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Original poster

Looking for a book that will make me feel good about life the universe and everything

30 replies

Pennies · 30/12/2009 14:25

Life the universe and everything is giving me a bit of a kicking right now and I need stuff to read that I will find uplifting.

Nothing about or containing illness please.

OP posts:
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LightShinesInTheDarkness · 03/01/2010 22:54

'Driving over Lemons' by Chris Stewart - set in sunny Spain, hilariously funny, warm and all the better for being a true tale.

JaneS · 03/01/2010 22:42

Can I put in a vote for you getting them on amazon? I love having parcels waiting for me without the bother of shopping.

Anything you read as a child and haven't revisited.

These two aren't angst-free, but the angst is so well told they always make me feel better:

Barbara Trapiedo - Brother of the More Famous Jack
Carol Shields (any of her books, but particularly Unless)

Or, for good absorbing reads, try Margaret Forster - especially 'Hidden Lives'.

bruffin · 03/01/2010 21:27

Ladies No1 detective agency books by Alexander Mccall Smith.

CDMforever · 03/01/2010 21:23

Would second Jasper Fforde and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Another uplifting read is The Girls by Lori Lansens, about siamese/conjoined twins who lead amazing lives. Not what you would imagine at all. Very positive.

bearcrumble · 01/01/2010 22:00

I love Cold Comfort Farm - other cosy books are I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and The Pursuit of Love/Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford.

All the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books are very nice and make you feel good about life etc.

Also the Jeeves and Wooster books by P G Wodehouse.

AngelaChase · 01/01/2010 21:56

How about Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons? Very funny and everything gets resolved properly at the end.

TwoIfBySeasonsGreetings · 31/12/2009 23:38

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

Frizbe · 31/12/2009 23:34

Or if you want a 'journey' type finding yourself book go for The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, its uplifting in a spiritual kinda way.

DingDongBinaryOnHigh · 31/12/2009 23:02

Bill Bryson's 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' is marvellous. Laugh-out-loud funny, warm and interesting, it restores your faith in how brilliant the world is.

If you fancy Georgette Heyer, this seems like a good deal.

FishInMyHair · 31/12/2009 22:53

The Death and Life of Charlie StCloud. Nicer than it sounds. Just a really lovely story.

newkiwi · 31/12/2009 21:58

Hunting Midnight by Richard Zimler. Made me sob but everyone ~I've leant it too loved it. I've bought and gifted 6 copies. Wonderful.

BikeRunSnowflake · 31/12/2009 21:52

I love anything by Marian Keyes for a bit of thoughtful chick lit escapism.

tinalane · 31/12/2009 09:40

Can I suggest 'Walden' by Henry Thoreau

It really helps you to a sense of perspective, to see the richness in the simplest things, and to fel at peace in the world, I find.

Original poster
Pennies · 31/12/2009 09:29

Thank you - there are some great suggestions here. Will print it off and take it shopping with me today.

OP posts:
midnightexpress · 30/12/2009 21:19

ripping

midnightexpress · 30/12/2009 21:19

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. It's about friendship and is also funny and a rather riping yarn.

CAT me and I'll send you my copy, in the spirit of good New Year karma and all.

londonartemis · 30/12/2009 21:15

Also recommend Miss Pettigrew lives for a day - Winifred Watson. Am reading it now, and it's quick and funny.
Also recommend Digging to America by Anne Tyler - uplifting story of two families adopting two Korean girls. A happy book.

sammac · 30/12/2009 20:46

It's not a book but this site has little anecdotes. Dd showed it to me and it takes her out of her(teenaged) moods

bibbitybobbitysantahat · 30/12/2009 20:41

Also, all of the Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle.

bibbitybobbitysantahat · 30/12/2009 20:40

The Ukranian tractors one is vg, but you've probably already read that.

So instead I shall recommend to you the best, most uplifting book in the whole history of the Universe. Ever. Guaranteed.

Which is, of course, Restoration by Rose Tremain.

JaneiteQuiteRight · 30/12/2009 20:37

Pride And Prejudice of course!
Or a Georgette Heyer.
Or Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day.
Or Ballet Shoes.
Or some Bill Bryson for belly laughs.
Or Terry Pratchett - especially one of the Captain Carrot ones.

Flame · 30/12/2009 20:37

Ooh yes Brookmyre. Sacred Art Of Stealing was what got me hooked on him

Kaloki · 30/12/2009 20:36

"Do you want a funny book? You could try anything by Jasper Fforde, it's a bit surreal but very funny."

Seconding this, or, along the same vein, Tom Holt.

charlottensid · 30/12/2009 20:34

How about a good Jilly Coooper!!Start off with Riders and see how you get on. Always cheer me up and you cant beat a bit of Rupert Campbell Black!

RainRainGoAway · 30/12/2009 15:02

Agree with Jux. Perhaps something like an Alan Bennett.
I am reading Julie Walters autobiog ATM (it was at my mums house) and really finding it refreshingly funny and lovely. How about an autobiog like that?
When I was in the doldrums recently I read jerome K Jeromes 'Three men in a boat' which was funny and sweet. Or perhaps just some PG Wodehouse. There is nothing tragic at all in that!