We’ve all been there. Days when nothing is going right. Weeks that are overwhelming. When you just want to shut out the world and curl up with hot cocoa and a good book.
Books have always been my go-to, and I have turned to them as a coping mechanism. I have a strong belief in the healing power of books. Stories that not only entertain but also provide comfort.
Today I share some of my favorite feel-good books I keep returning to. Beyond chic-lits, cozy mysteries, and tropey romances. Books that help escape the realities of life. Books that are sure to bring you joy and leave you with a smile on your face.
Aunties Series by Jesse Q. Sutanto
At the top of the list is the Aunties series by Jesse Q. Sutanto – Dial A for Aunties, Four Aunties and a Wedding, and The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties. Laugh-out-loud reads with well-meaning, over-the-top aunties who are a riot. Highly recommended.
The series may have ended but the author’s new one looks equally promising with the madcap first book – Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.
Books by Clare Pooley
Some books feel like a warm, fluffy blanket and a hot cup of chocolate on a cold winter day. Those are Clare Pooley’s books for you. A varied bunch of strangers or a squad of seniors, heartwarming stories about human connection with a touch of humor.
Each book is standalone and can be read in any order – The People on Platform 5, The Authenticity Project, and How to Age Disgracefully. Check out these reads, you will not be disappointed.
There’s Still Hope for Humanity
Thought-provoking. A silver lining with the complexities of life. Books that confirm that there is still hope for humanity.
Anxious People is a quirky, heart-warming, and thought-provoking read about a crime that wasn’t really one. Healing and compassion all with a bright giant octopus in Remarkably Bright Creatures. Found family and hope with an all-important message of inclusiveness in The House in the Cerulean Sea. Books that are worth the hype.
Books about Books
The magic of books. The joy of reading. Bookshops. Libraries. Celebrating the impact of the written word and literature. We can never have enough books about books.
The Wishing Game (a bookish Willy Wonka) about children’s books and the charm that never fades away. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library celebrates the magic of libraries and communities. The Echo of Old Books reminds you of old bookstores and the mysteries that lie within the pages. Not to miss the extremely popular Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.
Sarah’s Scribbles Series
Wasting hours on social media when you have that deadline glaring at you. Comfortable clothes that have seen better days. Budgeting woes. Millennial issues.
Sarah’s Scribbles by Sarah Andersen series is a collection of five books – Adulthood Is a Myth, Big Mushy Happy Lump, Herding Cats, Oddball, and all around a hundred pages or thereabout. With some laugh-out-loud moments, these delightful comics are completely relatable. Sure to put a smile on your face. Adulthood is a Gift comes out in October 2024.
Heartwarming Indian Stories
This list would not be complete without my favorite heartwarming stories in an Indian setting. Stories closer to home. Books with a generous dose of nostalgia.
At the top of the list is Xanadu by our very own Harshita Nanda which is sure to leave you with a smile on your face. I cannot recommend Dopehri enough, not just for the story but also for the writing. Paper Moon is books, a bookstore, Bombay, and more. Do pick them if you haven’t already.
These are just a few of my favorite feel-good picks. The next time you are having a bad day, instead of scrolling through random reels, pick one of these books instead. You can thank me later.
What are your favorite feel-good books? Do share in the comments below.
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
Photo credit: Canva.com
July 26, 2024 @ 7:35 pm
It’s amazing to see Harshita’s book here and since I’ve read and adored the other two I shall be picking it up for certain. I haven’t read any of the books from the ‘Books about books’ category. That would be next on my agenda. Clare Pooley is a favourite as are Backman, Shelby and Klune. I just read somewhere that a sequel to Cerulean Sea will be coming out soon. Looking forward to that. Love the list, Ritu.
August 2, 2024 @ 7:33 am
So many books Ritu. Aunty Series – sounds intresting. I am going to check it out. Sarahas Scribble – want to check this out too. I am going to download it. Thank you for such books. I need this book. My stress mode is ON and I was looking to read something like this. Thank you very much.
August 2, 2024 @ 3:48 pm
Lovely post Ritu and so many recommendations and such different kinds of books. You always spoil us for choice. I like the cartoon images in Sarah’s series and that is tempting enough. Think I will introduce it to my elder daughter. Is Pankaj Kapoor the person I am thinking he is? Shahid’s Dad?
Btw, my ‘feel good’ books are Mills and Boons… anytime, anywhere🙈. When I was in middle school it used to be Enid Blyton and folk tales from all over the world. From class VIII I started reading M&Bs so that has stuck.
July 27, 2024 @ 2:24 pm
The Aunties series has been on my radar because it totally seems my type of books. So happy to see Xanadu in this list. I’ve heard good things about Paper Moon too. You’ve given me so many books that I need to get on to. Very well-curated list and thank you so for the great recs
July 29, 2024 @ 9:50 am
I have anxious people, cerulean sea and Stuanto books on my TBR. Great list!
July 30, 2024 @ 8:06 am
I’d definitely pick up the Aunty series! The word Aunty is associated with so many hilarious episodes in my life. And then the books about libraries and books are high on my list all the time. Sarah’s Scribbles sounds super cool, chilled out space to revive the day.
August 29, 2024 @ 5:33 pm
This list is a perfect antidote for any gloomy day! From the laugh-out-loud Aunties Series to the comforting warmth of Clare Pooley’s books, each recommendation promises a delightful escape. I’m particularly excited to explore the books about books and the charming Sarah’s Scribbles series.
August 1, 2024 @ 2:34 am
what an absolutely delightful curation of books! I am adding all of them to be TBR and cant wait for the weekend to get started! The Echo of Old Books has been recommended to me before too.
August 2, 2024 @ 2:31 pm
I have already downloaded The House in the Cerulean sea. Next is How to age disgracefully ! This blog was an interesting read considering it is close to my heart and so many new and unheard books too
August 1, 2024 @ 3:07 pm
Wow!! What a beautiful and uplifting book recs Ritu. I just loved them
August 1, 2024 @ 8:45 pm
That was definitely an list of feel good books. I have read Anixous people and Remarkably bright creatures which is my all time favourite. Would love to try reading the Aunty series. Have heard a lot about them specially Dial A for Aunty.
August 2, 2024 @ 7:18 am
I haven’t read a single one of these! These look so much fun! Maybe that’s why I am so depressed because I bury myself in sad literature. Next time, I am definitely picking up one the aunty books!
August 2, 2024 @ 7:34 am
So many books Ritu. Aunty Series – sounds intresting. I am going to check it out. Sarahas Scribble – want to check this out too. I am going to download it. Thank you for such books. I need this book. My stress mode is ON and I was looking to read something like this. Thank you very much.
August 2, 2024 @ 1:34 pm
Ooh! The best blog for Week 9 considering books are my first love, and comfort books come even before that. I’ve heard of many of the books and authors you have listed, Clare’s How to Age Disgracefully is what I will pick up right away because that’s how I want to age. If I dare to live like that, it is to be seen. 🙂 Great recommendations.
August 2, 2024 @ 1:38 pm
The prime attraction of this list of Feel good book is none other than Harshita Nanda Book. Hat’s of to you Ritu, you just nailed it and I am glad that I got this list from you . I will surely pick a few from the list for removing the stress from mind.
August 2, 2024 @ 5:04 pm
I totally agree with the list. I have read the aunties series and I enjoyed reading the books. I want to read How to Age Disgracefully once you finish it.
August 2, 2024 @ 6:54 pm
Wow..this are such a lovely recommendation. Books can be so comforting during hard times. The Aunties series sounds like a fun escape, I’ve been searching for something similar, and these might be just what I need. I have read Adulthood is a myth, and it was amazing. Bookmarking others 😊
August 3, 2024 @ 4:38 pm
I’ve read a few heavy books of late and a light fun read is much needed. I’m definitely checking out the Aunties series for some LOL moments. (Was planning to reread the Harry Potter series otherwise!) 🙂
August 3, 2024 @ 7:28 pm
Such a lovely list!!
The covers are so vibrant and they make this post even more delightful. :))
August 4, 2024 @ 6:59 pm
This is a nice list of some gorgeous books. Some of them I have heard of before and some of them are new to me. Xanadu and Paper Moon have been long in my TBR list. I am more inclined to read Indian authors so I was looking for more of them in your list. Anyway, we must have some other lists featuring Indian authors from you. Also, when I have a bad day, I prefer to choose poetry books. How about you choosing poetry books to feel good? Would like to know your thoughts on it, Ritu.
August 5, 2024 @ 7:21 pm
Thank, Ritu for recommending book for all reasons and seasons. A wonderfully curated list, I must say.
August 6, 2024 @ 7:19 pm
I have been following Sarah’s Scribbles on Instagram and indeed her posts are so uplifting and relatable at times. They always manage to put a smile on my face and remind me that I’m not alone in my struggles. The Aunties Series by Jesse Q. Sutanto is something that has intrigued me. I will need to check those out.
August 7, 2024 @ 6:31 am
An exhaustive list. I haven’t read most of them, I know. I don’t look for feel-good books, in fact. I want books to discomfit me, to take me out of my middleclass complacency and push me into positive action. There’s little to feel good about in contemporary India. Or the world, for that matter.
August 7, 2024 @ 6:44 pm
What a helpful compilation Ritu!
We all have those days when we need an escape or a ray of sunshine, and books surely are one way to do that. I have only read “Anxious People: from this list, the ‘Aunty series’ and ‘How to age disgracefully’ sound fun, also on my radar is ‘Welcome to the Hyunam Dong Bookshop’.
August 10, 2024 @ 12:54 am
Ritu, I loved the list of these books. I was looking for some book ideas, now I know what to pick next. Saving it right away.
August 10, 2024 @ 11:34 pm
I haven’t read any of these. I felt few books can be added to my Tbr like wishing game,the echo of old books and few more. Your recommendations aways arouse curiosity to read more books. Thanks for sharing the list.
August 23, 2024 @ 7:57 pm
What a wonderful and essential list. Some of these are in my list and 2 I have read. Remarkably Bright Creatures is a joy and so is Cerulean Sea. I love love that book. I made so many people read it because of how comforting and warm it is.
August 24, 2024 @ 7:11 am
Interesting books and especially loved the book covers! The Sarah Scribbles is the one that really caught my attention and would try to find them on our local bookstore. Appreciate you sharing this.
August 27, 2024 @ 1:35 pm
This is such a heartwarming list! Especially taking note of Jesse Sutanto and Michiko Aoyama! Thanks for sharing this!
August 31, 2024 @ 3:45 pm
Our choice of feel-good books is amazing and books are sure to give us an experience, a feeling and a lot more, yet they don’t ask for anything in return. You won’t get such a deal elsewhere. This is the beauty of a good read.
September 14, 2024 @ 9:33 pm
I haven’t read any of these so some have definitely been added to my TBR! Nice to see Harshita’s book on here too.