I enjoy books where there is triumph over adversity,but also sad endings are fine too. Any era before 1960s. I have just finished A thousand splendid suns which I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed Attonement, the boy in stripped pyjamas and the Crimson petal and the white. I don't mind if they are less known authors as some of the best books I have read have been ones I have found in charity shops or ones left by previous holiday makers.