Uplifting books
Conversazioni1001 Books to read before you die
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1perlle
Since I asked about depressing books I thought I'd ask the flip side. Any really uplifting, inspiring books you've found while reading from this list?
2prettypagan42
Good Grief, by Lolly Winston. I laughed, and I cried, and I related. A wonderful book about love and family. So good, when I got to the end, I wanted to start all over, and I rarely re-read anything these days.
3kiwiflowa
Remains of the Day which I have read just recently was uplifting for me. Beautiful ending!
4krolik
This is a good topic. Uplifting doesn't have to mean saccharine. Take a look at Nabokov's Pnin, a book about a good man being decent in a bad world.
5Nickelini
Isn't it interesting that there are more posts to the Most Depressing thread than this one. What does that say about the books we read? Hmmmm.
Okay, so we need more uplifting books listed . . . I'll throw in Like Water for Chocolate, one of my all-time favourite books. I did't post earlier because I think people may be tired of me mentioning it.
Okay, so we need more uplifting books listed . . . I'll throw in Like Water for Chocolate, one of my all-time favourite books. I did't post earlier because I think people may be tired of me mentioning it.
7perlle
I noticed that too and thought it was interesting.
I can't really identify any uplifting books from the list (that I've read.) I guess that's a bit sad.
I can't really identify any uplifting books from the list (that I've read.) I guess that's a bit sad.
9Nickelini
Okay, gang . . . we need to add more books to this list.
In the next few weeks I'm going to finish my course on dystopian literature. Nine novels where horrible things happen to innocent people who are at the mercy of a capricious power (usually the government). I'm getting really tired of all the hopeless grimness and need to read something very different. And HAPPY! Aren't there more? Please?
In the next few weeks I'm going to finish my course on dystopian literature. Nine novels where horrible things happen to innocent people who are at the mercy of a capricious power (usually the government). I'm getting really tired of all the hopeless grimness and need to read something very different. And HAPPY! Aren't there more? Please?
10stephmo
I'd add A Prayer for Owen Meany to the list. Owen's genuine purpose in life was a beautiful thing, even if many events in the book were sad.
Now the travesty that became the movie "Simon Birch"...well, that wasn't so uplifting.
Now the travesty that became the movie "Simon Birch"...well, that wasn't so uplifting.
11jhowell
What about To KIll a Mockingbird; bad stuff happens but overall I felt good at the end.
12Nickelini
I just finished reading Pursuit of Love, by Nancy Mitford. I was hoping that it would be an uplifting or inspiring book. It wasn't . . . however, it wasn't a heavy, grim, disturbing book either. I'm posting this because readers may come to this thread when they're ready for a break from the grim and disturbing books on the list.
For The Pursuit of Love, think Jane Austen meets 1930s English aristocracy. I wasn't sure I was going to read it based on the first 20 pages or so--the characters all seemed like outrageous snobs, and it really seemed like the author was writing about her real life family, just with different names, but complete with in-jokes and comments that outsiders wouldn't get. Which it is. But then I remembered that it's supposed to be humorous, and a commentary on English upper classes (hence the comparison to Austen), and suddenly the book got quite funny and interesting. It's not light fluff--serious stuff happens along with the humorous. It was a very good break from all the grim and depressing books I've read lately.
For The Pursuit of Love, think Jane Austen meets 1930s English aristocracy. I wasn't sure I was going to read it based on the first 20 pages or so--the characters all seemed like outrageous snobs, and it really seemed like the author was writing about her real life family, just with different names, but complete with in-jokes and comments that outsiders wouldn't get. Which it is. But then I remembered that it's supposed to be humorous, and a commentary on English upper classes (hence the comparison to Austen), and suddenly the book got quite funny and interesting. It's not light fluff--serious stuff happens along with the humorous. It was a very good break from all the grim and depressing books I've read lately.
13lilisin
Fear and Trembling by Amelie Nothomb is very humorous! I definitely recommend it. Plus, it's short and sweet so you can read it over and over again.
Silk by Alessandro Baricco is wonderfully romantic. It just really puts a sparkle in your heart although it does have a bit of a sad undertone in it.
Silk by Alessandro Baricco is wonderfully romantic. It just really puts a sparkle in your heart although it does have a bit of a sad undertone in it.
14Nickelini
When I think of "uplifting" books, I think of those wonderful books that make you all warm inside and make you want to run around the block with your hands in the air singing "I love life!" (Okay, so I'm a bit of a loon).
Unfortunately, I can not think of any that I've read from 1001 Books . . . that do that for me. Hmmmm. However, maybe you've come to this thread after reading a few disturbing 1001 books (and there are lots of those!), and you want something that isn't disturbing. One that I recently enjoyed was Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell. The best word I can think to describe it is "amusing." It has something to say--it's not just fluff--but it is gentle and quite funny (in a Jane Austen-ish sort of way).
Unfortunately, I can not think of any that I've read from 1001 Books . . . that do that for me. Hmmmm. However, maybe you've come to this thread after reading a few disturbing 1001 books (and there are lots of those!), and you want something that isn't disturbing. One that I recently enjoyed was Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell. The best word I can think to describe it is "amusing." It has something to say--it's not just fluff--but it is gentle and quite funny (in a Jane Austen-ish sort of way).
15Nickelini
#2 - Good Grief, by Lolly Winston. I laughed, and I cried, and I related. A wonderful book about love and family. So good, when I got to the end, I wanted to start all over, and I rarely re-read anything these days.
---------------
Darn! I had hopes for this one. But it's not on the 1001 list after all (of course that doesn't mean I can't read it anyway, but I'm still in search of that HAPPY book from the list).
---------------
Darn! I had hopes for this one. But it's not on the 1001 list after all (of course that doesn't mean I can't read it anyway, but I'm still in search of that HAPPY book from the list).
16trinah
I'd actually add Pride and Prejudice as an uplifting book, that ends with your insides feeling all warm, because it ends so well.
There really aren't that many that are uplifting though, from what I've read.
A Room with a view could be another one.
There really aren't that many that are uplifting though, from what I've read.
A Room with a view could be another one.
17socialpages
I'd like to suggest A fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry as fitting into both the depressing and uplifting categories. How those two poor untouchables kept going despite what miseries life threw at them is beyond me. Didn't feel like I could complain about my own life after reading this book.
18Nickelini
I guess it's all perspective . . . I can't imagine a grimmer book than A Fine Balance. It was without a doubt the most disturbing, depressing book I've ever read. When I'm asked to rate it, I never know whether to give it 5 stars because it's so well done, or 1 star because I hated it.
This touches on why I think the 1001 list is so interesting. Of the books I've read, many are complex and draw out different emotions and thoughts from different people. Which in turn makes them more interesting.
This touches on why I think the 1001 list is so interesting. Of the books I've read, many are complex and draw out different emotions and thoughts from different people. Which in turn makes them more interesting.
19jagmuse
I wouldn't call it necessarily uplifting, but Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is light and fun and sweet, for those looking for a break....
20perlle
I'd say Middlemarch is uplifting. Its not a dance-through-the streets kind of feel good, but it's a nice comment on the human spirit, why people do what they do, and ultimately, why it all matters.
21Nickelini
I can't believe I forgot to add Siddhartha to this list. It's not run-around-outside-singing uplifting, but it's it definitely has a positive spin, and isn't the least bit depressing (Oh, just watch. Now that I've made that statement, someone will come out and say the book upset them so much they cried for a month).
22Witchwatchit
There are quite a few books that are uplifting in one way or another, but for the ultimate in uplifting, meaning lifting up on high, I can't think of anything higher than The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow.
25Nickelini
Okay, here's another one that I wouldn't call exactly uplifting, but it's definitely not grim and not depressing so belongs in this thread (since the 1001 list is so short on non-grim books) . . . Vile Bodies, by Evelyn Waugh. For the most part you can read it as the story of a group of madcap silly flappers. There is a biting bitterness underneath the surface, and it takes a bleaker turn in the last third of the book, but for the most part it's rather funny.
26SylviaO
I thought that there were parts of The Unbearable Lightness of Being that were quite uplifting. (At the same time, there were also some parts that made me cry.) And Jacob the Liar was also one of those kinda sad, but ultimately inspiring ones too.
27Kitbag
The most uplifting book I've read in years is The Secret Magdalene by Ki Longfellow. I intend to read it again and again.
29Kitbag
Oh, I'm sorry. Is there a list? I just looked at the heading which I thought said The Most Uplifting Book. Should I delete?
30Nickelini
No, don't worry about it. Just wondering 'cause I'm totally unfamiliar with the 2008 list and I thought it might be one to look out for. This group, however, is only for the discussion of 1001 books.
32maryjanemanolos
Here are some pretty uplifting ones:
Emma
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (laugh out loud funny)
The Little Prince
the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
All kind of good clean fun, ya know?
Emma
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (laugh out loud funny)
The Little Prince
the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
All kind of good clean fun, ya know?
33digifish_books
Thank You, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse (in new & old list)
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (in the new list only)
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym (in the new list only)
34patti1
I find pretty much anything by Maeve Binchy uplifting and engaging. I especially liked Evening Class- about a night class in italian.
Also loved the Life of Pi by Yann Martel which left me changed.
Also loved the Life of Pi by Yann Martel which left me changed.
35whimsicalkitten
I totally agree about Cold Comfort Farm - I can't believe it's on the list and I haven't heard too many people mention it anywhere in this group, but I loved it and laughed out loud over and over. It's a great break from the many weightier titles on the list
36Nickelini
Here's another one for the reader who wants something less dreary than the standard 1001 book: Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, by Jeanette Winterson. I wouldn't call it "uplifting" but it's not grim, and there are many laugh out loud funny bits.
37Nickelini
Just read Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, which I think is probably the lightest book I've read from the 1001 list (and already mentioned in post 19, above). I recently read Northanger Abbey which is also a rather light 1001 read.
38hdcclassic
The Austen ones, obviously, are cheerful.
Also started yesterday The Summer Book which is, well, Jansson: wistful and with a tint of melancholia but highly uplifting.
Depends on a taste, but I found several uplifting books...
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler and Group Portrait with Lady (Katarina Blum by the same author comes with loads darker humour and might not be exactly uplifting...)
And Myra Breckinridge is probably a highly arguable pick, but a pick nevertheless :)
Also started yesterday The Summer Book which is, well, Jansson: wistful and with a tint of melancholia but highly uplifting.
Depends on a taste, but I found several uplifting books...
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler and Group Portrait with Lady (Katarina Blum by the same author comes with loads darker humour and might not be exactly uplifting...)
And Myra Breckinridge is probably a highly arguable pick, but a pick nevertheless :)
39wookiebender
I'm yet to read it, but have enjoyed the other Sherlock Holmes I have read, so would recommend The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as a cheerfully entertaining read, at least. (Now I'll find out it's a horrible book.)
And all the kids books on the list: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has to be a favourite of mine to return to on wet miserable days! I loved Treasure Island as well as a child, and am looking forward to re-reading it sometime rsn.
I personally didn't enjoy it, but many people have found A Confederacy of Dunces to be very funny. On the other hand, Diary of a Nobody *is* good silly fun.
I personally enjoyed very much the Sarah Waters on the list: Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet. Good romps.
While some depressing things happen in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, overall it was a very uplifting read.
I see someone's added in the 2010 edition books (or some of them at least) to LT's common knowledge! Hurrah!
And all the kids books on the list: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has to be a favourite of mine to return to on wet miserable days! I loved Treasure Island as well as a child, and am looking forward to re-reading it sometime rsn.
I personally didn't enjoy it, but many people have found A Confederacy of Dunces to be very funny. On the other hand, Diary of a Nobody *is* good silly fun.
I personally enjoyed very much the Sarah Waters on the list: Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet. Good romps.
While some depressing things happen in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, overall it was a very uplifting read.
I see someone's added in the 2010 edition books (or some of them at least) to LT's common knowledge! Hurrah!
41wookiebender
*waves wildly back*
I'm not a very good "1001" reader of late. Work got busy, and I'm reading more for fun now to recuperate. Plus, I do like reading new Australian books (not many on the list!) and I've been reading a lot of crime (only a few crime novels on the 1001 list; must track down a copy of The Nine Taylors!).
I see myself as more of a collector of "1001" books, as the urge to grab them when I see them second hand is yet to abate. :)
I'm not a very good "1001" reader of late. Work got busy, and I'm reading more for fun now to recuperate. Plus, I do like reading new Australian books (not many on the list!) and I've been reading a lot of crime (only a few crime novels on the 1001 list; must track down a copy of The Nine Taylors!).
I see myself as more of a collector of "1001" books, as the urge to grab them when I see them second hand is yet to abate. :)
42Nickelini
I haven't been reading much from 1001 lately either. There are so many other really great books out there, aren't there? Funny you should mention buying them when you see them--I do that too, although I try to limit myself to the more unusual ones, or particularly nice editions of the more popular ones. Ah, book addictions . . .
43BekkaJo
#39 Agreeing a lot with Wookie bender here. Also Keep the Apidistra Flying - it may have it's depressing patches but it has a lovely ending (for me anyway).
But I've just run through what I've read on the list and man... there actually is a lot of depressing stuff. How did I not realise that before? I guess it's because it's good depressing stuff, but still...
But I've just run through what I've read on the list and man... there actually is a lot of depressing stuff. How did I not realise that before? I guess it's because it's good depressing stuff, but still...
44HunyBadger
kiwiflowa: thank you from the bottom of my heart for mentioning The Remains Of The Day. I absolutely love it. My husband noted the other day that I was taking awhile to finish it (his exact words were "It's not like you to take so long to read such a short book"). I realized it was because I was savoring it, like chocolate on my tongue. delicious!
45cinder55
I love James Herriott's books for low-stress, positive reading. They are light-hearted and make you love people in spite of themselves. And I don't take myself so seriously after I read them as well.
46bear1982
I found the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime a happy book. It has been a few years since I have read it though, and hope I'm not remembering it wrong. Also pippi longstocking, the little prince and little women.
47Booksloth
Adding my support (and touchstones) for Middlemarch, Cold Comfort Farm and Life of Pi and, mainly because Nickelini sounds desparate for something cheerful, I'm going to cheat and mention one that isn't on the list (though heaven only knows why) and that's The Enchanted April, which is probably my all-time most uplifting book. You could also try Lottery, again not on the list but left me with a big smile on my face.
ETA Touchstones too for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
Well, it should have been!
ETA Touchstones too for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.
Well, it should have been!
48CarterPJ
If you are looking for uplifting I would suggest "I am not a Serial Killer", by Dan Wells. Quirky, funny, well written - a teenager who believes he must overcome his psychopathic tendencies.
49paruline
I just finished Claudine's house and it definitely is a book that makes you feel warm inside. This is the author's memoir about her childhood surrounded by a doting mother, a loving family and a multitude of pets. A very gentle story.
50Nickelini
As several readers have mentioned here, Jane Austen is a great choice when looking for a non-depressing book from the 1001 list. Having recently read Pride and Prejudice, I have to chime in and say that it's truly uplifting 1001 book. Uplifting in the "make you all warm inside and make you want to run around the block with your hands in the air singing "I love life!" way.
52JessiAdams
The Plague by Albert Camus. Ok, so its about plague and death, and whatnot, but deep down its a story of solidarity, and so I would still call it uplifting.
53ThomasRichard 
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Looking through the books mentioned here, I see mostly or all (?) are fiction. How about the uplifting reality that a good and loving God is in control after all, and He is drawing us all toward the perfection of the good, the true and the beautiful?
I know that truth can be communicated via fiction Lord of the Rings as but one example - but personally I lean more toward "the truth" plain and straightforward: non-fiction, in other words, the truth that God has shared with us over the 2000 years since Jesus came among us. And what He has shown us is the best good news that anyone could hope for or imagine.
One "good news" book that I wrote, which describes the journey that we all are called to make, is The Ordinary Path to Holiness. It is extremely uplifting to me, personally, to realize and to understand that God - who created us out of nothing! - is drawing us to a true perfection of life and love. And He has an "ordinary way" of doing this, meant to develop and unfold in stages as we grow and develop.
I know that truth can be communicated via fiction Lord of the Rings as but one example - but personally I lean more toward "the truth" plain and straightforward: non-fiction, in other words, the truth that God has shared with us over the 2000 years since Jesus came among us. And what He has shown us is the best good news that anyone could hope for or imagine.
One "good news" book that I wrote, which describes the journey that we all are called to make, is The Ordinary Path to Holiness. It is extremely uplifting to me, personally, to realize and to understand that God - who created us out of nothing! - is drawing us to a true perfection of life and love. And He has an "ordinary way" of doing this, meant to develop and unfold in stages as we grow and develop.
54Nickelini
When you read over this thread, it's interesting how people insist on suggesting books off the list. Nice, but not part of the conversation. And really, there ARE non-depressing books listed in 1001 books. I just finished listening to the audiobook of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and I found it highly amusing and great fun! Recommended for those with a sense of humour.
55Nickelini
I found another fun book from the 1001 Books List . . . Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck. I guess I'd even call it uplifting, since it made me laugh so many times.
56Booksloth
Thank you Nickelini! I'm so glad you said that about Cannery Row, another of my all-time favourite books. Not everyone gets it. I can't count how many times I've talked to people who think Steinbeck is depressing and said 'Well, you must try CR, that's hilarious', only to have then report back that they couldn't see anything funny about it. It's rare any book makes me laugh out loud but that one does it every time.
57Nickelini
Booksloth - I don't get that at all! But I guess some people don't see the humour in Jane Austen either.
58BekkaJo
I've read some seriously depressing ones recently (Jude the Obscure The Kreutzer Sonata and Moby Dick) but I have to say Vile Bodies, which I also read recently is very funny. Possibly not uplifting (just re-read the thread title - doh!) but good fun.
59media1001
I'd have to agree with Nickelini (as usual). Cannery Row is a fantastic book. Very funny. Great characters. A lot of fun to read. Plus, John Steinbeck is one of my all time favorite authors.
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is strange and funny. And the other Douglas Adams book, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Didn't like The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul as much, though.
A Christmas Carol is uplifting and appropriate for the upcoming holidays.
Siddhartha and The Razor's Edge are both spiritually uplifting.
Exercises in Style is wordplay and fun.
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris was a easy read, a fun book, and a happy ending.
Get Shorty was a fun book as well. Spoofing the film industry.
Veronika Decides to Die, despite its title, has a very positive ending (and is also a great book).
Many of the adventure novels are fun and uplifting: The Three Musketeers, Treasure Island, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tarzan of the Apes
Most of the kid's stories are uplifting: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, The 13 Clocks and The Wonderful "O". But not The Water-Babies or The Little Prince. They were both a bit bleak.
-- M1001
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is strange and funny. And the other Douglas Adams book, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Didn't like The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul as much, though.
A Christmas Carol is uplifting and appropriate for the upcoming holidays.
Siddhartha and The Razor's Edge are both spiritually uplifting.
Exercises in Style is wordplay and fun.
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris was a easy read, a fun book, and a happy ending.
Get Shorty was a fun book as well. Spoofing the film industry.
Veronika Decides to Die, despite its title, has a very positive ending (and is also a great book).
Many of the adventure novels are fun and uplifting: The Three Musketeers, Treasure Island, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tarzan of the Apes
Most of the kid's stories are uplifting: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, The 13 Clocks and The Wonderful "O". But not The Water-Babies or The Little Prince. They were both a bit bleak.
-- M1001
60annamorphic
Have just read a couple of quite fun books, easy reads and not depressing, so I thought I'd revive this thread:
Concrete by Thomas Bernhard
The Enchanted Wanderer by Nikolai Leskov
Concrete by Thomas Bernhard
The Enchanted Wanderer by Nikolai Leskov
61Simone2
What a nice thread, I didn't know it. And you revived it just in time, Annamorphic, I am longing for some uplifting books from the list.
To contribute two that come to mind immediately I'd suggest Mrs Harris goes to Paris and Persuasion, which I recently read.
Should we also revive the thread on most depressing books?!
To contribute two that come to mind immediately I'd suggest Mrs Harris goes to Paris and Persuasion, which I recently read.
Should we also revive the thread on most depressing books?!
62paruline
>61 Simone2: you'll probably need some uplifting books if you're reading This way for the gas, ladies and gentlemen.
63paruline
I've been thinking a bit more about the uplifting books that I read from the list and here are a couple more with either a happy or hopeful ending:
The dark child
The shipping news
The golden ass
Agnes Grey
David Copperfield - all the books by Dickens I read have happy endings
North and South
The Hobbit
Cry, the beloved country
The lord of the rings
Contact
Jane Eyre
The dispossessed - that one I loved!
Around the world in 80 days
Cryptonomicon - lots of funny bits
Chocky
The moonstone
The devil's pool
Ok, most of those won't get you outside screaming 'I love life!', but compared to the rest of the list, they're positively dripping rainbows and unicorns.
The dark child
The shipping news
The golden ass
Agnes Grey
David Copperfield - all the books by Dickens I read have happy endings
North and South
The Hobbit
Cry, the beloved country
The lord of the rings
Contact
Jane Eyre
The dispossessed - that one I loved!
Around the world in 80 days
Cryptonomicon - lots of funny bits
Chocky
The moonstone
The devil's pool
Ok, most of those won't get you outside screaming 'I love life!', but compared to the rest of the list, they're positively dripping rainbows and unicorns.
64puckers
George Eliot's Silas Marner is definitely in this category - grumpy old man revived by the love of a child. One of the most moving list books for me.
65sabrinahughes
Sorry if this is a duplication, but I found The Color Purple very uplifting!
Also
Saturday
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Everything is Illuminated
Life of Pi
Kitchen
Contact
Song of Solomon
Breakfast of Champions
Thanks for starting this thread, I've often needed a feel-good chaser after many 1001 books!
Also
Saturday
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Everything is Illuminated
Life of Pi
Kitchen
Contact
Song of Solomon
Breakfast of Champions
Thanks for starting this thread, I've often needed a feel-good chaser after many 1001 books!
66ALWINN
I agree with the Life of Pi and most of Jane Austen and Bleak House had a happy ending. But one that is really kinda fun and really silly is The Nose.
67annamorphic
Agree The Nose is jolly, so is Eugene Onegin. Also from the 19th century, The Three Musketeers and The Enchanted Wanderer, and all the Lewis Carroll and Jules Verne.
20th c. besides what's already been listed:
Kipling, Kim
all the Dorothy L. Sayers
The third Policeman
all the James Thurber
No Laughing Matter in a very zany way
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Green Man
The Siege of Krishnapur
Oscar and Lucinda
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Fear and Trembling
21st c.
White Teeth although I didn't much like it
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay ditto
A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian ditto -- I'm sensing a pattern here
20th c. besides what's already been listed:
Kipling, Kim
all the Dorothy L. Sayers
The third Policeman
all the James Thurber
No Laughing Matter in a very zany way
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Green Man
The Siege of Krishnapur
Oscar and Lucinda
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Fear and Trembling
21st c.
White Teeth although I didn't much like it
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay ditto
A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian ditto -- I'm sensing a pattern here
68paruline
>67 annamorphic: I have to admit I found both One hundred years of solitude and Oscar and Lucinda bleak and hopeless. Different strokes I guess...
69Settings
It's always interesting how different people react to books. Pnin (mentioned back in 2007) made me bawl my eyes out and now I realize it was supposed to be a comedy. I'll never understand.
When I'm looking for something happy the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett are always safe. Many puns, many jokes, many bizarre situations, and an optimistic view of humanity.
When I'm looking for something happy the Discworld books by Terry Pratchett are always safe. Many puns, many jokes, many bizarre situations, and an optimistic view of humanity.
70ALWINN
Ah yes I completely forgot about Terry Pratchett I listened to Hogfather on audio here at work and remember laughing out loud several times.
71Settings
I'm reading the series in order and Hogfather is next. I'm especially looking to it because I heard it's one of the better ones and I have a physical copy.
Discworld is especially great because the books seem to get better, not worse, as the series proceeds.
Discworld is especially great because the books seem to get better, not worse, as the series proceeds.
72JonnySaunders
Now please don't think I'm insane, but when I read the word 'uplifting' the first book that sprang to mind was The Grapes of Wrath
Without giving too much away the final scene, when taken in the context of the bleak misery that proceeds it, gave me such a feeling of hope in human kindness that it made my heart swell and my tears pour.
Without giving too much away the final scene, when taken in the context of the bleak misery that proceeds it, gave me such a feeling of hope in human kindness that it made my heart swell and my tears pour.
73annamorphic
Another book that is certainly cheerful and entertaining, and sometimes even uplifting, is Wise Children by Angela Carter.
74paruline
I've recently read Cakes and Ale and found it really funny and sweet.
75Simone2
Good to revive this one again. I'd like to add:
A Modest Proposal -which made me laugh out loud
Little Women - a bit too sweet even
Bel-Ami - rather hilarious
Eline Vere - one of my all-time favourites
Cheese - although 'uplifting' is probably not the right word, it is definitely an easy-read which left me satisfied
The same goes for Chess Story
The Talented Mr Ripley
The World According to Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany, which I read both a long time ago but remember as being very funny
The Marriage Plot
And I agree with earlier mentions of Cannery Row, Concrete, The Remains of the Day and Life of Pi.
A Modest Proposal -which made me laugh out loud
Little Women - a bit too sweet even
Bel-Ami - rather hilarious
Eline Vere - one of my all-time favourites
Cheese - although 'uplifting' is probably not the right word, it is definitely an easy-read which left me satisfied
The same goes for Chess Story
The Talented Mr Ripley
The World According to Garp and A Prayer for Owen Meany, which I read both a long time ago but remember as being very funny
The Marriage Plot
And I agree with earlier mentions of Cannery Row, Concrete, The Remains of the Day and Life of Pi.
76annamorphic
I am expecting a bad couple of months ahead so I returned to this discussion for some suggestions. Five books in my Amazon cart now! I thought I'd add a few that I've found reasonably cheering lately:
Promise at Dawn -- wonderfully funny although also bittersweet and a bit unsettling
The Castle of Otranto -- if you like crazy Gothic horror, you'll enjoy this. Too silly to be traumatic.
The Monk -- ditto. Quite funny in its weirdness. You have to take it unseriously.
Journey to the Center of the Earth -- another delightfully implausible adventure
La Reine Margot -- renaissance passion and intrigue. Not stressful.
Platero and I -- if you love animals, or Andalusia, this one is nice. Calm. Peaceful. No stress.
Cain -- I just loved this and the end was a hoot.
Promise at Dawn -- wonderfully funny although also bittersweet and a bit unsettling
The Castle of Otranto -- if you like crazy Gothic horror, you'll enjoy this. Too silly to be traumatic.
The Monk -- ditto. Quite funny in its weirdness. You have to take it unseriously.
Journey to the Center of the Earth -- another delightfully implausible adventure
La Reine Margot -- renaissance passion and intrigue. Not stressful.
Platero and I -- if you love animals, or Andalusia, this one is nice. Calm. Peaceful. No stress.
Cain -- I just loved this and the end was a hoot.
