Adult books suitable for children's ears

[GreyDuck]

My 5 year old still needs me in the room to fall asleep. I read novels out loud, so they need to be suitable for him to hear (nothing graphic/distressing). The novels are for my benefit, not his - the more bored he is, the better, lol.
Please can you help with suggestions.
For ideas on what I enjoy: books I've loved include Blue Book of Nebo, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Small Things Like These, Normal People, Pride and prejudice, The Hunger Games, The Kite Runner, A suitable boy.
I consistently enjoy Ann Clees (but murder obviously not appropriate here), Terry Pratchett.

Why don't you just not read out the distressing bits?

Young adult books should be OK. I also loved Philip Pullman's Dark Materials universe books which are enjoyed by adults and children. Have you read all the Terry Pratchet books - there are a lot of them? The other Jane Austen books (I particularly like Emma)? Similar series to the Hunger Games are Delirium by Lauren Oliver and Divergent by Veronica Roth (but there are many more).

Yes, I can censor the odd sentence or paragraph, but some books have more than others.
I haven't read all the Terry Pratchett, but I fancy some variety, so was hoping for suggestions for something new.

Well hope my suggestions have helped

I just read Yellowface. If you read the first couple of chapters yourself (there is a death), the rest of it should go right over his head--though there is a lot of reflection on racism. It's a good read. The Secret History by Donna Tartt is also excellent and won't be interesting.

Does he need your voice to go to sleep? If not maybe consider getting your local library's app and borrowing audiobooks. They are also excellent for cooking :)

Cecelia Ahern, they are like modern day fairy tales.

If you could see me now is about a woman (Elizabeth Egan) who is the full time carer for her nephew. The nephew has an imaginary friend called Luke, then one day Elizabeth can see the imaginary friend.

How are the Hunger Games books not graphic or distressing? Also some v disturbing content in the Kite Runner. Plenty of anodyne books out there but I wouldn’t include those in the list.

Thanks for the suggestions, Mother ship , Loneliness and Sash.
I've been meaning to read yellow face for a while, and never tried anything by Donna Tartt so that could open up a new selection.
The Elizabeth Egan also sounds interesting.
I recently read Children of the Storm by Cecilia Ahern. It's a fascinating story, but had a lot of domestic abuse, and I didn't like her writing style.

Alongtimeago those were books I have enjoyed to help with suggestions. I agree, they're definitely not suitable for these circumstances.

If you liked Pride and Prejudice you should definitely read Persuasion.
Looking at my bookshelf, I’d also say anything by Gerald Durrell, The Enchanted April, Cranford (very gentle).
Wolf Hall, it’s been a long time since I read it, but although there are dark bits obviously, I think most of them would go way over his head rather than needing to be skipped over.

I’d definitely go for Terry Pratchett. Mort, Wyrd Sisters and Guards, Guards introduce some of the recurring characters, but there are some good standalone ones like Pyramids or Small Gods. But they’re all good really!

Why don’t you read some classics - The Narnia Books, Alice in Wonderland, Wind in the Willows, The Hobbit, Treasure Island - that you can both enjoy?

Classics generally tend to not be too graphic WRT sex or violence. I love The Secret History but it is about a murder.

If you like P&P then read all of Jane Austen (then decide if Persuasion or Emma is the best). What about Elizabeth Gaskell? A PP has recommended the gentle Cranford but North and South or Wives and Daughters are great. Or how about some Wodehouse for some light relieve.

But really, the PP who said read children's classics has the best idea.

Jasper Fforde books would work well I think.
Children’s classics are a great idea- I’d do Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, Ballet Shoes, Little Women.
I’m intrigued by the reading aloud- is this to lull him to sleep or how you read all novels?

Thanks everyone, I'll be sure to try some of these out. (Depends what I can get for free from the library lol).
The reading aloud is to lull him to sleep. I hum over the inappropriate sections.
Good shout regarding audio books, it might be a good way to transition out of this.

He'll want to listen to those!

Dickens maybe? Though that has some bits to hum... I read David Copperfield to my DD and absolutely couldn't choke my way through the death scene (Dora 'offstage', poor little Jip expiring 'onstage'. Emotionally manipulative bastard. )

This thread has made me realise how few classics I've read.
There's no rhyme or reason to what's included in my library's ebook collection, but a good few of your suggestions are there, which is great. I'm excited to try some new authors, and open up a whole lot of new series to pursue.
I've just downloaded a Pg Wodehouse, and An enchanted April.
Thanks again to you all.