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Original poster

Give me so happy easy reading please

58 replies

polkadotorganisedchaod · 07/07/2024 18:52

My friend died this weekend and I'm so sad. I've just gorged on a couple of kindle free romances but need a slight chance. Either something more thriller or something with a twist or indeed another cheesy book but not as formulaic. Although credit where it's due, the fluffy warm hearted tale of a dog sanctuary was just what I needed. No illness in it please. Reading is my escape when not watching master chef and reading the threads that accompanied it. Thank you 🙏

OP posts:
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ilovesushi · 10/07/2024 22:00

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/07/2024 19:52

I like the Shopaholic books for mindless distraction, I'm in my 50s and very low maintenance, they are complete escapism.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I think I mostly laid in bed and started at the ceiling after one of best friends died.

I would second the Shopaholic books for fun escapism. Many years ago my DS was in PICU (he's fine now) and I remember lying next to him reading Shopaholic Ties the Knot. It was laugh out loud funny and what I needed to take myself out of myself. Weirdly when I revisited the book later it took me back to that time and I couldn't bring myself to reread it.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/07/2024 19:52

I like the Shopaholic books for mindless distraction, I'm in my 50s and very low maintenance, they are complete escapism.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I think I mostly laid in bed and started at the ceiling after one of best friends died.

Lhasatude · 10/07/2024 19:12

ilovesushi · 10/07/2024 09:05

Barbara Pym or Molly Keane maybe?

Yes, agree that Barbara Pym is a good shout - especially Crampton Hodnet.

Tippet · 10/07/2024 09:19

emgee2 · 09/07/2024 11:55

Those are all fabulous. I'd forgotten about Laurie Colwin. They're so lovely, possibly due a re-read.

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Her novels are in the process of being made available on Kindle, incidentally. Not all of them yet.

ilovesushi · 10/07/2024 09:05

Barbara Pym or Molly Keane maybe?

Tinkerbot · 09/07/2024 19:06

The word is murder by Anthony HOrowitz - a crime book for adults, possibly his first, but quite light hearted and amusing, I was not so keen on the follow up.

emgee2 · 09/07/2024 11:55

Tippet · 08/07/2024 22:07

Yes, yes. And it’s (gently and obliquely) about recovery.

My other recommendation for gentle, happy but clever novels is always Laurie Colwin. Start with Happy All the Time or A Big Storm Knocked It Over.

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Those are all fabulous. I'd forgotten about Laurie Colwin. They're so lovely, possibly due a re-read.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 09/07/2024 10:59

samedifferent · 08/07/2024 00:04

I third her.

Also enjoy Miss Read.

Also Mapp and Lucia series is gentle but sharp humor.

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Ditto to all the Mapp and Lucia. And another by E. F. Benson - Paying Guests, a great comic read - cheap via my Kindle.

MimitteAndElsaGoToSwitzerland · 08/07/2024 22:22

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 08/07/2024 17:18

When I’m low or stressed I always re-read my childhood favourites. Narnia. Tripods. Chalet School. Noel Streatfeild. K M Peyton.

Narnia is one of my mine.

The Horse and His Boy got me through a bereavement. I had one of the BBC dramatisations and listened to it until the tape snapped.

Original poster
polkadotorganisedchaod · 08/07/2024 22:08

And thanks to all of those of you taking the time to recommend me books. I truly find solace in being alone but in a different world. Perhaps better too than the red wine path of trying to escape. I thank you all

OP posts:
Tippet · 08/07/2024 22:07

DelurkingAJ · 07/07/2024 19:13

My favourite such book is ‘A Month in the Country’ by JL Carr.

Yes, yes. And it’s (gently and obliquely) about recovery.

My other recommendation for gentle, happy but clever novels is always Laurie Colwin. Start with Happy All the Time or A Big Storm Knocked It Over.

Original poster
polkadotorganisedchaod · 08/07/2024 22:02

@TwigTheWonderKid much better than GCSE physics thank you 🤩

OP posts:
ElizabethVonArnim · 08/07/2024 21:32

The Enchanted April - it's gorgeous, and it is about women (in the 1920s) recovering from their miserable lives on a beautiful holiday. Full of gentle joy and a feel-good winner.

emgee2 · 08/07/2024 20:55

Lhasatude · 08/07/2024 07:52

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delafield.

Yes, I loved Diary of a Provincial Lady
Also, seconding the Mapp and Lucia books. So very funny and clever.
Heartburn, Nora Ephron makes divorce funny
The Sweet Spot, Amy Poeppel
Cold Comfort Farm
Standard Deviation, Katherine Heiny
Bridget Jones Diary
Eligible, Curtis Sittenfeld
Rivals, Jilly Cooper
any of the early books by Kristan Higgins (the later ones have some slightly more serious issues)
Pride & Prejudice, always a comfort read

I'm so sorry for your loss, OP.

tobee · 08/07/2024 20:41

Love Nancy Mitford but some of it is pretty heartbreaking.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 08/07/2024 17:18

When I’m low or stressed I always re-read my childhood favourites. Narnia. Tripods. Chalet School. Noel Streatfeild. K M Peyton.

RockyRogue1001 · 08/07/2024 17:00

Agree about The Rosy Project, it's lovely and very funny.

I'd add The Appeal by janice hallett. Fun thriller

Diary of a somebody by brian bilston. Fun

And the night circus by Erin morgenstern.

Sorry for your loss @polkadotorganisedchaod

RockyRogue1001 · 08/07/2024 16:57

MimitteAndElsaGoToSwitzerland · 08/07/2024 15:52

Eleanor Oliphant is by Gail Honeyman.

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Oops. Sorry.

Should have RTFT 😳

RockyRogue1001 · 08/07/2024 16:55

Teacherprebaby · 08/07/2024 14:55

'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine' Neil Gaiman

Excellent read. I've gone back and read again and again.

Edited

It's a great book, and I second the recommendation.

But Neil gaiman didn't write it

TeaAndStrumpets · 08/07/2024 16:37

LadyIsabellaWrotham · 08/07/2024 16:21

You don't need to read them in a particular order, but off the top of my head I'd recommend Friday's Child, Cotillion, Frederica, Arabella, The Nonesuch, Venetia, Bath Tangle, False Colours, and The Grand Sophy (the last is almost perfect but needs a trigger warning for some anti-Semitic scenes).

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I hate lists like this, I start twitching and heading for the bookcase......

Seriously OP they are all wonderful.

LadyIsabellaWrotham · 08/07/2024 16:21

MoodEnhancer · 08/07/2024 15:49

Hi @LadyIsabellaWrotham and @minipie Interested in trying Georgette Heyer. But there are a few! Any recommendations as to where to start please? Is it worth reading them in a particular order?

You don't need to read them in a particular order, but off the top of my head I'd recommend Friday's Child, Cotillion, Frederica, Arabella, The Nonesuch, Venetia, Bath Tangle, False Colours, and The Grand Sophy (the last is almost perfect but needs a trigger warning for some anti-Semitic scenes).

MimitteAndElsaGoToSwitzerland · 08/07/2024 15:52

Teacherprebaby · 08/07/2024 14:55

'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine' Neil Gaiman

Excellent read. I've gone back and read again and again.

Edited

Eleanor Oliphant is by Gail Honeyman.

MoodEnhancer · 08/07/2024 15:51

Lhasatude · 08/07/2024 07:52

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delafield.

I read this recently and it is very funny. Highly recommend it as a gentle read, OP.

MoodEnhancer · 08/07/2024 15:49

Hi @LadyIsabellaWrotham and @minipie Interested in trying Georgette Heyer. But there are a few! Any recommendations as to where to start please? Is it worth reading them in a particular order?

ChuckleMyPeanuts · 08/07/2024 15:45

I found Victoria Hislop a gentle way back into reading after a huge family loss. Try The Island followed by its sequel. Good luck and take care.

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