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

The Pursuit off happynesss

True story absolutely amazing

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)

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.

A lighthearted and really enjoyable book is Lessons in Chemistry.

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

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.

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

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.

Anything by Mary Wesley. They are charming.

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.

Thank you Luckygirl3 for starting this thread..

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.

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.

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!

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.

Anything by Lisa See and Where the Crawdads Sing.

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

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Leon

Has anyone read any Laura Pearson books?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Enchanted April - Elizabeth Von Armin. It was a great film, too!