Best fiction to read when depressed

[Bathandbed]

Hey - can anyone recommend a good book to read when you feel depressed. I’ve already read the midnight library. Wondered if there were any other recommendations please.

I quite like to read classic children's fiction like swallows and amazons or the secret garden. I also love an Agatha Christie. I like to read old favourites as this feels more soothing. Harry Potter is also good for escapism.

I like crime fiction but not gory The Thursday Murder Club one’s are good, some humour as well but gentle.

I was going to suggest the exact same. I find it comforting to read-read or watch things I enjoyed through my childhood when life is tough. Hope you manage to find something to soothe you a little @Bathandbed

Carole Matthew’s books are fun and relaxing and I feel better for reading them

Anything by PG Wodehouse.

What do you like reading when you are not feeling depressed?

Although not fiction, anything by David Sidaris always makes me laugh out loud.

Am not depressed but am recovering from an illness and pretty much housebound
I am re reading Jilly Cooper, Penny Vincenzi and Maeve Binchy books
Every day I look at my serious book pile but then think ‘not today’

I’m currently reading The Ministry of Time, it has a similar vibe to the Midnight Library so far, if you’re after something similar.

Marian Keyes older stuff has been some of my favourite fall back reading. Funny and uplifting.
Hope you’ve got some support in place or at least someone to talk things through with if you need to 💐

Georgette Heyer is an old favourite of mine, historical romance.

Terry Pratchett is wonderful!

Cozy mysteries, including super natural ones are the literary equivalent of a hot chocolate with marshmallows for me. Utter crap, but very soothing!

Love Georgette Heyer too.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is a delight.

@mbosnz I read that as hysterical romance 😁!

During tougher times of my life, I've not really enjoyed lighter, entertaining literature ‐I've found it shallow and insubstantial, exacerbating my low mood.

Instead, I've got on board with books which have sort of matched my mindset: historical novels about real people and events; dark, dystopian future-fi and grim crime literature have all felt more 'real' and this has helped me feel more grounded and less out of kilter than if I find myself crying with frustration at the banal futility of popular fiction.

(I 100% appreciate 'fun' popular fiction in normal circumstances!)

When I’m feeling down I love reading funny books like Adrian Mole and Sue Townsend’s royal family books. Always cheer me up a bit!

The Darling Buds of May by H E Bates.
Pure sunshine 🙂

I came to say Georgette Heyer too - see username.

Also Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's.

And for proper comfort reading, some Chalet School, or selected Enid Blyton.

For me, it's PG Wodehouse, Terry Pratchett, Jilly Cooper or Eva Ibbotson. Think they've all been mentioned.

Sherlock Holmes is a fave.

Classic children's novels also a good shout. A Little Princess, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women etc.

Actually, pretty much any 19th or early 20thC lit works for me, as it takes me away from the present. (maybe not the likes of Jude the Obscure, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, love them but they're not cheerful 😆)

PG Wodehouse and the Thursday Murder Club are great recommendations

Anything and everything by Eva Ibbotson.

Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope is great - funny and engaging and puts you in a different world.

I've just rediscovered Stephen King, what a great storyteller! And there's so much to choose from! I'm currently reading The Dead Zone, a novel set in his fictional town of Castlerock. He sets a lot of his novels in Castlerock, so sometimes a minor character from one will be a major character in another, it's a whole world to discover.

The book referred to in this blog post really lifted my mood when I was depressed (one of the main characters is also trying to battle her way out of depression). It’s uplifting and light without being trite.

teaandcakeforthesoul.wordpress.com/2017/12/05/the-smiling-fanny-manifesto/

Polo by Jilly Cooper. What a banger!

I re-read my Enid Blyton books when I’m depressed. Malory Towers and St Clare’s.

Nevil Shute. My favourite is probably No Highway but i adore Pied Piper as well, and Ruined City though it's more than a bit problematic - i just give them a pass bevause theyre so old but you might feel differently. And another vote for PG Wodehouse and Georgette Heyer.

Nevil Shute. My favourite is probably No Highway but i adore Pied Piper as well, and Ruined City

I like Pastoral, a gentle ww2 romance.

What's wrong with Ruined City?