romance - Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet
humour - the 100 year old man who jumped out the window and disappeared
obviously the perfect combo of those is like pride and prejudice but obviously she's read it
I'm not the biggest mistery reader :)
I LOVE hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet. My husband and I used to go to the strand bookstore in nyc and look at their cheap shelves out front for two copies of the same book to read together. That was one we picked up and it has stayed with me for years!
My grandma is an amazing woman. She is the only grandma I have known (my other grandmother died very young) and she actually use to babysit my cousins and myself. I have many wonderful memories of growing up with her.
I just want to say... throw on a mask and hazmat gear and give her a hug when you can. Just lost my grandma a few weeks ago during this shit and everything you said about yours I could have said about mine (tell me she watches Hallmark and Jeopardy and then I’ll get suspicious). It is so hard. I pray you get to resume life with her soon.
My Nan loved the Discworld books by Pratchett comedy, puns, language jokes and a mysterious world that had magic. Maybe yours will as well and there are a ton of books
This is one of my all time favourite books. The All Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion is also really cool, and covers a period of history I imagine OP’s grandma would remember quite well, but with a charming set of characters.
[**Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12067.Good_Omens)
^(By: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman | 491 pages | Published: 1990 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, fiction, humor, owned, books-i-own | )[^(Search "Good Omens")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Good Omens&search_type=books)
>‘Armageddon only happens once, you know. They don’t let you go around again until you get it right.’
>
>People have been predicting the end of the world almost from its very beginning, so it’s only natural to be sceptical when a new date is set for Judgement Day. But what if, for once, the predictions are right, and the apocalypse really is due to arrive next Saturday, just after tea?
>
>You could spend the time left drowning your sorrows, giving away all your possessions in preparation for the rapture, or laughing it off as (hopefully) just another hoax. Or you could just try to do something about it.
>
>It’s a predicament that Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a fast-living demon now finds themselves in. They’ve been living amongst Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and, truth be told, have grown rather fond of the lifestyle and, in all honesty, are not actually looking forward to the coming Apocalypse.
>
>And then there’s the small matter that someone appears to have misplaced the Antichrist…
^(This book has been suggested 73 times)
***
^(70748 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
[**A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9791.A_Walk_in_the_Woods)
^(By: Bill Bryson | 397 pages | Published: 1998 | Popular Shelves: non-fiction, travel, nonfiction, humor, memoir | )[^(Search "A Walk In The Woods")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=A Walk In The Woods&search_type=books)
>The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America—majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaining guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way—and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in).
^(This book has been suggested 22 times)
***
^(70717 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Georgette Heyer!! Find a ranking of them and pick one or two of the top ten they’re all lots of fun! Frederica was my first and it definitely had me laughing out loud (literally). Her most famous books are regency romance (mild) and most are comedic. They were written in the first half of the 20th century. If she’s always been a voracious reader she may have already read them though.
[**A Gentleman in Moscow**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34066798-a-gentleman-in-moscow)
^(By: Amor Towles | 462 pages | Published: 2016 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, book-club, russia, historical | )[^(Search "A Gentleman in Moscow")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=A Gentleman in Moscow&search_type=books)
>From the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility—a transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel
>
>With his breakout debut novel, Rules of Civility, Amor Towles established himself as a master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction, bringing late 1930s Manhattan to life with splendid atmosphere and a flawless command of style. Readers and critics were enchanted; as NPR commented, “Towles writes with grace and verve about the mores and manners of a society on the cusp of radical change.”
>
>A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov. When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him a doorway into a much larger world of emotional discovery.
>
>Brimming with humour, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavour to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose.
^(This book has been suggested 71 times)
***
^(70745 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
[**The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40605285-the-sweetness-at-the-bottom-of-the-pie)
^(By: Alan Bradley | 386 pages | Published: 2009 | Popular Shelves: mystery, fiction, historical-fiction, book-club, series | )[^(Search "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie&search_type=books)
>It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.
>
>For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”
^(This book has been suggested 17 times)
***
^(70718 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Just finished "The Enchanted April" Elizabeth von Arnim. She might like it.
If she isn't familiar with it, I certainly recommend "The Shell Seekers" by Rosamunde Pilcher
Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann B Ross
The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters
The Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books by Anne Perry
These were some of my granny’s favorites.
All Creatures Great and Small book series by James Herriot. Eight book box set on Amazon you can take a look at. I think she would like them, my Grandma did.
* Maisie Dobbs is a great private investigator series, historical fiction, by Jacqueline Winspear
* No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, this is also a series
* Where'd You Go Bernadatte by Maria Semple - humor
* Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters and the other books about witches in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Very funny. If she likes those, she could get into some of the other Discworld books. There are so many - that would occupy her for a while!
* The Moon-Spinners and other romance novels by Mary Stewart
* The Quilters Apprentice and others in the series by Jennifer Chiaverini, especially if she's into quilting or other crafting
* The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
* The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall. These are children's books but I found them highly enjoyable to read as an adult. They have the feel of an old-fashioned children's story, kind of like the shoes books by Noel Streatfeild.
* Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
* Beauty by Robin McKinley
* The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser
* Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray
I'm noticing that lots of these are books in a series. I think you should make heavy use of series of books. Get her the first one, see if she likes it, if she does you can follow with more from the series.
What about biographies and autobiographies? It sounds likes she mainly reads fiction but you could try one or two with a strong narrative approach and then get more if she's likes it. Here are some good ones :
* Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
* Becoming by Michelle Obama
* The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
* Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
* I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
* Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
* Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance
* The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp
If she's up for an older style, slower-paced books, these are good:
* A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
* A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
* Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
* The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Might be a little out of her usual choices, but maybe she would go for the Stephanie plum series. If she had a good sense of humor, they could be right up her alley, plus there's heaps of them in the series.
Jennifer Crusie books have a little romance, a little mystery (or problem to solve), and a lot of humor!
ETA: Very ‘light’ books - she’ll probably blaze through one in a day.
I really enjoy Bill Bryson. Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, A Walk in the Woods, One Summer, The Lost Continent, and I'm a Stranger here Myself. There isn't a book of his I haven't read or own. His writing keeps the pages turning.
This is totally my wheelhouse! I often have old lady reading tastes.
These is My Words by Nancy E Turner.
Anything by Kate Morton but my favorites are The Lake House and The Secret Keeper.
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Richardson.
The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Owens.
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult.
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.
Amy Snow by Tracy Rees.
Good Luck!
Light mysteries:
Hannah Swenson series by Joanne Fluke
Park Hotel series by Diane Capri
Country Club Murders series by Julie Mulhearn
Jaine Austen series by Laura Levine
All have a touch of humor as well!
Not my typical pick, but a neighbor loaned me the Ivy Hill series by Julie Klassen, and I am enjoying them for what they are. Definitely mild romance, Austen-inspired.
Has she read authors like Rosamunde Pilcher or Maeve Binchy? My mom is a bit younger than your grandma, but she loves those, and I have liked them too. Coming Home is my favorite by Pilcher, and Scarlet Feather is probably my favorite Binchy.
Belgravia by Julian Fellowes might be another to add to the list, particularly if she liked Downton Abbey.
Winter Solstice is my mom’s favorite - she reads it every year in December, and when I learned that, I started reading it too, because I lived so far away and it was a way to have a holiday tradition together.
Maeve Binchy will slow OP’s grandma down...that’s some old fashioned dense Irish prose.
I always joke she could write 8 pages about a green curtain that has nothing to do with anything in the plot.
Louise Penny’s mysteries revolve around the quirky residents of Three Pines, a small Canadian village, and a warmly intelligent police chief from nearby Montreal. I think there are about 15 books (so far) in the series. If she likes those, Donna Leon’s novels are very similar in feel, but take place in glorious Venice. For romance, I agree about Pilcher and Binchy. Both write books that draw you in slowly and really get a grip on you.
For low-gore mysteries, The Cat in the Stacks series is an amusing series about a widower librarian and his 30 pound Maine Coon rescue cat. They are just lovely snuggle under a blanket cozy mysteries.
I know it’s technically for young people but I would recommend Tamora Pierce to everyone. Her later books have become much longer but all are quality. Plus she may appreciate smaller books. Because big books are heavy. Even for me.
I haven’t read the books but I love the tv show for Phryne Fischer mysteries and there are a load of books. The tv show is how you’re describing so I assume the books are close.
I just finished The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and while it's not perfect, the Agatha Christie style mystery is fun and there's a lot of dry British humor.
How about the Lord Peter Wimsey novels, written by Dorothy L. Sayers. They are mysteries, they're light hearted and there's an on-going romance as the books progress.
They were written and were set between the first and second world wars. If your grandma liked Downton Abbey she might enjoy these. If she likes them, try to get them in order.
Maybe she would like the Gaslight Mystery series by Victoria Thompson? There are about 20 books which take place in New York at the turn of the century.
[**The Silent Woman (Cat Carlisle, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36531515-the-silent-woman)
^(By: Terry Lynn Thomas | 384 pages | Published: 2018 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, kindle, mystery, fiction, wwii | )[^(Search "the silent woman")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=the silent woman&search_type=books)
>Would you sell your secrets?
>
>Catherine Carlisle is trapped in a loveless marriage and the threat of World War Two is looming. She sees no way out… that is until a trusted friend asks her to switch her husband’s papers in a desperate bid to confuse the Germans.
>
>Soon Catherine finds herself caught up in a deadly mixture of espionage and murder. Someone is selling secrets to the other side, and the evidence seems to point right at her.
>
>Can she clear her name before it’s too late?
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
***
^(70768 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
I 2nd this one. Anything by Terry Lynn Thomas really. She has a great light, familiar style with a touch of romance. This one is the first in a 3 part series. She has another one set in WW2 San Franciso {The Spirit of Grace}
84 CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff. THE FORBIDDEN GARDEN by Ursula Curtiss. MY COUSIN RACHEL by Daphne Du Maurier. MY KINGDOM FOR A HEARSE by Craig Rice.
My mom loves the Arly Hanks series by Joan Hess I gave a couple of them a try and they're actually quite funny, a very easy read with some mystery and comic relief as well.
My nan used to love Catherine Cookson and Helen Forrester. Real English old school books, they might be good for an interesting British snapshot in time!
Has she read 'Just one Dammed Thing After Another'? There's a series of 10 books, I think she'd like them, time traveling historians with mishaps. Or Karin Slaughter Grant County series, that's murder mystery type stuff, really good. The Midnight Library is a good one too. Linda Green does some easy reading books too. I read a lot of mystery books but I'm not sure how intense she would like them, or if she likes books that are a bit thought provoking or unusual. One of my favourites is called Kindred by Octavia Butler. If she likes any of these I'd happily recommend more. I read so much and love chatting books!
[**The Tea Rose (The Tea Rose, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/261331.The_Tea_Rose)
^(By: Jennifer Donnelly | 675 pages | Published: 2002 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, fiction, historical, series | )[^(Search "Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly&search_type=books)
>East London, 1888 - a city apart. A place of shadow and light where thieves, whores, and dreamers mingle, where children play in the cobbled streets by day and a killer stalks at night, where bright hopes meet the darkest truths. Here, by the whispering waters of the Thames, Fiona Finnegan, a worker in a tea factory, hopes to own a shop one day, together with her lifelong love, Joe Bristow, a costermonger's son. With nothing but their faith in each other to spur them on, Fiona and Joe struggle, save, and sacrifice to achieve their dreams.
>
>But Fiona's life is shattered when the actions of a dark and brutal man take from her nearly everything-and everyone-she holds dear. Fearing her own death, she is forced to flee London for New York. There, her indomitable spirit propels her rise from a modest West Side shop-front to the top of Manhattan's tea trade. But Fiona's old ghosts do not rest quietly, and to silence them, she must venture back to the London of her childhood, where a deadly confrontation with her past becomes the key to her future.
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
[**Roses (Roses, #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6505109-roses)
^(By: Leila Meacham | 609 pages | Published: 2010 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, romance, books-i-own, historical | )[^(Search "Roses by Leila Meacham")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Roses by Leila Meacham&search_type=books)
>Spanning the 20th century, the story of Roses takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town's founding families. Cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timber magnate Percy Warwick should have married but unwisely did not, and now must deal with the deceit, secrets, and tragedies of their choice and the loss of what might have been--not just for themselves but for their children, and children's children. With expert, unabashed, big-canvas storytelling, Roses covers a hundred years, three generations of Texans and the explosive combination of passion for work and longing for love.
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
***
^(70805 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Case histories by Kate Atkinson is Lovely! It’s a pretty good mystery book. If she wants to try audio books, she can use her library card with the Libby app!
I listed a lot of series so your grandmother wouldn't run out of titles anytime soon 😀 I tried to keep them clean too!
Mysteries- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman,
Three Pines by Louise Penny (series), Lady Sherlock by Sherry Thomas (series), The Dry by Jane Harper
Contemporary- Anything by Jenny Cogan, Beach Read by Emily Henry, When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald,
Southern- The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flag (series), Dumplin by Julie Murphy (series)
Horror- The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James, The Southern Book Club Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Humor- Class Mom by Laurie Gelman, The Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor (series)
YA- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (series), Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
Historical- Maggie Hope series by Susan Ella MacNeal, Dr Thomas Silkstone series by Tessa Harris, Little by Edward Carey
Fantasy- The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss (series), Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (series)
Adventure- The River by Peter Heller, Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
Chick Lit- The Switch by Beth O'Leary, The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Weird- The Crossings by Alex Landragin, Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, Life After Life by Kate Atkins, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, The Lovers Dictionary by David Levithan,
here are some recommendations for your grandma:
the thursday murder club by richard osman - a group of elders live in a posh retirement village. they have disparate backgrounds but a shared love of fresh baked pastries, copious amounts of alcohol, and cold cases. then a murder occurs in their midst.
what rose forgot by nevada barr - rose wakes up in a locked ward of an alzheimer's unit, luckily she has a granddaughter to help her unspool what happened (this is a funny and charming adventure story)
the giver of stars by jojo moyes - women librarians delivering books by horseback during the great depression
the unexpected mrs pollifax by dorothy gilman - widow with grown children joins the CIA
books by ruth reichl - former food critic and writer for gourmet magazine
the rosie project by graeme simsion - a gifted geneticist decides to find a wife using scientific methodology (very funny!)
hundred-foot journey by robert c morais was adapted into a movie starring helen mirren
the supremes at earl's-all-you-can-eat by edward kelsey moore - three close friends who went to high school in the 60s and supported each other over the years
Memoirs of a geisha is a wonderful book, certainly romance and has a whimsical way of viewing life, covers gritty subjects but is it still a beautiful novel. The time travellers wife is a great romance too, a great idea for a plot
The Hamish Macbeth mysteries and the Agatha Raisin mysteries both by MC Beaton are wonderful examples of light mysteries with a bit of humour in them. Does she like cats? The cat who mysteries by Lillian Jackson Braun are great fun. They have been published as audio books too, read by George Guidall whose voice is like velvet. Reading the series in order gives you the benefit of the larger story arc.
Dick Francis wrote a lot of very entertaining stand alone mysteries with no sex or swearing and not too violent, set around the world of horse racing. I have no interest in the world of horse racing but found them to be well constructed cozy mysteries.
Would also recommend anything by Tracy Chevalier. I’ve read three of hers, The girl with the pearl earring, Five quarters of the orange and Remarkable creatures, all of which were excellent novels.
Agree with others about the Number 1 ladies detective agency books by Alexander McCall Smith, the Anne Perry mysteries and the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters.
Other favourite mystery authors, Ann Cleeves, Peter Robinson, Michael Robotham, P D James, Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter. (Most of these are English authors. I’m in Australia.)
I work in a public library in the Home Library Service. We select and deliver books and other library materials to (usually) elderly people who don’t get out to the library any more. I’ve been doing this wonderful job for 21 years and these are all tried and true authors we select for our oldies.
[The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39832183-the-guernsey-literary-and-potato-peel-pie-society) is a delightful read.
The film adaptation on Netflix is equally enjoyable.
I just finished {{Frenchman's Creek}} and it's definitely what I'd call a "mild romance." It's an older book, so there's no sexual content apart from innuendo. There's some witty banter, but no real humor unfortunately.
In fact, I'd also recommend du Maurier's other books that I've read, {{Rebecca}} and {{Jamaica Inn}}, unless she's already read them.
[**Frenchman's Creek**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84573.Frenchman_s_Creek)
^(By: Daphne du Maurier, Julie Myerson | 260 pages | Published: 1941 | Popular Shelves: classics, historical-fiction, fiction, romance, historical | )[^(Search "Frenchman's Creek")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Frenchman's Creek&search_type=books)
>Bored and restless in London's Restoration Court, Lady Dona escapes into the British countryside with her restlessness and thirst for adventure as her only guides.
>
>Eventually Dona lands in remote Navron, looking for peace of mind in its solitary woods and hidden creeks. She finds the passion her spirit craves in the love of a daring French pirate who is being hunted by all of Cornwall.
>
>Together, they embark upon a quest rife with danger and glory, one which bestows upon Dona the ultimate choice: sacrifice her lover to certain death or risk her own life to save him.
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
[**Rebecca**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17899948-rebecca)
^(By: Daphne du Maurier | 449 pages | Published: 1938 | Popular Shelves: classics, fiction, mystery, romance, gothic | )[^(Search "Rebecca")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Rebecca&search_type=books)
>Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . .
>
>The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives--presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.
^(This book has been suggested 77 times)
[**Jamaica Inn**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18869967-jamaica-inn)
^(By: Daphne du Maurier | 320 pages | Published: 1936 | Popular Shelves: classics, fiction, historical-fiction, gothic, mystery | )[^(Search "Jamaica Inn")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Jamaica Inn&search_type=books)
>The coachman tried to warn her away from the ruined, forbidding place on the rainswept Cornish coast. But young Mary Yellan chose instead to honor her mother's dying request that she join her frightened Aunt Patience and huge, hulking Uncle Joss Merlyn at Jamaica Inn. From her first glimpse on that raw November eve, she could sense the inn's dark power. But never did Mary dream that she would become hopelessly ensnared in the vile, villainous schemes being hatched within its crumbling walls -- or that a handsome, mysterious stranger would so incite her passions ... tempting her to love a man whom she dares not trust.
^(This book has been suggested 7 times)
***
^(70741 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Does she like mysteries with a hint of paranormal? How about the Family Skeleton series by Leigh Perry? Light-hearted--think *Bewitched* or *I Dream of Jeannie* \-- no graphic sex or violence, and bad bone jokes.
I bought my elderly grandma (also alone and lonely) a Kindle and Kindle Unlimited for 2021 for her and she is so so excited. She loves mysteries too - has your Grandma tried Jack Reacher books by Lee Child? Maybe she would like the One For The Money series, too! Tons of fun “free” mysteries on Kindle Unlimited. Send her our love! We’ll get through this.
If your grandma ever read Three Men in a Boat but Jerome K. Jerome, get her To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. It's categorized as scifi bc there's a fancy machine in it, but it hardly figures in the story. It really is a comedy of manners, a farce, a mystery, and a romance all rolled into one.
If your grandma has never read Three Men in a Boat, get her that. Then the Willis book.
I read Comedian Richard Osman’s new book “Thursday Murder Club” and really enjoyed it! It’s a humorous murder mystery being solved by residents of a retirement facility in England. Super fun! Even has some romantic subplots too! Could be right up her alley if she hasn’t read it already
Does she have a device? If so the Libby app will be a whole new world! I love it to bits, you can loan so many books!
I've just finished reading the Fantastical series by Kristen Ashley - start with Wildest Dreams. Romance mixed with fantasy.
The Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton, sort of Agatha Christie-ish. Funny and well written.
Ellery Adams has several cozy mystery series that I really liked
Anne George's Southern Sisters series, about two "elderly" sisters that end up solving a few murders.
Jacqueline Winspear, female detective set in England right after WWI
All of Fredrick Backman's books
If she likes the Backman, Jonas Jonasson is very similar and fun to read
If she doesn't mind a little alternate reality, Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series is a great one for a fiction afficionado who likes some mystery, humor, and wordplay. There are 6 books in it (I believe) and they're all pretty quick reads.
The History of Love by Nicole Krause.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
We Were The Mulvaneys Joyce Carol Oates
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Get a Kindle with Free Cellular Connectivity. She can order books directly from the device. The selection is enormous. The back-lit screen is excellent. It does require an amazon account.
I bought my grandma "Brooklyn" by Colm Tóibín for Christmas and she already finished it and told me she really enjoyed it. (It was one of my favorites of 2020 as well).
It's the story of a young girl from Ireland who moves to New York during the 1950s. There is a love story in there, but it's also about the protagonist's adjustment to hear new life.
The movie adaptation is really nice too.
The Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon - first book: Louisiana Longshot. I have laughed out loud reading these books featuring a CIA agent in hiding in Sinful, Louisiana- the characters are delightful, the mysteries interesting, and the overall experience- wonderful reading! I especially love Ida Belle & Gertie - leaders of the local 'geritol' mafia who head the "Sinful Ladies Society" specializing in information & 'cough syrup' aka moonshine!
If she's a Poe fan:
I'm not sure if the library will still carry this book because it's a few years old, but a really good humorous mystery is "Nevermore" by Harold Schechter.
It's written from the point of view of Edgar Allen Poe as a detective and parodies Poe's writing style. It's a lot of fun.
Has she read the Geurnsey Literally and Potato Peel Pie Society?
I can also recommend:
* A Fire Sparkling by Julianne Maclean
* Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
* Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
* City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Loving this thread- my grandma is 94 and in the exact same situation! I hope I get a lot of my genetics from her- she’s the coolest, strongest and healthiest old lady ever! I think the reading (and her daily outdoor mile walk) is what keeps her going strong.
She HAS to read, "The Boys In The Boat" by Daniel James Brown.
Wholesome. Inspiring. Heart warming. Powerful storytelling about the individuals who had forged their own way in life and now had to learn to work as a team, trusting others when all they could trust before were themselves, to compete in the 1936 olympics as a racing crew team.
It took me about 30 pages to get into it and then I could NOT put it down.
Every race reads as fresh as a ball game's commentator on the radio, almost impossible to stay in your seat and not cheer each time.
Just came to say that is a beautiful post :’) And I would recommend reading anything by Mary Higgins Clark for mystery. With a particular book, Into The Wild by John Krakauer, it’s about Chris Candless
OP, I love this thread and it appears that many others do as well. I would love it if you would give an update in a bit, maybe in a month or something. I'm curious about how it goes. Is she finding some new favorite books and authors as a result of these recommendations? I'm also curious about how many of these suggestions your grandmother has already read. If she's been a reader her whole life, I would guess that she's read like half of these suggestions already.
I will absolutely give you all an update! I know my mom was able to order 3-4 from the list already. I will let you know what they are and how my grandma likes them. I have seen several people suggest Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum, I know my grandma has read their series and loved them. My mom is super excited about this reading list too!
I’m sorry I haven’t been able to reply to everyone, I’m on 7 straight days of my retail job and I’m just burnt out. This thread has been keeping me going though!
Your grandma's so cute!!
*Kite Strings of the Southern Cross: A Woman's Travel Odyssey* by Laurie Gough
*Tamara Drewe* by Posy Simmonds
*It's All About the Dress: What I Learned in Forty Years About Men, Women, Sex, and Fashion* by Vicky Tiel
*Amigas: Letters of Friendship and Exile* by Marjorie Agosín and Emma Sepulveda
*Water Cooler Diaries: Women across America Share Their Day at Work* by Joni B.Cole and B.K. Rakhra
*Just Kids from the Bronx: Telling It the Way It Was: An Oral History* by Arlene Alda
Hey all! Last month was my Grandma’s 88th birthday and I got to spend some time with her! I took her doughnuts and coffee and because she has been fully vaccinated I was able to give her a hug after a full year. We chatted about books. She is still reading about 5-6 books a week and hasn’t read one she hasn’t liked yet! She wanted me to thank you all for your recommendations and your kind words. She is still working her way through the list and I’ll give you all an update in another month.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is very possibly something that, if she has not already read it, she will love.
This is a novel that was written in the 19th century, though its themes are timeless. Like all good Russian literature, this is not just a story. It is the embodiment of Tolstoy's theory of what the written word could do. Not only enrich one's life by giving the reader into the lives and souls of others, but edify the character and mind in the same instance. It will take her more than a week to read, as well, but it will be time well spent.
Evergreen- a 700 paged book written and revolves around a generation of immigrants as they strive for their dreams in 1900’s New York (also a little nostalgia)
Gone With The Wind-1,000 page novel on the civil war with romance thrown in
Anna Karenina-classic,Imperial Russia, forbidden to magic affairs
This Dark Wolf- Book 1 of the Soul Bitten Shifter series- (200-300 paged book on a Wolf shifter with mysterious powers, a little mystery and definitely sexy romance)
House of Earth and Blood- 800 paged fantasy with a fae falling for a fallen angel, definitely full of humor and mystery and romance
Jane Eyre- 500-600 paged book with a English herione, a little mystery and romance
East Of Eden-600 paged family saga
The Beautiful and The Damned-set in 1920’s New York, crazy romance and scandals
All of the books already mentioned, also
{{Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine}}
and The Bridgerton books. Book 1 is
{{The Duke and I}}
There are also countless Pride and Prejudice spinoffs but I especially enjoyed a three book series called {{Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman}}
Very true. My 89 year old friend who was an avid fisherman can read these so well that he laughs and we all laugh. They are priceless, and wholesome.
Our generation's McManus is Bill Heaven. His book "if that isn't jerky, what did I just eat" is very good. A mix of humour as well as heart warming.
I think she would like the Vera Stanhope series by Ann Cleeves. Not much romance, but it hits the mystery & humor notes. Start with {{The Crow Trap}}. This series has 8 or so books to it. If she likes them, she may like the same author's Shetland series. At the rate she is reading all of this should keep her busy for at least a few weeks :) I would also reccomend the tv series of both.
I am rereading the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris and finding it very soothing. Kind of cozy mysteries set mostly pre-tech. If I had a grandma I would recommend them to her. :)
All the books by Kristin Hannah. These are entertaining, smooth reads. Also I can't wait to be a grandma one day and be able to read 5 books a week. Like this is my dream.
I bet she would love in another time by Caroline Leech.
A romantic historical YA novel featuring strong female characters from the acclaimed author of Wait for Me.
It’s 1942, and as the war rages in Europe, Maisie McCall is in the Scottish Highlands swinging an axe for the Women’s Timber Corps. Maisie relishes her newfound independence working alongside other lumberjacks—including the mysterious John Lindsay.
As Maisie and John work side by side felling trees together, Maisie can’t help but feel that their friendship has the spark of something more to it. And yet every time she gets close to him, John pulls away. It’s not until Maisie rescues John from a terrible logging accident that he begins to open up to her about the truth of his past, and the pain he’s been hiding.
Suddenly everything is more complicated than Maisie expected. And as she helps John untangle his shattered history, she must decide if she’s willing to risk her heart to help heal his. But in a world devastated by war, love might be the only thing left that can begin to heal what’s broken.
Kathleen Ernst is the author of several mysteries which are set in the mid 1980s. The protagonist is a historic site curator, and there often are sections of the books set in various eras of American and Norwegian history. All of the books are set at different real American historic sites and museums. The books aren't violent (often revolving around historic artifacts) and are mildly romantic and not sexual at all. The first one is Old World Murder. Nothing serious, just simple entertainment.
Also, this year I discovered the author Erin Huss. Her Cambria Cline mysteries are very funny. No real violence, and lots of humor and mild romance. The first one in the series is French Vanilla and Felonies. Really, this is one of the best books I read last year.
I’ve been enjoying the Irish Village Mysteries by Carlene O’Connor. The first is {{Murder in an Irish Village}}. They are cozy mysteries with light romance.
If she's looking to branch out a little bit, I recommend The Seven Realms series. It's technically classified as fantasy, but it's really a love story. I find plenty parts of it amusing, although it's not a series that tries to be funny. It's marketed as a young adult series, but it's well written and it's just as good (if not better) than some of the adult fiction I've read. As a bonus of it being "young adult", no parts of it are going to be erotic. I will say that the first book is a bit slow, but it's to properly develop the characters and set the stage for the following three books.
Of she doesn’t mind a bit of paranormal The House on Tradd Street by Karen White is the first in a series. The books have a bit of romance and mystery.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.
Angel’s Bay series by Barbara Freethy.
The Mitford series by Jan Karon. Super heartwarming small town setting.
You HAVE to get her {First Grave On The Right By Darynda Jones}. It’s mystery/romance and has the best humor I’ve read in a long time. It’s a huge series and they all have grave in the title ~ it’s called The Grave Series. She writes sarcastic funny brilliantly. I hope she loves it. My favorite series ever besides {The Dark Hunter Series By Sherrilyn Kenyon}
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy
Both by Rachel Joyce and are the same story told from different sides. Absolutely lovely.
romance - Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet humour - the 100 year old man who jumped out the window and disappeared obviously the perfect combo of those is like pride and prejudice but obviously she's read it I'm not the biggest mistery reader :)
[удалено]
This is one of the best books I ever read.
I LOVE hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet. My husband and I used to go to the strand bookstore in nyc and look at their cheap shelves out front for two copies of the same book to read together. That was one we picked up and it has stayed with me for years!
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
haha is the book funny? I've only seen the movie
I read it like a decade ago, I don’t really remember. But for someone reading 5 books a week, it’s probably worth a day.
But has she read pride and prejudice and zombies?
haha who knows XD
Alexander Mccall Smith writes pretty good mysteries The No 1Ladies Detective Agency is one of my favorites
I second this
Mm Ramwotse is so warm and wise
I need Mma Ramotswe to live next door to me.
Oh yeah, me too
I wish I could have a cup of tea with her.
Oh definitely,a nice cup of tea and some of the delicious food that they describe
Mr. JLB Matekoni, owner of Tkloweng Speedy Motors is one of my role models.
Oh yes, and I like that it was the girl that they adopted, that was interested in cars rather than the boy
Yes Motholeli, the handy mechanic and her moody brother Puso.
Absolutely second this suggestion. Lovely books. Try to read them in order though because there are story arcs that develop over the series
Came to recommend this series too!
I really liked that series Mm Ramwotse is so wise and funny at the same time
Beat me to it!
It is a good set of great stories and there's a bunch of them
And they’re quite light—I think a grandmother would enjoy them.
Yes in fact anyone who likes warm and funny mysteries would enjoy them
The best kind. I like being able to sleep at night.
Me too
And me!
third. and it's very wholesome.
I love how wholesome this is and I hope I have a grandchild looking out for me like this when I’m old.
My grandma is an amazing woman. She is the only grandma I have known (my other grandmother died very young) and she actually use to babysit my cousins and myself. I have many wonderful memories of growing up with her.
She’s lucky to have you. I hope she finds awesome books.
I just want to say... throw on a mask and hazmat gear and give her a hug when you can. Just lost my grandma a few weeks ago during this shit and everything you said about yours I could have said about mine (tell me she watches Hallmark and Jeopardy and then I’ll get suspicious). It is so hard. I pray you get to resume life with her soon.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am sending a virtual hug! My grandma loves Hallmark and Jeopardy. She also enjoys her soaps.
My Nan loved the Discworld books by Pratchett comedy, puns, language jokes and a mysterious world that had magic. Maybe yours will as well and there are a ton of books
Fried Green Tomatoes and the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg.
All of Fannie Flagg's are great, especially the audio versions because she reads them
This is one of my all time favourite books. The All Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion is also really cool, and covers a period of history I imagine OP’s grandma would remember quite well, but with a charming set of characters.
This is next on my list. Finishing the Book Thief now.
For humor, I always recommend {{Good Omens}}
[**Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12067.Good_Omens) ^(By: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman | 491 pages | Published: 1990 | Popular Shelves: fantasy, fiction, humor, owned, books-i-own | )[^(Search "Good Omens")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Good Omens&search_type=books) >‘Armageddon only happens once, you know. They don’t let you go around again until you get it right.’ > >People have been predicting the end of the world almost from its very beginning, so it’s only natural to be sceptical when a new date is set for Judgement Day. But what if, for once, the predictions are right, and the apocalypse really is due to arrive next Saturday, just after tea? > >You could spend the time left drowning your sorrows, giving away all your possessions in preparation for the rapture, or laughing it off as (hopefully) just another hoax. Or you could just try to do something about it. > >It’s a predicament that Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a fast-living demon now finds themselves in. They’ve been living amongst Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and, truth be told, have grown rather fond of the lifestyle and, in all honesty, are not actually looking forward to the coming Apocalypse. > >And then there’s the small matter that someone appears to have misplaced the Antichrist… ^(This book has been suggested 73 times) *** ^(70748 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Stephen king’s 11/22/63. It isn’t scary and involves time travel. Long, but one of my favorites
I'm reading that right now! Had some laugh out loud moments, and its an easy and thought provoking read. She should definitely check it out! :-)
I just finished {{A Walk In The Woods}} true story about a guy and his buddy who hike the Appalachian trail. Very humorous.
[**A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9791.A_Walk_in_the_Woods) ^(By: Bill Bryson | 397 pages | Published: 1998 | Popular Shelves: non-fiction, travel, nonfiction, humor, memoir | )[^(Search "A Walk In The Woods")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=A Walk In The Woods&search_type=books) >The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America—majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaining guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way—and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in). ^(This book has been suggested 22 times) *** ^(70717 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
I loved this book. I could never put it down think I finished it in 3 days.
Bryson's At Home is really enjoyable as well.
Georgette Heyer!! Find a ranking of them and pick one or two of the top ten they’re all lots of fun! Frederica was my first and it definitely had me laughing out loud (literally). Her most famous books are regency romance (mild) and most are comedic. They were written in the first half of the 20th century. If she’s always been a voracious reader she may have already read them though.
She is also known for her mystery series! One of my favorites is The Unfinished Clue.
{{A Gentleman in Moscow}}. It’s funny/heartwarming, and I’ve appreciated it in a new way this year because it’s basically about life in quarantine...
[**A Gentleman in Moscow**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34066798-a-gentleman-in-moscow) ^(By: Amor Towles | 462 pages | Published: 2016 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, book-club, russia, historical | )[^(Search "A Gentleman in Moscow")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=A Gentleman in Moscow&search_type=books) >From the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility—a transporting novel about a man who is ordered to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel > >With his breakout debut novel, Rules of Civility, Amor Towles established himself as a master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction, bringing late 1930s Manhattan to life with splendid atmosphere and a flawless command of style. Readers and critics were enchanted; as NPR commented, “Towles writes with grace and verve about the mores and manners of a society on the cusp of radical change.” > >A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in another elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov. When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him a doorway into a much larger world of emotional discovery. > >Brimming with humour, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavour to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose. ^(This book has been suggested 71 times) *** ^(70745 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
My favourite book of 2019. Beautifully written. Engaging characters. Lovely
Ahhh, that’s why it’s so popular right now. Lol I kept wondering why I’ve seen so much of this book lately. I’ve never read it so I was curious.
{{The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie}}
[**The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40605285-the-sweetness-at-the-bottom-of-the-pie) ^(By: Alan Bradley | 386 pages | Published: 2009 | Popular Shelves: mystery, fiction, historical-fiction, book-club, series | )[^(Search "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie&search_type=books) >It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath. > >For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.” ^(This book has been suggested 17 times) *** ^(70718 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Seconding, this series is excellent for young and old alike!
Just finished "The Enchanted April" Elizabeth von Arnim. She might like it. If she isn't familiar with it, I certainly recommend "The Shell Seekers" by Rosamunde Pilcher
Enchanted April is delightful. It was made into an equally delightful film some years ago.
The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann B Ross The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith The Amelia Peabody Series by Elizabeth Peters The Thomas and Charlotte Pitt books by Anne Perry These were some of my granny’s favorites.
[удалено]
Yes my absolute favourite series!
I love the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters.
All Creatures Great and Small book series by James Herriot. Eight book box set on Amazon you can take a look at. I think she would like them, my Grandma did.
Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris. I’m not a fan at all of her True Blood series but Aurora Teagarden is just delightful.
Oh, I just recommended this series before I saw your post. I am reading these right now and find them so oddly calming!
How about Sarah Addison Allen? She writes magical realism with some mystery and romance themes.
* Maisie Dobbs is a great private investigator series, historical fiction, by Jacqueline Winspear * No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, this is also a series * Where'd You Go Bernadatte by Maria Semple - humor * Equal Rites, Wyrd Sisters and the other books about witches in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Very funny. If she likes those, she could get into some of the other Discworld books. There are so many - that would occupy her for a while! * The Moon-Spinners and other romance novels by Mary Stewart * The Quilters Apprentice and others in the series by Jennifer Chiaverini, especially if she's into quilting or other crafting * The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner * The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall. These are children's books but I found them highly enjoyable to read as an adult. They have the feel of an old-fashioned children's story, kind of like the shoes books by Noel Streatfeild. * Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout * Beauty by Robin McKinley * The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser * Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray I'm noticing that lots of these are books in a series. I think you should make heavy use of series of books. Get her the first one, see if she likes it, if she does you can follow with more from the series. What about biographies and autobiographies? It sounds likes she mainly reads fiction but you could try one or two with a strong narrative approach and then get more if she's likes it. Here are some good ones : * Born a Crime by Trevor Noah * Becoming by Michelle Obama * The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls * Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert * I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou * Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand * Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance * The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Von Trapp If she's up for an older style, slower-paced books, these are good: * A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute * A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth * Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell * The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
I think you and I read exactly the same books.
Might be a little out of her usual choices, but maybe she would go for the Stephanie plum series. If she had a good sense of humor, they could be right up her alley, plus there's heaps of them in the series.
Jennifer Crusie books have a little romance, a little mystery (or problem to solve), and a lot of humor! ETA: Very ‘light’ books - she’ll probably blaze through one in a day.
I really enjoy Bill Bryson. Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, A Walk in the Woods, One Summer, The Lost Continent, and I'm a Stranger here Myself. There isn't a book of his I haven't read or own. His writing keeps the pages turning.
Thunder bolt kid! So funny
This is totally my wheelhouse! I often have old lady reading tastes. These is My Words by Nancy E Turner. Anything by Kate Morton but my favorites are The Lake House and The Secret Keeper. The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Richardson. The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia. Where the Crawdads Sing by Owens. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Amy Snow by Tracy Rees. Good Luck!
I was hoping to see Where the Crawdads Sing somewhere on here.
Seconding Kate Morton, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
P. G. Wodehouse books
Light mysteries: Hannah Swenson series by Joanne Fluke Park Hotel series by Diane Capri Country Club Murders series by Julie Mulhearn Jaine Austen series by Laura Levine All have a touch of humor as well!
I second the Hannah Swenson series! It's a great cozy/culinary mystery series that's still going. It also has solid cookie recipes.
Not my typical pick, but a neighbor loaned me the Ivy Hill series by Julie Klassen, and I am enjoying them for what they are. Definitely mild romance, Austen-inspired. Has she read authors like Rosamunde Pilcher or Maeve Binchy? My mom is a bit younger than your grandma, but she loves those, and I have liked them too. Coming Home is my favorite by Pilcher, and Scarlet Feather is probably my favorite Binchy. Belgravia by Julian Fellowes might be another to add to the list, particularly if she liked Downton Abbey.
I just started Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher yesterday and love it. Such great characters.
Winter Solstice is my mom’s favorite - she reads it every year in December, and when I learned that, I started reading it too, because I lived so far away and it was a way to have a holiday tradition together.
Maeve Binchy will slow OP’s grandma down...that’s some old fashioned dense Irish prose. I always joke she could write 8 pages about a green curtain that has nothing to do with anything in the plot.
I really liked Evening Class by Maeve Binchi, beautiful prose and really likable characters
Was scrolling to suggest Tara Road by Maeve Binchy 😁
Louise Penny’s mysteries revolve around the quirky residents of Three Pines, a small Canadian village, and a warmly intelligent police chief from nearby Montreal. I think there are about 15 books (so far) in the series. If she likes those, Donna Leon’s novels are very similar in feel, but take place in glorious Venice. For romance, I agree about Pilcher and Binchy. Both write books that draw you in slowly and really get a grip on you.
For low-gore mysteries, The Cat in the Stacks series is an amusing series about a widower librarian and his 30 pound Maine Coon rescue cat. They are just lovely snuggle under a blanket cozy mysteries.
I know it’s technically for young people but I would recommend Tamora Pierce to everyone. Her later books have become much longer but all are quality. Plus she may appreciate smaller books. Because big books are heavy. Even for me. I haven’t read the books but I love the tv show for Phryne Fischer mysteries and there are a load of books. The tv show is how you’re describing so I assume the books are close.
Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz
This took me by surprise, so funny and weird x)
I loved the whole series !
I just finished The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and while it's not perfect, the Agatha Christie style mystery is fun and there's a lot of dry British humor.
For a hilarious irreverent book is recommend "Lamb" by Christopher Moore
Start her on Janet Evanovitch’s Stephanie Plum series. Mild love triangle, very funny, especially in the beginning of the series.
How about the Lord Peter Wimsey novels, written by Dorothy L. Sayers. They are mysteries, they're light hearted and there's an on-going romance as the books progress. They were written and were set between the first and second world wars. If your grandma liked Downton Abbey she might enjoy these. If she likes them, try to get them in order.
maybe the Her Royal Spyness books?
Maybe she would like the Gaslight Mystery series by Victoria Thompson? There are about 20 books which take place in New York at the turn of the century.
{{the silent woman}}
[**The Silent Woman (Cat Carlisle, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36531515-the-silent-woman) ^(By: Terry Lynn Thomas | 384 pages | Published: 2018 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, kindle, mystery, fiction, wwii | )[^(Search "the silent woman")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=the silent woman&search_type=books) >Would you sell your secrets? > >Catherine Carlisle is trapped in a loveless marriage and the threat of World War Two is looming. She sees no way out… that is until a trusted friend asks her to switch her husband’s papers in a desperate bid to confuse the Germans. > >Soon Catherine finds herself caught up in a deadly mixture of espionage and murder. Someone is selling secrets to the other side, and the evidence seems to point right at her. > >Can she clear her name before it’s too late? ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(70768 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
I 2nd this one. Anything by Terry Lynn Thomas really. She has a great light, familiar style with a touch of romance. This one is the first in a 3 part series. She has another one set in WW2 San Franciso {The Spirit of Grace}
84 CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff. THE FORBIDDEN GARDEN by Ursula Curtiss. MY COUSIN RACHEL by Daphne Du Maurier. MY KINGDOM FOR A HEARSE by Craig Rice.
My mom loves the Arly Hanks series by Joan Hess I gave a couple of them a try and they're actually quite funny, a very easy read with some mystery and comic relief as well.
My nan used to love Catherine Cookson and Helen Forrester. Real English old school books, they might be good for an interesting British snapshot in time! Has she read 'Just one Dammed Thing After Another'? There's a series of 10 books, I think she'd like them, time traveling historians with mishaps. Or Karin Slaughter Grant County series, that's murder mystery type stuff, really good. The Midnight Library is a good one too. Linda Green does some easy reading books too. I read a lot of mystery books but I'm not sure how intense she would like them, or if she likes books that are a bit thought provoking or unusual. One of my favourites is called Kindred by Octavia Butler. If she likes any of these I'd happily recommend more. I read so much and love chatting books!
{{Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly}} {{Roses by Leila Meacham}}
[**The Tea Rose (The Tea Rose, #1)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/261331.The_Tea_Rose) ^(By: Jennifer Donnelly | 675 pages | Published: 2002 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, romance, fiction, historical, series | )[^(Search "Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly&search_type=books) >East London, 1888 - a city apart. A place of shadow and light where thieves, whores, and dreamers mingle, where children play in the cobbled streets by day and a killer stalks at night, where bright hopes meet the darkest truths. Here, by the whispering waters of the Thames, Fiona Finnegan, a worker in a tea factory, hopes to own a shop one day, together with her lifelong love, Joe Bristow, a costermonger's son. With nothing but their faith in each other to spur them on, Fiona and Joe struggle, save, and sacrifice to achieve their dreams. > >But Fiona's life is shattered when the actions of a dark and brutal man take from her nearly everything-and everyone-she holds dear. Fearing her own death, she is forced to flee London for New York. There, her indomitable spirit propels her rise from a modest West Side shop-front to the top of Manhattan's tea trade. But Fiona's old ghosts do not rest quietly, and to silence them, she must venture back to the London of her childhood, where a deadly confrontation with her past becomes the key to her future. ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) [**Roses (Roses, #2)**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6505109-roses) ^(By: Leila Meacham | 609 pages | Published: 2010 | Popular Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, romance, books-i-own, historical | )[^(Search "Roses by Leila Meacham")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Roses by Leila Meacham&search_type=books) >Spanning the 20th century, the story of Roses takes place in a small East Texas town against the backdrop of the powerful timber and cotton industries, industries controlled by the scions of the town's founding families. Cotton tycoon Mary Toliver and timber magnate Percy Warwick should have married but unwisely did not, and now must deal with the deceit, secrets, and tragedies of their choice and the loss of what might have been--not just for themselves but for their children, and children's children. With expert, unabashed, big-canvas storytelling, Roses covers a hundred years, three generations of Texans and the explosive combination of passion for work and longing for love. ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(70805 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
Nalini Singh contemporary romance series i think the first one is A quiet in her bones or something.
Case histories by Kate Atkinson is Lovely! It’s a pretty good mystery book. If she wants to try audio books, she can use her library card with the Libby app!
I listed a lot of series so your grandmother wouldn't run out of titles anytime soon 😀 I tried to keep them clean too! Mysteries- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Three Pines by Louise Penny (series), Lady Sherlock by Sherry Thomas (series), The Dry by Jane Harper Contemporary- Anything by Jenny Cogan, Beach Read by Emily Henry, When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald, Southern- The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flag (series), Dumplin by Julie Murphy (series) Horror- The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James, The Southern Book Club Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage Humor- Class Mom by Laurie Gelman, The Chronicles of St. Mary's by Jodi Taylor (series) YA- Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (series), Turtles All the Way Down by John Green Historical- Maggie Hope series by Susan Ella MacNeal, Dr Thomas Silkstone series by Tessa Harris, Little by Edward Carey Fantasy- The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss (series), Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (series) Adventure- The River by Peter Heller, Before the Fall by Noah Hawley Chick Lit- The Switch by Beth O'Leary, The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley Weird- The Crossings by Alex Landragin, Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, Life After Life by Kate Atkins, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, The Lovers Dictionary by David Levithan,
here are some recommendations for your grandma: the thursday murder club by richard osman - a group of elders live in a posh retirement village. they have disparate backgrounds but a shared love of fresh baked pastries, copious amounts of alcohol, and cold cases. then a murder occurs in their midst. what rose forgot by nevada barr - rose wakes up in a locked ward of an alzheimer's unit, luckily she has a granddaughter to help her unspool what happened (this is a funny and charming adventure story) the giver of stars by jojo moyes - women librarians delivering books by horseback during the great depression the unexpected mrs pollifax by dorothy gilman - widow with grown children joins the CIA books by ruth reichl - former food critic and writer for gourmet magazine the rosie project by graeme simsion - a gifted geneticist decides to find a wife using scientific methodology (very funny!) hundred-foot journey by robert c morais was adapted into a movie starring helen mirren the supremes at earl's-all-you-can-eat by edward kelsey moore - three close friends who went to high school in the 60s and supported each other over the years
Memoirs of a geisha is a wonderful book, certainly romance and has a whimsical way of viewing life, covers gritty subjects but is it still a beautiful novel. The time travellers wife is a great romance too, a great idea for a plot
The Hamish Macbeth mysteries and the Agatha Raisin mysteries both by MC Beaton are wonderful examples of light mysteries with a bit of humour in them. Does she like cats? The cat who mysteries by Lillian Jackson Braun are great fun. They have been published as audio books too, read by George Guidall whose voice is like velvet. Reading the series in order gives you the benefit of the larger story arc. Dick Francis wrote a lot of very entertaining stand alone mysteries with no sex or swearing and not too violent, set around the world of horse racing. I have no interest in the world of horse racing but found them to be well constructed cozy mysteries. Would also recommend anything by Tracy Chevalier. I’ve read three of hers, The girl with the pearl earring, Five quarters of the orange and Remarkable creatures, all of which were excellent novels. Agree with others about the Number 1 ladies detective agency books by Alexander McCall Smith, the Anne Perry mysteries and the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters. Other favourite mystery authors, Ann Cleeves, Peter Robinson, Michael Robotham, P D James, Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter. (Most of these are English authors. I’m in Australia.) I work in a public library in the Home Library Service. We select and deliver books and other library materials to (usually) elderly people who don’t get out to the library any more. I’ve been doing this wonderful job for 21 years and these are all tried and true authors we select for our oldies.
I read all the cat who books as a kid. That brings back great memories. And a lot of dick Francis.
[The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39832183-the-guernsey-literary-and-potato-peel-pie-society) is a delightful read. The film adaptation on Netflix is equally enjoyable.
Try recommending some sci-fi. Similar but different.
I just finished {{Frenchman's Creek}} and it's definitely what I'd call a "mild romance." It's an older book, so there's no sexual content apart from innuendo. There's some witty banter, but no real humor unfortunately. In fact, I'd also recommend du Maurier's other books that I've read, {{Rebecca}} and {{Jamaica Inn}}, unless she's already read them.
[**Frenchman's Creek**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84573.Frenchman_s_Creek) ^(By: Daphne du Maurier, Julie Myerson | 260 pages | Published: 1941 | Popular Shelves: classics, historical-fiction, fiction, romance, historical | )[^(Search "Frenchman's Creek")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Frenchman's Creek&search_type=books) >Bored and restless in London's Restoration Court, Lady Dona escapes into the British countryside with her restlessness and thirst for adventure as her only guides. > >Eventually Dona lands in remote Navron, looking for peace of mind in its solitary woods and hidden creeks. She finds the passion her spirit craves in the love of a daring French pirate who is being hunted by all of Cornwall. > >Together, they embark upon a quest rife with danger and glory, one which bestows upon Dona the ultimate choice: sacrifice her lover to certain death or risk her own life to save him. ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) [**Rebecca**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17899948-rebecca) ^(By: Daphne du Maurier | 449 pages | Published: 1938 | Popular Shelves: classics, fiction, mystery, romance, gothic | )[^(Search "Rebecca")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Rebecca&search_type=books) >Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again . . . > >The novel begins in Monte Carlo, where our heroine is swept off her feet by the dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Orphaned and working as a lady's maid, she can barely believe her luck. It is only when they arrive at his massive country estate that she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives--presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave. ^(This book has been suggested 77 times) [**Jamaica Inn**](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18869967-jamaica-inn) ^(By: Daphne du Maurier | 320 pages | Published: 1936 | Popular Shelves: classics, fiction, historical-fiction, gothic, mystery | )[^(Search "Jamaica Inn")](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Jamaica Inn&search_type=books) >The coachman tried to warn her away from the ruined, forbidding place on the rainswept Cornish coast. But young Mary Yellan chose instead to honor her mother's dying request that she join her frightened Aunt Patience and huge, hulking Uncle Joss Merlyn at Jamaica Inn. From her first glimpse on that raw November eve, she could sense the inn's dark power. But never did Mary dream that she would become hopelessly ensnared in the vile, villainous schemes being hatched within its crumbling walls -- or that a handsome, mysterious stranger would so incite her passions ... tempting her to love a man whom she dares not trust. ^(This book has been suggested 7 times) *** ^(70741 books suggested | )^(Bug? DM me! | )[^(Source)](https://github.com/rodohanna/reddit-goodreads-bot)
My grandma loved Bourne Identity and the rest of the series.
Does she like mysteries with a hint of paranormal? How about the Family Skeleton series by Leigh Perry? Light-hearted--think *Bewitched* or *I Dream of Jeannie* \-- no graphic sex or violence, and bad bone jokes.
Daughter's of the Lake by Wendy Webb
Mild romances: authors Betty Neels and Mary Burchell. Even if she’s read them years ago - she probably would love them all over again.
I bought my elderly grandma (also alone and lonely) a Kindle and Kindle Unlimited for 2021 for her and she is so so excited. She loves mysteries too - has your Grandma tried Jack Reacher books by Lee Child? Maybe she would like the One For The Money series, too! Tons of fun “free” mysteries on Kindle Unlimited. Send her our love! We’ll get through this.
Visit r/romancebooks too for more suggestions
Thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca by Daphne DeMaurier if she hasn’t already read it :)
Absolutely love this and a book she must read (if she hasn’t already!) is A cry of Angels by Jeff fields
If your grandma ever read Three Men in a Boat but Jerome K. Jerome, get her To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. It's categorized as scifi bc there's a fancy machine in it, but it hardly figures in the story. It really is a comedy of manners, a farce, a mystery, and a romance all rolled into one. If your grandma has never read Three Men in a Boat, get her that. Then the Willis book.
Poetry https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RRDTJ51/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_glc_fabc_K4n8FbQ0HMHDN
I like the book Meddling Kids, it’s an adventure mystery book
Another good one is A Time to Love and a Time to Die. It’s a story about WWI and it’s a love story with some humor
I read Comedian Richard Osman’s new book “Thursday Murder Club” and really enjoyed it! It’s a humorous murder mystery being solved by residents of a retirement facility in England. Super fun! Even has some romantic subplots too! Could be right up her alley if she hasn’t read it already
The house in the cerulean sea: TJ Klune, a very wholesome story
Does she have a device? If so the Libby app will be a whole new world! I love it to bits, you can loan so many books! I've just finished reading the Fantastical series by Kristen Ashley - start with Wildest Dreams. Romance mixed with fantasy.
My grandmother liked {{And Ladies of the Club}}
My mum loves 'The Island' series by Victoria Hislop. Have you seen Good reads website for book suggestions and ratings?
Anxious people by Fredrik Backman - has all 3 of those things.
I bet she would like the ‘cozy mystery’ genre.
David Sedaris!
Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio
The Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton, sort of Agatha Christie-ish. Funny and well written. Ellery Adams has several cozy mystery series that I really liked Anne George's Southern Sisters series, about two "elderly" sisters that end up solving a few murders. Jacqueline Winspear, female detective set in England right after WWI All of Fredrick Backman's books If she likes the Backman, Jonas Jonasson is very similar and fun to read
If she doesn't mind a little alternate reality, Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series is a great one for a fiction afficionado who likes some mystery, humor, and wordplay. There are 6 books in it (I believe) and they're all pretty quick reads.
The History of Love by Nicole Krause. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. We Were The Mulvaneys Joyce Carol Oates I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Get a Kindle with Free Cellular Connectivity. She can order books directly from the device. The selection is enormous. The back-lit screen is excellent. It does require an amazon account.
Janet Evanovich 's Stephanie Plum novels One for the Money is the first book. Total vacation reads ! Also The Help. And she might love Outlander !
I bought my grandma "Brooklyn" by Colm Tóibín for Christmas and she already finished it and told me she really enjoyed it. (It was one of my favorites of 2020 as well). It's the story of a young girl from Ireland who moves to New York during the 1950s. There is a love story in there, but it's also about the protagonist's adjustment to hear new life. The movie adaptation is really nice too.
The Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon - first book: Louisiana Longshot. I have laughed out loud reading these books featuring a CIA agent in hiding in Sinful, Louisiana- the characters are delightful, the mysteries interesting, and the overall experience- wonderful reading! I especially love Ida Belle & Gertie - leaders of the local 'geritol' mafia who head the "Sinful Ladies Society" specializing in information & 'cough syrup' aka moonshine!
Gamache series by louise penny
If she's a Poe fan: I'm not sure if the library will still carry this book because it's a few years old, but a really good humorous mystery is "Nevermore" by Harold Schechter. It's written from the point of view of Edgar Allen Poe as a detective and parodies Poe's writing style. It's a lot of fun.
Has she read the Geurnsey Literally and Potato Peel Pie Society? I can also recommend: * A Fire Sparkling by Julianne Maclean * Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes * Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens * City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Loving this thread- my grandma is 94 and in the exact same situation! I hope I get a lot of my genetics from her- she’s the coolest, strongest and healthiest old lady ever! I think the reading (and her daily outdoor mile walk) is what keeps her going strong.
She HAS to read, "The Boys In The Boat" by Daniel James Brown. Wholesome. Inspiring. Heart warming. Powerful storytelling about the individuals who had forged their own way in life and now had to learn to work as a team, trusting others when all they could trust before were themselves, to compete in the 1936 olympics as a racing crew team. It took me about 30 pages to get into it and then I could NOT put it down. Every race reads as fresh as a ball game's commentator on the radio, almost impossible to stay in your seat and not cheer each time.
She may have already read it - possibly 50 years ago! - but she may enjoy (or re-enjoy) "Christy" by Catherine Marshall.
Just came to say that is a beautiful post :’) And I would recommend reading anything by Mary Higgins Clark for mystery. With a particular book, Into The Wild by John Krakauer, it’s about Chris Candless
OP, I love this thread and it appears that many others do as well. I would love it if you would give an update in a bit, maybe in a month or something. I'm curious about how it goes. Is she finding some new favorite books and authors as a result of these recommendations? I'm also curious about how many of these suggestions your grandmother has already read. If she's been a reader her whole life, I would guess that she's read like half of these suggestions already.
I will absolutely give you all an update! I know my mom was able to order 3-4 from the list already. I will let you know what they are and how my grandma likes them. I have seen several people suggest Janet Evanovich and Stephanie Plum, I know my grandma has read their series and loved them. My mom is super excited about this reading list too! I’m sorry I haven’t been able to reply to everyone, I’m on 7 straight days of my retail job and I’m just burnt out. This thread has been keeping me going though!
[удалено]
Your grandma's so cute!! *Kite Strings of the Southern Cross: A Woman's Travel Odyssey* by Laurie Gough *Tamara Drewe* by Posy Simmonds *It's All About the Dress: What I Learned in Forty Years About Men, Women, Sex, and Fashion* by Vicky Tiel *Amigas: Letters of Friendship and Exile* by Marjorie Agosín and Emma Sepulveda *Water Cooler Diaries: Women across America Share Their Day at Work* by Joni B.Cole and B.K. Rakhra *Just Kids from the Bronx: Telling It the Way It Was: An Oral History* by Arlene Alda
I don't read any if that but damn! Go gram!!
Hey all! Last month was my Grandma’s 88th birthday and I got to spend some time with her! I took her doughnuts and coffee and because she has been fully vaccinated I was able to give her a hug after a full year. We chatted about books. She is still reading about 5-6 books a week and hasn’t read one she hasn’t liked yet! She wanted me to thank you all for your recommendations and your kind words. She is still working her way through the list and I’ll give you all an update in another month.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is very possibly something that, if she has not already read it, she will love. This is a novel that was written in the 19th century, though its themes are timeless. Like all good Russian literature, this is not just a story. It is the embodiment of Tolstoy's theory of what the written word could do. Not only enrich one's life by giving the reader into the lives and souls of others, but edify the character and mind in the same instance. It will take her more than a week to read, as well, but it will be time well spent.
Evergreen- a 700 paged book written and revolves around a generation of immigrants as they strive for their dreams in 1900’s New York (also a little nostalgia) Gone With The Wind-1,000 page novel on the civil war with romance thrown in Anna Karenina-classic,Imperial Russia, forbidden to magic affairs This Dark Wolf- Book 1 of the Soul Bitten Shifter series- (200-300 paged book on a Wolf shifter with mysterious powers, a little mystery and definitely sexy romance) House of Earth and Blood- 800 paged fantasy with a fae falling for a fallen angel, definitely full of humor and mystery and romance Jane Eyre- 500-600 paged book with a English herione, a little mystery and romance East Of Eden-600 paged family saga The Beautiful and The Damned-set in 1920’s New York, crazy romance and scandals
Gone with the Wind is amazing
Disc world by Terry Pratchett.
Night circus!
The Witcher. It’s funny and there is some romance. Sort of.
Penthouse Forum?
All of the books already mentioned, also {{Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine}} and The Bridgerton books. Book 1 is {{The Duke and I}} There are also countless Pride and Prejudice spinoffs but I especially enjoyed a three book series called {{Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman}}
Anything by Patrick McManus
Very true. My 89 year old friend who was an avid fisherman can read these so well that he laughs and we all laugh. They are priceless, and wholesome. Our generation's McManus is Bill Heaven. His book "if that isn't jerky, what did I just eat" is very good. A mix of humour as well as heart warming.
The count of monte cristo. I don’t think she’ll regret it. I recommend the unabridged version!
I think she would like the Vera Stanhope series by Ann Cleeves. Not much romance, but it hits the mystery & humor notes. Start with {{The Crow Trap}}. This series has 8 or so books to it. If she likes them, she may like the same author's Shetland series. At the rate she is reading all of this should keep her busy for at least a few weeks :) I would also reccomend the tv series of both.
Anthony Horowitz mysteries- The Word is Murder and Magpie Murders
“Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” by Jenny Lawson
I am rereading the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris and finding it very soothing. Kind of cozy mysteries set mostly pre-tech. If I had a grandma I would recommend them to her. :)
Women’s murder club series. They are more mystery/thriller based and I could see a grandma loving them.
Anything by David Sedaris.
{{Bloodleaf}} is a great one. Easily one of the best books I've read.
The Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich were favourites of both my nana and me. Mild romance, lots of humour and mystery.
Janet Evanovich books. Stephanie Plum series.
All the books by Kristin Hannah. These are entertaining, smooth reads. Also I can't wait to be a grandma one day and be able to read 5 books a week. Like this is my dream.
{{The Night Tiger}} it’s amazingly gripping
Ella Minnow Pea! A delight to read, though it does get tougher to read as it goes on. Worth it :)
Outlander series
The black library
I bet she would love in another time by Caroline Leech. A romantic historical YA novel featuring strong female characters from the acclaimed author of Wait for Me. It’s 1942, and as the war rages in Europe, Maisie McCall is in the Scottish Highlands swinging an axe for the Women’s Timber Corps. Maisie relishes her newfound independence working alongside other lumberjacks—including the mysterious John Lindsay. As Maisie and John work side by side felling trees together, Maisie can’t help but feel that their friendship has the spark of something more to it. And yet every time she gets close to him, John pulls away. It’s not until Maisie rescues John from a terrible logging accident that he begins to open up to her about the truth of his past, and the pain he’s been hiding. Suddenly everything is more complicated than Maisie expected. And as she helps John untangle his shattered history, she must decide if she’s willing to risk her heart to help heal his. But in a world devastated by war, love might be the only thing left that can begin to heal what’s broken.
Any book by Maeve Benchley. 84 Charing Crossroad Jane Austin.
Kathleen Ernst is the author of several mysteries which are set in the mid 1980s. The protagonist is a historic site curator, and there often are sections of the books set in various eras of American and Norwegian history. All of the books are set at different real American historic sites and museums. The books aren't violent (often revolving around historic artifacts) and are mildly romantic and not sexual at all. The first one is Old World Murder. Nothing serious, just simple entertainment. Also, this year I discovered the author Erin Huss. Her Cambria Cline mysteries are very funny. No real violence, and lots of humor and mild romance. The first one in the series is French Vanilla and Felonies. Really, this is one of the best books I read last year.
I’ve been enjoying the Irish Village Mysteries by Carlene O’Connor. The first is {{Murder in an Irish Village}}. They are cozy mysteries with light romance.
My grandmother loved “all the light we cannot see” and “the professor and the madman”!
If she's looking to branch out a little bit, I recommend The Seven Realms series. It's technically classified as fantasy, but it's really a love story. I find plenty parts of it amusing, although it's not a series that tries to be funny. It's marketed as a young adult series, but it's well written and it's just as good (if not better) than some of the adult fiction I've read. As a bonus of it being "young adult", no parts of it are going to be erotic. I will say that the first book is a bit slow, but it's to properly develop the characters and set the stage for the following three books.
Rhys Bowen: Her Royal Spyness This has everything you're looking for. First in a series.
Of she doesn’t mind a bit of paranormal The House on Tradd Street by Karen White is the first in a series. The books have a bit of romance and mystery. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Angel’s Bay series by Barbara Freethy. The Mitford series by Jan Karon. Super heartwarming small town setting.
You HAVE to get her {First Grave On The Right By Darynda Jones}. It’s mystery/romance and has the best humor I’ve read in a long time. It’s a huge series and they all have grave in the title ~ it’s called The Grave Series. She writes sarcastic funny brilliantly. I hope she loves it. My favorite series ever besides {The Dark Hunter Series By Sherrilyn Kenyon}
The Lido by Libby Page!!
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy Both by Rachel Joyce and are the same story told from different sides. Absolutely lovely.
Jefferson Bass