Books to reignite my love for reading...

[TeacherFarmerWife]

I used to be an avid reader. Now with work being busy and stressful I find I "never have time".
I love Cecelia Ahern and have read all her books. I'm also a huge fan of Irish female authors (but not limited to).
Any suggestions from my fellow MNers on any good books you have read recently?

Do you want something light and entertaining or a bit meatier?

I have enjoyed NZ writer Danielle Hawkins, she’s a very warm and engaging writer. I particularly enjoyed Dinner at Rosies.

Jodi Taylor’s time travel novels are popular, but I really enjoyed her two book series which starts with The Nothing Girl.

I’ve also read Julia Mulhern’s Country Club mystery series. Hidden under a cozy mystery cover are some serious considerations of the treatment of women in the 1970s. They’re funny and entertaining.

@DancelikeEmmaGoldman thank you for your reply!
I used to read very heavy eg Ulysses, To Kill a Mockingbird, a lot of poetry (especially Seamus Heaney) how boring am I eh?
But not I find I simply don't have the attention span! Hence the more lighthearted novels.
I remember reading a book called The Adultery Diet. It was utter rubbish but I still really enjoyed it 😂

The Cows by Dawn O'Porter.
Most books by Lianne Moriaty.
Funny, light-ish, but hilarious and very well written characters..

Marian Keyes is the ultimate light-read female Irish author, but I expect you’ve been through her stuff? If not, the Walsh sisters books are excellent, particularly Rachel’s Holiday.

Horses for courses as far as reading goes. I read light and funny books when I’m busy or stressed and more difficult books when I have more time and space. I don’t think lighter books are necessarily worse; the older I get, the less patience I have for snobbery around reading.

I read Georgette Heyer for comfort - her dialogue is so good it never fails to delight me. I’ve just got a copy of an autobiography of her which I’m looking forward to.

If you want something a bit more serious but enthralling, I never tire of recommending Keri Hulme’s The Bone People. The first time I read it, I read it like a thriller, snatching every moment I could to read it.

Buy a few Quick read books, they are quick to read and once I start on the quick read books, I find it easier to start reading a novel.

I find Lucinda Riley a really engaging writer - she writes family sagas and romances which are very readable but not trashy. Lots of people love the Seven Sisters series but I prefer her stand alone novels. ‘The Light Behind the Window’, set in wartime France and ‘The Girl on the Cliff’ set in Ireland.

Also try Kate Morton - ‘The House at Riverton’ etc and Graham Norton ‘Holding’ and ‘A Keeper’.

You had me at Hello by Mhairi McFarlane

I am in the same boat OP so loving the suggestions!

Have you read any Nina Stibbe? A recent discovery.
Really light and very funny.

Lisa Jewell, I've read all of her books and as she has got older her books have got less chick lit and more gritty.
The House We Grew Up in and The Girls were the ones that got me hooked again and more recently I Found You.

I also second the Lianne Moriarty, especially Big Little Lies.

I love Lisa Jewell too.

Read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

I’m in the same situation and picked up Stranded by Emily Barr. I remembered I loved a couple of books of hers (Cuban Heels and Backpack) when I was younger.
I have not read this much in ages and am halfway through the book in just a few days (that’s a lot for me these days) and I’m actually really looking forward to picking it up again tonight.

I am much the same OP!
I've just read Needlemouse by Jane O'Connor
Currently reading Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce.

I've read one or two Lynne Moriarty and have one on wait at the library.

If you have a kindle, I like to download a sample and if I like it, see if its available at the library preferably as an ebook then I read it on my tablet. I'm on a budget so don't want to be buying books.

I second (third?) the Liane Moriarty suggestions, really easy to read. I’ve also enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Dawn O’Porter’s books.

I find Jane Fallon books very easy to read when stressed.
I second The Cows by Dawn O'Porter, very funny.
I've read a couple of Lisa Jewell books and normally read them in a few days, as I get hooked.

Eve Chase writes lovely, absorbing family dramas. Also try Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver, or The Wildflowers by Harriet Evans. Great compulsive reads.

I recently enjoyed Dirty Little Secrets by Jo Spain, which meets your Irish female writer criteria. She has a few other books that I haven't read.

I read Rachel's Holiday after seeing it recommended so many times on here and hated it.

I have loved all of Mhairi McFarlane'd books - clever, funny and very readable chick-lit.

I guess as we self isolate (if it comes to that) we may read a lot more (except those with kids!).

I have a big book of the plays of Shakespeare that I would love to get around to reading but think I might meed a magnifying glass!

Maeve Binchey books are always a good read

The No1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - he's written loads so that'll keep you going!

I often pick up a Lee Child book when I need a quick absorbing read, am reading them in order.

I'm finding very difficult to concentrate on a book this week so will look up some of these suggestions

I enjoyed Colm Toibin's Nora Webster. The characters were v well drawn imv.

I've recommended this one so many times - Ferney by James Long. It is fabulous. Everyone that i have bought it for has loved it.