The Artemis Fowl series is awfully fun, and full of good tongue-in-cheek and sarcastic comments that make one smile if not laugh aloud. Colfer's characters are often very cheeky and are nearly all a bit nicer than they'd like to admit.

I've always loved the Chronicles of Narnia. They are a nice, quick read when there's not much time and I'd like to finish in one sitting. I think my favorite of those is Voyage of the Dawn Treader, mostly because of Eustice and his transformation into a "dull" child (according to his parents). C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters is fun to reread at intervals, as well. It's such an astute description of we humans and has a bit of a bite as well.

Cheers,

gailfus

"In the absence of clearly defined goals we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia." - Unknown

<grins> To avoid libel I will only say that I like Jerry Pournelle when he is collaborating with Larry Niven and/or Stephen Barnes

I must look at his blog and see if he has mellowed, somewhat.

I love Larry Niven's books, but most don't fit the feel-good criteria.

MC, I can't pick just one of the Varley, either- but I did find his website recently:
[www.varley.net]

Check it out if you're wondering why this has become a list of authors more than books-
he reads most of the same stuff that I do & it's that outlook on life that makes books worth reading...

May I second "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" - One of the greatest opening lines to a book and definitely the earliest into a reading where I have laughed out loud

May I also submit "Travels with My Aunt" as a truly feel good book. A great illustration of growing old disgracefully and embarrassing your relatives.

The Varley website reminded me of Mis Pettigrew Lives for a Day, which is not only a film but the most fantastically happy book.

Now published by Persephone Press who do a very good line in feel good books. Mostly female writers, mostly written between the wars and very British. I appreciate its a niche market but anybody else out there living the life of a 1950's English housewife will probably find something to love in their back catalogue.

[www.persephonebooks.co.uk]



zendao42 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MC, I can't pick just one of the Varley, either-
> but I did find his website recently:
> [www.varley.net]
>
> Check it out if you're wondering why this has
> become a list of authors more than books-
> he reads most of the same stuff that I do & it's
> that outlook on life that makes books worth
> reading...

Steve James [www.dailymail.co.uk]

With thanks to Steve James on the Fforde Ffeiesta Facebook page

TheMadBlonde, this is the thread I mentioned. I thought the best way of getting it to you was by posting in it and bringing it to the top of the heap.I hope you're still lurking.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/12/2014 02:18AM by geg.

Well, I don't know of the '100 Best Books' but I just received a complete set of Ngaio Marsh novels.

I am as happy as a pig in spite of myself.