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Your 16 Favorite Feel-Good Books!
Sometimes a book gives you just what you need, be it a mood-lightening reminder of other lives and worlds, the distraction of a riveting story, or that warm feeling you get when you escape to a familiar place. If it's a book you know and love, there may be a favorite passage or chapter that you return to when in need. Other times it could be the feel of the entire novel, something about the writing, the story or characters, that ultimately relaxes you. Or perhaps it's more about the memories and associations stirred up as you read—especially if it's a children's book that you loved when young. We recently reached out on Facebook and Twitter to discover which books you would rank as the best feel-good reads. Your top picks are listed below.
Tell us your favorite feel-good book in the comments! Then strip away stress with Goodreads' guide to relaxation.
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Tell us your favorite feel-good book in the comments! Then strip away stress with Goodreads' guide to relaxation.
Comments Showing 51-94 of 94 (94 new)
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Kayte wrote: "The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder."LOL! Great minds think alike!
As a child for me it was the "Little House on the Prairie" series, as an adult, I have fallen in love with "Enchanted by Alethea Kontis and reread it frequently.
My family and other animals by Gerlad DurrellSmall World by David Lodge
My fallback "feel good" books are usually the ones I loved growing up -- "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" in particular. I also re-read "The Secret Garden" as a grown up and enjoyed it even more than when I was a kid -- it's basically one big lesson in how to stop being a jerk of a person, and gives me hope that people who are jerks have potential.
The End of Summer by Rosamunde Pilcher, Up and Down in the Dales by Gervase Phinn, The Mating Season by P.G.Wodehouse and any books by Enid Blyton!
The only series that comes to mind. The Modern Witch series by Debora Geary. Low on stress, happy endings, and we get to stick with the characters as the series progresses. After reading each book, I was left feeling a bit better than going in.
Little Women and Anne of Green Gables always make me feel good. When I need a break from paying attention I read Sherlock Holmes. He can do all the observing and deduction for me ^_~
Since WHEN does Pride and Prejudice qualify as a "feel good" read?!
Yeah... Totally could have pulled 90% of those books off this list and added others. So don't see what is "feel good" about most of those titles. :/
Pretty much what I said, though I singled out one title in particular, Nerva.
Amber wrote: "Pretty much what I said, though I singled out one title in particular, Nerva."Oh.. I would have have to disagree with you about Pride and Prejudice. I think that it is a very good feel good novel. They way they see beyond their first impressions at the end and the glow you feel every time he finally proposes to her... Makes you believe in love and romance again!
The books I was thinking of were The Night Circus, Anne of Green Gables, Love Rosie, Pollyanna... those and a few others.
Be that as it may, I find that the author's OBSESSION with exhaustively detailing the CLOTHES in P& J tends to turn modern readers off.
Pollyanna! Who can resist playing the glad game with her?
Someone who grew up wishing the networks wouldn't play the original movie 4 to 6 times a month in the 70's and 80's!
Totally agree with Aiyana and Endrinilla! James Herriott books and Gerald Durrell! Now I have to try David Lodges' Small World.Also agree on Tolkien books and some of the Harry Potter ones. I would add the early Anne McCaffrey Pern series, such as the Harper Hall trilogy.
Pride & Prejudice seconded, as well as most of Jane Austen (minus Mansfield Park - exhausting). Plus: The Cricket in Times Square, all the L.M. Montgomery books, all the Doctor Doolittle books (Hugh Lofting), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Good Master, The Incredible Journey, My Side of the Mountain, Half Magic, the Time at the Top series....
I need to stop.
I say Little Women or anything by Laura Levine.
Elizabeth Goudge's The Little White Horse, Burnet's THe Secret Garden and The Lost Prince, and the Betsy-Tacy stories. For a start.
What a great topic! Most comments mention my favourites :)You really can't go wrong if you want some cheering up with the following: Harry Potter, Jane Austen, PG Wodehouse, Agatha Christie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series (teen girls friendship), the Trebizon series by Ann Digby (boarding school stories), I Capture the Castle, anything by Juliet Marillier or Shannon Hale (both gorgeous fairytale retelling/historical fantasy), or Rosamund Pilcher. Also, Gervase Phinn and Terry Pratchett are hilarious.
L. M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle... a gift from my mom, who was diligent enough to find something by an author I love for the age I was (20s) when she gave it to me. It is among the few that I will keep if I am ever limited to five books.
Rainier Maria Rilke "Letters to a Young Poet" will always be my favorite. I don't know how many times I have read it...
The first books to take me away were books by Zane Grey years and years ago now there are so many that just make me smile and enjoy a trip some where that always has a happy ever after and love is the wonderful gift we believe it to be. My feel good books right now would be by Robyn Carr and her Virgin River Series or the Pern books, Tarzan by Burroughs or Nora Roberts books When you get to be my age there a lots of books
Tessa wrote: "Totally agree with Aiyana and Endrinilla! James Herriott books and Gerald Durrell! Now I have to try David Lodges' Small World.Also agree on Tolkien books and some of the Harry Potter ones. I wou..."
Oh totally! I just love James Herriot and Durrell.
Another that can be added to the list is Wind in the Willows.
When I need a pick me up I read Discworld, Xanth, Phules Company, P.G. Wodehouse, Dudley Pope, Douglas Adams, James Herriot, Durrell and The Redemption of Althalus.None of which made it on here which I just can't believe!
Natasha wrote: "Thornyhold by Mary Stewart or Chocolat by Joanne Harris Just real feel good factor books for me that make beautiful reading. I could not ever tire of them each time I read them I enjoy."I adore Thorneyhold; Mary Stewart was wonderful!
Marie wrote: "Dandelion wine - Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine"A peaceful, nostalgic book about childhood.
Stephanie wrote: "L. M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle... a gift from my mom, who was diligent enough to find something by an author I love for the age I was (20s) when she gave it to me. It is among the few that I wi..."Totally agree. I love L.M. Montgomery and of all her books, series and non-series, The Blue Castle is my favorite. I've read and re-read it so many times...and will do so again.
Pride and Prejudice, the Trixie Belden series, L.M. Montgomery, and even though there are murderers lurking about, Agatha Christie, because so many of her books take place in exotic locations and I end up being an armchair traveler.
The Barchester Chronicles by Anthony Trollope. Having some memories of the TV series, I felt I ought to read the books and I'm so glad I did. Light drama, melodrama and a flavour of the times make for an lovely read. Recently found the dramatisation on Audible which was also a great listen.
Pay it Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a great feel good book for me.
The harry potter books and almost all the Kimberly Brubaker Bradley books
Oh *&^%!! Not the Harry Potter books... when is everyone going too grow out of those? I mean they were never good to start with and really haven't improved with age.
Love Harry to death! Also all of the Mitford novels by Jan Karon & all of the No. One Ladies Dectective series by Alexander McCall Smith. They're all just so comforting to me...
Pascale wrote: "Rainier Maria Rilke "Letters to a Young Poet" will always be my favorite. I don't know how many times I have read it..."Yes
Bryan wrote: "Wind in the Willows, Winnie the Pooh, or any from the Redwall series."So happy to see another Redwaller. :)
SarahM wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "L. M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle... a gift from my mom, who was diligent enough to find something by an author I love for the age I was (20s) when she gave it to me. It is among..."I haven't read all of her books yet. I discovered them in college, but I am enjoying catching up on them when I can.
Vicki wrote: "Not familiar with Redwall series?"It's a wonderful, huge series of middle-reader adventure books. Go check them out if fierce warrior mice, mischievous squirrel archers, and seafaring pirate otters fighting to protect their serene and harmonious Redwall Abbey home from terrible rats, murderous weasels, and wicked wildcats sounds good. :)
In fact anything by James Herriot is great for a light, heart-warming read.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is also a good "feel-good" book (for girls anyway).
I was surprised to see The Night Circus on here. I read and liked it, but I'd never call it a "feel-good" book.... But that's just me I guess....