Comforting reads

[VittysCardigan]

I used to be an avid reader and able to escape into books but really struggle lately. I am looking for suggestions of something to lose myself in. The last book that I really, really loved was Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, the first book I've loved for a long time. I got fed up of crime novels that seemed to contain graphic violence just for the sake of it and although I enjoy Jill Mansell & Jenny Colgan I would like something more.

I used to enjoy sagas/series of books. Authors I have enjoyed are: Stephen King, Ken Follett, Marian Keyes, Anne McCaffrey, Terry Pratchett

Can anyone please suggest something with a good story with no gratuitous violence to keep me interested

The 100 year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared. Had me hooked.

the Number 1 ladies detective agency - set in Africa and is more about people than crime. There are follow ups too.

Thank you, I think I have 100 year old man somewhere

Yy To the 100 y old man - wonderful and quite surprising. Not at all twee as the title suggests.

I find myself I a similar place though so a bit of place marking x

I quite like Ann cleevrs . Despite being crime they examine human relationships and I find it comforting.

I highly recommend Eleanor Oliphant, best thing I've read for years

The Keeper of Lost Things is lovely.

I'm another one who finds some crime fiction comfort reading, but going back to older novels:

Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle

Stella Gibbons, Cold Comfort Farm and Nightingale Wood

Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet novels are a family saga written by a literary novelist. I think they're not cosy or anything but they are are really good reads with substance.

I have read the first Cazalet book & think I've got the second knocking around somewhere

Was just coming on to say The Cazalet Chronicles!
Also all the James Herriot

I agree with everything elkie says!

Also Georgette Heyer

I’ve read nearly every book mentioned here. Must try the 109 year old man one.
Total change of pace for me while recovering but I loved tha Agatha Raisin novels. Silly crimes lovely village life. Lots of fresh air.

I liked the agatha raisin novels too although she started to irritate me.

I have lost my reading mojo

The Shell Seekers. A bit old-fashioned now, but a lovely warm read.

Oh yes!

Elizabeth peters for gentle crime too

The Trouble With Goats and Sheep

Elanor and Park

The 44 Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith. I read all 10 back to back and found them so calming and ridiculous as well as funny, touching and sweet. A real feel good series. I didn’t enjoy The First Ladies Detective Club by the same writer but I loved this.

Itsanicehotel I was just coming on here to say Scotland Street! It's fab isn't it? It's so warm and well-written and easy to read - and although it's a light read I think AMS addresses - in an under the radar way - a lot of the annoyances/problems we have in modern society. I love those books (especially Bertie!).

Confession here - not fashionable I know. I have had surgery on several occasions and the Miss Read books were balm to my spirit - old fashioned, pleasant, with a bit of a bite - not bland. But wholesome and very clued in to the human spirit.

A beautifully illustrated edition of The Wind in the Willows.

Need inspiration too....

I’ve just churned through 20 Agatha Raisins.....

The secret diary of Hendrik Groen is lovely, about an old Dutch man. I love the Ben Aaronavitch books, rivers of London series.

A Man Called Ove - lovely story, very heart warming, subtle, made me smile and I couldn't put it down.

Wonder - it's teen fiction really but it's bloody brilliant, I laughed, I cried and I can't wait to see it in the cinema.

Interesting that there are recomendations for The Hundred Year Old Man, I so wanted to love it and there were bits I loved but I found it hard work, really in your face and a bit much.

Yes I’ve just started the 100 year old man....it’s ok....

I love 'golden era' cosy detective novels - Agatha Christie of course but Georgette Heyer also wrote quite a few of these, also the Patricia Wentworth Miss Silver mysteries and her other non detective fiction.

Some of these are available to borrow free from openlibrary.org/

Open Library also has plenty of Enid Blytons to borrow if you feel like really going back to cosy reading times!

You can download a reader - I use BlueFire.

Yes Agatha Christie is always good! I love Enid Blyton too. Also what about other children's books like 101 Dalmatians, Carrie's War, Mary Poppins etc. Also Jeeves and Wooster books are so funny as well.