Struggling to get back into reading

Roald Dahl springs to mind
I was just about to post the same - Roald Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected for instance..

I also was disappointed with Richard Osman’s book. If you enjoy murder mysteries, how about Agatha Christie, an old fashioned easy read, if you’re re-reading you can try to remember whodunnit.

I love anything by the French author Colette, she always cheers me up.
I second Dorothy Whipple, Elizabeth Taylor D.E.Stevenson and Barbara Pym. I also like Angela Thirkell, 1930s amusing novels.

I’m currently reading The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett who wrote The Secret Garden, but her grown up fiction is excellent.
I’m going to try Elizabeth Jane Howard too, family sagas.

For a really easy read how about a Jeffrey Archer, he has written a lot of short stories, so quick and easy. I would second Agatha Christie but only if you do t k ow the plot

I know what you mean, try a meditation app for a few days to quieten the mind then reading becomes easier

Even though I struggle to read books these days one book I couldn’t put down was Bill Brysons book At Home. In fact I’m going to start re reading his books; I’ve always found them such an easy read.

How about Joanna Trollope? I'm just reading 'Mum and Dad'.

Recently renewed my library membership after over twelve years of Kindle reading. What a joy to wander around browsing all the books, have borrowed some really good reads and rediscovered how nice it is to hold a proper book again. Just reading 'Summer of Love by Caro Fraser, definitely not fluffy, a really good story, lots of twists and turns. For me it's 5*

Bill Bryson for me. I loved Walk in The Woods, read all of them but The History of Everything was beyond me. His wit makes me laugh out loud. Did like the first Richard Osman but not subsequent ones.

I haven't read the whole thread so not sure if my recommendation will have been suggested. The 44 Scotland Street books by Alexander McCall Smith are really easy and enjoyable to read with short chapters and lots of interesting characters. If you like these books, there are lots of go at.

MayBee70

Even though I struggle to read books these days one book I couldn’t put down was Bill Brysons book At Home. In fact I’m going to start re reading his books; I’ve always found them such an easy read.

Hi MayBee70, they have some fantastic audio books in the library
to take home or you can buy them fairly cheaply on Amazon too

Roisin Meaney books are good. Similar to Maeve Binchy but with a bit more oomph!

Daniela Sacerdoti is an author who's books have kept me engrossed.

I’m not a great reader but have really got in to Richard Osmans The Thursday Murder Club. Easy to read and funny too. Finally got the four one of the original set plus a new one We Solve Murders. I usually keep them for holiday reading but I won’t manage that now. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

I wasn’t expecting much from this to be honest, but it was so amusing, I went through it like a dose of salts 👍

A few people mentioned children's books. I was in a charity shop today and there were a few Jennings books. I couldn't leave them there and am looking forward to reading them in due course.

I am not sure I would recommend Barbara Pym for someone coming back to reading. Years ago I really enjoyed her books but came back to them ecently I found them mannered, and not easy to read. She was of her time, but has quickly dated.

Bill Brson is good as he is laugh out loud funny.

If you want a change from novels, could I suggest the food critic Jay Rayner’s “Chewing the Fat” and “My Last Supper”. The books are not long, but he has a light touch, is informative and very very funny.

Allsorts I am still hoping to work my way through ‘A Short History of Everything’ and I’ve had the book some years. He lost me at string theory………

hollysteers

I wasn’t expecting much from this to be honest, but it was so amusing, I went through it like a dose of salts 👍

Oh it’s those two from Goggle Box!

On the subject of food Grace Dent's, Hungry is a really good easy read, her life told through food from her earliest working class childhood memories of a spaghetti concoction with ketchup right through to a more sophisticated developed palette as restaurant critic for the Guardian.

palette palate

Plus 1 for “Hungry”👍🏻!

Oh, Terribull, I can't get on with Grace Dent. I think she is an acquired taste, excuse the pun! 🤔

Ilovedogs22

Oh, Terribull, I can't get on with Grace Dent. I think she is an acquired taste, excuse the pun! 🤔

I skimmed through Hungry. I liked her witty, Cumbrian memories but this didn't do anything for me I'm afraid.