I enjoy reading anything by P. G. Wodehouse. He writes light comedy.
Also, I never tire of reading Robinson Crusoe, especially the first chapter where his father begs him not to go to sea and he just won't listen.
An easy/enjoyable russian author is Anton Chekhov, a travelling doctor, author of short stories.
Perhaps the salon could be reading recomendations. Similar to what Marrella and Hamlok do for the Buchclub Extra Challenge. Although I could never keep up with the amount they read, I read all their recommendations.
P.S. Thanks for the link to
https://standardebooks.org