I warmly recommend all the above.
I've read the delightful Henrietta's War by Joyce Dennys several times and it never disappoints.
Penelope Lively's According to Mark was another re-read, and a reminder of how good a writer she is.
D.J. Taylor's collection of excellent short stories Stewkey Blues I covered here.
Mother's Boy, a fictionalised look at the life of Charles Causley, was my first Patrick Gale and I'm sure won't be my last.
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman kept me enthralled throughout.
Celebrated 'nose' Jean-Claude Ellena provides, in his Atlas of Perfumed Botany, "a varied and fascinating cartography of fragrances, tracing historical connections and cultural exchanges". If you're interested in scents and their origins, this would be a lovely addition to your bookshelf.
I've had Henrietta's War by Joyce Dennys in stock several times but never got round to reading it. Thank you for the prompt as I have just opened a box of purchases and found it! I shall fianlly give it a go.
Posted by: Juxtabook | 28 February 2023 at 03:14 PM
I hope you'll enjoy it, Catherine!
Posted by: Cornflower | 28 February 2023 at 04:30 PM
Henrietta's War is one of those books I read over and over again, too. Other top comfort books are The Diary of a Nobody and The Secret Life of Adrian Mole.
Posted by: callmemadam | 01 March 2023 at 09:37 AM
I'd add Mapp & Lucia, The Pursuit of love/ Love in a Cold Climate, and Cold Comfort Farm - they never fail to amuse and entertain.
Posted by: Cornflower | 01 March 2023 at 10:12 AM
Just watched Rick Stein’s Series 3, episode9 of Rick Stein’s Cornwall on bbc2 from last Thursday (23rd Feb) where he interviews Patrick Gale about Charles Causley - might be of interest to you Karen if you missed it or weren’t aware. The interview starts around 19 minutes into the programme. I know I’ve read and enjoyed a Patrick Gale book in the past but can’t remember which one - will have to search my loan history at the library!
Posted by: Doreen B | 03 March 2023 at 09:52 PM
Thank you, Doreen, I shall certainly watch! I very much enjoy that programme but hadn't realised a new series had started.
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 March 2023 at 10:28 AM
I must read Henrietta's war. We can learn so much from those who lived through it.
Posted by: Nicola Scott | 01 April 2023 at 09:09 PM
Yes, indeed, Nicola.
Posted by: Cornflower | 02 April 2023 at 10:09 AM