Recommendations for comfort reads

[fluffypurpleheadphones]

Hello,

I've had a crappy old time recently and I'm trying to have a social media break/detox. I need it a bit for work, but rather than doomscrolling on the phone I'm trying to get back into reading.

If I've previously liked Marian Keyes, Lucy Diamond, Sophie Kinsella, Jenny Colgan etc as my fluffy comfort reads, can anyone recommend any books that I can try?

Thank you!

I don't really do fluffy comfort reads, but when I need a pick me up my go to is Cold Comfort Farm.

Sorry to hear your having a rough time of it - bad time of the year for that!

There's a group on Facebook called Jenny Colgan and more great books that has a whole community of people who like this kind of comfort reading. Jenny Colgan is one of my absolute favourites, at the minute I'm well into Lucinda Riley's novels which aren't just as fluffy but a lot more gripping.

I’m sorry about the crappy old time. I hope it packs it in.

How about Maeve Binchy - any really or Rosamund Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers. They’re all like eating a few biscuits whilst drinking a hot mug of tea.

Actually I've just thought of a great personal recommendation- Karen Swan The Last Summer is about the residents of St Kilda and the evacuation of the island. It's really nicely written, romantic, perfect escapism.

Adele Parks, Lisa Jewell

Katie Fforde - I think the earlier ones are better (but still read new ones when they are published)

My personal go-tos when I feel low are P. G. Wodehouse (especially Right Ho Jeeves), Patrick Fermor's A Time of Gifts, Pride and Prejudice, the Sherlock Holmes novels (ideally narrated by Stephen Fry), Lewis' Narnia books and David Copperfield.

Have you tried Joanne Harris? I find Chocolat a comfort read - and some of her others.

Maeve Binchy - her characters are so lovely and her dialogue wonderful

My comfort reads at the moment have been The Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander, if you like baking and small town settings I couldn't reccomend them enough. I started reading them last year and I'm already up to book 10 or 11 they're perfect wee reads for a pick me up.

Lucinda Riley's books are a great read, not too taxing but not too fluffy either.

Maybe a bit too retro for you, but how about:
Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle
Nancy Mitford, Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate
any of Eva Ibbotson's romances

I’m loving The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn at the moment

P. G. Wodehouse is another good shout @JaneyGee, my son got me into him when he was a teenager

I like Kristin Hannah when I’m after a not to taxing read. I’m currently reading Home Front after a very dry spell of no reading and struggling to get back into books. It’s been good so far. The Great Alone & The Nightingale are good.

JoJo Moyes is good, kind of an Australian Marion Keyes.

The People on Platform Five - Claire Pooley
Three Men in a Boat - Jerome K Jerome
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day - Winifred Watson
The Fortnight In September - RC Sherriff
Any of Bill Bryson’s books

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Kathleen Rowntree would fit the bill. Warmly written, engaging characters.

Another vote for ‘Cold Comfort Farm’. I want Flora Poste as my friend!

If you like Marian Keyes, you'll almost certainly like Sinead Moriarty. I'm re-reading her books now, they're great.

Catherine Alliott is another, love her stuff & re-read them.

Jane Green is brilliant, she's written loads. Also re-read her stuff when I need a good chill in bed with a great book and a giant toblerone. This is actually my plan for tonight 😍

I think Judy Astley would be a good fit for you too, especially the earlier ones. Characters you can settle right into.

Thank you everyone, lots of look at here!