Books to Curl Up With, part I

I said that I’d put together a list of ‘cosy books’ what seems like an age ago and I’ve finally done it, in a few parts. I feel I have to point out that it’s definitely a list that reflects my reading tastes, although there does seem to be a bit of everything (apart from ‘Mommy porn.’ I draw the line at badly-written erotica). So, without further ado or disclaimers, here are my first two top tips for books to curl up with (preferably with a mug of something hot and delicious – cocoa? Hot toddy?)

Publisher: Hodder

ISBN: 978-1444727036 

Publication date: 10th November 2011

Lucy Dillon’s The Secret of Happy Ever After could have been written specifically with my curling-up-book needs in mind. It has snow, books, scruffy dogs, books and regular drinking of hot chocolate, as well as strong characters who are funny and intelligent, without being twee or irritating. Neither of the two main characters, Anna and Michelle, made me want to gouge my eyes out with pen, which is a common reaction to many of the characters in novels based on ‘female friendships’. There are two very good dogs. There are serious topics which are well-written and not shoe-horned in to make us forget that the characters’ lives are basically perfect. Oh, and there are books. Did I mention those? Lots of mentions of children’s books that I remember from my childhood, like Ballet Shoes, Mrs Pepperpot, Malory Towers, and that I now want to go and re-read immediately. Bravo Lucy Dillon!

Publisher: BBC Books

ISBN: 978-1849900010 

Publication date: 20th May 2010 (revised edition)

Everyone who knows me knows about my passion for David Attenborough and his fabulous nature documentaries. Blue Planet and Planet Earth are my go-to dvds for when I’m hiding from a hangover feeling ill, my computer at work has this photo as its wallpaper, (actually, so does my twitter profile…no, I’m not obsessed, shush now) and now I have Life on Air for when I don’t feel like watching tv. I’ve no idea how it took me so long to get this but I now refuse to put it down. A memoir of his time in broadcasting, starting with his first job at the BBC in 1952, this is as funny, warm and intelligent as one would expect from its author.

(It’s also available as an audio-book, which I didn’t get for fear that I’d get all giggly when listening to it on the bus. I know he’s 86 but…that voice. Sigh.)

Look out for 2 more books perfect for a Winter’s day at the weekend!