Can anyone recommend a really comforting book?

[PumpkinWitch]

I am looking for something really nice to read that is not upsetting. I am doing the freedom program at the moment so anything about domestic abuse or with a lot of violence is too much for me.

I have been reading all the call the midwife books which I enjoyed. My grandma was a midwife at that time.

It can be fiction or non fiction. I don’t really like sci-fi (apart from Douglas Adams) but I enjoy lots of different types of books.

In my opinion you can’t beat mid-twentieth century social comedy, so anything by Barbara Pym, Angela Thirkell or Stella Gibbons. Personal favourites are A glass of blessings (Pym) and The Matchmaker (Gibbons).

Also, murder stories are often very comforting, especially Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers.

The first No 1 Lady's Detective Agency book actually has some quite distressing DV so I wouldn't recommend that.

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris is a beautifully comforting book, but my go to books are Georgette Heyer when I need some comfort. Lovely gentle regency romances where everything turns out perfectly in the end. Venetia, The Grand Sophy, and Frederica are my favourites

The Kindness Project by Sam Binnie. Lovely comforting book!

Go old school and read the james herriet books about his life as a vet

My Family and Other Animals

Any Sophie Anderson books.

The cazelet chronicles - early 20th century family saga - will keep you busy

Miss Pettigrew lives for a day
Mrs Harris goes to Paris

Pride and prejudice
Room with a view

How to stop time - Matt haig
One plus one
High fidelity - nick Hornsby
Cider house rules

Philip Pullman series also

@wearetheweirdosmr

Go old school and read the james herriet books about his life as a vet

2nd James Herriot

Away with the penguins is lovely lovely lovely.

Not sure that The Cider House Rules is comforting.

Jeeves & Worcester series

The Herb of Grace by Elizabeth Goudge is one I always find very comforting.

Lark Rise To Candleford by Flora Thompson. I recommend getting the trilogy which has Lark Rise, Over to Candleford and Candleford Green in the one book. It’s a semi autobiographical novel of a childhood in a small Hamlet in Oxfordshire in the 1890s. It’s so gentle but a real piece of social history that is beautifully written.

Another recommendation for Miss Read books which are stories of classroom life in a village school from 1920 - 1950. so gentle and soothing.

How about something by Bill Bryson? Made in America is interesting and easy to read, but I love all his stuff although am less into the most recent 2 books.

Any Mapp and Lucia books by EF Benson
Adorable!

A month in the country is really gentle. Literally nothing happens but in a soothing way.

@MargaretThursday I still have my childhood Malcolm Saville books and a copy of The Horn of Merlyns!
I am old!

@listentotherainonthewindowpane

I really enjoyed the keeper of lost things by Ruth hogan.

This a good book but IIRC the main character has just got out of a DV relationship so it might be a bit close to home.

Cathy woodman is fantastic for light hearted, comforting books.
She has a whole series set in this lovely village and each book follows different villagers lives, mainly focusing on the vets practice. Really easy reading and pleasant books.

Any Eva Ibbotson book but particularly "A Countess Below Stairs" aka "The Secret Princess".

For contemporary reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is good for getting lost in.

Small Pleasures - Claire Chambers

Oh yes looooove the Ibbotson emigré heroine books

The James Herriot books are perfect. Also the Hamish McBeth series by MC Beaton. All easy comforting reads.

And The Cat Who...series by... Lillian Braun I think?