Really need help. Happy, calm, maybe slightly inspirational... nothing too dark or dreary. a good read for when you are sad.

[Jason]

ok, so here is the challenge and i need it fast, fast.

Im looking for books that are inspirational, an easy read (not young adult, but not complex literature) for my sister. Husband's away for awhile and i want to buy her a little treat. I'm thinking "pilgrimage of harold fry" here.. but isn't that sad? But along those lines.

I am maybe maybe even thinking shine shine shine, here; this one might be a little too perfect with (SPOILER) lost in space. (slight spoiler is now over).... or The Lover's Dictionary...

maybe Before I Go to Sleep would work here, but i havent read it.


any ideas? I'm ok with more recent novels too, and have been canvasing the amazon top sellers lists/books of the months with ravished energy.

more on the calmer side... nothing that will create loneliness or loss, or any negative emotions... i know its a challenge.


so.. ready.. set.. help me!

[Steph]

I think most books worth reading are going to have a hint of sadness to them. Especially inspirational ones, as compared to the darkness, emerging from the other side seems so much more poignant. I can't think of anything right now, at the moment I'm a sucker for dark stories or light reading ya- don't judge haha, but if I do think of any, I'll let you know.

But good luck in your quest :)

[Jason]

Steph wrote: "I think most books worth reading are going to have a hint of sadness to them. Especially inspirational ones, as compared to the darkness, emerging from the other side seems so much more poignant. I..."

such a sucker for dark ones too.. that's why I'm in a hard place. i think you are right, there has to be some sort of internal or external challenge that the character must fight up against. i am honestly thinking about pilgrimage of harold fry. the more i think about it the more it seems to fit the mold. I guess i want more of a fun read. A page turner.... etc.

[Christy]

If you're looking for fun, maybe Year Zero, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, or Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir would work. I'm not sure that any of these count as uplifting (Mr. Penumbra might if you really love books), but they are all fun and quick reads.

[Jason]

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, looks good! thanks... just in need of quick reads so she can pass the time... but im totally going for Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir... awesome.. fantastic.. i might even own this.

[Peter]

Trustee from the Toolroom
Maybe it's a bit old (about 1958 I think), but it's quite inspirational and "happy making"

[Algernon (Darth Anyan)]

best pick me up author is P G Wodehouse , and I don' tthink it matters much where you start with him, any old book will do.
Another comfort read for me is Dick Francis . He writes crime thrillers, so the stories will have a darker side, but he always ends on a positive note and his heroes are easy to like.

[Jason]

thanks algernon.. i think ill mark those for myself.

[Betsy]

When I need a pick me up, I have several favorites that I return to again and again:

Hellspark which is science fiction, a future world murder mystery, with forays into what constitutes sentience and what constitutes language. I don't know why it always cheers me up ... maybe because everything turns out right, the good guys triumph, etc.

Dragonsong, a fantasy about a young girl who escapes her repressive family to achieve her dream of becoming a harper. This is the first of a trilogy, but can stand on it's own.

Arrows of the Queen, another fantasy about a young girl escaping her repressive family to reach an unimaginable destiny as a special Herald of Valdemar. Again this is first of a trilogy, but can work as a single.

Each of the last two are quick easy reads. They might be considered YA, since they are about young teen girls, but they were not written specifically for that market and, as a 68-yr-old I still find them satisfying.

Naked in Death, a murder mystery set in the near future. The protagonist, Eve Dallas, has some darkness in her past, but this first book of the series doesn't get into it too much. And there's a bit of danger at the end which she overcomes, of course. It also contains a very satisfying romance.

[Jason]

Betsy wrote: "When I need a pick me up, I have several favorites that I return to again and again:

Hellspark which is science fiction, a future world murder mystery, with forays into what constitutes sentience ..."

I love them ALL. she might not be into sci fi.. but ill bite!

[Jennifer (formerly Eccentric Muse)]

If she loves to read, my top rec would be The Uncommon Reader.

[Jason]

Cool thanks for the rec

[Claire]

The Power of One is one of my favorite books. ... Yes… there are sad parts, but that's why we're inspired by our hero when he overcomes his obstacles. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have! Happy Reading!

[Rachel]

When I'm down and want something light to read I go with The Spellman Files series by Lisa Lutz. Delightful characters, laugh out loud funny, clever and worthwhile, but not heavy. I also second the Wodehouse recommendation above. If she likes Wodehouse/older books, Three Men in a Boat is a comedy classic that is well worth a look.

[Jason]

Thanks I added those to my list and got her Harold fry. Thanks everyone for all your work. Once again Karen love this service you got here

[Grey]

Not sure what to suggest as it may be a gender thing that "There Are Doors" and "And All The King's Men" are my inspirational go-to books, plus Paul Cornell's "No Future"

Behind The Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder
Perfume by Patrick Suskind

Those probably better cross the gender divide

[Taylor]

John Green's novels sound like they might fit your criteria. All of them (except The Fault in Our Stars) are chock full of adventurous wanderlust and don't dwell in sadness for two long.

[Jason]

Thank you both for your additions.. I just love this service. Just adore it.

[Taylor]

Lol. Did I really type "two long?"

My inner editor needs to hang me.

[Kim Hollstein]

I loved "Tapestry of Fortunes", Elizabeth Berg's new one. Read it right after Boston bombing and it really lifted me up. Most of her books affect me this way...check out my ratings for my favs, there are several.

[Jason]

Taylor [Falling in love again and again] wrote: "Lol. Did I really type "two long?"

My inner editor needs to hang me."

i am the KING of typos.

[Jason]

Kim wrote: "I loved "Tapestry of Fortunes", Elizabeth Berg's new one. Read it right after Boston bombing and it really lifted me up. Most of her books affect me this way...check out my ratings for my favs, the..."

ill check it out! thanks again you two.