Fiction to get lost in that has nothing of real-world sadness in it?

[CosmicLatte]

Any recommendations? I want to get lost in a story but can’t bear anything realistic in terms of sad stuff. Nothing war related, even if fantasy. Help!

stuff I generally love =

• literary classics that are far enough away time-wise to cope with

• witchy/wizardy things

thanks in advance! My resolution is to try to relax before bed without relying on wine. This is part of it!

The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston? Both historical and witchy

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Ffordd
Terry Pratchett - Witches series

Ah I’ve read Jasper Fford but never Pratchett!

Tanya Huff might suit your brief, the Ench
Iantment Emporium is a nice place to start.

Lois McMaster Bujold is excellent and her Penric and Desdemona books (start with Penric's Demon) are lovely, there are a few conflicts going on in the background but that's pretty remote and overall it's a really heartwarming story.

Jodi Taylor - St Marys series
Jim Butcher - Harry Dresden series
Benedict Jacka - Inheritance of Magic series, Alex Versus series
Kevin Hearne - Iron Druid Chronicles

I’d recommend checking out some Japanese/Korean authors.

One of my favourites is The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miyee Lee.

Ooh Lois McMaster and Benedict Jacka look great!

Robin Hobb.. Farseer Trilogy (and the rest... it's a big series)
Magic, other universe, HUGE stories that sweep you away.
I introduced my adult DD recently (she loves HP, magic, alternative universe etc) and she's hooked... they are richly drawn and suck you right into the world.

Lois McMaster is wonderful, leaving a truly positive feeling and also with depth. If you read her space opera series, in some books you may have moments of not being able to sleep for giggling though.

all the McMaster ones seem to only be on kindle…

Thanks will add to basket!

Snow Child

I'd love some similarly cheerful books, but I don't like wizards, sci-fi, etc so keeping an eye out for suggestions that are not that.

OHMYGOD get yourself into Discworld. It starts a bit clunky and slow, but you’ll absolutely fall in love with it as the series progresses.

Terry Pratchett opened my eyes to loving books and I miss him terribly!

If you want to try Terry Pratchett suggest you skip the first two (Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic). Those two weren’t great, but gets a lot better after that. The witches ones - Wyrd Sisters, Equal Rites, Witches Abroad, Lords and Ladies) are my favourites but the Captain Vimes ones are great too.

For proper escapist comfort reading my go to is Georgette Heyer. Basically Bridgerton without the sex.

"Did you yell going in?"

PG Wodehouse - upper class lighthearted comedy, brilliant writing, nothing bad ever happens

EF Benson Mapp & Lucia series - society ladies feuding. May raise blood pressure if you are left wing or have sarcastic in laws.

Rivers of London series - lots of magic conflict but not much personal /close to home stuff. Basically the magic branch of the Met (without any of the real life police nastiness)