Cosy reads

[RedLemonade]

I’m looking for inspiration for a list of “cosy” books. You know the sort- old world sort of books with gentle story lines; mild peril, if any; descriptions of woodlands and lovely houses.

Books I’ve recently read and loved in this vein include the Cazalet chronicles, Wind in the Willows, Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher, The Herb of Grace/Eliot trilogy.

I’m also currently reading Goodnight Mister Tom to my daughter which I’ve always loved so I’m not at all averse to children’s books.

Many thanks for your suggestions oh wise mumsnetters!

Have you tried anything by Lucinda Riley? You might like the seven sisters series.

I have enjoyed September and the Shellseekers also by Rosamund Pilcher.

What about Maeve Binchy? Santa Montefiore?

Ooh I’ve heard of the Seven Sisters. Might give that a go.

I read Circle of Friends which was great though I hear some of her stuff can be hit and miss? Haven’t tried Santa Montefiore so will have a look. Thank you!

I did try Penny Vincenzi also but found it a bit too “everyone is stunningly beautiful and having multiple organisms” for me😳

My go-to cozy authors are Miss Read, James Herriot, Elizabeth Cadell, D.E. Stevenson, Margery Sharp, Ellis Peters, Georgette Heyer and Gladys Taber.

Two authors whose family sagas I enjoy are R.F. Delderfield and John Galsworthy, I recommend both since you enjoy the Cazalet Chronicles and the Eliots of Damerosehay.

South Riding by Winifred Holtby is extremely good but I don't know if I would call it a cozy read, a fair amount of sad events (multiple deaths, illnesses, etc.) occur but it is a glimpse at a world gone by.

Cozy children's books that fit your requirements are Mary Norton's The Borrowers (and sequels) and anything by Elizabeth Enright, she may be hard to find in the UK since she was an American but everyone I know who has read her books returns to them again and again.

Yes James Herriot lover here too. Must admit I find Maeve Binchy unreadably bad.

Another vote for R F Delderfield .
Also the earlier novels of Susan Howatch, particularly Penmarric, The Wheel of Fortune and Cashelmara.
Mazo de La Roche ‘s “Jalna “ series , which chronicles the Whiteoaks family over 100 years and 15 or 16 novels , is rather dated now , but very much a comfort read .

What about some Hazel Prior?
I read Away with the Penguins after seeing it recommended on here, and I’ve now got Ellie and the Harp Maker.

Georgette Heyer and Angela Thirkell are my favourite authors for this kind of thing. So comforting and gently funny, I think High Rising is probably my favourite Angela Thirkell. And definitely Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons and Seacrow Island by Astrid Lindgren - a really lovely (and very beautiful at times) book about a family going to spend the summer on a little island...yes, it's a children's book, but there's more to it than that and it's certainly very comforting.

Oh and The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery is really beautiful - the descriptions of the canadian woodlands are gorgeous and the story is not particularly dramatic or involving any peril but is uplifting and funny and heartwarming.

Thank you so much for all these recommendations!

@OnlyYourSharpestMinds I adore Cold Comfort Farm and I read The Blue Castle thanks to a thread on here and loved it. Excellent recommendations for anyone else looking for similar😊

You need the Ann Granger novels! Mitchell and Markby

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell is one of my go-to comfort reads.

My go to in that category is the children's book Anne of Green Gables and the follow up books. I went back to them in the first lock down when life was so strange and loved them. I listened on Audible and even the voice was comforting

@RedLemonade Fabulous! I love threads like these with recommendations from like minded (e.g excellent 😉)people... it's made me go for a browse on my bookshelves to find some more!

I must admit, I do tend to veer towards favourites from childhood for comfort reading, so as you're not averse to children's books - the final books in the 'What Katy Did' series, 'Clover' and In 'The High Valley' by Susan Coolidge are proper old fashioned comfort reading...lots of glorious descriptions of the Colorado scenery and sweet storylines.
'Ronja the Robbers Daughter' also by Astrid Lindgren holds a special place in my heart. And there's a YA author writing a series along the lines you're after, the first is called 'A Sky Painted Gold'

Mind you, I always seem to go back to Agatha Christie for comfort reading - I know, it's murders and blackmail and poisoning...but still, weirdly cosy 😂

Tatiana and Alexander by Paullina Simons is 600 pages of the best love/war story I've ever read and the first of the series of wonderful books.

You might like Miss Buncle's Book and it's sequels (DE Stevenson), or Miss Plum and Miss Penny (DE Smith). Or The Proper Place by O Douglas, or if you like mild crime then Patricia Wentworth's Miss Silver books.

Alexander McCall Smith - all his books but especially Scotland Street Series and No 1 Ladies Detective Series

I really like Lucy Dillon's books. They are all set in a fictional town called Longhampton and always involve a dog somehow and the characters pop up in other books. The heroine usually moves there to recover from a broken relationship or against their better judgement, and ends up looking after a rescue dog or working in a charity shop. They are a gentle read and by the end of the book you want to move to Longhampton yourself and you feel like all the characters are your friends.

Goodnight Mr Tom is not cosy! Still not over that book (I won't spoil it for you). Yes to the no.1 ladies detective agency books. Anne of Green Gables. Austen.

Have you read the Jimm Juree books by Colin Cotterill? They have a similar vibe to these, in particular the Ladies Detective Agency.

@hagelslaagfiend Oh I know it gets pretty harrowing at the end!

It’s more all the cosy little houses and firelight and handmade clothing. And the Tom/Willie relationship that’s so poignant and beautiful.

Despite how desperate the London bits are and the loss (no spoilers!) I still always come back to it when I need comfort!

I’m a long time Austen devotee- have read all of hers multiple times.

These recommendations are wonderful. I’m writing a long list. I got book tokens for my birthday recently (people always look at me doubtfully when I say I genuinely do want book tokens)- can’t wait to spend them!! 🙏🏻

Freya North -Little wing
I absolutely loved this book, true escapism set in the Scottish islands, just lovely and really made me feel like I was there too.

also second the Hazel Prior books someone else recommended.

Anything by Mary Wesley

A month in the Country J L Carr is heartwarming. If I just want something light and a bit silly then the Mapp and Lucia books (E F Benson) are fun. I've not read them all yet.

The Fortnight In September and Greengates by RC Sherriff. Not much happens, but they’re so lovely and touching.

Leonard and Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession.

Olive Kitteridge, Olive Again and Oh, William! by Elizabeth Stroud.

French Braid by Ann Tyler.

Any PG Wodehouse.

Another Miss Read fan here. I read a lovely book last year published in the 1930s called Mr. Finchley Discovers His England. I love Rachel Joyce’s books, too, my favourite being The Music Shop - nostalgia for the time (late 1980s) featured in this book probably has something to do with it, too. R. F. Delderfield was mentioned upthread. To Serve Them All My Days is a great read. If you can get hold of A. J. Cronin, you might particularly enjoy The Citadel. My favourite children’s book is Tom’s Midnight Garden - I have a lump in my throat at the ending every single time.