Uplifting book about life

[Imstickingwiththisone]

Any recommendations for a book that made you look at life differently and feel more positive about things? Not necessary a self help book, it could even be non-fiction on with facts that demonstrate how brilliant everything is. Or something more subjective that just meant something to you?

My DP is down in the dumps and I'm trying to encourage some mindfulness without ramming it down his throat with Mindfulness For Dummies 😁

I definitely recommend Matt Haig's Reasons To Stay Alive.

The salt Path by Raynor Winn. A true story about a couple who literally lose everything and choose to spend their last pounds on a tent and walk the South Downs way. Sounds depressing but was full of hope and very uplifting.

Thanks you two, they both sound depressing! 😁 I do like your suggestions, they both have really good write ups. Just looking for something a bit more subtle to inspire him. I don't think he'd pick it up for a while if it was obvious the goal was to give him a bit of a boost (he'd decide beforehand that it won't or feel pressured to be swept away in optimism and then fall flat)

The alchemist?

Matt Haigs is life affirming .. But I understand what you mean about it being too obvious ...

Happier by Gretchen Rubin

Sorry that should be the Happiness Project

I loved Jim and the Universe - such a simple story but really made me think. There’s a sequel too but I haven’t got round to it yet.

I've also just read The Salt Path and was coming on to recommend it.

What kind of books does he like/normally read? Just a really good book can be helpful, without it being deliberately 'mindful'.

I must admit I thought Matt Haig's "Reasons to Stay Alive" was dreadful.

The Art of Not Falling Apart by Christina Patterson, an account of a few years in the life of a journalist who was made redundant and was very ill, but managed to come out the other side feeling differently about work and life, and she includes stories of friends and professional acquaintances and how they coped in difficult circumstances.

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman - absolutely brilliant. It's really funny but also genuinely helpful.

Olive Kitteridge and Anything is Possible, both by Elizabeth Strout. They are not "feel good" novels, but they both left me feeling positive. They have warmth and an acceptance of human difference, a sense that most people are struggling along doing the best they can, even if it might not appear so, which I found quite heartening.