The Light a Candle Society : The joyful, warm and utterly uplifting book club read for 2026 from Sunday Times bestseller and author of The Keeper of Lost Things, Ruth Hogan

LIFE-AFFIRMING AND FULL OF LOVE' Celia Anderson'WARM, COMPASSIONATE, WITTY' Mike Gayle'MAGICAL . . . UPLIFTING' Anton Du BekeA TOP TEN KINDLE BESTSELLER ABOUT THE POWER OF KINDNESS. George McGlory is showing off his new shirt to his wife, Audrey. It's got bright-orange parrots on, but he knows she won't say anything. He's talking to the headstone at her grave. Audrey passed away two years ago, and George is still muddling through. Across the cemetery he sees a lonely coffin with only council pallbearers in attendance. Mrs Kathleen Hooley was eighty-nine and she died safe and warm in her own bed, but had no friends or family to organise a funeral - or even send flowers. Even through his own grief, George is deeply touched by Kathleen's lonely funeral. No one should be sent out of this world alone, surely?Not on George's watch. With the help of his friends, he creates The Light a Candle Society, to make sure no one is forgotten. It might just remind him that there's still light in his life, too . . . An uplifting story of how compassion, kindness and care - even for strangers - can shine a light in the darkest of times, perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Ruth Jones, Jennie Godfrey or Graham Norton. Praise for Ruth Hogan:'Told with wit and heart' BETH MORREY'Every page is a joy' PIP WILLIAMS'Delightfully uplifting' WOMAN'S OWN'Full of hope' PRIMAReaders love Ruth Hogan's uplifting and heartfelt The Light a Candle Society:'Wow . . . this book is so emotional, uplifting and powerful' Reader review, 5 stars'The story just grips you. Read it.' Reader review, 5 stars'Such a powerful read. It will stay with me forever' Reader review, 5 stars'A poignant, heartwarming story' Reader review, 5 stars