Book suggestions?

I once sat opposite him on a bus (those seats near the door that faced inwards) A woman was loudly proclaimimg something daft (slightly inebriated or maybe a touch dotty) He was smiling to himself - I did wonder whether it would appear in one of his books.

Rosesared great minds think alike. Those are all favourites of mine. Needless to say I pre order every Alexander McCall Smith book he produces. His books are wonderful. I've seen him at a few book events and he is exactly as you'd expect him to be. Just lovely. And a great giggler.

Have never read any Angela Thirkell, I will look up her books.
bought the Hamish stories by Beaton on my Kindle ( as I liked the tv version) but sadly didn't like them at all.
What about Cold Comfort Farm,by Stella Gibbons ,I Capture The Castle, by Dodie Smith? and September (Rosamund Pilcher)

Currently reading the ham ish mac beth series by M c Beaton. Detective. Not gory. Funny and charming.

Love the Bertie books Alexander Mccall Smith. It's the 44 Scotland street series. Would also recommend highly the audio books of ladies of letters. Try to start with the first one. Very funny.

I've downloaded Alan Bennett's books (although I've read them before I love his style). I'd forgotten about Daddy Longlegs I'd read it many years ago but remember I loved it. Will try to track it down. Cazalet Chronicles also downloaded. So many goodies!
I love Angela Thirkell and recommend her strongly to kindred reading spirits.

Good luck with the op. I'd suggest Elizabeth Jane Howard--- try "Getting It Right", the bit where the two men of the family have to endure Mother's cooking with chocolate is just wonderful. Her Cazalet chronicle (five books)is a real treat. Also "Daddy Longlegs" by ( I think) Jean Webster, a real oldie but well worth revisiting.

Alan Bennett? 'The Uncommon Reader'perhaps. Sue Townsend?'The Woman who Stayed in Bed for a Year' ? Both have written many books, mostly amusing, undemanding!
Have you read the book called something like 'The Hundred Year Old Man Who Jumped Through the Window'? I loved it.
I've just read a most unusual book, first in the Goth Girl series by Chris Riddell, beautifully designed and printed. It's intended for upper primary children but is full of odd little puns and cliches which I found amusing. Bought it for grandchild but just had to read it!

If you've been enjoying Poldark on TV, you would enjoy the series of 12 books. I like both.
Also, if you have a kindle, Amazon will suggest books for you based on your previous purchases.
There's lots of fairly easy read authors around such as Susan Lewis, Jodi Picoult, Lesley Pearse, Dorothy Koomson.

Just had to say how much I'm enjoying 'A man called Ove'. What a brilliant book!

I like Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's. There are some short stories available very cheap if you want to get a taste before you dive into the series, though they so come after the first in sequence.

ps there are probably thousands of signed first editions out there

^ "Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers".^
That must be one of the 44 Scotland Street series; I have read some of them and have a signed first edition of 'The Importance of being Seven' from when I went to a talk by the lovely Alexander McCall Smith.
[smug]

The My Friends series by Jane Duncan. Each book is complete in itself but has the same central character. These have recently been republished for kindle after being out of print for some years but were hugely popular in their day.
You could also try Pomp and Circumstance - Noel Coward's only novel

I am currently reading Alexander McCall Smith's "Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers". I've never read anything of his other than the No1 Ladies D A series, but this is 'reeling me in' with its whimsy!

I think you're all kindred reading spirits! We seem to have such similar tastes. Needless to say I've read all of these. Not sure about The Swimming Pool, I'm not keen on tension as an escape from life. Thank you all.

Try The Swimming Pool very tense but havent got author to hand sorry

What about Sue Townsend, Queen Camilla? Made me laugh anyway.
Or something by Bill Bryson?
Alan Bennett, The Clothes They Stood Up In or The Laying On Of Hands ( hilarious)

I'm reading The Silk Merchant's Daughter - a Times Bestseller apparently!
However, it's not as good as I thought it was going to be. If someone gives it to you, read it, but don't buy it!!

It is rather like the curate's egg but it did get a lot of 5* reviews on Amazon, so perhaps it's me.

I've just discovered Santa Montefiore and am enjoying her books. Jenny Eclair's books are entertaining.

Yes I have read it. Loved it. Just the sort of book I enjoy!

You've probably read it, but if you haven't, "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson.

I'm reading my first book by Santa Montefiori, a family saga. It's not a comedy but is quite absorbing in an undemanding way. They're quite pricy on Amazon at the moment but they regularly come up as their books of the day at about 99p.

www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Santa+montefiore

Kate Morton writes along similar lines, too.

If you like humour you could try Jonathan Coe- usually about the establishment and government. Try Expo58. I always think everyone knows about Barbara Pym, but if you don't she is a funny look at the world of the middle class in the 1950s. All of them are good. Good luck with the knee op hope all goes well.

Thanks. Great minds think alike! I loved the Shell Seekers and Diary of a Nobody is a favourite already. I've downloaded the "Man called Ove". Good start.