 |
| My sweet sister and her family |
So, I have a favor to ask. I need some book ideas as a gift for my sister. Let me back up a bit to explain why I'm asking. My sister is my absolute best friend in the world, aside from my husband. I talk to her almost every day. Her husband is in the army infantry, and is leaving for his first deployment to Iraq. He will be gone for at least a year. She has six children ranging from ages 11 to 1. Her husband is an amazing father, and his children were devastated when he left for basic training. It's going to be a tough time for her emotionally, dealing with her own fears and trying to comfort her children.
I'm in Scotland currently, and there is no feasible way for me to go and visit her to help. My heart aches for her so one little way I thought of to cheer her up is with some movies and books for both her and her children. Here is where you come in. I'm looking for books that are light, easy reads. Definitely steering clear of anything depressing. She's pretty conservative in her tastes so books free of graphic language, violence, and sex would be ideal. Any books that you've read and loved that fit that description? I'd love any suggestions!
I wonder if E.M. Delafield's Diary of a Provincial Lady would fit the bill? It's from the 1930's, so definitely not graphic, and it's very very funny.
ReplyDeleteAre you looking for books for your sister, for your sister and her kids, or both?
ReplyDeleteNymeth--Thanks! I haven't heard of that book, but I will definitely check it out. Funny sounds perfect.
ReplyDeletePeggy--Mostly for my sister, but I might get some for the kids too.
Your sister sounds a lot like mine. She has 3 kids with another on the way. She likes light, happy reads and I'm always looking for new things to suggest to her.
ReplyDeleteAfter I read this post I called and asked her for a few of her favorites. She said she really loved The Red Tent and The Secret Life of Bees, if you're looking for novels. But she also said her favorite thing right now are humorous books written by moms, like Erma Bombeck. I hope that helps. I know how close I am to my sister and it would be really hard not to be nearby if she was going through something like that.
Erma Bombeck is delightful – most moms could relate to her even though she wrote during the 60s and 70s.
ReplyDeleteIf she truly wants to escape, how about a series? I’m guessing she’s already read Harry Potter so how about the Discworld series? There are almost 40 of those. I’ve read 4 of them and don’t recall much if any cursing (but since it’s a different world their curse words would be different than ours!), I don’t recall any sex and the little bit of violence mostly involves creatures.
I’d also recommend “The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society.” It isn’t as if your sister doesn’t know where her husband is and what he is doing, and the ending promises a smile. I don't know about you, but for me the basic message is love…
To read with kids – “The Monster At The End Of This Book” (with lovable furry old Grover), “Cookie Monster And The Cookie Tree” and “Love You Forever” which will leave her crying and her kids wondering why.
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteHow about some Jeeves and Wooster? P.G. Wodehouse can get hysterical!
Avid Reader--Thanks for the suggestions! I've never heard of Erma Bombeck, but I just looked her up and I think my sister could really relate to her books. Thanks for mentions The Secret Life of Bees. I read it several years ago and had forgotten about it. I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt is really difficult being far away from her. I wish I could be there to help. Hopefully my package will help a little bit.
Peggy--I'm so glad you mentions The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I read that last year and loved it. I think I read it straight through with out even getting up. I'm definitely going to get her that one as one of the books. I think she'll love it. It definitely puts a smile on your face.
ReplyDeleteThe Monster at the End of this Book was one of my favorite books as a child. That brings back great memories. I'll have to see if I can find that for her kids and mine as well. Thanks so much!
Enbrethiliel--I've never read any Jeeves and Wooster. I have read reviews though and they sound fantastic. I definitely think I should include some humorous books for her so I'll check those out. Thanks for the suggestion!
ReplyDeleteWow!! I'm impressed with her and her family. That is going to be a tough year but I'm sure they'll make it through. I'm trying to think what to recommend as I tend to space out things (like bad language or possibly upsetting scenes) and then I'd feel terrible that I recommended it. Maybe some Jennifer Weiner books? Or Jen Lancaster's stuff can be very funny (though sometimes she has a minor potty mouth). Both are light and sarcastic but funny. If I have another brainstorm, I"ll let you know!
ReplyDeleteJenners-Your comment disappeared, but I did get it. Thanks for the suggestions. I think Jen Lancaster would be great for her. I have a friend that loves them and she shares a similar sense of humor with my sister.
ReplyDeleteHow about the Percy Jackson series? her boys might like that one too.
ReplyDeleteI like Sophie Kinsella, Alice Hoffman and Joanne Harris for light comfort reading too.
The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne was delightful.
joanna-Thanks for the suggestions. I think her boys would love the percy jackson series. Great idea. I bought them for my boys and I keep hoping they'll pick them up.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Joanne Harris so I'll have to check her out. I agree on Kinsella and Hoffman--I've read some from both and I think they would be perfect for my sister.
Why is it that I can only think of depressing books or classics? Yikes.
ReplyDeleteEarlier this year I read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley. It's the first of a series of books (two more are currently published) based on a 11 year old narrator. They're literary mystery books and I really enjoyed it a lot! And definitely wholesome and clean.
I liked the Queen of Babble series by Meg Cabot - very light. Also, Jane Porter and Jane Green both write light books (but they are a little deeper with slightly older characters than Queen of Babble.
ReplyDeleteTrish--I'm much the same. Most of the books I love are depressing or classics. What does that say about us? :) I just picked up a copy of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Maybe I'll have to send it to her. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteBooksync--Thanks for the recommendations. I haven't read any Meg Cabot, but I've heard great things about them. If they're light books, they'll be perfect. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete