Give me so happy easy reading please

[polkadotorganisedchaod]

My friend died this weekend and I'm so sad. I've just gorged on a couple of kindle free romances but need a slight chance. Either something more thriller or something with a twist or indeed another cheesy book but not as formulaic. Although credit where it's due, the fluffy warm hearted tale of a dog sanctuary was just what I needed. No illness in it please. Reading is my escape when not watching master chef and reading the threads that accompanied it. Thank you 🙏

Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie - funny, heartwarming and a little bit sexy

Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delafield.

I wasn’t aware of the film but, having had a quick look, yes it is. (Adds to list of films to watch!).

Lilian Beckwith's series of books where she moves to a Hebridean Island after illness, eventually gets a Croft, and her life and interactions with the locals. Humourous and interesting. the Sea for Breakfast is the first one.

'Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine' Neil Gaiman

Excellent read. I've gone back and read again and again.

What about Under the Tuscan Sun by Francis Mayes.

Also, A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. There are two other books in the series.

They are both quite old now but I think they would be escapist for you.

I would also agree with the Miss Read Fairacre books.

Another vote for Georgette Heyer's Regency books. Some of them are a bit "who dunnit" and others are just a light and amusing read. Even the latter are well plotted. I would suggest that Cotillion, Frederica, The Grand Sophy and Faro's Daughter are amongst the lightest.

Another vote for Jodi Taylor. Chronicles of St Mary's and the spin off Time Police books. If you have Audible then I'd also recommend anything read by Stephen Fry, his voice is so relaxing and just draws you in.

I found Victoria Hislop a gentle way back into reading after a huge family loss. Try The Island followed by its sequel. Good luck and take care.

Hi @LadyIsabellaWrotham and @minipie Interested in trying Georgette Heyer. But there are a few! Any recommendations as to where to start please? Is it worth reading them in a particular order?

I read this recently and it is very funny. Highly recommend it as a gentle read, OP.

Eleanor Oliphant is by Gail Honeyman.

You don't need to read them in a particular order, but off the top of my head I'd recommend Friday's Child, Cotillion, Frederica, Arabella, The Nonesuch, Venetia, Bath Tangle, False Colours, and The Grand Sophy (the last is almost perfect but needs a trigger warning for some anti-Semitic scenes).

I hate lists like this, I start twitching and heading for the bookcase......

Seriously OP they are all wonderful.

It's a great book, and I second the recommendation.

But Neil gaiman didn't write it

Oops. Sorry.

Should have RTFT 😳

Agree about The Rosy Project, it's lovely and very funny.

I'd add The Appeal by janice hallett. Fun thriller

Diary of a somebody by brian bilston. Fun

And the night circus by Erin morgenstern.

Sorry for your loss @polkadotorganisedchaod

When I’m low or stressed I always re-read my childhood favourites. Narnia. Tripods. Chalet School. Noel Streatfeild. K M Peyton.

Love Nancy Mitford but some of it is pretty heartbreaking.

Yes, I loved Diary of a Provincial Lady
Also, seconding the Mapp and Lucia books. So very funny and clever.
Heartburn, Nora Ephron makes divorce funny
The Sweet Spot, Amy Poeppel
Cold Comfort Farm
Standard Deviation, Katherine Heiny
Bridget Jones Diary
Eligible, Curtis Sittenfeld
Rivals, Jilly Cooper
any of the early books by Kristan Higgins (the later ones have some slightly more serious issues)
Pride & Prejudice, always a comfort read

I'm so sorry for your loss, OP.

The Enchanted April - it's gorgeous, and it is about women (in the 1920s) recovering from their miserable lives on a beautiful holiday. Full of gentle joy and a feel-good winner.

@TwigTheWonderKid much better than GCSE physics thank you 🤩

Yes, yes. And it’s (gently and obliquely) about recovery.

My other recommendation for gentle, happy but clever novels is always Laurie Colwin. Start with Happy All the Time or A Big Storm Knocked It Over.

And thanks to all of those of you taking the time to recommend me books. I truly find solace in being alone but in a different world. Perhaps better too than the red wine path of trying to escape. I thank you all

Narnia is one of my mine.

The Horse and His Boy got me through a bereavement. I had one of the BBC dramatisations and listened to it until the tape snapped.