Bed-bound and bored

[LadyHester]

Have just had a fairly major operation (successfully) and will be confined to barracks for some time. I’d organised lots of Improving Literature to keep me entertained but am now in pain, fed up, and just don’t fancy anything I’d planned.
I need recommendations for well written trash - please come to my aid!

When I was bed bound for ages last year a friend sent me Eva Ibbotson's The Morning Gift and I adored it. It was exactly the thing. Romantic, well written, not trash at all but incredibly readable.
Hope your recovery goes well!

Thanks for that. I haven’t read any Eva Ibbotson but she’s been hovering about the penumbra for a while. Will download forthwith.

Bumping in the hope of further suggestions.

Does it need to be romantic?

If you like crime, with an edge of black humour and great dialogue, I'd recommend Christopher Brookmyre. One Fine Day in the Middle of the Night is my favourite.

Belinda Bauer is also entertaining. Exit is very good.

And Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books are an easy read but well written too.

Evidently when I want something easy to read and entertaining I turn to crime rather than romance or chick-lit ..

Best wishes for your recovery

I've just finished The Midwife' by Tricia Cresswell. I really enjoyed it. Easy to read, well written and absorbing. I too read it when I was confined to bed.

Mimi Matthews Siren of Sussex, Victorian romance, fun book to distract you, well written. This is book 1 in a series of 4 I think. I had problems sleeping a few months ago and this was just the ticket. I also reread Malory Towers at one point to get through some long nights.

You might hate my suggestions but I will share my comfort reads.

Nora Roberts
Her stand alone books are great
Anything in the list from 2000 onwards.

Terry Pratchett
These fantasy novels are funny, compassionate and wonderful
Read the Guards trilogy or the Witches first.

Rose Tremain
Stevie Davies

Jane Austen
Robin Hobb

I love Audible when I am poorly too or audio books from the library

I hope you heal well soon.

Thank you for all these suggestions! Love the Jackson Brodie books so will try @highlandcoo ‘s recommendations.
Have never tried Terry Pratchett - perhaps now is the moment. And not heard of Nora Roberts or Mimi Matthews so will investigate.
Currently ploughing my way through The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris. Tedious, anachronistic, and I don’t believe in the characters.

What about Audible if you don't particularly feel like reading ?

Have you read the Rivera of London series by Ben Aaronovich. Or anything by Lindsey Davis - especially The Course of Honour.

Manda Scott Boudicca series. There’s 4 so should keep you occupied for a while.

Beyond Black - very funny
Still Life - brilliant
A Town Called Solace - easy read but thought provoking

Sounds like you need some Taylor Jenkins Reid. Very popular with the 50 bookers.

Really grateful for all these recommendations! Should give Daisy Jones a go, and if I get bored can watch it on TV. Hadn’t heard of Manda Scott but looks interesting.
Lindsay Davis is an old friend!
Didn’t get on with Still Life - pointless and twee.
Ben Aaronovitch is new to me, as is A Town Called Solace.

Just read Daisy Jones and the Six and enjoyed that. Also enjoyed Beartown by Fredrick Backman.
Easy reading but a good story It's part of a 3 part series. .

Have you read Lee Child? The Reacher books are great and fantastically easy to read. Proper page turner's.
The early Jilly Cooper's with girls names, Emily, Harriet etc.
I really like JoJo Moyes.

Have you read Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters series? Easy reading for recuperation, quite long and engrossing.

All the best.

I find Carole Matthews enjoyable - romantic with a bit of humour. If you remember the 80s and fancy a laugh, I highly recommend Do They Know It’s Christmas Yet (they went back to 1984 and broke it) by James Crookes. If you enjoy it, there are 2 more in the series.

Do you like fantasy? Sarah J Maas Throne of Glass series is very entertaining and 9 books

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh?

This sounds like a job for a good old-fashioned 80s bonkbuster.

Excellent (old) article from Sarah Hughes on their joys: www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jun/30/judith-krantz-bonkbusters-female-friendships-confident-women

Eva Ibbotsons Madensky Square is my favourite book of all time.

I am currently reading 'Putin's People' by Catherine Belton. Spiler alert- Putin is not a ncie guy.

@SettlingForAnotherMuffin She's wonderful isn't she?
And the Putin one is on my reading list - thanks for the spoiler 😂

I agree with @yoshiblue about Steve Cavanagh too for a gripping entertaining read. I picked up Thirteen because of its cover line ('The serial killer isn't on trial. He's on the jury') and raced through it.

Oh get well soon! I wondered if you had seen the list of books in the Reece Witherspoon book club? They are all really great page turners, light, interesting: I'm working my way through them all now!

@noodlezoodle You are so right! I know most of Jilly Cooper by heart but haven’t read nearly enough Judith Krantz or Jackie Collins.