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Looking for a book to read ........

(100 Posts)
Luckygirl3 Fri 18-Jul-25 18:17:47

Don't like bland froth, but so many of the books I find are blooming miserable and I need something that will cheer me up but also have something to get my teeth into and be well written.

Rozzy Tue 22-Jul-25 08:54:26

Eazybee, I have just finished Shy Creatures having loved Small Pleasures. It’s just as good if not better.

bookaddict Tue 22-Jul-25 15:58:30

I can recommend several good reads for anyone when they have a little time to relax:- Say Kangaroo by Five Sisters! A unique book of recollections by 5 sisters brought up in the era most folks on here spent their childhoods. Or you might try The Belle Fields written by Lora Adams. Will transport readers into another world of both ends of the social spectrum around the 1900's! Enjoy it you have chance to try.

Luckygirl3 Tue 22-Jul-25 17:21:49

I have just found Frank and Red by Matt Coyne in my audiobooks. A simple tale from Ireland, well told and rather touching.

mumstheword86 Thu 24-Jul-25 21:36:21

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
is a good read and reminds us how lucky we are to live in the UK

Faxgran Wed 30-Jul-25 19:04:15

Seconded about the Cazalet Chronicles.
I also like Reginald Hill; real humour, good style and warmth as well as a cracking good murder mystery.

Sweetpeasue Wed 30-Jul-25 19:15:16

I loved 'Enchanted April' by Elizabeth Von Arnim. Quite beautiful , as was the film with wonderful photographic scenes and brilliant actors.

kittylester Wed 30-Jul-25 19:19:46

Has anyone read any Laura Pearson books?

butterandjam Wed 30-Jul-25 20:34:29

Donna Leon's detective series about Brunetti , set in Venice. It's intelligent, interesting and she wtites beautifully.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Leon

srn63 Wed 30-Jul-25 23:38:08

Anything by Lisa See and Where the Crawdads Sing.

Retread Thu 31-Jul-25 08:56:44

I randomly picked The House of Lost Secrets by Anstey Harris from a list and am enjoying it. A recently divorced woman inherits a cottage in a remote part of Scotland from her best friend… so far, so intriguing.

TheWeirdoAgain60 Thu 31-Jul-25 09:07:28

For a really good laugh, and I know we're all adults here and this book is for kids/teens, but Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo .... he's Norwegian, so it's pronounced as Yo Nessbur ... according to Google... had me on the floor with laughter!

He also writes the Harry Hole detective books.

I was absolutely howling!

Litterpicker Thu 31-Jul-25 11:18:45

I don’t think anyone has mentioned one of my favourite authors, Lissa Evans. Old Baggage is the story of a Suffragette, Mattie, and those who campaigned with her. It is now the late 1920s and Mattie turns her focus on the younger generation of women and forms a girls’ club near her home on Hampstead Heath. Here’s a link to a review -
www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/old-baggae-lissa-evans-review-crooked-heart-delight-a8408336.html

Lissa’s other titles are set in WW2 though Crooked Heart begins with Mattie, now an old woman, being cared for by her godson.

I love the quirky humour in these books, the characters and the strong sense of place.

Tuinoma Tue 05-Aug-25 14:03:32

I'm just re-reading the hundreds of books on my kindle instead of buying evermore and landed on The Thread by Victoria Hislop. So pleased I found it again, super descriptions and beautifully observed. Set in Greece around 1917.

Tuinoma Tue 05-Aug-25 14:06:46

Thank you Luckygirl3 for starting this thread..

JPB123 Wed 06-Aug-25 21:24:00

I too am reading the Mitford sisters ,Esmay.I’m currently
reading Wait for Me by Deborah who became the Duchess of Devonshire.A great read.I’m not awfully fond of Outrageous on TV at present, much prefer the books.

grandMattie Wed 06-Aug-25 21:37:47

Anything by Mary Wesley. They are charming.

bookwormbabe Wed 13-Aug-25 13:09:49

I enjoyed Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K Jerome, so I decided to read another of his called Three Men on the Bummel. It was absolutely hilarious. I definitely recommend it to anyone who needs cheering up.

Magenta8 Wed 13-Aug-25 13:58:47

As well as Jerome K Jerome, my favourite comic authors are
P G Wodehouse, and E F Benson.

Lovetopaint037 Wed 13-Aug-25 15:08:27

I agree with The Women recommendation. It was a brilliant read. It was so informative and I had no idea about so much of what went on at that time. The Nightingale is also a great book.

NotSpaghetti Wed 20-Aug-25 00:00:00

Just read this and thought it might fit the bill.
"Restless Dolly Maunder"
I enjoyed it but it also made me think.
Maybe someone else (if not the original person) might enjoy it.
Here's a review:

www.theguardian.com/books/2023/jul/14/restless-dolly-maunder-by-kate-grenville-review-an-empathetic-story-of-a-formidable-grandmother

Lovetopaint037 Wed 20-Aug-25 01:55:50

A lighthearted and really enjoyable book is Lessons in Chemistry.

HelterSkelter1 Wed 20-Aug-25 06:30:18

The trilogy starting with Old Filth. By Jane Gardam. Filth being Failed In London Try Hong Kong. Intriguing and often with gentle humour set over 70+ years. And Filth is the nickname for the main character a top notch lawyer from humble beginnings.

In fact I shall read it again.

Eloethan Sun 24-Aug-25 20:32:12

I'm another one for David Nicholls - You Are Here, Us, or Starter for Ten.

About a Boy - Nick Hornby

Crooked Heart - Lissa Evans (a very funny and ultimately touching book)

Carmen54 Sun 24-Aug-25 20:35:40

The Pursuit off happynesss

True story absolutely amazing