Just need something undemanding to read in the middle of the night!

[NeedingEasyReading]

Have NC for this as going through a tough time. I'm not sleeping very well and reaching for my Kindle in the middle of the night before I nod off again.

My usual crime and psychological thrillers aren't doing it for me at the moment sadly. Amazon is full of 'you read this so here's more of the same'.

Does anyone have any recommendations for really easy reading that doesn't require much brainpower at 3am? I'd be happy with cheesy 'girl inherits a café in Cornwall and gets it together with the local author' or 'divorced woman holidays in Italy and decides to buy a bookshop' type things as long as they aren't really badly written. My guilty pleasure is Danielle Steel (if only all problems could be solved with a cashmere sweater and pair of slacks!) but I've run out of those.

Any suggestions of books/authors would be appreciated.

A long time ago someone on here suggested I re read old favourites when insomnia struck.. doesn't really matter if your mind wanders, you won't be keen to find out the next bit and they're easy.

If you want something new try

Katie Fforde
Milly Johnson
Sophie Kinsella

Jilly Cooper

I was the same recently OP and I was recommended the pumpkin spice Latte cafe series. Oh its absolute dross but cosy, well written dross at least.

I'd recommend Liz Fenwick, Philippa Ashley or Fern Britton.

I have been reading books by Christina Lauren for the past few weeks.

Victoria Hislop

I’m currently reading the Magpie Murders series in the middle of the night. Very easy to read.

Jilliy Cooper for me!
My other go to for comforting middle of the night reading are Gill Sims and Sinead Moriarty. Also loved the series that’s on the tip of my tongue! About a single mum who lives with her family in a pub. There’s a whole load of them!

Try Kim M Watt - Toot Hansel series is cozy mysetries with cake, dragons and kick ass WI. Or her Gobberlino series about a PI and his cat - magic if course!

Georgette Heyer
Elizabeth Peters (the Amelia Peabody ones)
Sarah Caudwell (no-one’s heard of her but they’re very well written)

How about some historical romance? The Bridgerton books are so easy to read

Wow! So many suggestions, thank you so much, I am happily filling up my Kindle. Do keep them coming, the nights are long and I read fast!

@OrchardBlack - I think "cosy, well written dross" is exactly what I need right now. 😂

I would second Julia Quinn, Bridgerton and more!
Joanne Fluke Hannah Swensen series is my go to for comforting easy reading.
Also The Wind and the Willows The Hobbit and PG Wodehouse.

Trisha Ashley if you want cosy but not badly written - it's a surprisingly difficult combination to find. Milly Johnson and Sarah Morgan are also very enjoyable. It takes a lot of skill to write a good light book!

Oh yes for chick lit type comfort- Penny Parks, Cathy Bramley and Trish Ashley.

Also for really mindless try Nora Roberts - the Inn at Boonsboro Trilogy is good if you are interested in interior design as well as romance 😂

Faith Hogan or Imogen Clarke might fit your brief

I have recently read the Rebecca Shaw village books. They get more ridiculous as the series go on but they're basically about a village, a handsome vicar and all the villagers.

Polwenna Bay series by Ruth Saberton 100% fits the bill! Easy to read set in Cornwall

Agreeing with georgette heyer for predictable regency romance but also Elizabeth peters and her Amelia Peabody books for not too taxing Egyptian themed murders mystery

Also a big Nora Roberts fan

Elin Hildebrand or Mike Gayle

I know they are old now but the number one ladies detective agency books are cosy and comfortable. Or you could go even older and read Jeeves and Wooster which are unsurpassed, stylistically brilliant but great fun easy reading as well. Leaning into the 1930s I also love Nancy Mitford and Stella Gibbons.

If you like "sagas" then give Penny Vincenzi a try. She's brilliant

Definitely Sophie Kinsella for very easy reading, fun and engrossing novels. I love the Shopaholic series.