Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Books that aren't thrillers/ too depressing

25 replies

TapStepBallChange · 04/07/2017 21:43

I've read so many psychological thrillers recently, or books that are quite dystopian or depressing, I need something light hearted. I'd love something either like The Rosie Project, not quite as fluffy as the shopaholic novels, but something light would make a nice change at the moment.

OP posts:
MuchasSmoochas · 04/07/2017 21:45

I'm sick of thrillers too. I recently really enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Quirky story about a Russian aristo who is put into hotel arrest, it's entertaining, sad and funny.

iseenodust · 04/07/2017 21:50

Try Carl Hiaasen's Sick Puppy - ignore the title it's a light & entertaining read.

TapStepBallChange · 05/07/2017 09:17

Thanks I'll have to have a look at them, not heard of either which is always good

OP posts:
girlsyearapart · 05/07/2017 09:18

Anything liane moriarty or Emily Barr

SatsukiKusakabe · 05/07/2017 17:28

Where'd You Go Bernadette - intelligent, funny light but with an edge to it.

The Rosie Effect - follow up?

You might like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - has a very dark side but is ultimately uplifting and about friendship finding your way out of loneliness and leaving behind an abusive past. The main character is quirky like Don Tillman (but female). I hesitate to recommend though as it does have much darker themes, though these are very much in the background for most of it, don't read if feeling fragile.

I'm about to read Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld - modern take on the Pride and Prejudice storyline should imagine that might fit the bill.

SatsukiKusakabe · 05/07/2017 17:29

I really do recommend Bernadette if you haven't read though!

Octopus37 · 05/07/2017 17:33

The Boy who fell to earth by Cathy Lette. Also Liane Moriarty or Claire Calman

MangosteenSoda · 05/07/2017 17:43

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is my top pick for a well written light read.

My favourite books from the last few years have been All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

For pure escapist page turning trash-lite I'd go for Crazy Rich Asians and its sequels by Kevin Kwan.

MumBod · 05/07/2017 18:44

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry.

Just finished this and I LOVED it.

seefeld · 05/07/2017 18:51

I'm reading Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny - Amazon link It's very, very funny.

Also loved Where Did You Go Bernadette? fan

seefeld · 05/07/2017 18:52

Oops!

MintCakeMavis · 05/07/2017 18:55

The scheme for full employment by Magnus Mills. Anything from him always leaves me content.

MuchasSmoochas · 05/07/2017 19:06

Yes to Bernadette. And love the look of Standard Deviation, have put it on my list.

girlsyearapart · 05/07/2017 19:08

Another Bernadette vote!

SatsukiKusakabe · 05/07/2017 19:14

seefeld have Standard Deviation on my wish list, somhood to get a rec for it.

And second The Essex Serpent - beautiful book.

TapStepBallChange · 06/07/2017 21:37

Never heard of Bernadette so that's definitely going on the list. Read Essex serpent a while ago and it was ok, but I didn't love it as much as many. Will look up liane moriaty. I think I've read all the Emily Barr, I think I have a couple of Dorothy komsoon books to read

OP posts:
HappydaysArehere · 18/07/2017 21:20

The Keeper of Things. Loved this book. It was such a refreshing change from the norm. DH really enjoyed it as well.

alizziebee · 21/07/2017 15:18

Fun books that are not too serious but a good read ...

Handbags and Halos by Bernadette Strachan and George Valentines Retirement Plan by Laurence Cooper.

ImperialBlether · 21/07/2017 15:22

Have you read the other Sophie Kinsella standalones? Remember Me, Can You Keep a Secret and The Undomesticated Goddess were all good.

CattyMcCatface · 21/07/2017 18:42

Can I suggest The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson - I really liked it. Quirky and funny.

Purple999Red · 30/07/2017 10:45

Read Jude Deveraux books. She's one of my favorite authors.

missyB1 · 30/07/2017 10:51

I also recommend Liane Moriarty books. And I'm reading "Eleanor Oliphant is perfectly fine" at the moment, really enjoying it as it's something a bit different.

HuevosRancheros · 01/08/2017 20:53

I came on to recommend The 100 Year Old Man Who...

Also, The Curious Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is unusual and a good read.

It sounds an unlikely read (well, it did to me) but The Stone Man by Luke Smitherd was well written and a real page turner :)

TapStepBallChange · 06/08/2017 16:53

Sorry never came back to this thread. Just finished Eleanor Oliphant, I loved it, just what I needed. Bernadette next I think. Also reading elena ferrante for a change of pace too

OP posts:
Vistaverde · 08/08/2017 14:15

How about the Boy Made of Blocks - Keith Stuart.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.