Recommend me a specific upbeat book.

[TheBookSlug]

Following on from my February thread called Recommend Me A Specific Thriller I’m back.

This time I am looking for something more upbeat, but with bite.

Examples of similar novels I have enjoyed this list is not exhaustive, it’s just off of the top of my head:

• This Charming Man by Marian Keyes
• The Secrets We Keep by Jonathan Harvey
• Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Daisy Jones by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Cows by Dawn O’Porter
• A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
• The trilogy; The Commitments, The Snapper, The Van by Roddy Doyle

I’m looking for novels which are funny but tell a story, believable with ups and downs and a bite.
Not necessarily RomComs, though I don’t mind anything really good.
A lighter mystery would be good too.

I have read everything by the authors above, these are my favourites.

I will add more to the list later, I’m writing this at the end of my late lunch hour so I am in a hurry!

As per my previous thread; all recommendations appreciated.

Thank you, Slug 😁

If you want lighter mysteries, consider the author Steve Higgs. His Patricia Fisher series, and his Albert and Rex series are particularly good.

The Secret Adversary - Agatha Christie - this is a lot of fun and worth reading. Not too heavy, but a solid story.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Adversary-Tommy-Tuppence/dp/0007590598/ref=asc_df_0007590598?mcid=a5858522ab6132a1867e8c1c81a5bf6f&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697279013014&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6619899470904965942&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045111&hvtargid=pla-564847621330&psc=1&hvocijid=6619899470904965942-0007590598-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

The Wedding People, by Alison Espach is very funny but also moving/interesting.
Grown Ups and The Woman Who Stole My Life are two other Marian Keyes I really enjoyed.

I’m not really looking for mysteries - that was on my other thread - thank you though.

I put ‘a lighter mystery’ meaning in the way This Charming Man is a mystery.

@CannaeBelieveIt in my PP I wrote that I have read all of the other novels by the authors I mentioned.
I’ve also read The Wedding People.
Thank you too.

In my previous thread about recommending thrillers I did say that I read a lot, which is true.
I’m in late middle age and read 200+ books every year.
Don’t be offended if I don’t say that I have read any books, if I don’t name them it’s because I have read them.

Not sure if these help, but I’ve just finished;

Five by Ilona Bannister
Like this, but funnier by Hallie Cantor

Both great reads IMO.

Oops sorry OP, pregnancy brain and long day kaboshing my reading comprehension:)

I recently read a Short Stay in Hell, not particularly upbeat, but was a bit different (and a short read too, so if you don't like it it's over quickly!)

I also read Remarkably Bright Creatures last year. Totally not my usual reading material, but I actually really enjoyed it.

In the time since I started this post I have been making a list of other authors I enjoy.
To add to my initial list, with apologies if I have mentioned these already and for any spelling mistakes:

David Nichols
Nora Ephron
Ruth Jones
Liane Moriarty
Jane Fallon
Jo Spain

Liked the novel The Whisper Network. I’m sure there are more, I will keep adding to my list.

If anyone has any other recommendations I would be grateful.

As it is holiday time of year I am looking for something really good to read or listen to.

I really like Rainbow Rowell. Her books are romance but with depth, and are very upbeat.
And a bit of a curve ball but Gerald Durrell ‘My Family and Other Animals’ is very feel good, and reads like a novel even if it is non fiction.