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Original poster

Lovely uplifting (or not depressing ) novel for poorly friend

58 replies

Livingonjuice · 02/10/2022 18:42

I need something lovely and nice and warm/ uplifting for a friend who has just had tumour surgery and is in hospital.
No cancer themes / mentions for obvious reasons or cancer back story / miserable back stories. Can be a funny. Nothing emotionally taxing.
Anything ? I recently loved the keeper of stories but there's a bit of heart tugging.
Thanks 🙏

OP posts:
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FartSock5000 · 01/11/2022 11:21

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon are scifi romance that are silly and loads of fun but also spicy. Cheered me up!

peaceandove · 01/11/2022 10:58

'Further Afield' by Miss Read. Two middle aged friends go on a gentle, sun-dappled holiday to the Greek Islands and do some quiet sight-seeing. Bliss.

WhatTimeDoYouCallThis · 18/10/2022 22:28

The fig and fishbone by Ethelind Fearon. You will only find second hand on Abe Books or World of Books etc, but worth it. Tells the story of doing up an old cottage, starting a tearoom and ends with some rather good recipes. Written and set in the 1950s. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions here, lots gratefully noted.

SpikyHatePotato · 18/10/2022 21:14

Seconding 84 Charing Cross Road, (and it's sequel, the Duchess of Duke Street - the edition I have has them both in one volume).

Also, Miss Buncle's Book by DE Stevenson

Sally99 · 18/10/2022 20:48

Lovely ideas for anyone. I'm making a list

ilooktothehills · 18/10/2022 20:40

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Not only is it an enjoyable read but the structure of it lends itself to being picked up/put down without needing to concentrate and remember lots of characters and/or complicated plot lines. For the same reason I’d echo the recommendation for 44 Scotland Street. I read both when I couldn’t really focus after a family bereavement.

newtb · 18/10/2022 20:30

September also by Rosamund Pilcher

MagpieCastle · 18/10/2022 20:05

Another vote here for I Capture the Castle.

What a kind & thoughtful thing to do for your friend.

@Decafflatteplease wishing you all good thoughts too 💐

Rassy · 18/10/2022 19:46

44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

KalaniM · 18/10/2022 19:40

How about Mavis Cheek? All of her novels are lovely.

Im looking for exactly these kinds of novels, on audiobook, to listen to while recovering from an illness. I was listening to Eleanor Bron reading The Enchanted April last night. I recommend! Ms Bron has a lovely voice, which adds to the goodness!

Original poster
Livingonjuice · 18/10/2022 19:33

@Decafflatteplease all the best for your surgery. I'd love to send you a book too if you'd like x

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PortiasBiscuit · 18/10/2022 16:04

Anything by EF Benson, especially the Lucia books.
Splendid!

DameHelena · 18/10/2022 15:59

I also came on to say Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.

beguilingeyes · 18/10/2022 15:24

Notes From A Small Island (or anything really) by Bill Bryson.
The Dress Shop Of Dreams - Menna Van Praag

DesMoulinsRouge · 09/10/2022 20:27

I recommend Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith. The diary would be great for reading in fits and starts.

Decafflatteplease · 09/10/2022 16:49

Following for ideas as I'm about to have (suspect) cancer surgery and looking for soothing things.

On audible, when I can't sleep I listen to tweet of the day there's the whole series on there and it's just lovely, don't have to really listen to it, it just carries you along. 🥰

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/10/2022 16:37

God not The Other Bennet Sister unless you want to put her off good literature for life.

yes to:
Jeeves and Wooster
Miss Pettigrew
James Herriot

Mrs Harris goes to Paris
Bill Bryson

JaninaDuszejko · 04/10/2022 17:37

What about some poetry? Brian Bilston might make her laugh, he posts regularly on Instagram and Twitter etc so doesn't even need to be a book.

AwfulTed · 03/10/2022 22:42

How about Maeve Binchy? The older ones like Circle of Friends or Light a Penny Candle? Totally absorbing and somehow comforting

IrisVersicolor · 03/10/2022 22:39

I Capture the Castle

Figrolls14 · 03/10/2022 22:39

Shipping news
Noah’s Ark/Brother of the more famous Jack (Barbara Trapido)
Tales of the City
Donna Leon Brunetti mysteries
A room with a view is v funny
more votes for Gerald Durrell, Stella Gibbons and Nancy Mitford
Rumpole, baby!

Original poster
Livingonjuice · 03/10/2022 22:00

@MissSmiley absolutely not. My only instruction is to carry on being fabulous
I've recommended my fave podcast but worried she'll split her stitches laughing
We can cackle at it together maybe. Ooh a listening party with some nice fudge maybe
Now there's an idea

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MissSmiley · 03/10/2022 20:40

@Livingonjuice you sound like a wonderful friend, don't ever tell her to be positive though, my sister did that all the time, your friend has every right to feel how she feels and telling someone with cancer to be positive feels like too much, just wanted to mention that x

Original poster
Livingonjuice · 03/10/2022 20:37

@MissSmiley im doing that often. Mainly silly stuff (not trying to make her laugh) just sending my random thoughts and checking in I am willing her post op recovery on with every fibre of me

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Shortpoet · 03/10/2022 15:30

The Other Bennet sister - Janice Hadlow