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Help - our Book Club needs a 'happy' book!

31 replies

OllieWollieWoo · 13/02/2009 13:34

Our monthly Book Club has just read a series of quite dark/sad/downright depressing books (The Road, The Shack, Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Mercy) and my choice is coming up and everyone would like a more happy or uplighting book - and I am stumped! (Does that say something about the books I choose to read???!!!!)

We've already done The Secret Life of Bees but something like that would be good. Any pointers?

OP posts:
PrimulaVeris · 13/02/2009 13:45

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen was a good light read for me recently

FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/02/2009 16:40

Alexander McCall Smith, any of his books.
Kate Atkinson

mollyroger · 13/02/2009 16:42

my family and other animals - Gerald Durrell(nice to have a bit of warmth and sunshine this time of year, too...)

a Bill Bryson?

FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/02/2009 16:49

Or classic whodunnits like Agatha Christie

littlerach · 13/02/2009 17:00

A Mitford book?
Love in a Cold Climate kinda thing?

Anne Tyler?

FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/02/2009 17:01

Jane Austin
E M FOrster

Kathyis6incheshigh · 13/02/2009 17:02

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.

There will be lots to talk about because it is half a sort of parody of very serious and over-intense rural novels. Plus, it is the funniest book ever written.

londonartemis · 13/02/2009 18:57

Digging to America by Anne Tyler is a lovely enjoyable book. Two Korean girls adopted by two American families. Not sad, or stressful! Or, what about a celebrity autobiography. They're quite a light read and good fun sometimes.

NannyDonna · 16/02/2009 20:45

Chocolate lovers club.
I found it a easy read and very funny.

LoveBuckets · 16/02/2009 20:48

This one is light, funny, moving and cheap (and written by my mum so you have to be nice about it).

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 16/02/2009 20:50

londonartermis - i agree

what about 'Moab is my Washpot' by Stephen Fry - you can hear his voice when you read it (For me, that is a good thing). Laugh out loud funny in places, but not shallow, very moving in places.

Peter Hill's 'Stargazing' (Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper) may sound an odd thing to suggest, but it is uplifting and hopeful.

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 16/02/2009 20:52

Gervase Phinn - Schools Inspector, absolutely hilarious but not a lot to talk about, but very funny!

Flamesparrow · 16/02/2009 20:52

tuesdays with morrie? (or is it thursdays) - it has an overall positive feel good and enjoy life vibe

Flamesparrow · 16/02/2009 20:53

I found digging to america a bit meh - it was ok, but nothing great for me

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 16/02/2009 20:54

Love Buckets - wow, your mum is a real author.

Everyone on Amazon has been more than nice about it so, assuming they are not all your friends and other MNers, it obviously comes highly recommended!

bananapaddlepop · 16/02/2009 20:54

William Boyd - Stars and Bars...

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 16/02/2009 20:57

Flamesparrow - Tuesdays!

FiveGoMadInDorset · 16/02/2009 21:00

William Boyd - Any Human Heart

BarcodeZebra · 16/02/2009 21:02

Summer Book - Tove Jansson

Ewe · 16/02/2009 21:04

The End of Mr Y - Scarlett Thomas

Not happy per se but very good, not sad and plenty to talk about!

MrsBoo · 16/02/2009 21:10

A Town like Alice (Nevil shute) this is what i wanted to pick for our book club - but ended up going for On chesil Beach instead

newpup · 16/02/2009 21:48

A Gathering Light by Jennifer Donnelly - fabulous read, our book group loved it. If you liked Secret Life of Bees you will love it!

Flamesparrow · 16/02/2009 22:34

Mr Y is hard

mumnosbest · 10/05/2009 00:46

James Patterson - Sundays at Tiffanys

glenthorpe · 10/05/2009 01:49

I really enjoy Nevil Shute books,he has intersting story lines but there are 2 that stay with me.The first is In the Wet which is frankly amazing and the second is Round the Bend.Both have religion within them which is unusual for me as that is not something that grabs me,but if you haven't read them,give them a try.I think on balance the first is the happier book for me.

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