To suggest a thread of calming, morale-boosting book and film recommendations?

[ArriettyJones]

I have just started re-reading “We Are at War” edited by Simon Garfield. (Disclaimer: I have never met him, and have no connection to the publishers).

After that I am going to revisit “Wartime Women: A Mass Observation Anthology. I have no connection to that publisher either. I have had the pleasure of meeting Prof Sheridan a couple of times and thought she was a fabulous woman and writer.

They are both edited volumes from the Mass Observation archives that collected the diaries of ordinary people in WW2. Its a great archive and feels very relevant this week.

Any other ideas as “Keep Calm & Carry on” style inspiration?

Or maybe lighthearted distraction type recommendations?

My work has dropped right off and I know there are a few of us indoors twiddling thumbs and trying not to overthink.

[[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass-Observation Mass Observation info] Hooefully clicky!

I've got a thing for the Greek myths told from a female perspective at the moment. Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller are very good.

A very escapist, calm book is The Enchanted April.

Last night I watched Booksmart (Amazon prime) and it's so funny and smart. Highly recommended for some escapism

"Jeff who lives at home" is a lovely gentle film. I think it's on Netflix

I came late to the party and just read "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine" which was brilliant but I sobbed my way through it so maybe not calming!

I've been rereading the Tillerman cycle by Cynthia Voigt, YA and tackles some weighty issues but in a very gentle, heartfelt way.

For light relief I've been reading murder mysteries (Agatha Christie and Susannah Gregory) and Discworld (the Tiffany Aching ones are my favourite)

PG Wodehouse never fails to lift the spirits.

I don't currently have any (I wore them out with multiple re-reading), and have just looked online for a Blandings omnibus, but couldn't find one, so am about to order 2 volumes of Jeeves.

Wodehouse is the funniest writer ever to have written in English, imo. I've never seen a dramatisation that matches his writing for humour.

I’m currently reading “my last supper” by Jay Rayner and it’s excellent. He’s a food critic who goes on a journey to discover what he would have as his best and last ever meal on Earth. The way he writes about food is really something.

Oh fabulous. I’m going to look these up and add stuff to watch and wish lists.

I’ve today woken up and banned all radio and TV news except for one hour in the evening, (in the main rooms) which feels better.

My most uplifting comfort read is Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination by Helen Fielding - silly and funny, but with a very persuasive grasp life by the horns message.

Also uplifting and comforting is my possibly favourite book ever, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. It's beautifully, intelligently hilarious and has multiple brilliant happy ever afters, especially for the main character, who's an inspiration.

Place marking. Also a big fan of P G Wodehouse. And Terry Pratchett. I'd like more gentle/funny film recommendations - I'm a bit ill (not CV) and I can't concentrate well.

God, I have a shelf full of books I’ve been waiting to read for ages.
So the plan is this:
In the mornings I read a chapter from a mindfulness book and meditate a little. Same with the last thing at night.

I have a dog training book that I must read so I don’t mess up her ‘education’. But it is a bit like taming toddlers 😂.

And then I have lots of ‘good to read in the bath’ not very taxing books.

:)

I have just started re-reading the Shetland series, by Ann Cleeves - distracting myself with a bit of murder mystery.

When I want something a bit more soothing, I have a few sample chapters of This Golden Fleece, by Esther Rutter on my kindle - which is her account of a year spent exploring the history of knitting in the UK, and the different local patterns and traditions. I have read the opening couple of chapters, and it is fascinating (to a knitter, anyway) and I am going to order the book.

In browsing Amazon, I also spotted a book called Patterns of India - about the fabric and patterns of Rajasthan, and I have added that to my wish list - it looks like it will be full of beauty and colour, and will be just the thing to take my mind off CV.

Murder mystery does seem appealing, doesn’t it? Odd because it’s not exactly cheerful

I suppose Sayers, Christie, anything that takes you to a different reality is comforting though.

I love Jay Rayner but I’m in two minds about reading fantasy food while looking at my lentils stockpile

It's a TV series rather than film or book, but I found "The Detectorists" exactly hit the spot recently when I needed something calming and a bit uplifting during a stressful time. It's really lovely- bit sad in places, but full of little sparks of beautiful humanity.

Well 'Gardeners World' is back on tv tomorrow so spring must be in the air.

I would also recommend The Detectorists, found it on iPlayer over Christmas and loved it!

Might look out PG Woodhouse. I've read a couple of his but not for ages... James Herriot is another of my go to authors for easy, well written humour. In a similar vein the Larkin books (forgotten the author! The Darling Buds of May series) Gervais Phinn and Gerald Durrell.

I'll look for Ann Cleve, Olivia Joules and Cold Comfort Farm. I find non fiction books hard to get into but the knitting one sounds interesting. Do you think it would be accessible for a non knitter @SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius?

In a similar vein the Larkin books (forgotten the author! The Darling Buds of May series

H E Bates! I love so many of these.

I’ve actually still got some unpacked boxes from last move from last house move, so I’m off to have a rummage before I buy anything else new.

And that’s at least two votes for The Detectorists so that sounds hopeful. I think DH might go for that too.

Lord of the flies

Seriously
I will probably reread P&P and some other Austen.
Terry Pratchett
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Vanity Fair

It’s an old film - but Father Goose with Cary Grant is a corker.

The third series of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators is on iPlayer, along with the first two seasons. It’s the loveliest cozy mystery series, gorgeous scenery, lovely characters, and the whole thing is like being wrapped up in a warm blanket.

I watched The Lady Vanishes on Netflix this week, pure charming escapism.

Found a black comedy last night called Extra Ordinary. An Irish film about a clairvoyant who fancies a guy who is haunted by his dead wife. Again on Netflix. It has a good lot of story, some silly, some lovely.

I have to agree with @BillieLurk about Shakespeare & Hathaway. Far too good for daytime telly, DH and I recorded every series to enjoy in the evenings.

My favourite ever read is The 100 year old man who climbed out of a window.
Impossible to accurately describe in a few words, it’s something like Forrest Gump as in he has amazing adventures with amazing characters in surreal circumstances. Had me guffawing often.
Another lovely read is The 100 foot journey. I had it on my old kindle, but I’m tempted to download it again or buy it in paperback. It’s so descriptive, both books became films, neither film did the book justice.

The happiness project by Gretchen rubin. It's non fiction but written in a narrative format so very accessible. Sort of a diary of a year where she decided to be more happy and how she did it.

My best cheer up films are The Wedding Singer and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. For a comforting read I don't think you can beat James Herriot. TV wise lately I have enjoyed Gameface and Friday Night Dinner on All4, and revisiting Friends on Netflix is nice and calming!