I'm with JG - Garden Spells is a great gentle read. It is a very sweet love story with a bit of magic thrown in for fun.

I have read a couple of the Quilter's books. I don't think of them as a series, in that each book stands on its own, so you wouldn't have to read them in any sequence. I also like to slip in Maeve Binchy occasionally. I love your description "gentle reads" - it fits exactly!

Garden Spells--It's impossible to read this without comparing it to the movie Practical Magic (which I think had pretty much nothing to do with the book Practical Magic). I thought it was a nice, sweet story.

I love all these suggestions, thanks so much everyone for adding them!

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

I went back and checked, and am flabergasted Fiona did not mention... I Capture The Castle. It's so gentle, sweet and whimsical.

You might enjoy the series by Joan Medlicott that starts iwth "The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love".

I remember liking "Can You Keep a Secret" but it's been awhile since I read it, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details.

Kathryn wrote: "In response to Briansgirl, Sophie Kinsella has written some non-Shopaholic books, too. I was not a fan of Remember Me? and found it better than Shopaholic.

In response to Briansgirl, Sophie Kinsella has written some non-Shopaholic books, too. I was not a fan of Remember Me?, though.

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

I heartily second all the LMM recommendations and especially the Emily books and The Blue Castle which are actually my favorites but tend to be overshadowed by Anne.

Oh, I thought of another one, which is one of my absolute favourites - The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope. I smile the whole time I read this book!

Have you read much L.M. Montgomery, Laura? All of her books would fall in this category. I love some more than others, but I think I own them all and they're all old friends.

Thanks Josie, yes, that's exactly what I meant.

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

I love discovering new series in the "gentle" category. Thanks!

Josie wrote: "...also Summers at Castle Auburn - all by Sharon Shinn."

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

If by 'gentle' you mean innocent, sweet, non-violent, not too much action, but more about relationships and every day life kind of thing, I'd recommend:
The Safe-Keeper's Secret, The Truth-Teller's Tale, and The Dream-Maker's Magic - a series, but each book stands alone, also Summers at Castle Auburn - all by Sharon Shinn.
And I Capture the Castle, unless you're already reading that because of Fiona!
Everyone's heard of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series, but I liked her Emily books better, there are three, starting with Emily of New Moon - she also wrote The Blue Castle, which is rather wonderful!
So I hope they're the kind of thing you mean..:)

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

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

How about The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith?

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

I would put Watership Down on this list. It is such a lovely read.

Kathryn wrote: "If you are into chick-lit, Sophie Kinsella ("Shopaholic" series) and Katie Fforde (my fav is Stately Pursuits) write fluffy chick-lit that manages to be smart and well-written, too. "

To each their own taste as I couldn't stand the Shopaholic series. A woman who is addicted to shopping and is so financially irresponsible that she can't pay her bills and shops anyway... I couldn't get through it.

I think PG Wodehouse is hilarious and all of his stuff is really light--he used to write musical comedies in the 1920s, so you can guess...! ;-> Try A Damsel in Distress for starters.

I do like P.G. Wodehouse. I'm reading his stuff now.

Hehe, I'll have yu all under my control...

Who is this Fiona girl that keeps pushing Howl's Moving Castle? SPAMMER!!

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

I'm really looking forward to the Big Stone Gap series too! I think I may even jump into those after I finish with the Outlander series. It will just depend on my mood when I'm done.

I'm good at squashing my nighttime laughs. That Whiskey Sour book I'm reading - the really creepy one - even has some of those believe it or not.

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

Yea, don't read Diana Wynne Jones late at night. I was reading something of hers, some short stories cos I couldn't sleep at about 4am and I have a really loud laugh. It's a sort of burst - I emit loud singular "HAH!"s really loud. Sounds more like shrieks. Think I might have woken someone up laughing so much so loudly.

That was me! I would call it gentle in the sense that there's no violence and a nice love story. Maybe a little too funny for 4 am though! :-)

JG wrote: "I love the Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross, Laura. I'm not sure that they would put me back to sleep at 4 am, though, because I get too caught up in the story!

My mom and grandmother have read ev..."

JG - Are you the one who said Big Stone Gap is good? That series is probably gentle too huh??? I can't remember if it was you.

Oh I miss quality TV too. Whenever they come up with something though they don't always follow through.

I shouldn't complain, the BBC do put up some really good dramas amongst all the rubbish and don't have so much of the really crappy reality rubbish like the commercial channels do.

Good night John boy, Good night Mary Ellen! Growing up as the youngest of nine kids, I can't tell you how many times we would say this to each other at bed time.

We're not the only ones who miss quality TV. I'm sure of it.

Oh well, we'll be reading until the networks come up with something useful. Fine with me actually. Not so great for the kids, tho.

I love the Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross, Laura. I'm not sure that they would put me back to sleep at 4 am, though, because I get too caught up in the story!

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

I agree, Laura. My brother just bought the entire DVD series of "The Waltons" for his 12-year old son. He just loves them and there is nothing on TV like it anymore, unfortunately.

I'm with you Dorie! I think there should be more of these "true" escape books. Really escape the big bad world and visit the old world where people were kind and gentle to each other.

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

I really enjoyed The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig. I also highly recommend Jim the Boy A Novel by Tony Earley and the sequel The Blue Star A Novel.

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

This list is great - I had no idea that was a seperate genre.

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

..."

And I can't wait for you to read Howl! I mean, it's such a fun read.

Oh, I totally forgot. Duh.

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit and she wrote a few others... Five Children and It which I'm half way through, it's quite good although obv. meant for younger children.

It's about some children who find this sand thingy and it grants them wishes which tend to go wrong.

Laura--Thank you for starting this thread! I, too, am always looking for "gentle reads."

First of all, a few classics that you may already be acquainted with, but if not check out the novels of L M Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott. I usually find these very soothing.

If you don't mind reading books with child protagonists, I highly recommend The Penderwicks A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

If you are into chick-lit, Sophie Kinsella ("Shopaholic" series) and Katie Fforde (my fav is Stately Pursuits) write fluffy chick-lit that manages to be smart and well-written, too. I also just read and loved The Little Lady Agency These are great PG/PG-13 type "romantic comedies" and the British setting is great!

Our Hearts Were Young And Gay An Unforgettable Comic Chronicle of Innocents Abroad in the 1920s and Summer at Tiffany are good for some college-age adventures in the "golden era" and 1940s. Sweet stuff here!

I think PG Wodehouse is hilarious and all of his stuff is really light--he used to write musical comedies in the 1920s, so you can guess...! ;-> Try A Damsel in Distress for starters.

Also, if you missed the "Shoe" books by Noel Streatfield as a child, be sure to read them now!!! Start with Ballet Shoes

IF you like YA, then don't miss Larklight A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space and its sequels. This is a space-pirate adventure set in Victorian times! Such a hoot! Though perhaps a bit too amusing to lull you to sleep! ;-p

I hope this helps and I look forward to reading other posts and getting new ideas.

I'm on the list for Howl's, I think. I really wanna read that w/you raving about it.

I've heard of some of the others too.

And I can't wait for that Good Night Mr. Tom you recommended Fiona - I'm on the wait list for that one also.

1. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (just pushing it an insy bit more...haha)
2. Dogsbody - DWJ
3. The Dalemark Quartet: Drowned Ammet The Spellcoats Cart and Cwidder The Crown of Dalemark again by DWJ
4. The Chrestomanci series Charmed Life The Lives of Christopher Chant Witch Week The Magicians of Caprona The Pinhoe Egg

You liked Harry Potter didn't you? Well, then Diana Wynne Jones should be just up your street.

5. The Arthur trology by Kevin Crossley Holland - The Seeing Stone At The Crossing Places King Of The Middle March and Gatty's Tale which finishes off the story of Arthur Gatty's Tale. Gatty's tale is probably my favourite and leaves your heart fit to burst at the end. :) They're all lovely reads and really, really well written.

6. His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman - not gentle as such but so very good. The Golden Compass The Subtle Knife The Amber Spyglass.

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

My librarian printed out some authors from NoveList, and I wanted to see if anyone particularly recommends any of these -

1. Miss Read is the author, the 1st book of the series is Thrush Green

2. Ann B. Ross - Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind A Novel is the first of the series set in a small NC town

3. Jennifer Chiaverini - The Quilter's Apprentice is the first - this series is set in PA and centers around quilting

4. Philip Gulley - Home to Harmony, this series takes place in Harmony, Indiana

Also they suggested books by Richard Paul Evans.

Although I've heard of some of these, I've never read any of them, so if anyone enjoys these series or can recommend any other gentle reads, I would so appreciate it!

I'm also open to YA fiction and Juvenile classics. For example, I found Francis Hodgson Burnett's books The Secret Garden and A Little Princess to both be perfect for this. I didn't read very many childrens classics when I was little, but I'm really enjoying them now.