly written by a supremely clever woman and feel like getting a literary hug.

RiverSkater · 29/09/2022 20:55

Anne of Green Gables series

Incrediblebuttrue · 29/09/2022 20:55

Dorothy Whipple or indeed most of the Persephone catalogue - just avoid the depressing ones!

HaggisBurger · 29/09/2022 20:53

the Cazelet Chronicles - Elizabeth Jane Howard - I’ve read and reread these.

tunnocksreturns2019 · 29/09/2022 20:51

escapingthecity · 29/09/2022 20:23

Lessons in Chemistry

I was going to suggest this! My audiobook for my commute at the moment, I think it’s brilliant

DisplayPurposesOnly · 29/09/2022 20:50

Jasper Fforde for some light comedy.

I quite often go to classic children's books - Children of Green Knowe, Swallows and Amazons, etc.

Haggisfish3 · 29/09/2022 20:50

The most recent Esther Freud book was great. And us by David nicholls.

Wisterical · 29/09/2022 20:46

Eleanor Ferrante, My Brilliant Friend - then the next three in the series! Totally absorbing and although there are some grim themes there’s lots of love, and they’re beautifully written.

GoodbyeLilibet · 29/09/2022 20:45

Oh and another vote for I Capture The Castle. A delight from beginning to end.

GoodbyeLilibet · 29/09/2022 20:43

Dorothy Whipple is your friend. So good but also so readable. She wrote about families and relationships with a lot of insight and humour and the stories usually end on a cheerful note. Persephone publish her works and many others that would fit the bill, although some on their list would be too dark.

Try The Priory or Because of the Lockwoods.

Takingturnstogether · 29/09/2022 20:41

Lark Rise to Candleford

FurAndFeathers · 29/09/2022 20:37

What I loved, Siri hustvedt
the outrun, Amy liptrot

TempsPerdu · 29/09/2022 20:34

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim - supremely relaxing!

Readytogogogo · 29/09/2022 20:30

I capture the castle - Dodie Smith

TheYearOfSmallThings · 29/09/2022 20:28

I'm reading Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, which might fit the remit.

Or Miss Peregrine lives for a dsy, or some Daphne du Maurier, or Crooked Heart (and the follow-up books), or Miss Penny and Miss Plum.

escapingthecity · 29/09/2022 20:23

Lessons in Chemistry

Riverlee · 29/09/2022 20:18

Robert Harris may be worth/considering also - historical but very readable novels

Nolosomi · 29/09/2022 20:16

I’ve just read Crossroads by Jonathan Frantzen, it was great.

GrouchyKiwi · 29/09/2022 20:15

Possession - AS Byatt
A Room With A View - EM Forster
The Blue Flower - Penelope Fitzgerald
Persuasion - Jane Austen

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