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Original poster

Your 'comfort' book(s)

143 replies

JaffaCake70 · 29/04/2023 21:32

Not necessarily your favourite book, but which book(s) do you go back to time and time again and never tire of?

For me it's:

To Kill A Mockingbird

Any Adrien Mole (I still laugh out loud nearly 40 years after first reading them).

1984

OP posts:
SammyScrounge · 01/05/2023 00:16

Alexander McCall Smith. 'No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' books.
Precious Ramotswe is gentle and persevering and wise in her ways. She doesn't deal with serial killers but with the small but important crimes of the village. Her uplifting philosophy of life is threaded through all the novels.
The final paragraph is always particularly well written and beautiful.

Donotgogentle · 01/05/2023 00:14

Vikram Seth - A Suitable Boy is one I return to.

legospringqueen · 01/05/2023 00:05

Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie novels

Helen Dunmore 'The Siege' & 'The Betrayal'

Most books by David Nichols & Marge Piercy.

IceCreamNuts · 30/04/2023 23:50

The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next series) by Jasper Fforde and Pride & Prejudice.

WouldYouLikeACrabPuff · 30/04/2023 23:29

I've always got time for Adrian Mole.
the help by Kathryn Stockett
to kill a mockingbird

EvelynBeatrice · 30/04/2023 21:12

It's lovely to see how many of you share my favourites like Dorothy Sayers, EM Delafield, Heyer and Bill Bryson ("I have long realised that it is part of God's plan for me to have to spend five minutes with each of the most stupid people on earth")Smile
I don't think anyone has mentioned US author Fannie Flagg - I Liv 'Welcome to the world, baby girl' amongst others.
I always reread 'The Thing about Jane Spring' by Sharon Krum too when stressed. It's fabulous. Comedy novel about US district attorney from military family whose love life is disastrous until she watches an old Doris Day movie and decides to become Doris. You can thank me when you've read it!!

gettingolderbutcooler · 30/04/2023 21:08

A brief history of time.

LunaNorth · 30/04/2023 21:03

Jeeves and Wooster - what a comfortable little world Wodehouse created. Heaven, and hilarious.

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild.

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.

Timshortforthalia · 30/04/2023 20:54

And now this thread has made me think that I must re-read Back Home. I re-read it a few years ago and was so impressed at how good it was.

Timshortforthalia · 30/04/2023 20:49

Antonia Forest and Diana Wynne Jones

I love Cynthia Voight, but would probably only choose Diceys Song as a regular re-read

Theoldcuriosityshop · 30/04/2023 20:42

Carriemac
Not sure what happened there to your name,

Theoldcuriosityshop · 30/04/2023 20:38

* Carriemac*
Spooky Confused

Carriemac · 30/04/2023 19:06

@Theoldcuriosityshop are you me? That's so my list too

coolnice · 30/04/2023 16:43

Almost all Marian Keyes bar one or two

LikeAnOldFriend · 30/04/2023 16:38

@timetochangethename Ahhh Back Home ❤️ broke my heart every time!

SpikeWithoutASoul · 30/04/2023 16:35

This thread is a comfort read! Have both Mapp and Lucia and Diary of a Nobody on my TBR pile. Seeing them included amongst books that I love has just bumped them to the top!

I would add Lissa Evans’ Second World War trilogy, anything by Barbara Pym, The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank and The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim.

SeatonCarew · 30/04/2023 15:49

I can identify with many of the above, especially Jane Austen and the Cazulet series, but one book I regularly return to is Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pincher. I find it such an uplifting story of hope in adversity, lovely to read around December/ January.

BeReet · 30/04/2023 15:31

The Anne of Green Gables books will never be bested for me. I have re-read them countless times and will no doubt do it countless more times.

Also, I love Lee Child's Reacher books. They are undemanding but very enjoyable and if I just want an escape into a familiar world with a familiar character, then that's what I pick up.

Zebracat · 30/04/2023 15:26

Those who love Noel Streatfeild may be pleased to find she wrote about a dozen light romances under the name Susan Scarlett. Dodie Smith wrote more than I capture the Castle, although it is the best
I also love Austen, Eliot and Mrs Caskell, Heyer andSayers and Tey. Elizabeth Taylor, A Wreath of Roses is gorgeous. Just found a writer called Eva Ibbotsen. So lovely. Especially The Morning Gift.
I still bitterly regret that moment in 2011 when I thought myself ridiculous for having pony books around in my 50s, and got rid of them during a house move. Although Joanna Cannon was the mother of the Pullein Thompson’s, and her books are also great comfort reads.

SparkyBlue · 30/04/2023 15:19

Maeve Bonchy and sometimes Marion Keyes. I had Maeve Binchy in my hospital bag when I was having DC

MaisieDobb · 30/04/2023 15:18

For me, The almost Art of Keeping secrets,
Agatha Christie, Cold Comfort Farm and Snobs

Maggiesgirl · 30/04/2023 15:15

Another one for the Earth Children series, also the Outlander Series. I usually have one or the other downloaded on my audible

Booklover40 · 30/04/2023 15:14

Agree re Adrian Mole OP, they never fail to make me lol.

I also love the Anne of green gables books (Rilla is my favourite) but my absolute favourite author is Barbara Comyns and I adore all of her books. There is only one that’s out of print that I don’t own (“out of the red, into the blue” if anyone has a copy they want to sell me!)

My favourite summer reads are Just for the Summer by Judy Astley and any of Elin Hilderbrand’s books. She is queen of the summer novel IMO.

Mrstwiddle · 30/04/2023 15:13

Enid Blyton
Agatha Christie
Georgette Heyer
Anne of Green Gables series
Nancy Drew (the originals)

IcakethereforeIam · 30/04/2023 15:10

@timetochangethename just googled the author Cynthia Voigt. I really need to reread, and I'm pretty certain I haven't read them all. Once again, thank you.

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