The Next Best Book Club discussion
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Gentle reads
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I've heard of some of the others too.
And I can't wait for that Good Night Mr. Tom you recommended Fiona - I'm on the wait list for that one also.

First of all, a few classics that you may already be acquainted with, but if not check out the novels of L M Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott. I usually find these very soothing.
If you don't mind reading books with child protagonists, I highly recommend The Penderwicks A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
If you are into chick-lit, Sophie Kinsella ("Shopaholic" series) and Katie Fforde (my fav is Stately Pursuits) write fluffy chick-lit that manages to be smart and well-written, too. I also just read and loved The Little Lady Agency These are great PG/PG-13 type "romantic comedies" and the British setting is great!
Our Hearts Were Young And Gay An Unforgettable Comic Chronicle of Innocents Abroad in the 1920s and Summer at Tiffany are good for some college-age adventures in the "golden era" and 1940s. Sweet stuff here!
I think PG Wodehouse is hilarious and all of his stuff is really light--he used to write musical comedies in the 1920s, so you can guess...! ;-> Try A Damsel in Distress for starters.
Also, if you missed the "Shoe" books by Noel Streatfield as a child, be sure to read them now!!! Start with Ballet Shoes
IF you like YA, then don't miss Larklight A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space and its sequels. This is a space-pirate adventure set in Victorian times! Such a hoot! Though perhaps a bit too amusing to lull you to sleep! ;-p
I hope this helps and I look forward to reading other posts and getting new ideas.

Laura wrote: "Being a fan of Jan Karon's Mitford series, I'm looking for more books in the "gentle reads" genre. Something that is good when you want something you can play to lull you back to sleep at 4AM.
..."

Each of these books are gentle stories set in the days when America was young, and capture the fears and pleasures of growing to adulthood. It's a shame there are so few of these type of stories being published.

I'm a hopeless softie, but I can't help it. I love these kinds of books.


My mom and grandmother have read everything by Richard Paul Evans and Jennifer Chiaverini. They love those two authors. I've enjoyed the ones I've read, and I would call them "gentle" books. They also really like books by Beverly Lewis. I haven't read anything by her, but I think they're nice little romantic books set in Amish country. I don't think I've confused her with someone else!

We're not the only ones who miss quality TV. I'm sure of it.
Oh well, we'll be reading until the networks come up with something useful. Fine with me actually. Not so great for the kids, tho.

My mom and grandmother have read ev..."
JG - Are you the one who said Big Stone Gap is good? That series is probably gentle too huh??? I can't remember if it was you.


I'm looking forward to the Big Stone Gap series, JG - have you read the series or just the first one?

haha...I'm actually going tomorrow to request it on Interlibrary Loan after hearing her push it...she's good.

To each their own taste as I couldn't stand the Shopaholic series. A woman who is addicted to shopping and is so financially irresponsible that she can't pay her bills and shops anyway... I couldn't get through it.
I think PG Wodehouse is hilarious and all of his stuff is really light--he used to write musical comedies in the 1920s, so you can guess...! ;-> Try A Damsel in Distress for starters.
I do like P.G. Wodehouse. I'm reading his stuff now.

For YA/Juvenile titles, I would suggest the Little House books.

Sorry! Been away for a few days. I've only read the first one. I'm a little torn between hunting down and ripping through the rest of them or slowly reading them and making them last a while. I hope the rest are as good as the first one was.

The Safe-Keeper's Secret, The Truth-Teller's Tale, and The Dream-Maker's Magic - a series, but each book stands alone, also Summers at Castle Auburn - all by Sharon Shinn.
And I Capture the Castle, unless you're already reading that because of Fiona!
Everyone's heard of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series, but I liked her Emily books better, there are three, starting with Emily of New Moon - she also wrote The Blue Castle, which is rather wonderful!
So I hope they're the kind of thing you mean..:)

I have this but havn't read it yet. I bought it from a discounted bookseller. Nice to hear a recommendation for it.

I just read Anne of G.Gables for the 1st time this year and loved it. Didn't know about the Emily series. I def. have to look that one up!
I love discovering new series in the "gentle" category. Thanks!



I think each person does have their own interpretation of Becky, from Shopaholic, and I know some can't stand her but just to offer the other side of the argument: I tend to think of her as a girl with a good heart but a very bad problem (shopping too much and beyond her budget) but I think we all have our flaws and her warm heart and helpfulness to others made up for the shopping issues for me. Also, she does become aware of her addiction and works on it, so I don't think the book is really advocating that type of lifestyle.
I heartily second all the LMM recommendations and especially the Emily books and The Blue Castle which are actually my favorites but tend to be overshadowed by Anne.





Kandice - I'm sure Fiona the bookPusher would have thrown the Castle in here, but I actually read it by chance before she started pushing it!


Books mentioned in this topic
Remember Me? (other topics)Garden Spells (other topics)
Remember Me? (other topics)
The Blue Castle (other topics)
The Sherwood Ring (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Maeve Binchy (other topics)Elizabeth Marie Pope (other topics)
Beverly Lewis (other topics)
Frances Hodgson Burnett (other topics)
My librarian printed out some authors from NoveList, and I wanted to see if anyone particularly recommends any of these -
1. Miss Read is the author, the 1st book of the series is Thrush Green
2. Ann B. Ross - Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind A Novel is the first of the series set in a small NC town
3. Jennifer Chiaverini - The Quilter's Apprentice is the first - this series is set in PA and centers around quilting
4. Philip Gulley - Home to Harmony, this series takes place in Harmony, Indiana
Also they suggested books by Richard Paul Evans.
Although I've heard of some of these, I've never read any of them, so if anyone enjoys these series or can recommend any other gentle reads, I would so appreciate it!
I'm also open to YA fiction and Juvenile classics. For example, I found Francis Hodgson Burnett's books The Secret Garden and A Little Princess to both be perfect for this. I didn't read very many childrens classics when I was little, but I'm really enjoying them now.