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Can anyone recommend a happy/uplifting book for me to read?

I have had a run of books full of tragedy and death, and looking at the books on the top of my reading pile it looks like I have more to come. Can anyone recommend something that won’t be added to my list of depressing books read in 2009?

Thanks in advance!

15 replies on “Can anyone recommend a happy/uplifting book for me to read?”

Hi,

I just bumped into your blog so please forgive me if I mention books you’ve already read: I like:
Jane Austen, Barbara Pym (most of them are rather happy–try “Excellent Women” or “A Glass of Blessings”, EF Benson–the Lucia Series. I like almost all of the Virago books and although some of them are not happy/uplifting many have what I would call a kind of gentle, realistic comedy of every day life. “Miss Mole” by EH Young is just one of many examples.

Best wishes!

Like Natalie, I’m new to your blog, so I’m not sure if you’ve read these or not.

I totally thought of Jane Austen too-especially Northanger
Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Emma. 🙂 The Uncommon Reader was an adorable little novella that I smiled all the way through. Mysteries tend to be my ‘comfort’ reads-my favourite series are the Mary Russell one by Laurie King (starting with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice), the Julian Kestrel one by Kate Ross (starting with Cut to the Quick), of course Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. I just started reading Georgette Heyer books, which are fun reads. My favourites so far are Friday’s Child and The Reluctant Widow. And I just reread The Secret Garden last year and it was just as wonderful as when I was little. 🙂

Thank you all for the recommendations. I have added a few to my Bookmooch wish list, and will add some more whenever I feel the depressing books piling up. I’ll make sure that I thank you when I review them, so that you know when I’ve read one of your recommendations.

The Uncommon Reader is already in my pile, so I’ll dig it out next time I need a break from the tough stuff – should be some time in the next month.

Thanks again!

PS Any other happy read nominations are always gratefully received!

I am a new visitor, recommended by Beth Fish. I don’t know if you have read this, but I just finished “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”. While the book has some serious moments in describing the effects of WWII, most of the book is literally laugh-out-loud and heartwarming. I didn’t want the book to end!

I’m going to follow you. Your blog looks like it is right up my alley!

Natalie, one uplifting book I can suggest is NECTAR OF THE GRATEFUL VICTIM. Don’t get put off by the word VICTIM in the title. It has two great stories in one: The heart-wrenching tale of oppressed, but highly promising, young “Maya,” plus the inspiring and irresistible testimonial made by her indomitable spirit.
Great inspirational book for anybody, including men!

Sorry the message about uplifting book was for Jackie. If it benefits you, Natalie, thats good, it is a great book though!

I am new to this. I don’t how this blog thing works. But I am getting there!

Manisha – Don’t worry about it! I’m sure Natalie will find your comment helpful too! Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog – Nectar of the Grateful Victim sounds like a really interesting book – I’ll keep an eye out for it!

Oh I can’t believe it, Jackie, my blog actually went through and I got a reply too! Yeah, Nectar of the Grateful Victim is a kind of a book that can change one’s life. It certainly changed mine. The book was recommended to me by a friend; I bought it because I was intrigued by the title. And when I started reading it I could not put it down. I started around 10pm and was reading till 6am next morning. Anyway, enjoy the read if you decide to get it.

Manisha – I’m not sure any book could make me stay up until 6am! It must have been really good. I’ve added it to my bookmooch wishlist, so hopefully I’ll get a copy soon!

Cold Sassy Tree is a wonderful, happy book about a young boy coming of age. The first few pages had me laughing out loud. It does have some sad parts too, but in general it’s a fun, gentle book.

Manisha, I read Nectar of the Grateful Victim. It was uplifting, empowering and engaging. I enjoyed more than three quarter of it. Then I enjoyed the ending. It seems like every woman’s story. So true! Taran’s has done well publishing it.

If anyone is interested in a book that is a wonderful read although it is a heart rendering true story written by the author Hilderbrand, she also wrote Seabiscuit. It is about a soldier Louie Zamperini. The ending is worth all the trials you read of what he lived through. I highly recommend it.

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