Life affirming reads

[HosepipeDan]

Hi, my friend is having a bit of a tough time professionally and is a bit low in general. What uplifting books do you turn to? Schmaltzy romances would best be avoided too I think? I want to really cheer her up.

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin.....And then the next seven in the series. They are exactly what you have asked for; intelligent, funny (and sometimes sad), life affirming novels that celebrate the diversity of humanity in all it's wonderful technicolour.

PS- You are a lovely friend in thinking to buy your friend a book at a low time. When my son was very ill, friends all did wonderful things, like baking and cooking and even buying me a spa day. But my best and oldest friend posted from Australia her well-read copy of Love in a Cold Climate, figuring that what I really needed was to lose myself in something and to smile a little :)

The One Hundred Year Old Man by Jonas Jonasson and Where'd you go Bernadette by Maria Semple I found very uplifting.

Not a novel but The Society of Timid Souls by Polly Morland.

Something really funny like Jasper Eyre or Jeeves & Wooster?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? Lovely book.

Thanks all. Electra funnily enough she's moved to Australia. I'm going to do a package up with all her fave sweets and bits from the uk. I'll definitely get Tales... And try not to reread it before I send it!

Our village by mary Russell Mitford. A charming portrayal of village life 200 years ago, with delightful descriptions of diverse village characters, their lives, occupations, incidents, etc. very happy book.

Nobody's Fool - Richard Russo

I recently loved The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. Really feel good and a quick easy read too whcih helps when times are tough. But one of the main characters is terminally ill (this is a side plot really) so it might not be a great suggestion depending on why your friend is struggling right now.