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Books/book club

Holiday read

(46 Posts)
Parky Tue 20-Oct-26 19:11:19

Life is very tough at the moment and daughter has booked a week away to have a break.

I like the idea of chilling by the pool and reading. Recommendations for light reading with happy ending please. It's so long since I actually had a chance to read anything other than a newspaper.
No detailed gory bits or long detailed sexual encounters either!

GrannyGravy13 Tue 20-Oct-26 19:12:57

Debbie Johnson Comfort Cafe series.

Easy reading likeable characters, beautiful setting.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 20-Oct-26 19:15:06

Also anything by Milly Johnson, all easy to read, interesting characters and happy endings.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 20-Oct-26 19:17:30

Oops the books are Comfort Food Cafe, sorry

Grandmadinosaur Tue 20-Oct-26 20:37:16

Annabel French also has written a series of similar books in lovely settings. I’ve read The floating Copenhagen cafe by her. Inspired by this I shall be visiting there soon. There is also one set in Amsterdam and Venice.

SpinDriftCoastal Wed 21-Oct-26 08:26:54

Are you a lover of cats? The Alfie series by Rachel Wells. Tales of a London cat and the folks who live on his street through his eyes. It is so gentle to read.

NanKate Thu 22-Oct-26 08:09:21

‘A rip through time’ by Kelley Armstrong mostly set in Victorian Edinburgh. I have read the series twice and loved it even more the second time.

vegansrock Sat 24-Oct-26 13:49:51

Hilary Boyd started writing in her 60s and tends to write romantic stories involving older heroines.

Kitty55 Sat 24-Oct-26 13:50:30

Anything by Evie Woods at any time not just for holidays. Her books are beautiful.
Wishing you fun and happiness on your holiday.

sandye Sat 24-Oct-26 14:22:02

Debbie Mc Cromber has a series of books that are stand alone stories but build into a village called Cedar Cove, my favorate is the wool shop one.

blueblossom Sat 24-Oct-26 14:38:12

I’d also like to throw The Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan into the mix. It’s set in a small coastal town, and the main character opens a bakery after a few things have gone wrong in her life. There’s certainly some romance in it. But what I like about it is that it isn’t on every single page. Things do go wrong, which is actually something I quite enjoy in books like this.

Milly Johnson has been mentioned already, and I’d add her to the list too. In any case, I wouldn’t really fancy having to turn back twenty pages after just twenty pages whilst by the pool.

Magenta8 Sat 24-Oct-26 14:43:40

The Miss Read books which are about a country school mistress are an easy read.

Just about anything by P G Wodehouse particularly the Blandings Castle or the Jeeves and Wooster stories.

AuntieE Sat 24-Oct-26 14:50:46

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Silvertwigs Sat 24-Oct-26 14:53:38

Parky Currently reading Keith Richard’s Life, it’s good, just chill and snooze by the pool x

FranP Sat 24-Oct-26 14:54:27

One of my favourite holiday purchases is thePeople's Friend Specials. Several short lightweight happy stories.

I was recently given Jen deLuca's Haunted Ever After - a lightweight happy mix of bening ghost story with romance in and a few saucy bits. Nothing like my normal Kathy Reichs or Clive Cussler but quite enjoyable.

Newbie2021 Sat 24-Oct-26 14:55:00

I’ve just finished The Silence in Between by Josie Ferguson and Albion by Anna Hope which I really enjoyed. I also really enjoy most books by Kristin Hannah

Neilspurgeon0 Sat 24-Oct-26 15:01:54

The Dorset Detective stories by Rachel Maclean are good and easy to read

Fallingstar Sat 24-Oct-26 15:10:57

Any novel by Anne Tyler. Funny, touching, and an extremely good insight into how extraordinary ordinary family life can be.

Catterygirl Sat 24-Oct-26 15:26:48

I recommend The Cruise or the Spa by Caroline James for light summer reading for us oldies. A bit of romance is thrown in.

Patsytaylor Sat 24-Oct-26 16:00:04

Amanda Prowse

valdali Sat 24-Oct-26 16:06:18

AuntieE

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Second this. Take more than one though, they're short but so heart-warming & sane.

MayBee70 Sat 24-Oct-26 17:04:09

Silvertwigs

Parky Currently reading Keith Richard’s Life, it’s good, just chill and snooze by the pool x

I used to read that when I looked after my grandson after school as it was on my daughter’s bookshelf. It was excellent.

Romola Sat 24-Oct-26 17:16:24

I agree about Anne Tyler. I can't think of another author who is so wise and truthful, yet so accessible. She has won major literary prizes.

Romola Sat 24-Oct-26 17:17:49

She's a bit like Elizabeth Gaskell for our times.

Fallingstar Sat 24-Oct-26 17:27:28

Romola

She's a bit like Elizabeth Gaskell for our times.

So true, have read most of her books, as have my DDs. Once you get hooked that’s it!