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Original poster

Recommendations for comforting reads please

83 replies

Colefra · 18/11/2025 15:43

I'm struggling with very frustrating insomnia. I wake at around 4a.m. I pick up my Kindle and reading helps keep those anxious, dark thoughts away at that time. It's dark, it's cold so I need some comforting, cosy reads for that time in the morning.

OP posts:
PersisFord · 27/11/2025 19:09

This is my ultimate favourite genre

Agree with Georgette Heyer as the queen. And Nancy Mitford as close second.

I have just run through the Yours Cheerfully books by AJ Pearce. War books so some heartache but v lovely.

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice.

Bill Bryson esp A Walk in the Woods and Thunderbolt Kid.

I love an Agatha Christie too (except And Then There Were None which is brilliant but the most unnerving book i have ever read).

MrsMitford3 · 23/11/2025 18:22

berlinbaby2025 · 18/11/2025 18:18

84 Charing Cross Road.

Not sure if you listen to audio books-and they are very contentious on a book thread- but I listen when I am walking my dog.

The audio book of this is utterly wonderful!!!

MonkeyTennis34 · 23/11/2025 12:36

Lostthetastefordahlias · 23/11/2025 09:05

Not very intellectual but I love Sarah Morgan’s Christmas books this time of year.

Me too!
They are my guilty pleasure.

RuudGullitOnAShed · 23/11/2025 10:47

Elizabeth Goudge books would be perfect for this.

The Damerosehay Trilogy would be a great place to start

Shangrilalala · 23/11/2025 10:25

Adore Barbara Pym and Georgette Heyer.

Another favourite of mine is Love for Lydia - HE Bates.

Slothisavirtue · 23/11/2025 10:23

MrsMitford3 · 23/11/2025 10:20

I also go back to childhood-Ballet Shoes and Dancing Shoes.
Secret Garden, Little Princess.

I also (no surprise if you see my user name) find Nancy Mitford so comforting-have read and re-read dozens and dozens of time.
Think current fav is Love in a Cold Climate.

Have taken notes on this thread-some great suggestions.

Yes Love in Cold Climate was recommended to me on here when I needed books for comfort and it was perfect!

Slothisavirtue · 23/11/2025 10:22

Also, I just read The Christmas Star, a collection of three stories by Eva Ibbotson and they were so beautiful and relaxing and unexpected

MrsMitford3 · 23/11/2025 10:20

I also go back to childhood-Ballet Shoes and Dancing Shoes.
Secret Garden, Little Princess.

I also (no surprise if you see my user name) find Nancy Mitford so comforting-have read and re-read dozens and dozens of time.
Think current fav is Love in a Cold Climate.

Have taken notes on this thread-some great suggestions.

Slothisavirtue · 23/11/2025 10:19

Oh yes , A Month in the Country is lovely @BlueEyedBogWitch ! I read it earlier this year and was sad when it ended

DarkEyedSailor · 23/11/2025 10:17

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie lots on eBay, I've just had a look!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/11/2025 10:12

BlueEyedBogWitch · 23/11/2025 09:36

It’s available from Persephone Books.

It’s wonderful, and is one of my favourites, along with Green Gates, by the same writer.

Show quote history

Thank you.

Slothisavirtue · 23/11/2025 10:05

An Enchanted April
Miss Pettigrew lives for a day
The White Umbrella by Brian Sewell

Slothisavirtue · 23/11/2025 10:03

Another vote for PG Wodehouse

I also often re read books from my childhood if I want comfort - Heidi, Ballet Shoes, Anne of Green Gables, Swallows and Amazons...

BlueEyedBogWitch · 23/11/2025 09:39

I second (fourth?) PG Wodehouse, James Herriot and EF Benson.

I also recommend:

Leonard and Hungry Paul.
The Blue Castle.
I Capture The Castle.
A Month In The Country.

BlueEyedBogWitch · 23/11/2025 09:36

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/11/2025 09:33

A Fortnight in September sounds sweet but I think it might be out of print. I can’t find it on Amazon.

Show quote history

It’s available from Persephone Books.

It’s wonderful, and is one of my favourites, along with Green Gates, by the same writer.

Yourinmyspot · 23/11/2025 09:36

I find the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series of books by Alexander McCall Smith to be very gentle, comforting, easy reads. Being set in Africa they are also good to read in winter!

Halfhardy · 23/11/2025 09:35

Try books by Lissa Evans, recent books but set around World War 2. Old Baggage features Mattie Simpkins, an indomitable former suffragette. Crooked Heart is set during the blitz and features some of the same characters. Small Bomb at Dimperley is set during the war. There's a lot of humour and the characters are engaging.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/11/2025 09:33

DarkEyedSailor · 23/11/2025 09:02

I've recommended this a lot under various usernames: The Fortnight In September. By R.C Sheriff.
A really very lovely gentle book about a normal family on a normal holiday in the 1930s. I've re-read it every year for 30 years.

And the Darling Buds Of May and the others in the series, by H.E. Bates.

A Fortnight in September sounds sweet but I think it might be out of print. I can’t find it on Amazon.

Lostthetastefordahlias · 23/11/2025 09:05

Not very intellectual but I love Sarah Morgan’s Christmas books this time of year.

DarkEyedSailor · 23/11/2025 09:02

I've recommended this a lot under various usernames: The Fortnight In September. By R.C Sheriff.
A really very lovely gentle book about a normal family on a normal holiday in the 1930s. I've re-read it every year for 30 years.

And the Darling Buds Of May and the others in the series, by H.E. Bates.

JacknDiane · 23/11/2025 09:01

Great idea for a thread @Colefra, thank you.

bdkenwbah · 23/11/2025 08:58

The Cazalet Chronicles. I find those books so comforting.

grannyjacob · 23/11/2025 08:55

The late Rebecca Shaw wrote 19 books about life in the fictional English village of Turnham Malpas. She also wrote six books about a Vet’s Practice and the local farming community in and around the fictional English town of Barleybridge. Both series are very easy reads.

Piratejenny99 · 23/11/2025 08:54

Alexander McCall Smith 44 Scotland Street series are lovely gentle mildly funny books.

Boudy · 23/11/2025 08:33

I really find Victoria Clayton's books comforting. My favourite is Clouds Among the Stars.