23 of the best feel-good books
More than ever, I'm turning to books as a place to get away from real life for a while at the moment. Grabbing my book and knowing I can escape what's going on in the real world for an hour or so has been sanity-saving.
The books I'm wanting to read right aren't suspenseful thrillers or dramas about dysfunctional families. Instead what I'm craving are funny, joyful stories where I know nothing too bad will happen and where I'm guaranteed a happy ending.
If you're in need of a pick me up (and, quite frankly, who isn't?), these feel-good reads will put a smile on your face.
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
I’m a sucker for books about reading and this one is a real heart-lifter. Widower Mukesh wants to connect with his quiet granddaughter Priya and thinks books might be the answer so he heads to the local library. There he meets bored teenager Aleisha and the two form a friendship through a shared reading list. What a joyful, uplifting read!
The Language of food by Annabel Abbs
Based on the life of real life cookbook author Eliza Acton, this is a really charming historical novel that’s full of gorgeous recipes abd descriptions of food. At its heart the uplifting story of the friendship between Eliza and Ann Kirby, her kitchen help, that crosses the class divide.
Still Life by Sarah Winman
I love that there’s always something a bit magical about Winman’s books (she’s best known for When God Was A Rabbit). Set in Italy in the years after the Second World War, this joyful book about love in all its forms tells the story of Ulysses and how a chance encounter with a woman named Evelyn changes the course of his life. The cast of characters are unforgettable and the gorgeous descriptions of the sun-baked Tuscan landscape and food will warm your soul.
The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot by Marianne Cronin
Lenni, 17, and Margot, 83, meet in a hospital art class, and when they realise that between them they have lived 100 years, they decide to create a project, with a painting for each year. Told through stories and memories, we learn about the pair’s pasts. This multi-generational novel about friendship is something special: moving, joyful and life-affirming.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
On the day Nora decides to end her life, she discovers a magical library which offers her endless chances to rewrite the choices she’s made and try out different ways of living. This touching story, which is like a book version of It’s A Wonderful Life, is full of heart and wisdom – just what we need for these strange times.
V For Victory by Lissa Evans
In this funny, uplifting read Lissa Evans returns to the characters introduced in her previous novels Crooked Heart and Old Baggage. It’s the tail-end of the Second World War and Vera is scrapping a living running a boarding house in Hampstead, while looking after her charge, 15-year-old Noel. When she witnesses an accident, and has to appear in court, the deceits she’s built her life on look likely to be discovered. Wonderful stuff.
Yours Cheerfully by AJ Pearce
If you loved Dear Mrs Bird, you’ll be delighted that there’s a sequel to the story of plucky trainee journalist Emmy. In this new book we’re thrown back into Blitz-torn London where Emmy uncovers a story about a munitions factory where women are being exploited. Just as filled with humour, heart and poignancy as its prequel.
The World at My Feet by Catherine Isaac
Ellie is an Instagram gardening influencer with 56.6k followers – but what they don’t realise is that she secretly suffers from agoraphobia and lives in a cottage at the bottom of her parents’ garden. Told She’s such a relatable character that you can’t help but want well for her and I was genuinely shocked when the reason for her struggles was revealed. The ending moved me to tears.
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
If you enjoyed The Flatshare, you’ll love this new novel from the same author. This story has everything you want to lift your spirits: laughs, romance and lovely characters you connect with emotionally. After high-flyer Leena is forced to take a sabbatical from work, she and her 79-year-old grandmother Eileen decide to swap lives. As Leena struggles to fit in with small village life, Eileen tries online dating in London.
Saving Missy by Beth Morrey
The success of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine has blazed a trail for books about offbeat characters, and this is one of the best I’ve read. Missy is approaching 80 and is lonely, until a chance encounter. A joyful read about the power of people in saving each other.
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
This story of six strangers all drawn together by a notebook in which people share their secret thoughts and feelings is a lovely read. When Monica finds a notebook in her café, she discovers inside it the story of neighbour Julian, a once-famous artist who is grieving his late wife. A reminder of the importance of friendship and reaching out to others.
Days Of Wonder by Keith Stuart
Once in a while, along comes a book that genuinely touches you. Days of Wonder is a bittersweet novel about a single dad and his daughter, Hannah, that made me laugh and cry in turn. Every year theatre manager, Tom, puts on a special performance for Hannah, who has a life-limiting heart condition, but as her health deteriorates and the theatre comes under threat from developers, the pressure is on him to pull off something very special. With a cast of wonderful, believable characters, this is magical story about love, hope and not giving in.
The Lido by Libby Page
86-year-old Rosemary and 26-year-old Kate are united by their campaign to save a local swimming pool. Libby Page’s debut is heart-warming story about friendship, community and the power of believing in yourself.
Five Steps To Happy by Ella Dove
Five Steps To Happy is the page turning debut novel by GH feature writer Ella Dove. The story of how actress Heidi has to find a new future after a life-changing accident is based on Ella's own experience. Lovely writing and engaging characters.
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
I love the idea behind this clever rom-com: Tiffy and Leon share a flat – and a bed – but have never met as she works days as an editor and he works nights as a nurse. It’s funny and charming but there are moments of real poignancy, too. Guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.
Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce
In wartime London, Emmy dreams of being a lady war correspondent but instead finds herself typing up the agony aunt page column at Woman’s Friend, where she can’t help but add her own advice. This charming, joyous debut is a love-letter to female friendship and the Blitz spirit. A warm hug in book form.
The Keeper Of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
In this charming novel a celebrated writer spends years collecting lost objects and trying to reconnect them with their owners. On his death, he leaves it all to his assistant to carry on his work.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Funny, charming and heart-warming, this debut is a gem of a novel about a rather awkward university professor’s search for love. I loved this unconventional romance and although its sequels don't quite match the original, they're worth a read too.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
One morning Harold sets out to post a letter and begins a journey that will change his life. There are moments that are unbearably moving but ultimately it's an uplifting, big-hearted read.
A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson
This comic memoir of Bryson's misadventures as he and a friend attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail is so funny it will make your stomach ache from laughing! At a time when we can't get out into nature ourselves, this is the next best thing.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Told through a series of emails and documents, this is the story of Bee and her madcap mum, who goes missing on a trip to Antarctica. Maria Semple’s novel is hilarious, hugely enjoyable – and truly original.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
A bookseller who prescribes novels to his troubled customers – but can’t heal his own heartbreak – is the hero of this wonderful novella. It was a huge hit across Europe and is a must-read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of books.
One Thousand Stars And You by Isabelle Broom
A trip to Sri Lanka is Alice's last hurrah before she settles down to a life of domesticity with soon-to-be-husband, Richard. There she meets Max, a veteran recovering from a traumatic injury and soon has to make some very difficult decisions. The will-they-won't-they romance is really well done but it's the gorgeous descriptions of Sri Lanka that I especially loved.
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