Your favourite cosy, autumn-wintery, curl up by the fire books?

[LRDMaguliYaPomochTebeSRaboti]

I put this in Adult Fiction but I'd be happy with recommendations for memoirs or children's books or whatever, as well. Just has to be the sort of book you love to sit down with on a cold autumn day and read from cover to cover. Bonus points if you come up with suggestions for good Christmas reading for later on.

Doesn't have to be set in/evocative of autumn and winter, just books you feel you'd want to read at this time of year.

Thank you.

Sorry just realised Moondial is out of print

I'll rectify that.

trazzle - I'll keep an eye out for an old copy. I hunt out of print children's books in charity shops.

I agree with Sarah Waters.

My favorite, although it's a harder read is Michael Faber's The Crimson Petal and The White and then The Apple, a collection of short stories about the same characters.

There's some great passages near the beginning describing the cold weather that are perfectly written and make you so glad to be wrapped up in the warm.

The Diary of a Country Parson, James Woodforde 1758-1802

.....a brilliant picture of traditional English rural society......

This is my perfect fireside reading as the nights draw in, cat on lap , a glass of Sloe Gin and the sounds of the hearth to keep me company. I have read it many times and just adore James Woodforde.

Please read this book and join the many James Woodforde fans ( there are James Woodforde societies too).

The TV version of Tipping The Velvet? Yes, it's EXCELLENT. I defy you not to fall in love with Keeley Hawes.

I've got it on DVD- it was on last week on one of the cable channels actually. I'll post you my copy, and you can bring it back at the next meet-up. Likewise Fingersmith, but you must promise to read them both first.

Oh, I already have a thing for Keeley Hawes after Ashes to Ashes. And thanks - but I have got a copy, I just haven't got around to watching it. Will do now.

Yes, and Bring up the Bodies. I really enjoyed them. I can't get on with Beyond Black, though. I've read the Cornwell, and it is good - I think I've read pretty much everything he's written except the new Grail story one, because DH and I are very slowly getting through the audio tapes on car journeys, and I don't want to dash ahead.

I should look into Mary Renault, thanks.

Bring Up is a lot easier to read on that score, I think.

Hated Beyond Black. Wolf Hall, I completed but was growling most of the way through it due to dubious writing quality. Not read Bodies.

No-one said The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase yet?

And have you finished The Nine Tailors? That's pretty wintery!

I've finished it, yes! Was it you who recommended it? If so, thank you. Beautifully spooky. I've read quite a lot of hers now.

I must dig out my copy of Wolves. That is good winter stuff.

TC = Bodies not Beyond Black.

You made me laugh though. Every time I read a new book about Captain Scott, I hope that this time he'll make it home! :)

Yep, I am also deliberately suspending disbelief. No idea what happens to him. Honest.

Sounds like we have similar tastes. I must try some of your recommendations. Based on what you have said I would recommend:
Forever Amber - like Katherine but better
Cross stitch
mists of Avalon
The Thirteenth Tale
The Discovery of Witches
Enjoy!

Of course. It is practically fact.

titan - Forever Amber is already on its way from Amazon!
Will look to the others ... only reservation I have is Discovery of Witches. Someone on here - IIRC sieglinde (who I haven't seen for yonks) was a bit sneery about it and said it she'd got the bits wrong, does that make sense? I don't know what it's about really so hoping I've got the wright book.

right book.

I have read most of what she's written.

Sorry. But it makes up for the lack of Sunne in Splendour. Ish.