A good comfort read

[zippyswife]

Not sure if this is a genre but I love books that are rich in description and often in detail of daily tasks. Although these aren’t similar books I love the Japanese books like Sweet Bean Paste memoirs of a Geisha for this reason and Fannie Flaggs Redbird Christmas and Fried Green Tomatoes…. Is this a genre in its own right? If so what is it called and do you have any recommendations?

I love reading Anne Tyler books for this. Her books are gentle and about ordinary families and people but I find them so comforting and lovely to read.

Her characters seem to stay in my mind like old friends or family members and I have to remind myself that it didn't happen it was something I read 😂

Eva Ibbotson is lovely for this

If you want froth and frivolity you can't beat Georgette Heyer imo

I have a soft spot for the Miss Julia series by Ann B Ross - Bible Belt America and always makes me laugh. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_B._Ross

Oh, yes! These are fantastic books.

Tortilla Flat by Steinbeck fits this description.

Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men not so much.

The Fortnight in September, R.C. Sheriff. It's an old one but very gentle, just a nice family who go on holiday and have a lovely time.

I absolutely loved
R.F Delderfield's Avenue books . Only two of them.
The Dreaming Suburb and The Avenue Goes to War .

James Herriot books. Comfort reading and seem like ancient history now.

Oh wow @BigDahliaFan , blast from the past. I grew up in Herriot country and was obsessed with the books.

My DH read them all again fairly recently when he was going through a bad patch. I’m thinking of picking them up again.

That’s lovely @BigDahliaFan . I hadn’t thought of reading them again. I actually travel to Thirsk most weeks at minute. It is still a nice market town.

Oh yes, I loved the James Herriot books as a teen. Also My Family and Other Animals.

There are so many, and some easier than others. The Grapes of Wrath is wonderful, but possibly not for a first read. East of Eden isn’t an easy read either. Cannery Row could be a good starting point. If you enjoy that go for Tortilla Flat. The Pearl, The Red Pony, so many great reads! Can you tell I’m a fan? Oh, Travels with Charley - he went off in a van with his dog and travelled through the US. The van is now in the Steinbeck museum in Salinas, and I have a photo standing beside it. Try Of Mice and Men again. Also, for something entirely different The Moon is Down.

I do hope you find something to enjoy in his writings.