Books for mum?

[Alcemeg]

Mum's in her 90s and recently widowed. I've got a Kindle for her and want to pre-load it with nice books. She enjoys Anne Tyler, Maeve Binchy, Ann Patchett... I'm not an avid reader (limited time) and don't really know where to start. Can anyone recommend suitable authors? My wish list would be books that are enjoyable, no pointless misery, but not shallow either (no steamy modern romances!). Suggestions gratefully received.

Can’t help I’m afraid.My mum is 102 and likes Jo Nesbo, Lee Child, James Peterson, Karin Slaughter and has just started on David Baldacci.

I would suggest
Miss Read (I’m about to read Christmas at Thrush Green)
Rosamund Pilcher

She might like the seven sisters series by Lucinda Riley? Definitely Rosamunde Pilcher. Also maybe Elizabeth Strout for the Olive Kitteridge books?

Carol Shields, Barbara Pym, Elizabeth Strout (as already mentioned, just affirming this), Anita Brookner, Mary Wesley, Penelope Lively (The Road to Lichfield is currently 99p).

My mum loved The Giver Of Stars by JoJo Moyes. I acually gave her my hardback copy but she found the size of the book awkward. So she bought a kindle and downloaded it instead, and is over the moon because it's so easy to handle and she can increase font size.

She used to read 'old person' books with bigger print but since the kindle she reads anything and everything, particularly enjoying a good 'whodunnit'!

She also loved Nora Loft's Townhouse trilogy (as did I)

Jane Gardam - Ladies of Letter

What about Judy Leigh? Very lighthearted but always set around older characters.

Oooh, thank you all so much for your suggestions! I'll give them all a good search on Amazon at lunchtime 😍

If your mum likes Maeve Binchy, she might enjoy Stephanie McCarthy 'French Exchange with Rubies.' It's a bit Binchy in style.

Everyone of all ages and stages of life has loved this one. I've recommended it to loads of people.

Miss Benson's Beetle, by Rachel Joyce
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Y49DSHZ/ref=cmswwrcppapi_7FNY19GE1ZWS5TT2JX1N

Lovely, thank you all! Just got stuck reading the preview of the Beetle book, which looks great. I suppose more recent fiction might be better than some of the old popular ones that she might well have read already -- I'll have to check!

Appreciate all your suggestions!

whilst original I found it pretty harrowing

@seperatedmum Oh gosh!! I see what you mean!!!! Mr Mundic!!!!!!! 😥

What great taste your DM has. Are there any Ann Tyler books that she hadn't read?

My DM, similar age, enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith particularly the lady detective series. She also ploughed through Michael Morpurgo's books which are aimed at children but are very meaningful and well-written.

Like your DM I love Anne Tyler and Ann Patchett, haven't tried Maeve Binchy.

Can second The No1 Ladies detective agency, my DF who was a voracious reader, also liked them.

His Corduroy Mansions novels were also enjoyable if I remember.

Do try Maeve Binchy, she's a fabulous author. Sadly passed away a few years ago so there won't be any more books. I particularly like 'Scarlett Feather,' 'Light a Penny Candle' and 'Echoes.'
Another author of the past (but I don't know if his books are available on Kindle) is Arthur Hailey. A superb story teller. Of his books, 'Hotel, ' 'The Money Changers' and 'Strong Medicine ' are my favourites. He wrote before the internet was available for research, so for his book 'Hotel' he actually stayed in a hotel for six months, interviewing the staff and observing.

If your mum likes Anne Tyler, she might like Anita Shreve as well. And Mary Wesley.

"These is my words" by Nancy Turner is wonderful. Also "Bread Alone" by Judi Hendricks. Easy reads but great stories.

Jenny Colgan
Katie fforde

Thanks so much everyone, really appreciate all these suggestions and am learning new writers for myself too!

If she likes Anne Tyler she would probably enjoy Mary Lawson. And Lily King if she likes Ann Patchett.

If she loves Anne Tyler, then definitely Elizabeth Strout and Mary Lawson. And she might like Patrick Gale's novels too.

My mother's in her nineties too and likes many of those mentioned, also Monica Dickens and C J Sansom. Also Victoria Hislop - The Island but not her subsequent books.