I need a happy/uplifting book - any recommendations?

[AndMiffyWentToSleep]

I've read too many miserable/grim books recently - The Orphan Master's Son, The Past is Myself, The Luminous Life of Lily Aphrodite, among others.

They are good books, but not very cheery.

Anyone got any recommendations of something good to read that isn't miserable?

[KateBG]

I adore dr. Phil and his wife Robin McGraw. I have recently read her book "Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose". This is the story of her life. There is nothing extraordinary in it, but it is written in a really good way. It is so positive. I read it for 2 days. I am a woman and a mother so I have been through most of the difficulties she met in her life. While you are reading this book you feel like you are talking to a close friend. She shares her good and bad memories and how she made the decisions in her life.
I have also read a book written by Ellen DeGeneres. You won't learn anything knew, but you will laugh for sure.

[Smileandmakemyday]

My go to need cheering up book is Rachel's holiday by Marian Keynes

[dementedma]

The Rosie Project

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Bill Bryson - especially his earlier ones.

[antimatter]

The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes

[Albaalba]

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a day is brilliant, funny and happy.

john Buchan's 1920s 'john mcnab'is great too. sorry typing with baby in way.

[BIWI]

The Rosie Project is, indeed, brilliant! I've also recently read and very much enjoyed "Longbourne", by Jo Baker. It tells the story of Pride and Prejudice, but from the perspective of the servants' quarters. Brilliantly written and a great story as well.

[nkf]

Room with a View by E M Forster.

[justmuddlingalong]

The Barrytown trilogy: The Commitments, The Van and the funniest of the three IMHO, The Snapper.

[piebald]

If you like John Mcnab try reading The return of John Macnab by Andrew Greig

[pootlebug]

I was about to suggest Miss Pettigrew but see someone has beaten me to it. It's definitely a book to cheer a rainy day.

[Selks]

Gerrald Durrell - My Family and Other Animals

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Yes to Miss Pettigrew. Lovely, lovely book. In fact, I might re-read it this week!

[ihatethecold]

The 100 year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared.
Very easy to read.
Funny in places.

[thepiggotupandslowlywalkedaway]

Anything by PG Wodehouse! My favourite is Sam the Sudden.

[Orangesarenottheonlyfruit]

Miss Buncle's Book is very sweet, funny and beautifully written. Also, it comes in a lovely cover from Persephone Books so it feels a little self indulgent as well!

[neolara]

I was also going to suggest the Rosie Project.

[DuchessofMalfi]

I'm reading Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe. It's very funny.

[moobaloo]

Oh I second My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell - hilarious and fun without being gushy or not very good writing

[zenoushka]

Would definitely recommend The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice - whenever I'm a bit down I always re-read bits!

Also Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson is just lovely!

[louloutheshamed]

Second the Rosie Project and Love Nina-
I lolled at both.

[AndMiffyWentToSleep]

These are great suggestions - thanks! What hasn't been ordered is on my wishlist!

[LESuffolk]

'Major Pettigrews Last Stand' by Helen Simonson

'Mama Makes Up Her Mind' and 'Sleeping At The Starlite Motel' by Bailey White - these make me laugh out loud every time.

'The Road To Rouen' and 'The P45 Diaries' by Ben Hatch

Any of the Michael Lee West books especially 'Consuming Passions' and 'She Flew the Coop'

Armistead Maupins 'Tales of the City' sextet.

'The All Girls Filling Station' by Fannie Flagg or 'Daisy Fae & the Miracle Man'

'Swamplandia' by Karen Russell

Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America by Firoozeh Dumas.

'Secret Life of Bees' or 'The Mermaids Chair' by Sue Monk Kidd

Anything by Celia Rivenbark espec 'Bless Your Heart. Tramp!'

'Trailer Trashed: My Dubious Efforts Toward Upward Mobility': Hollis Gillespie

'Bird of Paradise- how I became latina' by Raquel Cepeda

'Light Years - a girlhood in Hawaii' by Susannah Moore

'Lace' by Shirley Conran

'The Weird Sisters' by Eleanor Brown

Any Bill Bryson

'Patty Jane House Of Curls' by Lorna Landvik and any of her other books

The Lullaby of Polish Girls by Dagmara Dominczyk

[Hemlock2013]

Absolutely room with a view!!! Nfk you are sooo right x x

[Sallystyle]

Second 'Rachel's Holiday' I love it, it is chick lit but good chick lit and I laughed all the way through it.

I also second 'The Rosie Project'