I became fascinated with England's national program of mood-boosting books called Reading Well some time ago. The program draws on a huge body of research that reading has a strong positive effect on mood.
I began 2020 with a goal of beginning the year by reading mood-boosting books. At that time, I wanted to fight the feeling of despair that has settled into my mind and into the minds of many in my country brought on by our toxic political climate.
I had no idea that things could get worse. Much worse.
I had no idea that things could get worse. Much worse.
We need mood-boosting books badly. We need mood-boosting books now.
I bet you know the name of a book or two that makes you smile. Would you share these with me?
Leave the name of a mood-boosting book you recommend in the comments. I will randomly pick one person who leaves a comment to win a free book (value up to $15) at Book Depository that delivers most places in the world. Feel free to leave as many comments with as many titles as you like to increase your odds of winning.
The Reverse Readathon Mini-Challenge will begin when the post is published and run through midnight CST on Sunday. The winner will be chosen randomly from those who leave a comment on the post.
Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by Anonymous
ReplyDeleteI adored "Almost Everything" which is about hope in our time. By Anne Lamott.
ReplyDeleteI got an Arc of Don't Hex and Drive by Juliette Cross and it made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI recently reread the first collection of Enid Blytons’s Famous Five series, they take me back to my childhood and are full of mystery and descriptions of delicious food!
ReplyDeleteLast month I finally read a minor Canadian classic Jake and the Kid by W.O. Mitchell. Old-fashioned fun.
ReplyDeleteAny of the CBC's Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe story collections. (I own several)
ReplyDeleteThe Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne. Just so classic that, even though it 's a murder-mystery, it made me feel great.
ReplyDeleteShel Silverstein's A Light in the Attic - such fun with words!
ReplyDeleteA Far Cry from Kensington by Muriel Spark - sly humour!
ReplyDeleteAdam Gopnick writes great essays. I LOVE his collection about living in Paris. Paris to the Moon. He writes with such love of that city you can't help but feel good.
ReplyDeleteAnother Canadian classic, in my top 10 faves of all time (well, 66 years): The Sweater by Roch Carrier. https://www.exurbanis.com/archives/12075
ReplyDeleteJennifer Reese's Make the Bread, Buy the Butter. Perhaps it's classified as a cookbook, but it's SOOO much more. I read it cover to cover and love to dip into it for a boost.
ReplyDeleteNews of the World by Paulette Jiles. Short enough to read in a sitting or two - to get to that marvelous mood-boosting ending.
ReplyDeleteAlan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader (Her Majesty herself) Good fun, especially for booklovers!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, Deb. It's made me realize that, although I've read a lot of great books in the past decades, not all that many are mood-boosting. My favourite of all time is Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. I cry with happiness every time I read it, but not everyone might feel that way.
ReplyDeleteI read My Life in France by Julia Child (with Alex Prud'homme) about the same time I read Julie & Julia by Julie Powell and fell in love all over again with Julia Child.
ReplyDeleteSandra Kring's How High the Moon has fresh voice, humour & warmth. Really delightful.
ReplyDeleteHow about Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series?
ReplyDeleteMentioning that reminded me of Elizabth Enright's Melendy children series: The Saturdays, The Four Story Mistake and Then There Were Five. Always, always make me feel good.
ReplyDeleteMost of the books I read are probably not considered mood-boosting, but this one comes to mind: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
ReplyDeleteby Hector Garcia Puigcerver. I wrote about it here: https://wordsandpeace.com/2018/11/19/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-november-19/
I also recently read one in French, called Complètement cramé, by Gilles Legardinier. So positive, and funny too
My mood boosting book would be any light hearted fluffy ya contemporary! For example always never yours
ReplyDeleteMy mood-boosting book would have to be any of the books in the Ramona series. I'm a teacher and my students love her antics. It's a great laugh out loud series.
ReplyDeleteThe historical romance The Duchess Deal bt Tessa Dare! It made me laugh and smile and just over have good feels!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite mood-boosting books is Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson! It was such a cozy, fun, and feel good read; the perfect summer read; and a nice way to "travel" (by reading) while things are shut down for the pandemic!
ReplyDeleteI agree it's a great book with excellent mood-boosting potential!
DeleteI got to read the Extraordinaries by TJ Klune early. And that book for me was funny and a absolute mood booster I needed. One of the funniest books I read this year for sure.
ReplyDeleteSex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
ReplyDeleteThis is only my TBR I loved Crazy Rich Asians so I'm excited to read it!
DeleteMy Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren (devoured it in a day!)
ReplyDeleteI've read a few of their books, and I really like them. I haven't read Half-Night Stand yet. This year I read Roomies and The Honey Don't List.
DeleteNevermore: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. I absolutely love this series and this book is everything! Dark but yet hopeful. Magic and new worlds!
ReplyDeleteLove,Simon by Becky Albertali. I love the characters and the story:) always puts me in a good mood.
ReplyDeleteArrows of the Queen by Mercedes Lackey was such a sweet coming of age/magical school-type fantasy! Tamora Pierce fans will love this one
ReplyDeleteMy feel-good books tend to be in the romance genre. When I need something to boost my mood, I pick up a romance. One of my favorites is an older book, The Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson. Someone just reminded me of this book, and I need to get myself a new copy because I lost mine. I've read a couple of Christina Lauren books this year too that I really enjoyed. The Honey Don't List and Roomies.
ReplyDeleteHands down, The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. They are so full of joy and laughter! If I'm wanting fiction, though, it's gonna be the Lumberjanes comics. :)
ReplyDeleteGmorning, Gnight! by Lin-Manuel Miranda - the illustrations also bring cheer
ReplyDelete/Users/raelongest/Desktop/15805413._UX96_CR0,28,96,96_.jpgThe Dahli Lama's Cat. I'm reading it now.
ReplyDeletep.s. Don't know how to send link. Maybe you can teach me next week. LOL
ReplyDeleteAny Pete the Cat book! He is my kinda' kitty!
ReplyDeleteAny Book from the Blessings, Georgia Series by Sharon Sala. They're fun, lighthearted, corny, but romantic reads. They always put me in a good mood.
ReplyDeleteAny writing manual or How to Write book--I devour them like some people do Cookbooks. And I apply the C.A.S.E method to them, "Copy and steal everything!"
ReplyDeletePoetry especially Shel Silverstein and poetry for kids. It's happy poetry like little happy kids.
ReplyDeleteThe Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang lifted my spirits!
ReplyDeleteAny romance by Jackie Lau. Also the Check, Please! comics.
ReplyDeleteThe Bride Test was really cute. Definitely recommend it!
ReplyDeleteI like romances as a mood booster, but books by Thich Nhat Hanh really make me pause and be mindful of the moment and my emotions.
ReplyDeleteThe book that makes me happy is reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom with my daughter! We pat her belly and head when we say the title and she loves it.
ReplyDeleteReady Player One boosted my mood thanks to sheer nostalgia!
ReplyDeleteI also really loved A Man Called I've and The Alchemist!
Definitely Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson. I'll never forget the first time I read it. I wasn't in a great place and reading that book felt like I had a friend by my side teaching me how to laugh about it.
ReplyDeleteThe Discworld series by terry pratchett it's great too!
ReplyDeleteAru Shah series by Roshani Chokshi
ReplyDeleteDumplin by Julie Murphy
Hair Love by Matthew A Cherry
Letter to My daughter by Maya Angelou (and any of her poetry books)
And then the cheesiest romantic comedies I can find when I need a mood booster
I just finished Beach Read by Emily Henry today and it definitely fits the bill! It put a huge smile on my face, exactly what I needed right now.
ReplyDeleteRed, White, and Royal Blue is a book I read for the first time in March and every time I read it, it makes me happy and I can't stop smiling
ReplyDeleteThis book really boosted my mood! Its such a sweet read and has amazing representation
ReplyDeletehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27206458-the-summer-nick-taught-his-cats-to-read?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lopxD8jrdK&rank=1
Stardust by Neal Gaiman is my go-to happy book. Also anything by Dorthy Sayers, but that really might just be me.
ReplyDeleteStardust by Neal Gaiman is my go-to happy book. Also anything by Dorthy Sayers, but that really might just be me.
ReplyDeleteI've been re-reading The Selection stories by Kiera Cass. They are a fluffy feel-good series that I turned to when I need a mood lifter.Today, I just read the novella The Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky. I was grinning though most of it and literally burst out in laughter toward the end. Or for another quick read- the manga series Skip Beat. All the happy feels!
ReplyDeleteoh and my email (just in case, on the small chance I win) is darjlj75 (at) gmail
DeleteThanks for the mini challenge!
I have found romance is the best mood boosting books during the pandemic. My favorite was A Princess in Theory. It was funny and charming!
ReplyDeleteI just finished Flora Segunda, a delightful romp of a fantasy novel set in an alternative California. I hope you find some happy reads from these comments!
ReplyDeleteThe graphic novel Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell. It was so fun to read!
ReplyDeleteThe House in the Cerulean Sea - TJ Klune.
ReplyDeleteIf was like the perfect feelgood read at this time =)
I'm loving Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer. It's about living and learning in harmony in nature (she's American Indian and a college professor in botany. ). I listen to it while doing my stretches and core builders at the end of a work out because she makes me feel like my body is worth my attention. I mean, I listen to the book at other times, but that one is an example at how powerful the book is in boosting my mood!
ReplyDeleteHowl's Moving Castle has been a comfort read for me for literal decades. I truly love Sophie and Howl, even at his... most Howl.
ReplyDeleteThe Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is my go to book when I need to find some happiness and comfort. I also enjoy reading the A Series of Unfortunate Events books by Lemony Snicket.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I read a graphic novel adaptation of Alice and Wonderland this readathon and I think classic children’s books are great mood boosters!
ReplyDeleteThe audiobook of Get a Life, Chloe Brown brought me joy because of the excellent narrator and the humour. And it’s pretty steamy!! And as a person with fibromyalgia, I reallllllllly appreciated that rep. So mood booster! I smile just thinking about it. 🙂
ReplyDeleteI have an old copy of Dean’s Book of Nursery Ryhmes that my grandmother gave me when l was a tot. I cherish it as a fond early childhood reading memory and l still adore the illustrations! So it makes me happy. 📚💕
ReplyDeleteIn July I re-read the classic Anne of Green Gables. Love it! 📚💚 Big mood booster! Laughed, cried, makes my heart glad.
ReplyDeleteThis graphic novel adaptation of Anne of Green Gables brought me joy! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3043727959 Recommend it to anyone who loves the classic to check out. 💚💚
ReplyDeleteMy Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand et al is such a fun romp! And l recommend the audiobook for sure. Great narrator.
ReplyDeleteI have a book of poetry called Merrybegot by local to me poet Mary Dalton that I keep on my nightstand. I love it and it’s a pick me up for me. 📚💙
ReplyDeleteReading Dr. Seuss out loud is a guaranteed pick me up! Green Eggs and Ham!
ReplyDeleteMarvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! I still remember the first time I read it in my school library! 😁
ReplyDeleteThe Monster at the End of This Book: Starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover! 💙 So fun to read to a kid. I used to read it to my little brother. Great memory.
ReplyDeleteI could do this all day, but I should go read now! Thanks, Deb!
@MaynardLara 🐦
I reread Haroun & the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie for this readathon. A delightful book! I think it fits here.
ReplyDeleteProdigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver - loved seeing how those three disparate threads came together
ReplyDeleteDandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury - one magical summer in boyhood. Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteMy then pre-teen-aged daughter and I shared a love for Janet Lunn's The Root Cellar. It's lasted both our life times.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone mentioned Chocolat by Joanne Harris? The movie was a lovely adaptation too.
ReplyDeleteAnd that reminds me of Paul Gallico's Mrs. 'arris Goes to Paris :-)
ReplyDeleteLots of the mood-boosting books I read are part of murder-mystery (NOT crime fiction, NOT thriller) series, which some might find a downer because of category. But I defy you to read any of the Chet & Bernie series and not laugh out loud. Start with Dog On It
ReplyDeleteThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Mackesy was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteTopmost for me is always THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern! The setting, the romance, the entire aesthetic transports me to a world of true delight.
ReplyDeleteI also love to revisit childhood faves to boost my mood, especially THE LION, THE WITCH, AND WARDROBE by CS Lewis.
ReplyDeleteAnother favorite is BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE by Kate DiCamillo. It’s so pure and so eccentric that it always brings a smile to my heart.
ReplyDeleteI *consumed* John Grisham mysteries in early adulthood, so any of his legal thrillers are a sure mood booster for me. I can just get lost in the story and forget about everything else going on in the world.
ReplyDelete100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons. I was pretty sure it would qualify half an hour after I started it last night but I didn't want to vouch for it until I tapped the last screen and that wasn't until half an hour after the end of the thon so I probably missed the drawing. still wanted to leave the title here for future visitors. It's a charming feel-good YA romance debut of an inde author worth keeping an eye on.
ReplyDelete