Looking for a light hearted novel not aimed at twenty somethings

[nowitsenough]

I've been struggling with depression for over a year and I'm trying to do things I enjoy. I always loved reading, but am struggling to concentrate.

Books I've enjoyed in the past are earlier Joanna Trollope, Mary Wesley, I love books about family life, funny books, about pets, but preferably something I can relate too, not aimed at twenty somethings, but maybe mothers with teenagers or weight problems.

I loved Life after Life and Behind the scenes at the Museum. Also loved The house we grew up in.

Any suggestions?

I should add, I really don't like books that make me cry, for example about children dying.

Onions in the Stew by Betty Macdonald
My life on a plate by India Knight
Emma and I by Sheila Hocking
A Town Like Alice by Nevile Shute? not funny though has a few jokes

Milly Johnson - funny chick lit, but for the thirties, forties and fifties

Travels With My Aunt - Graham Greene

The Towers of Trebizond - Rose Macaulay

You've probably read Cold Comfort Farm?

Any P. G Wodehouse

And I always find John Buchan's Richard Hannay novels very comforting. Possibly not "relatable" but very escapist.

Have you read the cazalet books?

Did you find them lighthearted SL? They do seem to meet several of the OP's criteria but even on the radio I worried a lot about various characters.

I'm tempted to suggest Evelyn Waugh - but I'm sure very bad things happen in all of them (can't specifically remember).

www.amazon.co.uk/Changing-Room-British-Comedy-Laughter-ebook/dp/B00KH4YWQ2/ref=la_B00J8JTNFW_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425338847&sr=1-1
Not sure if link will work but if you've got a kindle this is a ( mostly) comedy about an overweight mother of teenagers among other story lines

Trying link again
www.amazon.co.uk/Changing-Room-British-Comedy-Laughter-ebook/dp/B00KH4YWQ2/ref=la_B00J8JTNFW_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425338847&sr=1-1

Not as light hearted as chick lit but I can't say they kept me up at night worrying about the characters!

Guess it depends what the op means by depressing. If it's stuff like Angela's ashes or misery lit then I think cazalets will be ok!

The Woman Who Stole My Life by Marian Keyes. Her books never fail to make me laugh, she's a brilliant writer.

Behind The Scenes At The Museum is one of my all time favourites btw - 20 years old yesterday, can you believe it?!

I've just finished The Girl On The Train (Paula Hawkins) and I Let You Go (Clare Mackintosh), but these were a bit grippy/scary and maybe not what you need right now.

Some for you! hope you feel a bit better soon.

Thank you for all the suggestions

Yes I've read Cold Comfort Farm and loved it.

I've also read My Life On A Plate and Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts, both great, exactly what I'm looking for, especially India Knight.

I haven't read any Marian Keyes for a while, so I'll give that a try too.

Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith is one of my favourite humorous books.

Have you read the James Herriot books? I loved those. They are positive, interesting, and often very funny.

If you don't mind a non fiction recommendation then any of David Sedaris's books. He makes me laugh, but maybe his humour won't appeal to everyone.

I'll keep saying till someone else reads it !

The 100 yr old man who climbed out if the window and disappeared.

Laugh out loud funny, interesting back story / now type narrative with brilliant accidental deadings of villains that try to accost the hero.

Mavis Cheek has written some very comforting but pleasing books; eg Amenable Women

I've read it Theas18 and thought it marvellous :)

84 Charing Cross Road A wonderful book about letters between a lady in America and a Bookshop employee in London.

Laurie Graham is a fabulous, really funny writer and has a great way with dialogue.
At Sea is hilarious but many of her other books are great too especially Dog Days and Glen Miller nights, The dress circle and Ten o'clock Horses.
I can't praise her enough

Yes I love The 100 Year Old Man and also James Herriot.

Have you read any Janet Evanovich (sp?) .. VERY lighthearted but great. Stefanie (sp. again!) Plum the bail bondsperson getting into scrapes in New Jersey.

Have you read any Joanne Harris?

Katie fforde. Not particularly mentally taxing, and a Happy Ending is guaranteed, but a lot better written and more emotionally literate than most romances.

Oh and her stuff usually has plenty of comedy to go with the romance, although occasionally straying into Miranda territory.