Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Uplifting but not Twee book needed

32 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 25/01/2024 17:46

My friend is coming out of hospital after major surgery and I'm in the process of making her a goody bag.

She loves reading and I'd like to get her a book with no harrowing storylines but still positive.
Nothing too cloying or overly sentimental.
Literary but not heavy.

But if a tall order!
Any suggestions?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/02/2024 20:05

EarringsandLipstick · 02/02/2024 19:28

I know OP has bought the book now but I had to check if Lessons In Chemistry was mentioned.

It's utterly gorgeous, characters to fall in love with, some very sad moments but treated amazingly.

I haven't yet watched the series on Prime but I didn't want this book to end.

(And I loved Eleanor Oliphant but gosh, it's harrowing in parts. Really really sad. Definitely don't think it fits this brief!)

I loved Eleanor Oliphant too. Didn’t read it when it first came out as thought it may be hyped but read it last year and loved it. Harrowing and sad in equal parts but tinged with hope.

OP, if you’re still after another book, Sans Moi by Marie Desplechin is a twist on the au pair with issues (drugs etc). It’s funny, touching, Desplechin I think has only written poetry since.

Similar but more rom com is Benny and Shrimp by a Swedish author whose name escapes me. The follow up to it is inexplicably in French and not English!

EarringsandLipstick · 02/02/2024 19:29

Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson - a beautiful book in the form of a father writing to his son.

A fine piece of literature but I really wouldn't consider it uplifting.

EarringsandLipstick · 02/02/2024 19:28

I know OP has bought the book now but I had to check if Lessons In Chemistry was mentioned.

It's utterly gorgeous, characters to fall in love with, some very sad moments but treated amazingly.

I haven't yet watched the series on Prime but I didn't want this book to end.

(And I loved Eleanor Oliphant but gosh, it's harrowing in parts. Really really sad. Definitely don't think it fits this brief!)

DisforDarkChocolate · 02/02/2024 19:16

I enjoyed The Uncommon Reader too.

I loved Project Hail Mary, an excellent audio book too if your friend is tired. It warmed my heart in a way I never expected.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/02/2024 19:13

BaconAndAvocado · 02/02/2024 18:14

Yes, I loved Small Pkeasures as did my friend!

All of Chambers books are good, especially her earlier ones eg In A Good Light and Back Trouble. I’m slightly biased as she’s from near where I grew up.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 02/02/2024 18:14

Yes, I loved Small Pkeasures as did my friend!

OP posts:
Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/02/2024 17:52

SirChenjins · 31/01/2024 08:37

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (and others by him)

The Maid by Nita Prose

Any book by Clare Chambers

The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman

Edited

Clare Chambers is very much underrated! And great.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 01/02/2024 07:23

Thanks all.
Some brilliant suggestions, some of which I've read and loved.

In the end I bought Before the Coffee gets Cold.
The content and cover were appealing, as well as the length wh I can isn't too overpowering.

A Gentleman in Moscow is one of my all time favourites ❤️

OP posts:
SirChenjins · 31/01/2024 08:37

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (and others by him)

The Maid by Nita Prose

Any book by Clare Chambers

The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman

NoraLuka · 31/01/2024 08:14

@YouNeverCanTellWithBees ok so maybe parts of it aren’t uplifting in the traditional sense of the word! But the ending is, I think.

HBGKC · 30/01/2024 22:07

Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson - a beautiful book in the form of a father writing to his son.

Alexander McCall Smith - his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series for gentle good humour and a very different sense of place to wintry Britain.

YouNeverCanTellWithBees · 30/01/2024 22:04

@tallsmallmum I saw Miss Benson's Beetle recommended on here as uplifting and ok I've only read the first chapter but I feel misled 😂

readingmakesmehappy · 30/01/2024 10:53

The Secret Countess or The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson. Or AJ Pearce's series - first one is Dear Mrs Bird. Heartwarming and gently funny with a tiny bit of jeopardy but you know how it will all work out in the end and you want to reread them immediately you've finished.

JaneyGee · 29/01/2024 21:43

NeptunaOfTheMermaidBattleSquadron · 29/01/2024 20:34

PG Wodehouse always lifts me up and is far too witty to be considered twee.

I add my vote for Wodehouse. Evelyn Waugh is also hilarious, especially Decline and Fall and The Sword of Honour.

Aldous Huxley: Chrome Yellow

Kipling’s Kim is a wonderful novel - full of colour and life and vivid characters.

E M Forster: A Room with a View

George Orwell: Coming up for Air

I’ve always found Virginia Woolf’s Orlando weirdly uplifting, but maybe I’m odd.

And you can’t go wrong with Jane Austen.

It’s a travel book, but Fermor’s A Time of Gifts is my go-to when I feel low.

NeptunaOfTheMermaidBattleSquadron · 29/01/2024 20:34

PG Wodehouse always lifts me up and is far too witty to be considered twee.

tallsmallmum · 29/01/2024 20:32

mynewusername2023 · 25/01/2024 18:02

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce - my favourite book of 2022. Not one I'd have picked up but it was our book club book and I adored it.

I found that quite harrowing without spoiling it tho it was original and non-cloying I'd agree

GiveYourHeadAWobble · 29/01/2024 20:28

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. It’s uplifting, funny, quirky, and not twee.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 26/01/2024 11:12

Dear Mrs Bird is uplifting.

coolmum123 · 25/01/2024 22:39

Teasie123 · 25/01/2024 18:06

' Can you keep a secret?' , by Sophie Kinsella. Funny, caring, feel good and one of the best books I've ever read.🤗🤗🤗

That is a funny one. My favourite book of hers is Can I have your number? It's one I go back to as I really love it. Light hearted, funny and a lovely story.

Whattobakeiwonder · 25/01/2024 21:46

A Gentleman in Moscow, or indeed any other book by Amor Towles .

BobbinThreadbare123 · 25/01/2024 21:44

You lot are my kind of readers! I loved Miss Benson's Beetle as well. I also like Aubrey and Maturin. I'll check out some of the other suggestions here for sure!

Wallabyone · 25/01/2024 21:28

Just ordered the beetle one-thank you!
Hope your friend gets well soon OP x

NoraLuka · 25/01/2024 18:42

mynewusername2023 · 25/01/2024 18:02

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce - my favourite book of 2022. Not one I'd have picked up but it was our book club book and I adored it.

I came onto the thread to say this!

Squiblet · 25/01/2024 18:38

Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession might fit the bill.

CornishPorsche · 25/01/2024 18:18

If she likes historical novels, the Aubrey and Maturin novels are fabulous - the Master and Commander film with Russell Crowe is based on these. I love them!