'Old Lady' Christmas Book

[PiratePenguin]

On the 1st December we all have a Christmas book. This year it's my turn to buy them. My mum is 84 and I have no idea what book to get her. She's not that in to mysteries so can anyone recommend a book that she'd like? She watches Call the Midwife and read lots of Catherine Cookson 'way back when'. Village / gentle style books is kind of her style. Any suggestions welcome - along with many thanks!

Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans
Miss Pettigrew lives for a day by Winifred Watson
Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
Good Behaviour by Molly Keane

Anything by Victoria Clayton.

Maeve Binchy might suit as well if she hasn't already read them all.

Miss Read, The Christmas mouse.
I think Anne Perry writes Christmas stories.

www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/miss-read/selected-works-of-miss-read/9781854714701?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsq_XvaOo7AIVAe3tCh1QowKSEAQYBCABEgKo3fD_BwE
www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/gervase-phinn/over-hill-and-dale/9780140281293?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2vLogKSo7AIVB7LtCh221gAlEAQYASABEgKl9fD_BwE

I don't have any suggestions but what a lovely idea. I'm going to do this

@TheSultanofPingu that Christmas Mouse book looks good.

Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I would love it to be a Christmas themed / set book so will check out some of the titles mentioned. I am really grateful.

Whilst I'm asking .......how about suggestions for a 13 year old girl (or is that being too cheeky!)

For the 13 year old what about either The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper or The Box of Delights by John Masefield.

My 86 year old mum would go ballistic at Miss Read. We know this, as she DID go ballistic, fairly politely but definitely cross, at a well intentioned but not-up-to-speed daughter-in-law a couple of years ago. Too twee.

Rosamund Pilcher's Winter Solstice should tick boxes if she hasn't already got it.

Mariana by Monica Dickens from Persephone Books would fit the bill, a lovely story with lots of humour, and the book itself is beautiful, so would make a super present.

Or, The Swish of the Curtain series by Pamela Brown has recently been reissued. Although written for children, the plot and the period details of this story about a group of young friends setting up their own theatre company will captivate your Mum I’m sure. It’s a fun easy read, just right for the holidays.

I loved 'Dear Shrink' by Helen Cresswell when I was 13. The title doesn't sound Christmassy but it has a fantastic Christmassy ending.

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher.
I read it every December.

Yes Miss Read is quite twee Queen, but Op did ask for village/ gentle style so it does fit the bill.

Why can't she be like me and enjoy Ian Rankin, Hilary Mantel, Margaret Attwood? Not all older people like cosy 'safe' books.

Christmas at High Rising by Angela Thirkell.

She’s read the Miss Read series (totally forgot to mention that in my original post -I do apologise) and all Gervase Phinn - you are all on the right lines!
I’m definitely after a book set at Christmas. Keep the suggestions coming - you are all so very well read (and putting me to shame!). My new year’s resolution is to read more - although my style and my mum’s are worlds apart!

All creatures Great and Small series.

Not chrismassy though.

@eddiemairswife

Why can't she be like me and enjoy Ian Rankin, Hilary Mantel, Margaret Attwood? Not all older people like cosy 'safe' books.

Because the OP literally said "Village/gentle style books".

I love The Dark Is Rising.

How about The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge?

Gervase Phinn (former teacher & school inspector) has written a number of books about his career. There is one titled The Virgin Mary’s Got Nits which has poems, stories & other prose on a Christmas theme.

I used to read Elizabeth Goudge as a teenager. Are they still in print? I remember Green Dolphin Street and one set in Oxford with a girl called Joyance.

@eddiemairswife

Why can't she be like me and enjoy Ian Rankin, Hilary Mantel, Margaret Attwood? Not all older people like cosy 'safe' books.

Because she isn't like you. People don't all like the same things. That's honestly one of the weirdest things I've read on here in two decades.

In support of my suggestion of The Swish of the Curtain series, one of the books is set at Christmas time and focuses on the group's efforts to stage a pantomime. The series is usually sold as a pack.

My point was that just because she's old she doesn't need to read cosy 'safe' books. You can't have read many threads if that is the weirdest thing you have read in 20 years.