Lovely uplifting (or not depressing ) novel for poorly friend

[Livingonjuice]

I need something lovely and nice and warm/ uplifting for a friend who has just had tumour surgery and is in hospital.
No cancer themes / mentions for obvious reasons or cancer back story / miserable back stories. Can be a funny. Nothing emotionally taxing.
Anything ? I recently loved the keeper of stories but there's a bit of heart tugging.
Thanks 🙏

Also all the James Herriot books, starting with All Creatures Great and Small, just lovely

I thought Diary of a Somebody by Brian Bilston was funny and uplifting. Read it on holiday recently.

I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith is complete heaven.

Also:

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

Mapp and Lucia by EF Benson

Diary of a Provincial Lady by EM Delafield

Inspire by Ben Fogle. Really uplifted me when I was going through a difficult time mentally and physically.

Miss Garnett's Angel by Sally Vickers. A terrific book that it makes you happy to read🥰

I find The World of Jeeves (Wodehouse) ideal for when I'm not feeling great. Each story is short, and it doesn't matter if you don't remember any of the others.

Also when I was ill a while ago I loved re reading Mary Stewart and Elizabeth Gouge novels--very relaxing stuff!

The House in The Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune has ALL the feels! It’s a lovely book - quite gentle and uplifting. A slightly fairy tale vibe which I think is perfect for someone who wants to escape this miserable world for a few hours.

The Other Bennet sister - Janice Hadlow

@MissSmiley im doing that often. Mainly silly stuff (not trying to make her laugh) just sending my random thoughts and checking in I am willing her post op recovery on with every fibre of me

@Livingonjuice you sound like a wonderful friend, don't ever tell her to be positive though, my sister did that all the time, your friend has every right to feel how she feels and telling someone with cancer to be positive feels like too much, just wanted to mention that x

@MissSmiley absolutely not. My only instruction is to carry on being fabulous
I've recommended my fave podcast but worried she'll split her stitches laughing
We can cackle at it together maybe. Ooh a listening party with some nice fudge maybe
Now there's an idea

Shipping news
Noah’s Ark/Brother of the more famous Jack (Barbara Trapido)
Tales of the City
Donna Leon Brunetti mysteries
A room with a view is v funny
more votes for Gerald Durrell, Stella Gibbons and Nancy Mitford
Rumpole, baby!

I Capture the Castle

How about Maeve Binchy? The older ones like Circle of Friends or Light a Penny Candle? Totally absorbing and somehow comforting

What about some poetry? Brian Bilston might make her laugh, he posts regularly on Instagram and Twitter etc so doesn't even need to be a book.

God not The Other Bennet Sister unless you want to put her off good literature for life.

yes to:
Jeeves and Wooster
Miss Pettigrew
James Herriot

Mrs Harris goes to Paris
Bill Bryson

Following for ideas as I'm about to have (suspect) cancer surgery and looking for soothing things.

On audible, when I can't sleep I listen to tweet of the day there's the whole series on there and it's just lovely, don't have to really listen to it, it just carries you along. 🥰

I recommend Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith. The diary would be great for reading in fits and starts.

Notes From A Small Island (or anything really) by Bill Bryson.
The Dress Shop Of Dreams - Menna Van Praag

I also came on to say Mrs Harris Goes to Paris.

Anything by EF Benson, especially the Lucia books.
Splendid!

@Decafflatteplease all the best for your surgery. I'd love to send you a book too if you'd like x

How about Mavis Cheek? All of her novels are lovely.

Im looking for exactly these kinds of novels, on audiobook, to listen to while recovering from an illness. I was listening to Eleanor Bron reading The Enchanted April last night. I recommend! Ms Bron has a lovely voice, which adds to the goodness!

44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith