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Original poster

Books for mum?

33 replies

Alcemeg · 25/10/2022 07:07

Mum's in her 90s and recently widowed. I've got a Kindle for her and want to pre-load it with nice books. She enjoys Anne Tyler, Maeve Binchy, Ann Patchett... I'm not an avid reader (limited time) and don't really know where to start. Can anyone recommend suitable authors? My wish list would be books that are enjoyable, no pointless misery, but not shallow either (no steamy modern romances!). Suggestions gratefully received.

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Original poster
Alcemeg · 07/11/2022 09:33

Bless you all for being so helpful, I am really appreciating your thoughtful suggestions. 😍

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Chocoholic1972 · 06/11/2022 23:56

My mum in law is 85, she loves most of the authors mentioned and has also enjoyed the Richard Osman books.

TigerDroveAgain · 06/11/2022 23:06

and before any replies I was going to say Elizabeth Strout

TigerDroveAgain · 06/11/2022 23:05

My mum was a little younger (not much) and loved the Ruth Galloway books by Elly Griffiths. So do I tbf!

iwasyou · 06/11/2022 22:56

YY to the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard. The Light Years is the first one.
Have a look at Sue Gee too. The Mystery of Glass is good.
And Old Baggage by Lissa Evans. There are two more in the series if your mum enjoys OB.

Original poster
Alcemeg · 05/11/2022 11:17

Many thanks everyone, my own reading pile is now growing fast, never mind mum's! This little lot will probably keep us going for years, especially as I tend to read in bed and fall asleep after 10 pages, then have to re-read them the next night to remind myself where I got to... 😴

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blackpearwhitelilies · 04/11/2022 21:46

Salley Vickers is v good too.
definitely definitely Elizabeth Strout.

blackpearwhitelilies · 04/11/2022 21:45

She might like The Cazalet Chronicles. The first was going for 99p recently.

HuntingoftheSnark · 01/11/2022 18:15

My mother's in her nineties too and likes many of those mentioned, also Monica Dickens and C J Sansom. Also Victoria Hislop - The Island but not her subsequent books.

CharlotteByrde · 01/11/2022 17:59

If she loves Anne Tyler, then definitely Elizabeth Strout and Mary Lawson. And she might like Patrick Gale's novels too.

IceandIndigo · 01/11/2022 17:54

If she likes Anne Tyler she would probably enjoy Mary Lawson. And Lily King if she likes Ann Patchett.

Original poster
Alcemeg · 01/11/2022 13:09

Thanks so much everyone, really appreciate all these suggestions and am learning new writers for myself too!

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autienotnaughty · 30/10/2022 16:29

Jenny Colgan
Katie fforde

Philandbill · 30/10/2022 16:14

"These is my words" by Nancy Turner is wonderful. Also "Bread Alone" by Judi Hendricks. Easy reads but great stories.

abbey44 · 30/10/2022 16:09

If your mum likes Anne Tyler, she might like Anita Shreve as well. And Mary Wesley.

Veggieburgers · 30/10/2022 15:50

PritiPatelsMaker · 30/10/2022 15:43

Like your DM I love Anne Tyler and Ann Patchett, haven't tried Maeve Binchy.

Can second The No1 Ladies detective agency, my DF who was a voracious reader, also liked them.

His Corduroy Mansions novels were also enjoyable if I remember.

Do try Maeve Binchy, she's a fabulous author. Sadly passed away a few years ago so there won't be any more books. I particularly like 'Scarlett Feather,' 'Light a Penny Candle' and 'Echoes.'
Another author of the past (but I don't know if his books are available on Kindle) is Arthur Hailey. A superb story teller. Of his books, 'Hotel, ' 'The Money Changers' and 'Strong Medicine ' are my favourites. He wrote before the internet was available for research, so for his book 'Hotel' he actually stayed in a hotel for six months, interviewing the staff and observing.

PritiPatelsMaker · 30/10/2022 15:43

Like your DM I love Anne Tyler and Ann Patchett, haven't tried Maeve Binchy.

Can second The No1 Ladies detective agency, my DF who was a voracious reader, also liked them.

His Corduroy Mansions novels were also enjoyable if I remember.

carkerpatridge · 30/10/2022 15:24

My DM, similar age, enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith particularly the lady detective series. She also ploughed through Michael Morpurgo's books which are aimed at children but are very meaningful and well-written.

PritiPatelsMaker · 30/10/2022 14:25

What great taste your DM has. Are there any Ann Tyler books that she hadn't read?

Original poster
Alcemeg · 25/10/2022 14:35

@seperatedmum Oh gosh!! I see what you mean!!!! Mr Mundic!!!!!!! 😥

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seperatedmum · 25/10/2022 12:55

Greenvelvetchair · 25/10/2022 11:05

Everyone of all ages and stages of life has loved this one. I've recommended it to loads of people.

Miss Benson's Beetle, by Rachel Joyce
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y49DSHZ/ref=cmswwrcppapi_7FNY19GE1ZWS5TT2JX1N

whilst original I found it pretty harrowing

Original poster
Alcemeg · 25/10/2022 12:40

Lovely, thank you all! Just got stuck reading the preview of the Beetle book, which looks great. I suppose more recent fiction might be better than some of the old popular ones that she might well have read already -- I'll have to check!

Appreciate all your suggestions!

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Greenvelvetchair · 25/10/2022 11:05

Everyone of all ages and stages of life has loved this one. I've recommended it to loads of people.

Miss Benson's Beetle, by Rachel Joyce
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y49DSHZ/ref=cmswwrcppapi_7FNY19GE1ZWS5TT2JX1N

Avidreader69 · 25/10/2022 11:02

If your mum likes Maeve Binchy, she might enjoy Stephanie McCarthy 'French Exchange with Rubies.' It's a bit Binchy in style.

Original poster
Alcemeg · 25/10/2022 09:40

Oooh, thank you all so much for your suggestions! I'll give them all a good search on Amazon at lunchtime 😍

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