A Selection of My Favourite Comfort Books

For the second episode in my 'Shelf Help' series, I'm sharing my favourite comforting reads for anxious times. Sending lots of love to you all and hope you keep safe and healthy. Do let me know - which books do you turn to when you feel stressed?
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If you enjoy this video, please consider subscribing to my youtube channel. I'd be thrilled :)
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My blog is: mirandasnotebook.com/
My podcast is: anchor.fm/teaandtattle
You can find me on instagram at: @mirandasnotebook, @mirandasbookcase and @teaandtattlepodcast
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BOOKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher: tinyurl.com/tfushng
Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher: tinyurl.com/rflcoah
84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff: tinyurl.com/robol7c
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome: tinyurl.com/r7mb7kx
High Rising by Angela Thirkell: tinyurl.com/rfstoq9
The Inimitable Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse: tinyurl.com/us35bf2
The Diary of a Nobody by George and Wheedon Grossmith: tinyurl.com/uuy53st
Miss Carter and the Ifrit by Susan Alice Kerby: tinyurl.com/tw2uaqt
The Darling Buds of May by H.E. Bates: tinyurl.com/wej5oez
Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp: tinyurl.com/thu3nd3
The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith: tinyurl.com/sm4qxc2
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz: tinyurl.com/tmozeh2
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot: tinyurl.com/vhhpnzr
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ABOUT ME: I'm Miranda Mills, a freelance writer, podcaster and photographer living in London. Find out more about me and what I do here: tinyurl.com/y3mm68uq

[@laurak5196]

Hi Miranda, self-isolating may be in the past but the need for comfort reads is not. I’m going through one of those phases of my life where I can’t get enough books like the ones you’re discussing here. Many of these are new to me, so thank you so much. Have you read “Winter Solstice” by Rosamunde Pilcher? I loved Coming Home and Day of the Storm by her as well (I know storm is in the title but it’s still more of a comfort read, altogether) and Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy is also really good. Like you, I love Alexander McCall Smith and I also love Jan Karon’s Mitford series. Anyway, I mainly just wanted to thank you times a million, I’m now rewatching a bunch of your videos and taking notes bc there are so many that I am dying to read. Your enthusiasm is truly contagious and your visuals are so lovely. Can’t thank you enough! We can always use tons of these books. Oh and I love the videos with you and your mum together; you’re both all smiles and it’s obvious you have quite a bond. Lucky ladies! Hope you’re having a great weekend 😀📚❤️

[@user-qh8nh7oe6d]

I love the trilogy of books written by Mary O Hara; My Friend Flicka, Thunderhead, and Green Grass of Wyoming. Its a coming of age series about Ken, growing up on his father's ranch in Wyoming. Its beautifully written, the horses, family, and Kens first love Carrie, all entwined with the Wyoming landscape. I read the series when I was about 11, and have reread them many times. They are with my other lifelong favourites. I'm very glad to have found you Miranda, thank you.

[@dianeknott3655]

Oh yes! Rosamund Pilcher! And she has so many more from which to choose! I enjoyed every single one of them. Her son, Robin, also has a couple of titles in very much the same genre as his mother's, in case anyone is interested. I love Rosamund's characters and their personality development. She gets to the heart of people, their motivations and how they all interact with one another. Her descriptions of the countryside transport me there, so it's wonderful to be able to "travel" as I read! Loved this video, Miranda.

[@szekelynora772]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is always uplifting me. There is sadness in it but the ending will melt your heart. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons is an amazing parody of rustic novels. Sophie Kinsella Twenties Girl seems like a chick lit book but deals with the topics of standing up for yourself, how to treat old people well and it has a heartwarming ending.

[@MirandaMills]

I haven't read Twenties Girl, but the other two books are favourites of mine as well!

[@lindahill5194]

You are such a comfort to me . . . So many of the same favorite authors and books! I am used to being thought “odd” for my reading tastes. Glad there are at least TWO of us. 😊

[@MirandaMills]

Haha there definitely are! So happy to hear you’re enjoying my videos. Thank you! It’s always lovely to find a like-minded reader 😊📚

[@thelionandthebee1933]

Dearest Miss Miranda, Thank you so very much for your great list! Blessings from California!

[@MirandaMills]

I'm so pleased you enjoy my KZbin channel 😊

[@lorenericksen5075]

I am delighted to discover your channel! You have probably mentioned this author in the past, but in case not, my favorite comfort book series is the "At Home in Mitford" series by Jan Karon. Of course, Rosamund Pilcher is a master at conveying relationship twists and turns and I have loved her books as well.

[@karenwhite2601]

I often turn to children's authors in times of stress. My favourite comfort reading includes the Chalet School series, Anne and Emily books by L. M. Montgomery, Gwendoline Courtney, Mollie Chappell (I love her book 'The Sugar and Spice) and standing alone (I've only ever read this title by George Seldon), The Cricket in Times Square. From adult authors, I turn to Georgette Heyer, H. E. Bates (I have just reread all The Darling Buds of May titles) and Gerald Durrell.

[@GinaHouse]

I feel like you are my Book Twin! lol! I have either read these books (and loved them!) or they're on my TBR list. I do need to add The Diary of a Nobody, Magpie Murders and Three Men in a Boat. Love, love all of your recommendations so much :D (I love Rosamunde Pilcher, H.E. Bates, Alexander McCall Smith and Angela Thirkell) My comfort reads are any books by Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Goudge, Elizabeth von Arnim, D.E. Stevenson, Pearl S. Buck, Dorothy Whipple or Louisa May Alcott...plus those above) I just found a vintage copy of Cluny Brown from my 100 year old grandmother's book collection, so I can't wait to read that! Thank you! xoxo

[@MirandaMills]

That's lovely to hear, thank you! I love those authors too :)

[@jeremysaputo4358]

The Sunday Philosophy Club is one of my favorites too. Isabel is a warm character and I'm especially a fan of how Alexander McCall Smith ends the first book in the series.

[@MirandaMills]

It's a wonderful read, I agree, and I love Isabel's character too!

[@kamicastillo1451]

You are how I learned of Rosamunde Pilcher and Helene Hanff! Love them both 💕 thanks Miranda for such great recommendations 😊

[@hilaryking6154]

Thanks for your recommendations. Excellent reviews of books by you as usual. So pleased when a new video is posted. Take care Miranda. You are much appreciated.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much Hilary 😘

[@pamelapoet9]

Thank you, as always, for your wonderful recommendations, including Josephine Tey. I picked up Miss Pym Disposes and very much enjoyed the story telling and the precision of her prose. I just adore 84 Charing Cross Road. It made me nostalgic for the thrill of receiving a letter in the mail and the social-media-free headspace in which to craft one at leisure. Imposed leisure doesn't quite recapture that nostalgic pull! This past Monday, a friend and I saw Emma at one of the last showings before cinemas closed for good here in the states. The movie seemed an appropriate tribute to the pre Covid mayhem. What a gorgeous adaptation. I covet Bill Nighy's tapestry suits as much if not more than the Georgian frocks.

[@MirandaMills]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Miss Pym Disposes, Pamela! And yes, Emma was certainly a sumptuous feast for the eyes. I adored all of the clothes and furnishings too!! xxx

[@willforlife_]

PG Wodehouse looks super amazing

[@corneliabayley723]

So many good selections!

[@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641]

Thank you for sharing! You have such an interesting book collection!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank so much! :)

[@maslina4567]

So many of my favourite authors here...must mention Herriot and Wodehouse. I'm an animal and nature person, too, and adore Herriot. Heartwarming. Wodehouse = the ultimate in comfort! He's my go-to humour author. I read his books again and again without tiring of them. I'd love a video on British humour authors or recommendations writing similar to Wodehouse. I just can't find anyone comparable. He's so funny I almost can't stand it! :)

[@MirandaMills]

Herriot and Wodehouse are just fabulous! When it comes to comedy, Wodehouse is truly in a class of his own I think! He was a real genius. A video on British Humour Books would be fun - I'll add it to my list!

[@WarinPartita6]

Thanks, Miranda, for​ your​ list.​

[@Hannah-xn4st]

Loved the Magpie Murders, the story within a story element was great! Looking forward to the second instalment- The Moonflower Murders!

[@MirandaMills]

Oh I'm excited for it too!! xxx

[@jobailey927]

Thank you so much for your recommendations. I am so enjoying your podcasts, perhaps more so at the moment. I am saving them as treats. I have just reread the first 3 Chocolat novels by Joanne Harris, now need to order Strawberry 🍓 Thief. I’m heading west next to the Little House in the Prairie series. Take care xxxx

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you're enjoying the podcast! It sounds like you've got lots of lovely reading ahead of you too xxx

[@burkey1168]

Thank you for a fabulous video, I’m currently in a second six week lockdown in Melbourne 🇦🇺, 2 weeks in & another four weeks to go, so much harder second time around.I really appreciate your book recommendations to get me through this time.Off now to order some books 📚❤️

[@fillefilante]

Loved this Miranda, thank you! 💕

[@MirandaMills]

I'm so glad! Thank you :)

[@yorkshirerose6334]

Thank you. Love your choices. I love reading Elizabeth Goudge or Miss Read for comfort but will look out for some of your recommendations.

[@MirandaMills]

They're both fabulous choices too!

[@esthergallego4620]

Thanks Miranda!, I take note 😉 Take care you too. A big hug from Madrid 🤗

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 😊

[@margarettaylor920]

Lovely selections! I read Three Men in a Boat aloud to my sons when they were younger...it was hilarious. I always read Pride and Prejudice and recently acquired The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow ...a rather large book but any easy read with interesting insights into Mary's character, a fabulous book for Jane Austen tragics:)

[@MirandaMills]

I read and loved The Other Bennet Sister too, and I interviewed Janice Hadlow on my podcast :)

[@scrappydoodledoo22]

Ahh I love The Darling Buds of May and James Herriot - I really want to read them again now!! I've never gotten round to reading PG. Wodehouse - so I really must pop him on my list :) Thanks for all the inspiration!

[@heleneh.6055]

Love Three Men in a Boat, read it many times. Also 84 Charing Cross Road, E.F. Benson and Once on a Time by A.A. Milne., the Borrowers, Nurse Matilda, and other children’s fantasy.

[@allylou5151]

Wish discovered your Chanel in these times would been a comfort, I only discovered now.

[@giselaperez6746]

Great book recommendations! 👌

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much!

[@MameysMedley]

Oh yes! Rosamunde Pilcher! I LOVED The Shell Seekers and September, I must get more of her books. I also LOVED 84, Charing Cross Road. Did I hear correctly, that there is a sequel to it? I am not sure if that is true or not. I must say, I have a few pen pals all over the world, and it is such a delight to learn about them and their lifestyles. It is so fun to receive happy mail instead of bills all of the time. Well, of course, I have added more to my tbr as others here sound wonderful, especially during these times of uncertainty. Thank you Miranda!

[@MirandaMills]

Yes there is a sequel - called The Duchess of Bloomsbury. It’s in diary form, about Hanff’s trip to London, but it’s often included in editions of 84 Charing Cross Road (it’s in the hardback edition I hold up in this video, for instance) so you may have read it already without realising? Xxx

[@MameysMedley]

@@MirandaMills Ohhhhh, I see! There is a movie too which was lovely.

[@londonzhou418]

Watching the 5th video from your channel today😂, I’m unstoppable

[@anitaday599]

Rosamunde Pilcher.............I couldn't agree more xx

[@MirandaMills]

Love her books!!

[@shelleyimmel8067]

Still binging on your wonderful vlogs. Really, I have been ordering books at least weekly from Blackwell's when I can't find as ebooks through my library. I just finished Winter Solstice written by Rosamunde Pilcher e-book from library and may check out Shell Seekers and Coming Home as well as others you are recommending.

[@karenwhite2601]

I am doing the same thing, bingeing on Miranda's vlogs and ordering books!

[@zoemahon4749]

Late to the party but have you ever read any of EF Benson's Mapp and Lucia books? They are set in the 20s in Tilling-a small place based upon Rye in Sussex- and are very funny indeed. There have been two television productions of them-the first stars Prunella Scales and Nigel Hawthorne and is very good. That said, it doesn't beat the books!

[@MirandaMills]

Yes, I love Mapp and Lucia and talk about the books in one of my other 'books to read in quarantine' videos. The old TV series was fantastic! xxx

[@zoemahon4749]

@@MirandaMills I'll have to seek that video out. In the mean time, 'Au Reservoir!'

[@MirandaMills]

@@zoemahon4749 hehe thank you! It's this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6eviJ6cfKmthM0 xxx

[@thomaswilke6312]

This video randomly showed up in my feed today. Most probably because I was watching the clips of Cluny Brown the other day. I thought it was a very entertaining movie. I didn’t know it was based on a book. I will look for the book now

[@katrinadessavre5293]

Where did you get your edition of 84 Charing Cross Road? I would love to get a copy like that for myself.

[@MirandaMills]

It's a Virago Modern Classics edition, but it's now out of print. I bought my one secondhand xx

[@Reader9547]

Where did you buy the rosamunde books I like paper back but the old ones aren't my type I love the covers you have where did you buy them?

[@sunshineseaandvitamind8620]

Whsmith has them.

[@Reader9547]

@@sunshineseaandvitamind8620 ??

[@sunshineseaandvitamind8620]

@@Reader9547 Whsmith the store has them. I guess you're not from the U.K you could purchase these editions from book depository instead they have free delivery too.