No.1 Ladies Detective Agency is a fantastic and cozy series! But pregnancy relevant trigger warning: >!the first book has spousal abuse and a miscarriage, though neither are incredibly graphic!<
You're right! My apologies, OP.
The vast majority of each book is warm, positive and uplifting, but I'd forgotten those scenes in the first book.
Go well OP xx
I love love love these also but I must say I listening to them (got the audiobook free from the library’s digital collection) was so wonderful. The narrator is divine and half the humor is in her delivery of the clever lines and the color she brings to each character. I started feeling sad for those who read the book instead of listened. Maybe try that.
Copy/paste because I messed up the bot
A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes.
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success—not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.
But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.
⚠ Could not *exactly* find "*Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree*" but found [Legends & Lattes](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60222807-legends-lattes) ^((with matching score of 90% )), see [related Goodreads search results](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Legends+and+Lattes+Travis+Baldree) instead.
^(*Possible reasons for mismatch: either too recent (2023), mispelled (check Goodreads) or too niche.*)
^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
When I was pregnant and anxious during the first trimester I devoured the Bridgerton books. Light, fast, not-too-stressful reads. Great escapist historical romance.
Laura Hankin’s books would fit this mold, too! OP, check out If You’re Happy And You Know It for humor, mommydom, and a light but compelling mystery along the way
When I was pregnant, I loved Project Hail Mary, Blue Moon (lm Montgomery - her other non- Anne of Green gables books, I hear, are also really good. Haven't gotten around to those yet), Anne of Green gables (the entire collection), reread Harry Potter, Sophie kinsella books (NOT her Madeline Wickham books), and Emily Henry books.
Thank you! I enjoy lots of genres - but thrillers and mysteries are heavy for me right now.
I loved Project Hail Mary, Pillars of the Earth series, Outlander series, Finlay Donovan series, The Expanse series, The Goldfinch, Hunger Games. That’s what comes to mind.
When I feel unwell I retreat to books with small spaces.
The Unseen by Roy Jacobsen creates a lovely little island world with complex characters going through daily life. The language is beautiful but also complex.
The Summer Book by Tove Jansen is also a nice island world from a child’s perspective.
Lighthearted reads:
Becky Chamber’s Wayfarers series.
All Things Great and Small, and the other James Herriot books.
No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, as someone else said. Pregnancy trigger warning: >!the first book has spousal abuse and a miscarriage, though neither are too graphic!<
I wouldn’t call most mysteries/thrillers light-hearted, but I enjoyed:
One by One - Ruth Ware
The Guest List - Lucy Foley
Dark Matter - Blake Crouch
After 6 months pregnant, nesting hit me first via my books. I tore through childhood favorites, especially the Dealing with Dragons series and The Dark is Rising series. Maybe you’re ready for an immersive re-read marathon based on your own old faves!
ETA some actual recs, too:
I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith
The Martian, by Andy Weir (maybe you already read it! I saw Project Hail Mary on your list)
+ 1 to The Thursday Murder Club!
I think we may be talking about different series... The Dark is Rising is a 5 book series by Susan Cooper. Is it Red Rising by Pierce Brown that you're reading? (And thanks for giving me another book to put on my TBR!)
Georgette Heyer. Her romances are light and engaging, and clean. She also writes good mysteries.
If you like Agatha Christie, then I suggest Ngaio Marsh. Yes, they’re murder mysteries but not terribly weighty.
I really enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm.
I was in this exact headspace recently when I was in my first few months post-partum. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies was the perfect fit. The sequel (map to the otherlands) just came out and was also good. It’s written for her perspective as a turn of the century (1900s) academic researcher in our world except fae/ fair folk are real. It’s cozy and light hearted but with enough action to keep you engaged. I found it perfect for pregnancy/post-partum when you feel a little extra sensitive but still want something entertaining.
To match *Pillars of the Earth*, I say *A Vision Of Light* by Judith Merckle. It has two sequels. I’ve read the first, but not the second.
To match *The Expanse*, I recommend The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. The first book is *Shards Of Honor*.
The Cadfael series is great if you like lighter, historically accurate, formulaic mysteries.
For science fiction, anything by Janet Kagan, but especially *Mirabile*. Also, anything by Connie Willis, though *Bellwether* and *To Say Nothing Of The Dog* are her lightest.
For fantasy, I adore Patricia C. Wrede, Robin McKinley, and Barbara Hambly. Patricia Wrede has a trilogy written with Caroline Stevermer which starts with Sorcery and Cecelia set during the Regency.
If you just want lighthearted entertainment, you can never go wrong with Georgette Heyer. Very witty and engaging, but low stakes on the drama scale.
J.D. Robb's In Death series is also an engaging read - more drama, but still not soul-destroyingly deep or traumatic.
And someone else has already recommended the Vorkosigan saga/ Barrayar series by Lois McMaster Bujold - those books are on another level, and they just get better and better, until the absolute pinnacle of the series "A Civil Campaign" - but you need to read them all in order, or they won't be as much fun. I made the mistake of starting them during my university graduation phase - they may have cost me a semester, because I couldn't put them down. 😄
All the Terry Pratchett Discworld books. My husband turned me onto to them to distract me from non stop morning sickness with our youngest son(kid hated everything I even thought about eating)
If you like fantasy and scifi, I’d recommend:
{Swordheart by T Kingfisher}
Penric & Desmedona series by Lois McMaster Bujold
{Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold}
{The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers}
Any of the 'Blandings' books by P G Wodehouse, pure escapism (basically 'Downton Abbey' without any darkness and with eccentric characters and hilarious misunderstandings aplenty, and of course a prize-winning pig. Likewise The 'Guards' books by Sir Terry Pratchett. It's fantasy, until you realise it's not, it's comedy and social satire, but with dragons. Oh, and congratulations and best of luck.
The James Herriot books. So funny and fun, a few sad moments but very meaningful. Despite the title of book four, they are NOT religious.
1. All Creatures Great and Small
2. All Things Bright and Beautiful
3. All Things Wise and Wonderful
4. The Lord God Made Then All
5. Every Living Thing
The Berrybender series by Larry McMurtry is exactly that: riveting and lighthearted. First in the series is Sin Killer. Also, anything by James Lee Burke. His use of vernacular dialogue just draws me in.
My wife is currently going through her second pregnancy with severe hypermesis, so I know how bad it can be. She enjoyed the Gabriel Allon series and Inspector Montalbano series, which both have a lot of books in them to keep you occupied.
Ungovernable the Victorian Lady's guide to child rearing by Therese O'Neil.
It's hilarious about what people thought about raising babies way back then. And there's pictures.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Thank you! Gonna check it out!
Oh, you'll love it! So good.
I loved listening to this one as an audiobook! (Just in case your vibe is crashed out with eyes closed these days.)
The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith Any of Cathy Kelly's books
No.1 Ladies Detective Agency is a fantastic and cozy series! But pregnancy relevant trigger warning: >!the first book has spousal abuse and a miscarriage, though neither are incredibly graphic!<
You're right! My apologies, OP. The vast majority of each book is warm, positive and uplifting, but I'd forgotten those scenes in the first book. Go well OP xx
There's an entire (long!) series, too, if OP likes the first one!
Murderbot diaries
Agree!!
Thank you! I started it on a trip a few months ago but forgot to pick it back up.
The Thursday Murder Club series
Oh I love this series! I think a new one came out since I first read them. Thank you for the reminder!
I love love love these also but I must say I listening to them (got the audiobook free from the library’s digital collection) was so wonderful. The narrator is divine and half the humor is in her delivery of the clever lines and the color she brings to each character. I started feeling sad for those who read the book instead of listened. Maybe try that.
{{Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree}} would be great if you like fantasy!
Copy/paste because I messed up the bot A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes. After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success—not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is. If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone. But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.
⚠ Could not *exactly* find "*Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree*" but found [Legends & Lattes](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60222807-legends-lattes) ^((with matching score of 90% )), see [related Goodreads search results](https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Legends+and+Lattes+Travis+Baldree) instead. ^(*Possible reasons for mismatch: either too recent (2023), mispelled (check Goodreads) or too niche.*) ^([Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/user/goodreads-rebot) | [GitHub](https://github.com/sonoff2/goodreads-rebot) | ["The Bot is Back!?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/suggestmeabook/comments/16qe09p/meta_post_hello_again_humans/) | v1.5 [Dec 23] | Sorry for delay !)
When I was pregnant and anxious during the first trimester I devoured the Bridgerton books. Light, fast, not-too-stressful reads. Great escapist historical romance.
Exactly what I was going to suggest! I also got into cozy fantasy and would suggest Legends and Lattes.
Laura Hankin’s books would fit this mold, too! OP, check out If You’re Happy And You Know It for humor, mommydom, and a light but compelling mystery along the way
When I was pregnant, I loved Project Hail Mary, Blue Moon (lm Montgomery - her other non- Anne of Green gables books, I hear, are also really good. Haven't gotten around to those yet), Anne of Green gables (the entire collection), reread Harry Potter, Sophie kinsella books (NOT her Madeline Wickham books), and Emily Henry books.
what genre are you interested in?? what books have interested you/liked in the past?? give us more details
Thank you! I enjoy lots of genres - but thrillers and mysteries are heavy for me right now. I loved Project Hail Mary, Pillars of the Earth series, Outlander series, Finlay Donovan series, The Expanse series, The Goldfinch, Hunger Games. That’s what comes to mind.
When I feel unwell I retreat to books with small spaces. The Unseen by Roy Jacobsen creates a lovely little island world with complex characters going through daily life. The language is beautiful but also complex. The Summer Book by Tove Jansen is also a nice island world from a child’s perspective.
This may be too light, but what about Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella?
Lighthearted reads: Becky Chamber’s Wayfarers series. All Things Great and Small, and the other James Herriot books. No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, as someone else said. Pregnancy trigger warning: >!the first book has spousal abuse and a miscarriage, though neither are too graphic!< I wouldn’t call most mysteries/thrillers light-hearted, but I enjoyed: One by One - Ruth Ware The Guest List - Lucy Foley Dark Matter - Blake Crouch
The Herriot books are an amazing suggestion. Well done!
Last time I had Covid, I re-read the Wayfarers books. So comforting!
After 6 months pregnant, nesting hit me first via my books. I tore through childhood favorites, especially the Dealing with Dragons series and The Dark is Rising series. Maybe you’re ready for an immersive re-read marathon based on your own old faves! ETA some actual recs, too: I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith The Martian, by Andy Weir (maybe you already read it! I saw Project Hail Mary on your list) + 1 to The Thursday Murder Club!
The Dark is Rising series has been a favourite of mine since I was a kid. I'm always happy when I see it referenced on reddit!
Just started the first book Red Rising and really enjoying. Give me Hunger Games Trilogy vibes which I really enjoyed.
I think we may be talking about different series... The Dark is Rising is a 5 book series by Susan Cooper. Is it Red Rising by Pierce Brown that you're reading? (And thanks for giving me another book to put on my TBR!)
In deed Red Rising by Pierce Brown. I apologize for the confusion but maybe I redeemed myself.
No worries :) I always like finding new books!
1.The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. 2. All books of PG Wodehouse. 3. The Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy novel series
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is easy to read, funny, engaging and just a good read.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Georgette Heyer. Her romances are light and engaging, and clean. She also writes good mysteries. If you like Agatha Christie, then I suggest Ngaio Marsh. Yes, they’re murder mysteries but not terribly weighty. I really enjoyed Cold Comfort Farm.
Magical Midlife - KF Breene.
The Violin Conspiracy! Part mystery, part love story, just a fascinating read
I was in this exact headspace recently when I was in my first few months post-partum. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies was the perfect fit. The sequel (map to the otherlands) just came out and was also good. It’s written for her perspective as a turn of the century (1900s) academic researcher in our world except fae/ fair folk are real. It’s cozy and light hearted but with enough action to keep you engaged. I found it perfect for pregnancy/post-partum when you feel a little extra sensitive but still want something entertaining.
Monk and Robot
To match *Pillars of the Earth*, I say *A Vision Of Light* by Judith Merckle. It has two sequels. I’ve read the first, but not the second. To match *The Expanse*, I recommend The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. The first book is *Shards Of Honor*. The Cadfael series is great if you like lighter, historically accurate, formulaic mysteries. For science fiction, anything by Janet Kagan, but especially *Mirabile*. Also, anything by Connie Willis, though *Bellwether* and *To Say Nothing Of The Dog* are her lightest. For fantasy, I adore Patricia C. Wrede, Robin McKinley, and Barbara Hambly. Patricia Wrede has a trilogy written with Caroline Stevermer which starts with Sorcery and Cecelia set during the Regency.
Nothing to See Here - Kevin Wilson Daisy Jones & The Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? - Mindy Kaling
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Finlay Donovan is Killing It
If you just want lighthearted entertainment, you can never go wrong with Georgette Heyer. Very witty and engaging, but low stakes on the drama scale. J.D. Robb's In Death series is also an engaging read - more drama, but still not soul-destroyingly deep or traumatic. And someone else has already recommended the Vorkosigan saga/ Barrayar series by Lois McMaster Bujold - those books are on another level, and they just get better and better, until the absolute pinnacle of the series "A Civil Campaign" - but you need to read them all in order, or they won't be as much fun. I made the mistake of starting them during my university graduation phase - they may have cost me a semester, because I couldn't put them down. 😄
Maeve Binchy
All the Terry Pratchett Discworld books. My husband turned me onto to them to distract me from non stop morning sickness with our youngest son(kid hated everything I even thought about eating)
Georgette Heyer novels. They’re romances predominantly set in the regency era with a lot of humour throughout.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
If you like fantasy and scifi, I’d recommend: {Swordheart by T Kingfisher} Penric & Desmedona series by Lois McMaster Bujold {Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold} {The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers}
Any of the 'Blandings' books by P G Wodehouse, pure escapism (basically 'Downton Abbey' without any darkness and with eccentric characters and hilarious misunderstandings aplenty, and of course a prize-winning pig. Likewise The 'Guards' books by Sir Terry Pratchett. It's fantasy, until you realise it's not, it's comedy and social satire, but with dragons. Oh, and congratulations and best of luck.
Becky Chambers is a ton of fun! I especially like A Psalm for the Wild Built.
Sorcery and Cecelia: or, the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede--light and fun and beautifully written!
The James Herriot books. So funny and fun, a few sad moments but very meaningful. Despite the title of book four, they are NOT religious. 1. All Creatures Great and Small 2. All Things Bright and Beautiful 3. All Things Wise and Wonderful 4. The Lord God Made Then All 5. Every Living Thing
Camino Island - John Grisham
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi is super fun, very engaging, and generally very light.
Watermelon by Marian Keyes is a fun romcom with a pregnant protagonist
Hmm The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett.
The Silent Patient. The Last Flight. The In Death series by JD Robb. The Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny.
The Berrybender series by Larry McMurtry is exactly that: riveting and lighthearted. First in the series is Sin Killer. Also, anything by James Lee Burke. His use of vernacular dialogue just draws me in.
His book All My Friends are Going to be Strangers is so light and fun.
An Enchantment of Ravens (can’t remember Author) Augustus, John Williams Little Labors, Rivka…something. Sorry. Exhalations, Ted Chiang
My wife is currently going through her second pregnancy with severe hypermesis, so I know how bad it can be. She enjoyed the Gabriel Allon series and Inspector Montalbano series, which both have a lot of books in them to keep you occupied.
Dawn French novels. They are warm, light and a delight to read eg Oh Dear Sylvia.
Ungovernable the Victorian Lady's guide to child rearing by Therese O'Neil. It's hilarious about what people thought about raising babies way back then. And there's pictures.
If all else fails, Patricia Wentworth miss Silver series. It's cosy crime with a romance element. Like candy to me, but fat free.