Books that are balm for the soul

[flatsevenup]

Currently reading Mark Boyle’s book, called The way home, Tales from a life without technology, and I honestly can’t remember how long it it is since I read a book so soothing and comforting. Think also a Year in Provence and Simple Abundance, a day book of comfort and joy. Please recommend me books that you have read that made you feel all is well in the world.

Life After Life and A God in Ruins - gives me warm feels.

For Cazalet fans, I highly recommend the Elizabeth Jane Howard biography.

Oh, I read them all back-to-back when we were clearing my parents' house.

I wouldn’t say Cazalet. Definitely PG Wodehouse. I also love reading my childhood Enid Blytons or other children’s books!

I agree! This is my soul balm book.

I adore this book. You've reminded me to read it agin this summer

“Small things like these” by Claire Keegan.
watched the film too but the book just feels so much deeper.

https://amzn.eu/d/08WHN9FF

The Summer Book, Tove Jansson. Wonderful.

I've just seen that I've written almost exactly the same as another poster. It truly is a wonderful book.

I also love 'A Month in the Country' by J.L. Carr. Its emotional range is subtle amd complex, so it's not simply the feeling that all is right with the world, but there is something very healing about it.

Thank you for this lovely thread.

I have been reading these this year and I agree with you completely! I'm currently on Village Diary

I opened the thread to recommend this book too. I feel like it changed me a bit. Can’t wait to forget it enough to read it again (I’m rarely a re-reader)

Anne of Green Gables, Wodehouse, Jane Eyre and anything by Jane Gardam but especially Bilgewater and A Long Way From Verona.

Most recent beautiful book I read was The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier.

Sigh, more books to add to my kindle…reaches for my debit card…

You might get a lot of these for free on whatever library app they have near you (if in the UK)

Tea By The Nursery Fire by Noel Streatfield

Tuesdays With Mortie - Mitch Albom

I also re-read Danny Champion of the World every few years.

The James Herriot books

Raising Hare, about a woman who lives in the countryside and looks after a baby hare

Love this too

Crampton Hodnet by Barbara Pym and Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M. Delafield- both are gently comic novels set in a bygone era

James Herriot

The Adrian Mole diaries

Agree with many of these. Also, I sometimes reach for a Maeve Binchy when I need some comfort. They’re in no way taxing, but they’re full of heart and I find they can restore my faith that, by and large, most human beings have so much good in them.

Wonderful read - I knew it would be on a thread like this.