What do you read when you need a break from your own problems for a while?

[Wendyer]

Having a stressful time of things recently and I’d like to escape my reality for a while into something that takes me back to a simpler time. I feel like reading something historical and safe that doesn’t require too much concentration. Agatha Christie type stuff maybe (except I’ve read all hers).

Any ideas?

the bible

I'm afraid i read mumsnet.

I actually really like crime fiction for thisn- christie but also more modern stuff. You could reread classics like Austen, Eliot? Children's books?

Dorothy L Sayers - "best known for her mysteries, a series of novels and short stories set between the First and Second World Wars that feature English aristocrat and amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey."

PG Wodehouse? His Blandings Castle books are fun escapism.

Mrs Gaskell

@peridito

Dorothy L Sayers - "best known for her mysteries, a series of novels and short stories set between the First and Second World Wars that feature English aristocrat and amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey."

Me too, though I much prefer the ones with more Harriet and less Peter (though Murder Must Advertise is brilliant). Gaudy Night I love.

Also Austen (I can recite virtually entire chapters of Persuasion and Mansfield Park, I’ve read them so often), or LM Montgomery’s Emily books.

@Fireblanket

PG Wodehouse? His Blandings Castle books are fun escapism.

Was going to say Wodehouse too ☺️

Jeeves and Wooster for me. Pure joy.

I find Austin really comforting. I’ve read all but two (Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey) and I’m about to start one cos I had a crap day at work yesterday that I can’t seem to snap out of. Pride and Prejudice (on screen or the book) always sorts me out! I do love a Christie too though, and they are very easy to read. You can do them in a day.

Georgette Heyer - works every time . I have had a set of them for years , and they all get reread

Golden age crime, mostly Christie and Sayers, but others are creeping in, often through the British Library reprints.
Terry Pratchett.
Also, you say you've read all the Christie but what about re-reading. When I need comfort reads I tend to re-read, as its like putting on your cosiest jumper, while a new book, like a new jumper, might be a bit prickly at first.

Chick lit

I do Austen too, or failing that Bill Bryson.

Sometimes I enjoy short fiction. My favourite is The Loaded Dog by Henry Lawson. It is incredibly funny and I laugh so hard I nearly fall off the couch. Another of my favourite short stories is: The New Accelerator by H.G. Wells. Not a comedy but very interesting, creative story that completely draws me in. I loved short stories by Roald Dahl and Isaac Asimov too.

The Mitford. Love in a cold climate or some such.

For anyone interested you can download for free The New Accelerator here:

onemorelibrary.com/index.php/en/books/literature/book/english-literature-172/the-new-accelerator-449

I like Sherlock Holmes for thi

I read some of Jilly Cooper’s books recently and really enjoyed them! They definitely cheered me up. I hadn’t read them since they were forbidden when I was a teenager 🤣🤣

Barbara Pym.

The Enchanted April is my favourite comfort book.

The Chronicles of Narnia. I’m currently re-reading them to DS and really enjoying it.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I’ve read most of Jane Austen’s work, and all of Georgette Heyer, including her crime novels.

Which of Dorothy L Sayers would be a good starting point? Going to investigate the British library reprints :)

@Wendyer

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I’ve read most of Jane Austen’s work, and all of Georgette Heyer, including her crime novels.

Which of Dorothy L Sayers would be a good starting point? Going to investigate the British library reprints :)

I'd start with the first Whimsy 'Whose Body?' Unlike Christie there is a clear chronology, and changes happen in the characters' lives.

Daphne Du Maurier

I'm reading the Shetland series for this reason.

Depends on my mood. If I am feeling really mentally exhausted then I want something I can sink into and not think about - Jilly Cooper fits the bill really well.

Otherwise I tend to re-read old favourites. Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice are really comforting because I love the books. Susan Howatch is a go-to - particularly Penmaric and Cashelmara. I also like Michael Crichton.

@Belathecreator thank you :).

And thanks to others for further suggestions.

I was going to say Agatha Christie but saw you’d said you've read those.

Tbh they’re my go-to. Followed by Hamish Macbeth and then Miss Read’s Fairacre series.

What I call Sunday night reading. Easygoing.