My husband tends to read a lot of non-fiction. Occasionally I’ve gotten him to read some fiction (like The Handmaid’s Tale a year ago when we were in Maine), but in general he reads about gardens, gardening, gardeners, and World War II. But since early in the Covid lock down he has been asking me to pick novels for him.
With pleasure.
Happily, when I asked him what he was in the mood for, he said “cozy”. That was easy. Miss Buncle’s Book. What’s cozier than that? He loved it and has been enjoying everything I hand over. So far I have limited myself to giving him stuff that I still own. There are many books that I have read that I know he would like, but I don’t still own them all. I might have to start buying books I used to own.
Of course what amazes me most about this is not that he is enjoying himself, but that he lets me choose for him. I can’t remember the last time I let someone do that.
UPDATE: I should have said that his first request was cozy, not all of them have been chosen to be cozy.
This stack so far. It kind of kills me that he isn’t keeping a list. I guess I’ll take a picture every so often so we have a record of it.
hogglestock 
I don’t think of On the Beach as cozy!!
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We have moved away from cozy from time to time.
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His need for a cosy book obviously changed since I wouldn’t have ever put the Anne Frank into that category :)
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I realized after I took the picture that the juxtaposition of Anne Frank and Miss Buncle is somewhat jarring.
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I know that you’ll enjoy curating the book selections just as much as he’ll enjoy reading them. Smiled when I spied Miss Buncle’s Book among the recommendations. Looking forward to future blog posts. Wishing you continued good health!
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That’s lovely! It’s fantastic that he’s enjoying reading the books that are out of his usual comfort zone and shows how well you know him since you’re choosing for him.
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Does he keep a list of his non-fiction reads? Shouldn’t be a big jump to start another list for his fiction. If not, maybe if you start a lovely notebook with titles so far he’ll be compelled to continue.
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A perfect relationship! Not many spouses that ask, let alone read and enjoy. A match made in a bookies heaven. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. (Luv Miss Buncle, and I found her thru your recommendation also)
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Just saw Penelope Lively…any of hers will do. My favorite Penelope author…hits me like Pym…says it all, touches all the bases, but gently n smartly, clever.
Most cosy I think might b her ….How it all Began…..kind of a Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont …..enjoy! And thanks for posting this, will start alot of discussions in folks homes :)
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Nice stack! I’ve read nearly all of those except the Lively and Chiffon Trenches, both of which are on my TBR pile. And I spy a Trollope biography on your shelves! I have the same one, which of course I still haven’t read, I’m hoping to get to it soon. I so covet your lovely built-in bookcases!
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