Book Recommendations

I asked recently on Instagram Stories for some book recommendations. With my season of life with chronic illness, I have trouble going to sleep sometimes. And I like to read only happy fluffy easy books. I need help turning off my brain, so before bed I avoid all things scary, sad, and heavy. I am obsessed over the Mitford Series by Jan Karon, so I asked for book recommendations like that. I wanted to share the list with you. I haven’t read most of these books, but I plan to start picking away at the list, starting with Crazy Rich Asians. That was the most recommended book.

The Happy Fluffy Book List

• Where’d you go Burnadet, Elinor Oliphant Is Just Fine
• Sisters First
• Talking as Fast as I can (Lauren Graham’s book)
• Crazy rich Asians? On my list
• The Royal We
• Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
• Also what about Louise Penny? 
• They’re mysteries but not suspenseful, really. I also recently enjoyed a short little retelling of Taming of the Shrew called Vinegar Girl.
• Anne of Green Gables got me through a season like this. Also When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke might meet those needs.
• Where the Crawdads Sing is so good! I couldn’t put it down! It’s a happy sad at the end.
• Deanne Gist! I love everything by her!
• ATTACHMENTS by Rainbow Rowell! Sweet, fun, told in emails. Set in 1999. It’s my favorite comfort read.
• My kids and I are reading all of the Mary Poppins books. So different than the movies! Easy but enjoyable. I’ve enjoyed going back and reading books I should have read as a kid 🤷🏻‍♀️
• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series!!
• If you haven’t read the Savanah from Savanna series they are a super fun read, especially being from the south.  I think you would really like it.  I read them years ago but have decided to read the series again this summer.
• I don’t think it’s a beach read, but I’ve been inspired lately by Invincible Louisa about Louisa May Alcott! It’s so lovely
• Aquarq Dorothea benton frank books! South Carolina low country 😊
• I love The Pioneer Woman’s book “black heels and tractor wheels” and also Lauren Graham’s book “talking as fast as o can”. Not sure if either of these are up your ally, but they meet your criteria for light, easy, humorous, friendly reading!
• Try The Rosie Project (and The Rosie Effect, if you like it).
• Have you ready any Maeve Binchy? I haven’t read her novels, but I enjoyed “Maeve’s Times” – short articles perfect for night reading
• I enjoyed Dear Mr. Knightly, if you like nature, Gerald Durrell’s Corfu books are fun, – I’m struggling to remember if books are sad. Some titles, like Dear Mrs. Bird my have sad parts, but aren’t overall sad
• A Girl Named Zippy !!!!
• Have you read the Miss Julia book by Ann Ross? They are very cute!
• How about the Penderwicks series? Also super pleasant. Written for middle grade school kids but well written enough that I really enjoyed them all.
• Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. Also the Incorrigible Children series. I know they’re middle grade fiction but 😍😍😍
• Have you read Grace Livingston Hill?  Her books are light and easy. The Enchanted Barn is my favorite.
• I just finished The Summer of Lost and Found. Really enjoyed it.
• Have you ever read Elizabeth Goudge? She’s my favorite comfort read.
• The Miss Julia series is fun!
• Girl of the Limberlost🤗
• “Where’d you go Bernadette” is really fun and light
• I loved “The Little White Horse” by Elizabeth Goudge. It is a children’s chapter book however I am 41. And it has become one of my top favorites! ❤️
• Also “The Princess and the Goblin” by George MacDonald. Again, a children’s chapter book but enjoyable for adults.
• Happy, light reading is all I can handle too. James Herriot – All Creatures Great And Small series (rural veterinarian tales, hilarious likeable characters, gentle like Mitford series). Mary Norton – Borrowers series (classic young adult fiction also good characters, fun but very light). Please post the other suggestions if possible!
• Sisterchick series by robin jones Gunn!  Like going on vacations with your best friends!
• Any of the Shoppaholic books, and really any book by author Sophie Kinsella.
• If you love Mitford – you’ll love Miss Read! Look them up
• Have you read anything by Gene Stratton Porter or Elizabeth Goudge? They aren’t quite as easy to read, but man are they wholesome and healing stories. If you are unfamiliar with them I’ll give you specific title recommendations. 💛
• I would like to add Fiercehearted by Holley gerth to my suggestions. It is not fiction, but it is extremely readable, very encouraging, and has short chapters.
• Have you read any of James Herriot’s books? All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Creatures Great and Small, etc….They are great for bedtime reading….and they have children’s versions of his books too.
• I don’t know if she’s what you’re looking for but Liane Moriarty is fun for me!

Happy Reading!