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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:
NumptyMum · 30/12/2009 14:27

Enchanted April. I saw it on TV years ago with Josie Lawrence and then got the book, found it a very affirming read.

Flame · 30/12/2009 14:28

join me or yes man both danny wallace

restores your faith in humanity

TheMollyRogerAndTheIvy · 30/12/2009 14:39

I am currently reading a delightful little book called the guernsey literary and potato peel pie society
By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie barrows.

It is charming and funny and poignant.
It is a series of letters from a wartime authoress to a bunch of characters from Guernsey who set up an extraordinary reading group dutring the German occupation.

littlerach · 30/12/2009 14:58

May be a bit chic lit - ty but I really enjoyed Life, Love, Pray.

And I don't usually like chic lit stuff.

Jux · 30/12/2009 14:59

The Uncommon Reader which is an utterly charming tale about the mobile library for Buckingham Palace - Alan Bennett. Classic.

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

Christopher Brookmyre is also very funny; it's in 'crime' but I'm not sure it really should be, though I can see why it is. His criminals are (on the whole) such total fuckwits and are hilarious.

Then there's Life the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams and all the rest of his stuff.

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!

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!

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.

Flame · 30/12/2009 20:37

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

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.

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.

bibbitybobbitysantahat · 30/12/2009 20:41

Also, all of the Barrytown Trilogy by Roddy Doyle.

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

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.

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.

midnightexpress · 30/12/2009 21:19

ripping

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:
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.

BikeRunSnowflake · 31/12/2009 21:52

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

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.

FishInMyHair · 31/12/2009 22:53

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

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.

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.

TwoIfBySeasonsGreetings · 31/12/2009 23:38

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder

AngelaChase · 01/01/2010 21:56

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