You know me, I love my dark books. But today, I figured it was about time I shared some books with a lighter touch. These are just some of the books that make me happy:
The Martian– starting with a book based around the catastrophe of being stuck on Mars with a depleting air supply, I absolutely expect you to read that synopsis and think has this monkey gone bananas? Why has she put this on a happy books list? Well, for all the tension in this book, there’s an equal amount of humour, thanks to the hilarious protagonist Mark Watney! I guarantee if you pick this up, you’re in for a bundle of laughs
The Hating Game– with a book title like that, you might not expect to see it on a list like this- but this quirky, funny contemporary is practically the definition of a HAPPY book 😀
Isla and the Happily Ever After– the clue is in the title 😉 I am a sucker for “happily ever afters” and this delivers for sure!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before– Lara Jean and her family never fail to bring a smile to my face.
Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda– do I really need to give any introductions for this book at this point? While this deals with some serious issues, Albertalli’s lighthearted touch make Simon a pleasure to read.
Carry On– I mention this book *a lot* but I can’t help it if this brilliant parodic fantasy fills me with the utmost joy!
Going Postal– One of my favourite Discworld books- need I say more? Also, it happens to be one of the funniest.
Nimona– this is a newish one for me- but as another twist on its genre, I thought it fit perfectly. Playing with ideas of supervillains vs superheroes, this graphic novel is a whole lotta fun!
My Lady Jane– I adore this fresh take on alternative history. A completely unexpected ride, this doesn’t just toy with historical accuracy, it laughs in its face and rewrites the history books- in the best possible way!
Emma– I mean, it’s Austen- do I need a reason? I also happen to love Mr Knightley the most of all Austen’s male leads (oh and there’s great character development- but pff- we’re talking about what makes me smile)
Little Women– rounding off with possibly an unusual choice, this certainly has its poignant and sad moments- HOWEVER for every bit of sadness this book brings, it also delivers its equal parts of joy. I would have felt remiss not to include it.
So do any of these books bring you joy? And what are your favourite happy books? Let me know in the comments!
Nimona is the best! It’s definitely one of my go-to happy books!
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Ah glad you agree!!
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Thanks for all the happy books! 😊 I really should read Nimona soon, I bought it a few months ago and haven’t gotten to it yet!
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Thanks for reading 😊 And hope you enjoy!
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A great list!
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Thank you!
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I didn’t think I would like Perkins’ trilogy as much as I did…they made me so happy! There were a few things i didn’t care for, but overall I just felt so content afterwards. Jenny Han’s books were the same feeling for me as well.
Simon vs. is so good! I might actually had to re-read it at some point. I fell in love with Simon’s character, flaws and all. And the ending is so sweet!! ❤
Great list! There are a number of books I have read on here, so I think I'm going to add a few more 🙂
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I felt the same way about it! It really surprised me that it was so good. And that’s very fair- they’re certainly flawed. Awesome!
Yeah for sure- I really wanna reread it as well- it just put me in such a good mood 😊
Thank you! Brilliant!
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Love your choices! I WILL get round to reading Emma this year. 😊
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Thank you! oh brilliant!! 😊😊
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What a great post. I read so many dark books that I need to pick up a book like this once in awhile. I love so many of these! Nimona is high on my list!
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Thank you! Totally relate! Brilliant- hope you enjoy it when you get to it 😊
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This. Is. Awesome.
I try for balance, but I wonder if we as readers can find that with what is published these days? I know that is a great sweeeeeping generalization,
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Thank you! hehehe no I think it’s a fair point- I think that is increasingly hard to find 😉
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My Little Women copy got so worn from reading it so much I had to buy a new copy. You’re right the despite all the sadness it does bring a sense of joy and satisfaction
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Ah I can relate. Yes for sure!
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Thank you for this. After fighting the flu for two weeks and then getting hit in my car by an 84 year old a couple of days ago, this list has cheered me right up. Simon and My Lady Jane are two of my instant happy reads.
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Gosh I’m so sorry to hear all that- hope you’re feeling better! I’m glad to hear it!
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Yes to The Martian! The humor was great in this one 🙂
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So agree!
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I like Nimona, To All the boys that I’ve loved before and Hating game too 😀
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Ah I’m really glad you enjoyed those!!
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Great suggestions! Being 14, I love To All the boys I’ve loved before! I really want to read Carry On but for some reason I haven’t yet…goal for 2019!!
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Thank you! I’m glad to hear that! Awesome!! It’s such a fun book 😀
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btw, the Little Women cover is so gorgeous 😍😍😍😍, what edition/ISBN it is? 😀
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I know right?! I’m sorry, I don’t know!
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This is such a great list! I’ve read a bunch of these and totally agree that they’re perfect for putting someone in a good mood. 😊
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Thank you! Ah I’m glad you agree 😀
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Great idea that got me thinking about what my “happy books” would be. I definitely agree with Emma and Little Women and I’ll have to check out some of the others!
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Thank you! Glad you agree with those! 😀
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Just posted my list as my TTT https://franlaniado.wordpress.com/2019/01/22/top-ten-tuesday-happy-books-and-comfort-reads/
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Ahhh love the Discworld books! And Jane Austen. Definitely happy books! Though I have to say, Little Women depressed me… I’ve never actually managed to get all the way through it because it’s just toooo sad!
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So glad you do! hehe I can understand that! Although it does have some lighter aspects, it does deal with some darker topics.
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Lara Jean makes me smile, because I love her so much. Simon was such a warm and fun story with great friendships, a good family, and a sweet romance. Isla is my favorite of the trio. Not only did I adore the romance, I thought Perkins ended the series really well. Getting some warm fuzzy feels just thinking about the end of that book.
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This list is awesome. Lady Jane was one of my favourites from last year… and I absolutely have to read Simon and Hating Game. And Emma… of course! lol
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Thank you! Really glad you love that! Awesome 😀
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I LOVE Discworld! I think the series, in general, is the kind that brightens up my day.
My lady Jane is on my TBR list! Just gotta find a copy and some time 😂
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Glad to hear it!! me too!! Awesome- hope you get the chance to!
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Oh, I so needed this list! 🙂 What a week … !
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Glad you liked it 🙂
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This is such a good list! I love Isla and Simon and To All The Boys, these books made me so happy, I loved them ❤ I really want to read Nimona and The Hating game, they both sounds amazing 🙂
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Thank you! Really glad you felt the same way about them 😀 Hope you get the chance to and end up loving them 😀 ❤
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My Lady Jane definitely brought a smile to my face, and so do classics in general! I find them strangely comforting (a reason why I enjoy historical fiction so much), though I do find contemporaries like Hating easy to enjoy as well. 🙂 What a JOYful post!
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I’m really glad it did! Totally get what you mean 😀 Thanks so much!! Glad you enjoyed!!
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These are nice ”palate cleansers” I like to read after reading heavy or long books!
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Thanks very much! Really glad you thought so!
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Great list! Love The Martian! ♥️
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Thank you! 🙂 ❤
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I sure wasn’t expecting The Martian to be on this list!!
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hehe!
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Almost all books in this list are on my radar. Great List!
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Brilliant! Thanks! 😀
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Excellent list!👏👏
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Thanks very much!
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Ah, love the list!
Martian was a cool book. Should have been depressing, but it really wasn’t!
I still need to read Simon vs and Carry On. Great to see them listed here.😃
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Thanks very much! So agree! awesome 😀 hope you love them!
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The Hating Game was awesome and I can’t wait to read her new novel. Also, I did immediately think, What? The Martian is funny? You’re right though the main character had wit and charm even though he was all by himself… great post as usual!
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Ah me too! hehe I know right 😉 Thanks!!
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Great post! So many books are dark, so it’s great to look at the positive ones sometimes. I enjoyed the ones that I’ve read from your list. Especially My Lady Jane!
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Thanks very much! Really agree!
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I loved The Hating Game! It’s one of my favorite ROM-COM’S! I haven’t read The Martian but I loved the Movie. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is on my TBR list! I hoping to pick it up this year.
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Totally get what you mean! Awesome! And that’s great to hear- hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Love Going Postal too 🙂
I know what you mean about Little Women, it makes you happy just to re-read even though there are sad moments, as the characters are like family.
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So glad to hear it 😀 I know right!!
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Such a great list! I think it’s really important to have books that you can turn to when you need cheering up – all those I have read on your list definitely give me that feeling 🙂
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Thank you!! Yes for sure!! 😀 I’m glad!
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SO MANY great books on this list! I might do a similar roundup, too (and link back here, of course!)
And OMG I almost thought you were pulling a fast one and recommending super sad stories just to mess with us when I saw the first rec LMAO! Can you imagine?
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Thanks very much! Awesome- look forward to seeing that!!
hehehe I know right 😉
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Little women is my favourite classic, then Isla … is my Paris book , then Jenny Han and Becky Albertali are my favourite authors …
You made me happy with this post .💗
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That’s awesome!! So get that!! Ah I’m really happy to hear that 😀 ❤
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I have read most of these and I totally agree with you! Especially about The Hating Game. If you’re having a shitty day sometimes you just need a sexy romance novel.
I really love The Princess Diaries as happy books. Kind of a throw back, but I still pick them up from time to time and they never fail to make me smile 🙂
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I love, love, LOVE Carry On!
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Me too!! 😀
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The Princess Bride – an old story but one we’re now giving to our grands.
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Oh I love that story!
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Milou is reading Martian at the moment. I need to still read going postal. Saw the movie adaptation. Loved that
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Awesome! Hope she likes it 😀 And I loved that too 🙂
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There so many great books on here! A personal favorite that you mentioned is My Lady Jane. It’s such an entertaining read and I just couldn’t stop giggling the entire time. I need to read more happy books like that, I think. Anyways, thanks for sharing such an amazing list of books! 🙂
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Thank you! Glad you think so! I really get that- I was the same 😀 Me too 🙂 Thanks very much for reading!
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Because of you, I bought Emma and Little Women and now I’m adding The Martian to my TBR. 🙂
My favorite on the list is definitely The Hating Game.
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Oh brilliant!
I’m glad you think so!
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I’ve seen bits from Nimona and they’ve been so adorable and nice that I’m still actively trying to find a copy to read (I shall succeed). Discworld sounds great, and being written by Terry Pratchett elevates it a little more. I’ve yet to begin this huge series, but I’ll definitely look out for Going Postal! Fun list (and I have to be honest, when I saw The Martian, I did think “has this monkey gone bananas?”)
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Ah yes, took me ages to get hold of a copy too- but I did eventually! Hope you love it when you get the chance! Totally agree with you 🙂 Awesome- hope you love it! Thank you! hehehe!
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Oh man. Little Women has such fond memories for me. I used to watch the film adaptation with my Grandmother every summer when I would stay with her for a week in the summer. I read it for the first time as an adult, and it was so heartwarming. Definitely the perfect book to read during Christmas.
I also adored Simon vs. It isn’t my typical type of book, but it was definitely full of fluffy cuteness.
I’m excited to see Going Postal on this list! I’m reading my first series within Discworld (Tiffany Aching series) and I was wondering where to go next.
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I loved To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda – They’re two of my happy books too ❤️
I really still want to read Nimona, its been on my TBR since forever!
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Yes to all of these! Except Carry On, which for reasons I don’t understand fully is the only Rainbow Rowell book I haven’t read…
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Okay gonna try and contain my ABSOLUTE EXCITEMENT for you- cos that’s by far my favourite Rowell book- I really hope you love it as much as I did!!
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Well shoot, now I have to read it.. And the tbr pile grows, lol
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(I clearly didn’t manage to not get excited there, did I 😉 )
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To all the boys I’ve ever loved before is such a happy book! I’m really enjoying reading it at the moment xx
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It really is- that’s wonderful 😊 xx
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I think The Martian and Nimona are the only ones I need to check out in this list. But I do love your recommendations! 😀
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