Something lovely please

[Backingvocals]

I’m in a reading rut. Please help. I need something compelling, not stressful (no thrillers), a reasonable amount of literary merit (nothing with one of those wishy washy covers or anything that’s described as “a tale of life, love and chocolate” or similar - I’m trying not to say no chick lit as I hate that phrase but really that’s what I mean).

I have loved Poisonwood Bible, The Signature of All Things, lots of Dickens ....I guess these are plot and character driven. I quite enjoyed the Essex Serpent. Wanted to love Golden Hill but not sure I’ve got the stamina for it right now (lots of life stress).
Anything you can recommend that I can fall in love with?

What about anything by A.S. Byatt?

If you liked Poisonwood Bible try Flight Behaviour also by Barbara Kingslover. I've just finished it and it was totally engrossing .

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison.

Any of the Shardlake books if you like historical fiction.

I do like A S Byatt but fear she might be a bit beyond me atm. Shardlake is a good call - family members are huge fans. Will search up the others too.

I can highly recommend Anna Mazzola's Unseeing. Fantastic book. And, if it makes a difference, she's a Mumsnetter, so you could talk to her about it!

If you liked Sarah Water's Fingersmith, you will love this.

Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis - joyful, hilarious, delicious, 1920s glamorous decadence; like Jeeves and Wooster but in Manhattan in the 20s with the most marvellous female protagonist. It's just wonderful.

Keeper of Lost Things. Or My Grandmother Sends Her Regards & Apologises. Lovely.

Lovely. I did like Fingersmith so will explore that and all the others. I have put them all in my Amazon basket but will try to get down to the proper bookshop.

I liked Poisonwood Bible too. And Essex Serpent.

Some favourites that have got me engrossed when I have been struggling to find something to enjoy reading:

A Town Like Alice
Gone With the Wind (long, but wonderful, and quite easy)
Small Island by Andrea Levy
Woman in White/Moonstone

Vinegar girl, the new Anne Tyler

All the light we cannot see by Anthony doerr
Or Americanah by Chimamanda Ndgozi Adichi.
Or The underground railroad.

Following this thread as I fancy a lovely book too!

Or Half a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ndgozi Adichi

Very sad though.

Think I should read Underground Railroad as I really liked both of Rainbow's suggestions.

The Paris wife is a lovely book.

The Observations by Jane Harris could be just what you're looking for OP. Original, engaging and with a great narrative voice. Must reread it soon.

Also, have a look at Ann Patchett, one of my favourite authors. Bel Canto, State of Wonder and Commonwealth are all excellent.

Btw, when you say "not stressful" would reading about explicit cruelty upset you? Because although I agree that Underground Railroad is a great book, there are some harrowing scenes in it so you have to be feeling strong to read it I think. Same goes for Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. Beautifully written but deeply disturbing in parts.

Yes yes to All The Light We Cannot See x

I've just started A Gentleman in Moscow, so far it is perfectly lovely!

From Sand and Ash by Amy Mercer. Compelling, interesting, gripping.

The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard, Gillespie and I by Jane Harris.
Second the Shardlake series. Jk Rowling's /Robert Galbraith Strike series are very engaging too.

Diary of a nobody!! Lovely easy and very funny!

I was in a similar rut earlier this year, the Essex Serpent didn’t get me out of it. What did was ‘A spot of bother’ by Mark Haddon. He writes so well, and is funny.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson is just about the most beautiful, moving book I have ever read.

Elinor Olliphant is completely fine..think you would love that book..
Poisonwood Bible one of my favourite books and l like all Barbara Kingsolver.

I'm enjoying My Beautiful Friend by Elena Ferrante at the moment. It's pretty gentle reading, but really immersive, and beautifully written. And if you like it there are three more books in the series to get stuck into.

Yes to Eleanor Oliphant. Maybe try Where'd You Go, Bernadette? I agree with PP about Anne Tyler although Vinegar Girl is one of my least favourite of hers.
For the sort of mood you are in try Fanny Flagg who wrote Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe but also a lot of other books which are often lengthy (like Dickens) but very gentle and heart-warming. Standing in the Rainbow is a good one. Laurie Graham is in a similar vein - I enjoyed Gone with the Windsors, The Future Homemakers of America and A Humble Companion in particular.