An uplifting book recommendation please

BladeAnnie I too was rolling about with laughter at the MM book, not to everyone’s taste, I’m now on her second book. When any friends visit I hide the book away 😀

I’m making a list of all the great suggestions here for my own personal reading. 👍

The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell. A hilarious account of day to day life in his bookshop. I loved this book. Because of diary format can be picked up anytime.

Donna Ashworth - Wild Hope is a lovely poetry book
My husband bought me the Miriam Margolyes biography last year and I loved it - absolutely hilarious. However, I know she is a very "marmite" character and not everyone likes her

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden. Nature notes throughout the year with her wonderful paintings of plants. Certainly uplifting.

Gerald Durrel My Family and Other Animals, Birds, Beasts and Relatives.

I enjoyed Where The Crawdads Sing .
When one of my friends was in hospital - I sent her some adult colouring books with pens , which she really appreciated .
Sometimes endless ward noises put her off reading .

I loved West With Giraffes.

Gangan2

This is when i first discovered how good Audible was whilst in hospital. You can distance yourself from all going on around you ! And it keeps you company during those long nights.

I also think that the audible app and headphones would be a great idea for your friend NanKate. It really helped me when I spent time in hospital, in the way described above.

If your friend likes poetry Donna Ashworth's books are good to dip into. She has recently published a new one called "Wild Hope". Haven't read it yet but it may be worth a look.

My daughter sent me The Fortnight in September by RC Sherriff when I was recovering from chemo. I loved it especially during insomniac nights courtesy of steroids.

I then read his Greengates which I really enjoyed as well.

Lots of good suggestions which I have noted for my next library book order. The Audible app and headphones suggestion is brilliant as well. Memo to self.

This is when i first discovered how good Audible was whilst in hospital. You can distance yourself from all going on around you ! And it keeps you company during those long nights.

Gangan2

Some many great suggestions already but just wanted to add that I absolutely love my Audible app and a set of headphones. Maybe a couple of months subscription for your friend?
You can cancel at any time.
Wishing her a speedy recovery 💐

GREAT IDEA - when I was in hospital for 4 weeks after nearly dying, I couldn’t read anything for about 3 weeks was so unwell, but I think if I’d been able to pop on some headphones and chose make my OWN choice of book that might have cheered me up a lot whilst being stuck on drips for hours. When I eventually was able to read I opted for gripping thrillers to take my mind off everything…and to save getting hands, etc, cold holding a book!

Some many great suggestions already but just wanted to add that I absolutely love my Audible app and a set of headphones. Maybe a couple of months subscription for your friend?
You can cancel at any time.
Wishing her a speedy recovery 💐

Well!

I'm enjoying Annie Hawes "Extra Virgin" about her move, almost by accident, with her sister to a hillside cottage in Italy. Escapism, eccentric behaviour of the two women and the locals it's not demanding but we'll written and amusing.

You said you would like something uplifting and there is one book in my shelves that is moving, tragic, funny and definitely uplifting - Skallagrigg by William Horton. He also wrote Duncton Wood.
I remember reading this originally when I was in hospital for a spell. Definitely occupies the mind!

Reasons to be Cheerful by Nina Stibbe; Marian Keyes Rachel's Holiday: Marian Keyes Grown Ups; The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend; Terry Pratchett books.

An absolute must is John Mortimer with ‘Murderers and Other Friends’’. It’s extremely funny as with all his books. There are also his ‘Rumpole’ books.

Incidentally, thank you everyone. I’ve ordered a few of your suggestions. All best wishes to your friend NanKate.

What about Pam Ayres? I think her poems are so entertaining. 😊

Another vote for Bill Bryson, as you can dip in and out of them, so no deep concentration required.

I also enjoyed Whatever Next? by Lady Anne Glenconner, who has had quite a remarkable life, and tells her story so well. She also wrote Lady in Waiting, which deals with her time as lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret.

Another Bill Bryson fan here and will be easy to pick up from short reads . Also the Salt path is uplifting and Dolly Alderton is entertaining..

5553n I've just reread Bridget Jones Baby and it was a hoot which I so enjoyed. What a spirit lifter

Ive just read and really enjoyed a great cosy crime called Murder in Merrywell by Jane Bettany. I found it perfect to just curl up and relax with after a stressful day.

Primrose, I have read Alan Johnson’s book about his childhood and found it very moving. He is a really sincere and interesting man and I will look at his other books,