I love the Miss Read books. They're so consistently "nice and easy and comforting," as you say, with just enough meat to them that they never get dull as pure fluff might. I love all the detail about daily life.

I read South Riding ages ago (after reading Vera Brittain's book about her friendship with Holtby, Testament of Friendship and always meant to explore more of Holtby's work... why must there be so many wonderful authors to explore? I'm forever getting sidetracked!