With so much of the world in the middle of a strange pause and so many people stuck at home for the foreseeable future, it can be difficult to see the positives when all we’re thinking about is how inconvenienced we are, how scary and strange everything is at the moment. As we all know, it’s times like this when it’s most important to make an effort to focus on the positives and really surround ourselves with things that make us happy.
It’s a time to return to old favorites or perhaps to get wrapped up in a world away from our own with one of these 10 Fantasy Worlds To Escape To, and it’s certainly a time to read some feel good books. The phrase “feel good” can mean different things to different readers. Many readers enjoy lighthearted contemporary, often called “fluffy,” novels when looking for something feel good. As someone who doesn’t read very many contemporary novels, my shelves are distinctly lacking in the “fluffy feel good” respect, so my feel good choices tend to be slightly different from others you may see. They’re often still somewhat lighthearted, but even when there is some more emotional depth to the story, they leave me feeling uplifted–which is what we all need right now, don’t you think?
10 Feel Good Books to Read While Social Distancing
My Recommendations
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
This book is one I feel that I mention fairly frequently and for good reason. Everyone and their mother has read this feel good book, but if you haven’t, you should. And if you have, perhaps it’s time for a reread. This book is so sweet and charming, full of eccentric and lovable characters with a story focused on finding friendship and love in unexpected places. It’s full of heart and humor and is the perfect uplifting read.
My Mostly Happy Life: The Autobiography of a Climbing Tree
by Shelly Reuben
I was sent my Mostly Happy Life by its sweet author Shelly Reuben a while ago and adored it. It’s an unusual book—being from the point of view of a tree within a park—but it was also an unexpected hit. It’s a book of stories the climbing tree tells us about visitors to his park and, though it doesn’t feel like a usual plot, readers end up seeing how everything comes together and connects by the end. Reuben’s writing is so charming and sweet and the story was lighthearted but still emotionally satisfying. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a read that’s unique in comparison to other typically “fluffy” books.
The Little French Bistro
by Nina George
The Little French Bistro is not my usual type of read (and is definitely the most ordinary feel good, contemporary novel of my recommendations) but I ended up enjoying it. It’s a wonderfully lighthearted, charming story that exemplifies the idea that it’s never too late to live the life you want to live. While I don’t think it’s terribly unique, I think it’s a sweet and worthwhile story that could be exactly what you’re looking for.
The Greatest Gift
by Philip Van Doren Stern
As the inspiration behind the classic Christmas film It’s A Wonderful Life, this little book is certainly an uplifting, feel good book. It’s an incredibly short book–the edition I read was around 50 very short pages including an afterword by the author’s daughter–and is worth fitting in. It feels like the bare bones version of the story the movie portrays, quick but not lacking. This story is a reminder to everyone that they matter and their life means something even when they may feel like it doesn’t. Uplifting, indeed.
Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
Perhaps not the novel at the top of everyone’s feel good list, but I’d argue that it should be. It’s not a light, fluffy story but this book is incredibly cozy and just being with the March girls makes me feel good. While it has emotional depth, its overall themes are rather positive and uplifting.
The Importance of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
My love and adoration for Oscar Wilde is no secret so I had to include something of his within this list. While The Picture of Dorian Gray doesn’t quite fit the bill, The Importance of Being Earnest does. What’s more “feel good” than humor? You may think you won’t get any actual laughs from Wilde’s Trivial Comedy for Serious People, but I assure you, you will. I loved it so much more than I expected.
On My TBR
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
by Rachel Joyce
This is a novel I always forget I have sitting on my shelf, though I’m not quite sure how it got there. Whatever the manner it came to me, it’s there now and I plan on reading it. It’s described as charming and humorous, but also poignant and emotional and overall a feel good book.
I Capture the Castle
by Dodie Smith
I’ve heard many wonderful things about this novel, all things that make me think this would be the perfect uplifting, feel good novel for times like these. Written as the diary of a 17 year old girl living with her poor family in a ruined castle, I Capture the Castle is said to be funny and lighthearted. I’m really looking forward to it.
The Keeper of Lost Things
by Ruth Hogan
This sounds like such a charming story about a woman who inherits the house and lost things that an elderly man has been collecting and writing stories about for decades. Along with inheriting his estate, the woman becomes responsible for reuniting the lost objects with their owners, all while finding friendship and renewed meaning within her own life. It sounds like quite a sweet feel good book.
The Little Prince
by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Sometimes when looking for something sweet and uplifting to read, the best place to look is to children’s novels. Especially classic children’s novels, loved by seemingly everyone. I haven’t read The Little Prince, but I’ve heard it’s beautifully written, cozy, and a reminder of just how magical childhood is for those reading as adults.
What are your go-to feel good books? What are some on your TBR? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading,
Madison
I have read several of these, but there are a couple I will be checking out. I just realized the movie, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, is available on Netflix. I read the book several years ago, but I think I will watch the movie next week for a break. Great post.
Thank you, I’m glad there were a couple books for you to check out from this list! I love The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society so much. The Netflix movie was good but didn’t capture the magic of the book in my opinion. I hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
This post is excellent!! I especially agree with I Capture the Castle–that book is just somehow so comforting. Hope you’re well!
Thank you so much, Holly! I actually just got I Capture the Castle recently and I’m really looking forward to reading it. I’m looking forward to watching the movie eventually, too! Thanks, I’m doing well and I hope you are too 🙂
I haven’t read any of these but definitely want to read some of them – especially Little Women (I adored the recent movie) and The Guernsey Literacy one (which I somehow didn’t even see the film of yet despite wanting to 🤔).
Omg Charlotte I LOVED the new Little Women movie. I could rave about it all day. Timothée Chalamet as Laurie 😍😍😍 and Saoirse Ronan was the perfect Jo. I really really hope you love the book. I love the Guernsey book but I only thought the movie was good not great. Let me know what you think!
Yes it really was an incredible movie with a fantastic cast of characters!! I can’t wait to watch it again sometime 😍 Thank you. I’ll definitely let you know what I think of the book and movie ☺️