'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!

Sorry i haven't read all the comments, what about Trisha Ashley? She has some set at Christmas, a lot involved lots of baking and even have recipes at the back

I think eddiemairswife might have had a point had the OP been along the lines of 'I have to buy a book for an octogenarian lady I don't know very well; what would you recommend in the bucolic, 'Is there honey, still, for tea?' genre?' and she was pointing out that some old ladies might prefer a bit of Glaswegian torture porn to Agatha Raisin, or whatever. I think she was saying "Why mightn't she be like me?" not 'Why doesn't everyone feel as I do?' But it was a bit crass in light of the fact that presumably the OP knows her mother's tastes slightly better . . .

She's 84! She's not about to go off and bomb Pearl Harbour because OP bought her some James Herriot.

😂😂😂

We can be fairly sure that many of the greatest atrocities we know of from history or current affairs might have been at least mitigated if the peoples involved had had the benefit of some intellectual / spiritual familiarity with "the other". The sort of familiarity gained through reading

I can’t imagine that at 84 she’s going to start the next world war.
Also, who knows what she may have done in her life. She could have been a spy or in the SAS for all you know and now wants to spend her dotage reading comforting books.

Not Christmas books really but I would recommend Judy Leigh. Particularly 'Five French Hens" to start.
Heartwarming stories about older women enjoying life regardless of age.
I love them and I am around 30 years younger than most of the characters.

An elderly neighbour loves Anton du Beke's books and he has a new one out which is Christmas themed. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1838771921/ref=dbsaadefawmmhschvapiitu00p11i0n He has other books but I'm not sure if they're Christmas themed.

@Papergirl1968

Rosamund Pilcher is the author of Winter Solstice. Two posters have mixed her up with Rosamund Pike the actress! Jenny Colgan has written a couple of Christmas books. Chick lit but gentle chick lit with nothing to offend genteel elderly ladies.

I am glad I saw this, I was thinking Rosamund Pike wrote this book?!

@timeforawine

Sorry i haven't read all the comments, what about Trisha Ashley? She has some set at Christmas, a lot involved lots of baking and even have recipes at the back

I came on to recommend her. Very lighthearted, village-based, warm fluff that I really enjoy!

Did your mum ever read the Chalet School books? I know they’re for kids but they have lovely Christmas scenes.

Scarlet Feather - Maeve Binchy
Coming Home - Rosamunde Pilcher

Ahh, the Chalet School. In one of the early book they go to Frieda’s and are delighted to be left sweets in their shoes.
Also the Little House on the Prairie series where in one book Laura is delighted to get her own tin mug instead of having to share with Mary. That was it except possibly some Christmas candy. My kids would be wtf?!

I though all old ladies read Agatha Christie? I love Agatha Christie. It’s perfect for Christmas.

‘Dear Mrs Bird’. It is perfect. Lovely and gentle. There is even an edition with a Christmassy cover.

The Blue castle by L M Montgomery is my favourite ever. Perfectly charming.

I'd she lives in a village in the South Downs, how about something by Rumer Godden? She lived locally and her books have a very local feel.

I just love the cosy christmas books that come out every year. i liked Christmas at the Beach Hut last year by Veronica Henry.

I love Winter Solstice also and re-read that every year- I also re-read September by Rosamunde Pilcher as well.

Not a christmas book specifically, but Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson is lovely- although I always cry. very funny in many places. One of my favourites.

@AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings i can read her books over and over and don't tire of them

Ah, if we can slip into the world of classics, may I recommend ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’ by Jean Webster. Delightful.

Yy to Rosamund Pilcher"s Winter Solstice

And yes to Elizabeth Goudge - The Herb of Grace is probably the most christmassy but in fact lots of her books feature Christmas - there's a compilation of all of the Christmas chapters which was published as a separate book (called A Christmas Garland I think), probably out of print now but you might be able to find it second-hand.

A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley might fit the bill for both your mum and daughter - about a girl who goes back in time to the era of Mary Queen of Scots. Such a beautiful story and has a Christmas ending too.

Not particularly highbrow but Trisha Ashley's books are great, I love Twelve Days of Christmas. Chick-lit I suppose but quite gentle and usually featuring v likeable slightly older protagonists.

[quote timeforawine]@AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings i can read her books over and over and don't tire of them [/quote]
They're just really sweet, warm books aren't they?

Does she like watching the soaps? There's a book called Coronation Street at Christmas which is quite nice - but only if you're familiar with it.

@AwkwardSquad I've ordered daddy long legs but know nothing about it! Thanks for the rec

buckeejit, if she enjoys DaddyLongLegs , she may also enjoy its sequel Dear Enemy,.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but Trisha Ashley’s books might be worth a look. The Twelve Days of Christmas, and Wish Upon a Star and The Christmas Invitation are all Christmas books.

Having discovered Miss Read this summer, I've put a Village Christmas and Winter in Thrush Green onto my reading list.