To ask for some light reading inspiration?

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I am facing a short hospital stay and I need something to read. Nothing too heavy, but something a notch above Katie Fford and her ilk, which leave me cold bored.

I have been charmed in the past by things like I Capture The Castle, Kate Atkinson's work (I'm not really interested in crime fiction – but maybe I should try hers?), The Secret History, Ian McEwan, some Kingsley Amis. Given I want something light, I would also not discount young people's literature; Harry Potter is always absorbing. One of my all-time-favourite books is We Need To Talk About Kevin, so I don't require a happy ending, though on this occasion I might err on the side of cheer.

Any suggestions?

PG Wodehouse or the Rumpole series for some light relief? I always go back to these even though I've read them a zillion times.

Or some Discworld novels in honour of Mr Pratchett?

You mentioned young adult books - there were some recommendations in the Guardian this week which looked interesting (if a little bleak perhaps) -

Guardian

You mentioned young adult books - there were some recommendations in the Guardian this week which looked interesting (if a little bleak perhaps) -

Guardian

I love a Jodi picoult book, utterly page turning!! Might not be great whilst in hospital but perfect for recuperating afterwards. Hope your hosp stay goes well for you.

If you like young peoples literature have you trieed thePhillip Pullman NorthernLigths trilogy, and the HUnger Gmaes trilogy (Suzanne Collins) - not necessarily 'light' but very absorbing and will help occupy your mind if you are feeling bored in hospital.

Something I enjoyed reading a while ago was Remarkable creatures by Tracey Chevallier. I also like to fall back on old favourites to relax and Daphne Du Maurier is a good story teller - if you haven't read any of hers before I'd recommend Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel.

Penelop Lively has written some good books (also some slightly mad ones- so read the blurb and see if the story takes your fancy - I recently read 'How it All began' and enjoyed it.) Also very light are the Alexander McCall Smith 'No one ladies detective' series- the detective aspect is minimal - its more about the characters which are great fun.

If you like historical stuff - the Matthew Shardlake books by C J Sansom are very good (again they are mysteries but very well written and lots of interesting historical stuff)

If you like Kingsely Amis you might also like Evelyn Waugh - Decline and Fall and A Handful of Dust both light reading and funny.

The Cazalet chronicles? Karen Wheeler's books about moving to France; I think there are three with a new one just about to be published. Liane Moriarty's books

Yy to C J Sansom and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books - all superb. Pratchett always a joy - RIP Pterry :,( Tom Holt is consistently funny and good value, in a similar vein to Pratchett.

Another YA fantasy series that's well worth a look is Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen, by some Australian dude whose name I forget. He also wrote the Keys to the Kingdom series, which were ok but nothing like as good imo.

If you liked We Need To Talk About Kevin, try some of Lionel Shriver's other works - I really enjoyed Double Fault and The Post Birthday World.

Oh, and So Much For That! Brilliant book about the shortcomings of the US health system.

Cold Comfort Farm
Sara Paretsky's VI Warshawski novels
Eoin Colfer
Josephine Tey
Audio books if you are too tired to read

I've really enjoyed "Rivers of London" by Ben Aaronovitch recently, there are 5 in the series so far and they are definitely light, easy to read and very enjoyable.

Im currently enjoying "The Gun Seller" by Hugh Laurie, its easy enough reading, funny but still has a decent story.

yy to Rivers of London - only recently discovered these and love them

Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series is just a delightful series of books!

I also love his Sunday Philosophy Club series too.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed The One Plus One by JoJo Moyes. Haven't tried any of her other ones yet.

Tracy Chevalier's books are lovely too - Falling Angels and The Lady and the Unicorn are v good.

I read a book called How To Talk To A Widower recently which was brilliant, and much funnier than the title suggests.

You also can't go wrong with some Nick Hornby if you want a wry chuckle.

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. It is an excellent series of novels written over the past couple of decades.

YABU. There is a section called Adult Fiction you know?

I love the Starbridge novels by Susan Howatch - loads of sex and bad behaviour in the Church of England from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Mary Wesley novels are a good light read.

I also love Saki short stories-better than Wodehouse!

In fact, short stories are a good bet generally, you're much less likely to get bogged down. I love Checkov and H.E. Bates short stories (if you think of Bates as all Darling Buds of May, the short stories are quite different in tone. I enjoyed Death of a Huntsman and An Aspidistra in Babylon). Somerset Maugham is great too.

What about the Mapp and Lucia books by E.F. Benson?

Bit left-field, but The Once and Future King books by T.H. White, starting with The Sword In The Stone, are lovely. King Arthur as you've never experienced him before. The Sword In The Stone is romantic and nostalgic and very funny.

You say you don't read crime, but I find a lot of older crime and genre novels very enjoyable: Eric Ambler from the 1950s (The Mask of Demetrios and Journey Into Fear are fabulous) and Gavin Lyall from the 1980s (Midnight Plus One, The Conduct of Major Maxim) are favourites.

Accept that IABU for posting here and my apologies – but thank you very much everyone for your kindly thought-out recommendations. Off to the book shop I go, armed with some excellent suggestions!

How about some Daphne du Maurier? I find her books absorbing but easy to read.

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a lovely, light read.

I've also really enjoyed Rachel Joyce's books.

If you've not read Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling) then I really recommend those too.

jojo moyes me before you? a bit at times but great characters.

I was going to suggest Jo JO Moyes, chick lit with a bit of weight behind it.

I also really enjoyed 'The year of taking chances' by Lucy Diamond, which has the girliest cover ever but is a really sweet little book.

Wouldn't know I read English at Oxford would you?!

I like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. They're pretty funny, light, mystery-type novels.