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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:
Songlines · 08/07/2024 15:44

Another vote for Jodi Taylor. Chronicles of St Mary's and the spin off Time Police books. If you have Audible then I'd also recommend anything read by Stephen Fry, his voice is so relaxing and just draws you in.

londonmummy1966 · 08/07/2024 15:36

Another vote for Georgette Heyer's Regency books. Some of them are a bit "who dunnit" and others are just a light and amusing read. Even the latter are well plotted. I would suggest that Cotillion, Frederica, The Grand Sophy and Faro's Daughter are amongst the lightest.

AuntieGrizelda · 08/07/2024 15:09

What about Under the Tuscan Sun by Francis Mayes.

Also, A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. There are two other books in the series.

They are both quite old now but I think they would be escapist for you.

I would also agree with the Miss Read Fairacre books.

Teacherprebaby · 08/07/2024 14:55

'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine' Neil Gaiman

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

FizzingAda · 08/07/2024 08:52

Lilian Beckwith's series of books where she moves to a Hebridean Island after illness, eventually gets a Croft, and her life and interactions with the locals. Humourous and interesting. the Sea for Breakfast is the first one.

DelurkingAJ · 08/07/2024 08:19

Tezza1 · 08/07/2024 05:00

@DelurkingAJ Was that book made into a film with the very young Kenneth Branagh restoring/painting a mural.? It was briefly at the cinema where I saw it at the time and remember loving it. For some reason I thought it was by the author of "A Room with a View".

I wasn’t aware of the film but, having had a quick look, yes it is. (Adds to list of films to watch!).

Lhasatude · 08/07/2024 07:52

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delafield.

Onewildandpreciouslife · 08/07/2024 06:27

Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie - funny, heartwarming and a little bit sexy

Tezza1 · 08/07/2024 05:00

@DelurkingAJ Was that book made into a film with the very young Kenneth Branagh restoring/painting a mural.? It was briefly at the cinema where I saw it at the time and remember loving it. For some reason I thought it was by the author of "A Room with a View".

FleaDog · 08/07/2024 01:21

Three Things About Elsie

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

Mothership4two · 08/07/2024 00:49

Chronicles of St Mary's are a great series.

Abouttimeforanamechange · 08/07/2024 00:07

Thirding Georgette Heyer. Laugh out loud funny in places. She writes terrific secondary characters, and some of her books have a mystery element as well as a romance.

Jodi Taylor is also very funny, but be warned, characters do die.

samedifferent · 08/07/2024 00:04

minipie · 07/07/2024 23:32

Seconding Georgette Heyer. Like Bridgerton but better written and no sex.

I third her.

Also enjoy Miss Read.

Also Mapp and Lucia series is gentle but sharp humor.

minipie · 07/07/2024 23:32

Seconding Georgette Heyer. Like Bridgerton but better written and no sex.

NannyGythaOgg · 07/07/2024 23:29

Jodi Taylor. Chronicles of St Mary's. Fabulous, funny, contemporary books. I love them, my daughter loves them. I recommended to a friend and she has now bought more.

They are fun, daft, intelligent and full of disasters, relationships (broad spectrum) and just so real. Please give them a go.

Also Terry Pratchett Disc World books - I was hooked, until I read them all

Cooper77 · 07/07/2024 23:18

P G Wodehouse is the true master of joyful escape. Stephen Fry called his language “sunlit perfection,” and someone else described reading him as “like swimming in champagne.” For me, pure bliss is laying in a hot bath listening to Stephen Fry read Sherlock Holmes or P G Wodehouse.

I also find Patrick Fermor’s A Time of Gifts a total joy.

Ophy83 · 07/07/2024 22:58

Romance: The Bridgerton book series is great for easy distraction, the Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt or anything by Sarah Morgan for formulaic romance.

Cosy crime: Richard Osman makes me laugh out loud. Marlowe murders. Anthony Horowitz the word is murder series is excellent. SJ Bennett's the queen investigates series.

Feel good: The Rosie Project. The flat share. Peter Murphy"s Walden of Bermondsey series.

The Harry Potter series is my go to when I am going through a tough time. Generally listening to it on Audible.

TeaAndStrumpets · 07/07/2024 22:29

Fran Smith, Sister B Letters (on Kindle unlimited). Sequel is The Power of Cake.

Set in a convent, they are letters written by a nun to her penpal, and very easy to pick up and put down. Gentle and humorous.

TwigTheWonderKid · 07/07/2024 22:17

Mothership4two · 07/07/2024 22:09

Link took me to an Amazon page for Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

@TwigTheWonderKid this is the sequel to Lost For Words. Does it matter if you haven't read that one first?

Crossposted!

Edited
Show quote history

Sorry, meant to put them in the correct order. The second book definitely stands alone but if you do read the second one and then want to read the first it might have been better to do it the other way round.

Mothership4two · 07/07/2024 22:09

polkadotorganisedchaod · 07/07/2024 21:34

@TwigTheWonderKid I got a link to exam papers ?! Would take my mind off things I guess!

Link took me to an Amazon page for Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

@TwigTheWonderKid this is the sequel to Lost For Words. Does it matter if you haven't read that one first?

Crossposted!

TwigTheWonderKid · 07/07/2024 22:08

polkadotorganisedchaod · 07/07/2024 21:34

@TwigTheWonderKid I got a link to exam papers ?! Would take my mind off things I guess!

How strange! Link works for me.

Give me so happy easy reading please
Original poster
polkadotorganisedchaod · 07/07/2024 21:34

@TwigTheWonderKid I got a link to exam papers ?! Would take my mind off things I guess!

OP posts:
Gorgonemilezola · 07/07/2024 19:41

Sorry about your friend.

The Magic Apple Tree by Susan Hill is my go to comfort read - countryside, nature, gardening, cooking, the year turning, feasts and festivals.

Patrick Dennis' Auntie Mame books or HE Bates, The Darling Buds of May. Flora Thompson, Lark Rise.

I agree with Blackcountryexile about this Miss Read books - the Fair acre series are gently, wryly humourous.

Nancy Mitford, perhaps.

AbstemiousBreakfast · 07/07/2024 19:36

I love it @Mothership4two, I've read the book and watched the film, and I've just listed to the Audiobook as well. It's beautiful.

Mothership4two · 07/07/2024 19:35

Stardust is a lovely read

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