Escapist novels, bit magic-ky or comforting but not cheesy?

[WhyPie]

I long to really get lost in something but haven't been able to for years, I like:

1. Magic books but not too out of this world (eg I liked Leigh Bardugo, Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, for example)

1. Comforting reads that don't feature war or death (at least directly.) I enjoyed I Capture the Castle, lots of Thomas Hardy)

I have so much hope for your help!

Can the magic books feature death? If so you might enjoy the Rivers of London series

If you can handle Thomas Hardy you can handle anything :)

How about some chick lit for a fairly comforting read? Sophie Kinsella and Lisa Jewell are my faves. Both of them also tried to do one or two more serious ones, but I would ignore those.

Did you ever read The Shadow of the Wind? Or The Historian by Elizabeth Kosteva?

Thank you :-) I've never got on with chick lit though I have tried.

Will look at rivers of London but I'm not keen on detective stuff

Yes I loved the historian and shadow of the wind!

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. First of a trilogy and is magical but relevant too and certainly provokes thought!

Chocolat by Joanne Harris?

That looks good, will add atlas six to the basket

Haven't tried Joanne Harris.Am put off Chocolat because I've seen the film a few times but will look at her others

They're quite light, but fun and well written

Legends & Lattes
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

Resenting the Hero by Moira J Moore
(There's about 6 in the series)

Enchanted Inc. by Shanna Swendson
(About 10 so far)

I think I have very similar reading tastes to you and I loved Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, although it may be a little too fantastical for what you're after. Also recommend One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Have read and loved 100 years of solitude. Started Norrel years ago, liked it and then got distracted something and didn't go back to it. Will revisit!

I've just read the Marcus Lee The Chosen Trilogy - really enjoyed it, a bit of magic, but thats not the main thing

Now I'm near the end of The Gifted and The Cursed trilogy and really enjoying them too

A Calamity of Mannerings by Joanna Nadin.

Was a Christmas read for me. Reminiscent of I Capture the Castle. 1920s set coming of age YA novel about a girl called Panth whose father has just died (that might break your 'no death' rule) leaving her and her siblings living in genteel poverty. Witty and fun.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries is quite fun, and there’s a sequel too.

A Discovery of Witches trilogy by Deborah Harkness.

I loved The House in the Cerulean sea.
It’s a little bit slow at first but then it’s really lovely.

Rivers of London is more magik-y than detectiv-y I would say, and fab, I agree with PP.
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly is amazing.
The Paper Magician series - I think these might only be Kindle though

Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley

Rivers of London series by Ben aaronovitch. Also a great escapism series is the St Mary's Chronicles by Jodi Taylor. Starts with Just one damned thing after another. There's numerous short stories that slot in as well. Good reads lists the order but DON'T start with 0.5 the very first damned thing, that's worth reading later as you will get far more from it.

Anne rice the Mayfair witches is also great.

Funnily enough, I had Cerulean Sea in my basket! Hadnt thought of Anne rice - I've never read her before

Have ordered the first rivers of London

Terry Pratchett - Discworld Novel.
41 Novels altogether. They do stand alone but benefit from reading in order after the first 3 or 4 which can be read at any time.

What about
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus also by Erin Morgenstern
Caraval by Stephanie Garber