Uplifting fiction recommendations

[CatVsTree]

My SIL had a terrible bereavement this year and I can't find the right book to give her. Does anyone have any last minute recommendations.

She normally loves big reads (The Hearts Invisible Furies, Goldfinch are two books she loves) but they are often quite dark. Also she tells me she has a very short attention span now so I'm looking for something short, well written, funny or uplifting.

Dammit, the Essex Serpent is about a widow! That's no good then..

Pursuit of Love has the death of more than one character in it so not that. Wodehouse is a better lighter suggestion, Nancy Mitford always has a streak of darkness.

The No1 Ladies Detective Agency series is lovely. There is a miscarriage or loss of a baby though.

Ah, Janina has just reminded me of Alexander McCall Smith! His Scotland Street series is very amusing with nothing depressing in it. Especially good if you love Edinburgh but not essential. Very short chapters too.

@CatVsTree

Yes keep them for yourself.

Honesty I avoided them like the plague as I thought it a 'gateway drug' to Mills and Boon romances. However my mum had recorded tapes of The Unknown Ajax and kept giggling to herself. When she died I acquired a number of her 'talking Books' and I bloody loved that one!

Ok there is romance but the language was great and observing the manners and clothing etc. If you liked Pride and Prejudice you would surely love this.

What about Chocolat by Joanne Harris? It's cosy and feelgood.
Or Cold Comfort Farm - a bit old fashioned but fun.

I agree with Pps - there is a massive lack of well-written feel-good fiction around. I would love to read some happy novels that aren't chick-lit.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa.