Book recommendations for a 94 year old

December 16, 2023 6:28 AM

I’m looking for adult fiction or narrative nonfiction book recommendations for one of my in-laws who I help take care of. Stuff she has read and enjoyed include The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, the Tudor series by Philippa Gregory, and Lord of the Rings. Some more specifics inside.

I think out of those series she really keyed in on the setting (castles, countryside, etc.). She also likes stories that fairly quickly paced. Some romance is okay.

She was a child in Germany during WW2, so books set during either World War aren’t good for her for leisure reading.

She has a little bit of cognitive decline, but it hasn’t seemed to affect her reading. Also has some early macular degeneration, but other than some eye fatigue she can read regular print fine.

posted by eekernohan to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (19 answers total)

Because it's long and winding and Victorian and a bit epic: The Crimson Petal and the White, by Michel Faber, in which a young prostitute rises through the ranks of English society.
posted by cocoagirl at 7:12 AM on December 16, 2023

Maybe A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas? My sister turned me on to them and she’s a big Philippa Gregory fan too, is why I thought of it. They’re more fantasy, but definitely a fast-paced read.
posted by jeweled accumulation at 7:29 AM on December 16, 2023

My friend and I really enjoyed the Queen of Beauty from the century trilogy books. It was the 3rd book I think but we read them out of order and enjoyed all the books you mentioned.
posted by catspajammies at 7:31 AM on December 16, 2023

Perhaps Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall series about Thomas Cromwell.
posted by chrisulonic at 7:44 AM on December 16, 2023

Ian Mortimer has a nonfiction series called the "Time Traveler's Guide to...".

The conceit is that you learn about everyday life in various periods in British history by imagining yourself as a time traveler, trying to fit in and not tip anyone off that you're from modern times.

It's educational, but also very fun to imagine yourself at a medieval soccer match or at an elegant Restoration era dinner party.

Even my more fiction-adoring friends love this series.
posted by champers at 7:47 AM on December 16, 2023

The Amelia Peabody Egyptian archeological mysteries written by an actual archeologist, Barbara Mertz, under the pen name of Elizabeth Peters. A little romance, interesting mysteries, history, and an abundance of humour make this series fun to read. I laughed out loud a lot!
posted by a humble nudibranch at 8:04 AM on December 16, 2023

My mother was a child in Germany during WWII. She enjoyed the Elena Ferrante novels.
posted by jouke at 8:16 AM on December 16, 2023

She may enjoy Stefan Zweig's autobiography. About Austria before WWII. Either in German or English. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_of_Yesterday
posted by jouke at 8:22 AM on December 16, 2023

Forever Amber is a classic in this mode. But then, so's Gone With The Wind.
posted by zadcat at 8:24 AM on December 16, 2023

Kristin Lavransdatter is the first book in a trilogy set in Norway in the 14th century. Beloved by me, the left-wing friend who recommended it, and my right–wing elderly uncle.

(Edited to add: Looks like I accidentally linked to the Kindle edition that includes all three books.)
posted by FencingGal at 8:25 AM on December 16, 2023

Fiona Buckley's series about Ursula Blanchard is set in Elizabethian England. The heroine travels a lot and operates as a detective/spy in the royal court.
posted by soelo at 9:25 AM on December 16, 2023

My 90 yr old mom recently enjoyed The Tour series by Jean Grainger. An entertaining cast of American characters tour Ireland. There are 6 books. My mom also really enjoys anything by Judy Leigh, which are generally heartwarming and about older folks. These are not fantasy-related but I thought I would share them.
posted by Glinn at 9:58 AM on December 16, 2023

She might enjoy Hild by Nicola Griffith.
posted by abeja bicicleta at 10:14 AM on December 16, 2023

A Discovery of Witches (and sequels) by Deborah Harkness. Very similar vibe to Outlander, I thought!
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 10:22 AM on December 16, 2023

Sara Donati's historical fiction. Judging by what I've read online, people who loved the Outlander series also enjoyed Donati's work. She seems to have two series. One is set in the American frontier* and the other during the Gilded Age.

*There are Easter eggs to the Outlander series in Donati's frontier novels. Donati and Gabaldon are friends.
posted by Constance Mirabella at 10:47 AM on December 16, 2023

Maybe Dorothy Dunnett. Start with The Game of Kings (16thc Scotland) or Niccolo Rising (15thc, starts in Bruges).

Or Susanna Kearsley, particularly good on settings. The Splendour Falls might be a good place to start, or The Winter Sea.
posted by paduasoy at 11:15 AM on December 16, 2023

I feel like Diane Setterfield is an author she might like.
posted by Dashy at 3:13 PM on December 16, 2023

has she read gabaldon's related outlander novellas and Lord John books? they flesh out the backstory of several characters in the main series.
posted by brujita at 3:35 PM on December 16, 2023

Thank you for the excellent suggestions, everyone! I will be looking these up and offering them to her to try :)
posted by eekernohan at 8:46 AM on December 17, 2023