In these strange and sometimes sad times that we have all been living through the past few months – many of us have found ourselves turning to a certain kind of book to get us through. We all have our different escapes in reading material, for some it is cosy or vintage crime, for others light modern fiction – whatever works for you – I understand that need. For me, I like fiction from a bygone age – I read all sorts of backlisted fiction, the literary and non-literary alike. In these times I have sometimes turned to books that lifted me a bit, helped me forget the reality of 2020 for a while.
There are times though when we need a happy ending – a nice setting, characters we love – those books that we lay aside fully satisfied with a great daft grin on our faces.
There are some titles that may immediately spring to mind to those of you who like these kind of books too – The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim, The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M Delafield, Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E Stevenson, The Making of a Marchioness by Frances Hodgson Burnett and of course Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson. So, in case you are in need for a little something in a similar vein – I have a few recommendations. These are books that are unashamedly feel good, funny, or just light, bright and charming. Many are well written too – great characterisation, sparkling dialogue and amusing set pieces – just what a stressed out reader may be in need of for a weekend of quiet reading. Many of the books below, I really could have done with this year!
Patricia Brent Spinster (1918) Herbert Jenkins –
An effervescent little gem, a feel good little fairy tale to be read with a wry smile. Living the shabbily genteel existence of a paying guest at the Galvin House Residential Hotel, is attractive twenty four year old Patricia Brent. Secretary to a “rising” politician with an absurdly socially ambitious wife, Patricia is lonely and stifled by life. One day Patricia overhears a conversation between a couple of her fellow residents – a spiteful couple of “old cats”, called Miss Wangle and Mrs Mosscrop-Smythe – pitying Patricia’s loneliness, with some relish. So, Patricia rashly tells a lie – which has all sorts of consequences. Sadly, out of print, while second-hand copies may be found, I am sure that this is available as a free e-book from Project Gutenberg.
Our Hearts were Young and Gay (1944) Cornelia Otis Skinner
Cornelia Otis Skinner, an American actress, writer and screenwriter co-wrote Our Hearts were Young and Gay with her good friend Emily Kimbrough, a memoir about their travels in Europe in the 1920’s. It is difficult to see where Kimbrough’s collaboration is exactly as the book is written in Skinner’s first person narrative. None of that seems important however as the book is full of charm and humour, and both women come across quite hilariously full of adorably lovable quirks and eccentricities. My edition also came with some adorable little illustrations.
The True Heart (1929) Sylvia Townsend Warner
The True Heart is apparently a (very loose) re-telling of the story of Cupid and Psyche – though don’t let that put you off. If you weren’t aware of that then it wouldn’t matter – and it wouldn’t alter the delightfulness of this imaginative love story. The novel is deceptively simple, but it is a glorious non-sentimental celebration of love, and the wonderful capacity of the human heart. Sylvia Townsend Warner’s writing is superb – as always, I actually find her very readable, and I defy anyone not to absolutely love Sukey and her Eric. There is a wonderful fairy-tale quality to this novel – there’s a feeling that all is possible.
84 Charing Cross Road (1970) Helene Hanff
Probably a book that needs no introduction. It’s a long time since I read it, and I would love a chance to re-read it. Twenty years of correspondence between Helene a writer living in New York and an English second-hand book dealer in the famous Charing Cross Road in London. The two famously never meet, and this book is as poignant as it is joyful – but I had to include it, because what a wonderful portrait of friendship and book collecting it is.
Miss Carter and the Ifrit (1945) Susan Alice Kerby
Of course, Dean Street Press had to have a place in this list of books. There were probably more I could have included. Miss Carter and the Ifrit is whimsical and charming and a brilliant little escape. Miss Georgina Carter is a woman in her late forties – she lives alone in a small London flat and works in the censorship office. Her life is one of fairly dull, predictable routine, she feels like she has rather missed out on life, nothing of any interest could possibly happen to her now, she believes. An Ifrit (like a genie) is released from a piece of wood she throws on her fire – and her life is suddenly wholly different.
Something Light (1960) Margery Sharp
Light, effervescent and endlessly charming. Something Light, is aptly named, but Margery Sharp’s writing is excellent, her characterisation faultless. Instantly likeable; Louisa Datchet is a woman who has achieved the milestone of thirty. A moment it seems likely to focus the mind. Dear Louisa, has always been a good friend to needy men. She now decides, quite suddenly that she wants to get married – and having decided to do so, she immediately sets about it, with, needless to say, mixed results.
Business as Usual (1933) Jane Oliver & Ann Stafford
Recently re-issued by Handheld Press Business as Usual is full of delightful period detail, humour and spirit. Ann Stafford’s charming, line drawings are reproduced alongside the text as they were originally in 1933.
Written in letters it tells the story of Hilary Fane, a young woman from Edinburgh who having finished with university wishes to spend a year earning her living in London before returning home to be married. The novel faithfully recreates the reality of work, shopping and conventional society while also acknowledging the poverty and even illegitimacy that existed alongside it. In no way a novel that preaches however, it is instead a novel of light, bright intelligence, deeply charming and ultimately heart-warming.
Beneath the Visiting Moon (1940) Romilly Cavan
Beneath the Visiting Moon is a little longer than some of the other Dean Street Press titles I have read – a fully satisfying novel that combines family life, romance and the trials of growing up. Scott recommended it particularly for fans of Guard your Daughters, and I can see why, although this novel isn’t as dark as Tutton’s brilliant novel, there are shadows, glimpsed fleetingly at a distance.
What we do have though is a genteelly impoverished family living in a large house in a typical English village – characters are wonderfully well drawn, their voices distinct. There is a large supporting cast of eccentric characters, in whom we can see some slightly darker elements hidden beneath the surface.
The Mrs Tim books (1932-1952) D.E Stevenson.
This is a bit of a cheat because there are four Mrs Tim books. The first one Mrs Tim of the Regiment is published by Bloomsbury, and the next three books have been re-issued by Dean Street Press. I still have number four waiting to be read. The first book if I am honest is the one I liked least – but generally these stories of a regimental wife before during and after the Second World War, are a delight. In the company of Hester Christie, we experience life, love, motherhood, friendship, romance, and work, with charming humour.
Home Life (1986) Alice Thomas Ellis
In 1985 Alice Thomas Ellis began producing a weekly column in the Spectator called Home Life. These short pieces were collected together in four volumes of which this is the first – and I really will have to collect the other three (not sure how easy they are to get hold of though). This book was an absolute joy – and I would happily have read on and on had there been more. These articles about the author’s own family life are full of fun, tongue-in-cheek observations and ruminations – a (not so) Provincial Lady of the 1980s perhaps. She is also very honest, blithely referring to visiting her son’s grave almost in passing – you begin to feel very much one of the crowd.
So, if you’re looking for something joyful to read to shut out 2020 you could do a lot worse than one of these. Happy reading.
Oh, and look what just arrived – a bit more joy here too I should think.
What a lovely post Ali, and so many temptations. I have Something Light in the TBR…
Something Light was such a lovely book, I hope you enjoy it too.
Lovely post, Ali, and very timely given we’ll be staring winter in the face soon and will no doubt need cheering up.
Yes, I was definitely thinking about those winter evenings to come. We’re definitely going to need some cheering up.
I adore Business as Usual so I’m going to have to find copies of the others. Brilliant piece Ali. Thanks.
So glad you enjoyed Business as Usual so much, I am sure there are others here you would enjoy too.
Gorgeous post. I have an audio version of 84 Charing Cross Road with Juliet Stevenson as Hanff and John Nettles as Doel. Utter joy! 😀
I really must read it again soon. I can’t quite hear John Nettles as Doel though, that sounds like a good audio version though.
What an absolutely smashing post! I love vintage books, there’s something so wonderfully safe and comfy about them don’t you think? Really enjoyed reading, thank you for sharing ☺️
Oh yes, I agree. Hope you find things here to inspire you.
A lovely cheering post! I’ve been going nature, (very) light modern and vintage as my books to keep me going. And we have quite the overlap in that list of ten, not that that’s going to surprise you!
Yes no surprise that we overlap on some of these. I can really see how nature writing can be a real comfort. I have always enjoyed the little bit of nature writing that I have read.
84 Charing Cross Road has always been my go to book when life is getting me down.
Oh lovely, a great choice for difficult days.
What a brilliant list! The only two I’ve not read are Something Light and Home Life – with Sharp and Ellis, I have lots of their books unread, but not these two… though think I might need to snap up Something Light.
I am sure you would enjoy the Sharp and the Ellis. At least two of these books I only read because of you Simon, so thank you for introducing them to me. 😊
Wonderful selection of comforting reads there Ali – I think we could all do with that now! And that looks like impressive book post! 😀
My perfect kinds of books, and I am looking forward to reading those new Dean Street Press books.
What a delightful list of books! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, I hope the list might inspire some future reading.
Such a lovely post Ali, thank you!
Glad you like it.
What an absolutely lovely list. I am so happy to see Our Hearts Were Young and Gay and 84, Charing Cross Road here. Two of my favorites.
I really must read more by Cornelia Otis Skinner soon, I have two more books by her tbr.
A delightful list! I’ve reached for a few of these already this year and they never fail to bring joy.
Thank you, they are fully joyful.
Lovely list Ali. Mine would be very similar, so I’m putting those books I haven’t read on my tbr list now.
Excellent, hope you enjoy reading those you haven’t already.
What a wonderful list and summary you’ve put together Ali! A bit of cheer in my in-box this morning, thank you. My comfort reads have been a combination of classic crime and old favorites with a dollop of travel books.
I often indulge in some classic crime too, they can be great escapism.
Soulmate! I’ve loved Helene Hanff since Charing Cross Road came out. I adore Mrs Tim and need to get the second one–all of these would be perfect for me.
I hope you enjoy the next Mrs Tim book, they are a delight.
Oh it goes without saying I’ll love the next Mrs. Tim!! I also adore the Provincial Lady
I will return to this post! Very timely – this year has just been the pits, and I’ve often needed lighter reading. The only one on your list I’ve read is 84 Charing Cross Road, which I loved.
This year has certainly been challenging, and I have needed distractions too. I hope you find something to distract you on this list.
What a great list! I see a few of my favorites that I have not thought about in a while – 84 Charing Coss among them. I’ll dust them off and reread for some comfort. Thanks for all the titles new to me I plan to find.
Happy reading, re-reading old favourites can be such a comfort.
Well, it won’t surprise you to hear that I’ll be bookmarking this post for future reference. What a fantastic list, Ali! I’ve read two – 84 CCR and Business as Usual – both absolutely delightful, which bodes well for your other choices. I loved the Margery Sharp story from the Virago WW2 anthology, so maybe Something Light would be a good follow-on read?
Well I so enjoyed that particular Margery Sharp, it might not be her best, though I haven’t read enough Sharp to judge that, but it was a real tonic for me when I read it.
This list is wonderful and exactly what I’ve come to expect from you, Ali. Some new (to me) titles that I want to own, some old favorites, some books I have TBR. 84 Charing Cross Road is one of my very favorite books, one that I re-read every now and then, and her other books are wonderful, too. I liked Their Hearts Were Light and Gay so much that I bought several other books by the authors. Business as Usual is on my “Read Very Soon” pile. I read and enjoyed the Mrs Tim books just this year. Lovely post!
I have more books by Cornelia Otis Skinner which I should read soon. 84 Charing Cross Road is such a loved book it seems, I am even keener to re-read it.
We are definitely book-reading kindred spirits. Thank-you for a new list of books to find and read. Enjoy your DSP, I especially loved Much Dithering.
Excellent, so good to hear you rate Much Dithering so highly.
Thanks for this list, it’s always good to know where to find such books.
I hope you find something on the list that you enjoy.
I downloaded Patricia Brent, Spinster. It’s free and I like to have a “feel-good TBR”
Br really hope you enjoy it. It’s a lovely book.
What a lovely idea for a post, thank you!
My pleasure. 😊
[…] The blog post – please check out Ali’s wonderful list of 10 Vintage Books of Joy. It’s not the usual sort of book list you see, because many of these are a little […]
I’ve added your complete list of vintage joyful books to my mood-boosting list here (if you are interested): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FVZxfGpG81wTsd3_InPpGGqz7Z4kDwaF6hx54IpL2FE/edit#gid=0
Thank you so much.
Excellent, what a great list.
[…] Ali’s lovely post 10 vintage books of joy reminded me I had Something Light by Margery Sharp (1960) in the TBR, and so I dug it out […]
Thanks for these recommendations. I just finished reading The House Opposite, which I ordered after reading your review. I absolutely loved that book, so thank you. I actually bought it for my husband (knowing full well I was going to read it) and he loved it as well. Love your blog!
Thank you so much. So glad you enjoyed The House Opposite, its such a good novel.
My favorite among these is 84 Charing Cross Road! Everytime I run across a copy, I buy it so I can have it on hand to give away to someone. 📖
What a lovely one it is to give as a gift.