When I’m down, I go fantasy. Escape into worlds that can’t exist and allow myself to dream. The Phantom Tollbooth is probably one of my most favorite books. It’s a fantasy adventure and written for upper-elementary/ middle-school YA. Quick read, but wacky with a lot of fun word-play. A great quick escape!
Some of the funniest books I’ve read were by people who were depressed as they wrote it. But probably not good choices for a depressed reader. One of the most light-hearted, funny, and total fluff books I’ve read are Molly Harper’s Half Moon Hollow series. The first book is “Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs”. If you aren’t up to silly vampires – try her book “And One Last Thing”. Very funny If you read audiobooks I suggest listening to them. Amanda Ronconi narrates her books perfectly.
Bill Bryson, A Walk in the Woods (funny and soothing), Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson (Let’s Pretend This Never Happened) (funny and totally irreverent), and The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (funny and uncannily fitting the times — how to survive and outsmart a world that makes no sense).
Authors: Jan Karon and Ann B. Ross. Likable characters, good story lines, a bit of a mystery (though nothing serious since I don’t care for mysteries and never read them). My light reading right now is Jenny Calgon, from Scotland.
I’m sorry you’re feeling depressed. Maybe some Christopher Moore would help pick you up a bit. “You Suck” was good, “Lamb” was very funny too I hope you feel better soon
Not my usual thing at all, but for light and heart warming I really enjoyed the Beach Street Bakery series, set in Cornwall. Can’t remember the author, sorry.
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, The General Danced at Dawn by George Macdonald Fraser, 1066 And All That by W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman, Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield
The four books beginning with All Things Great and Small by James Herriot. So much fun! He tells the kind of stories that you laugh out loud at, and generally, they are about animals–he was a veterinarian in England in the 20th century.
Sheets(cute graphic novel about ghosts), Meet Cute(cute short story collection about couples meeting), or The Color Of Magic(first book of disco World series a comedy fantasy series that is pure delight)
Whenever I’m down, I either revisit old favorites like Harry Potter or my favorite romance, Second Star to the Right. If I need something new I usually hit up the romance section, but avoid the extra smutty looking ones. I try to find one with a good story. Second Star to the Right is a good one with a nod to Peter Pan.
Anne George; Southern sisters novels. There are 8 in all and all are funny. I read them repeatedly during the time my husband was ill and in the hospital. I just reread one the other day. They are quick and easy to read.
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
Try an Agatha Christie mystery. Yes, there’s usually a murder or two involved, but there’s a cozy feeling to her books that make one feel safe, regardless of what’s going on in the novel. I think Christie had great respect for her readers and wanted to protect them from heavy and graphic violence. Her Miss Marple and Tommy and Tuppence books convey this more than her Hercule Poirot stories, in my opinion.
Witch Is When It All Began by Adele Abbot. It’s the first in a long series about a private investigator who is also a witch. It’s a lot of fun and not too serious.
Any cozy mystery! Try the @Cozy and pick up a free one, if you’re willing to review. This is my go-to genre when I want something light but entertaining!
I know it’s probably not what you are looking for, but I would suggest rereading one of your favorite most nostalgic books to take you to a happier time, even if that means a childrens book 🙂 I reread catcher in the rye or peter pan usually and it’s very soothing
The Dirty Girls Social Club
The Storied Life of A.J. Fickry worked for me!
I like Johnathan Tapper’s books for humor. More of a dramedy but he makes me laugh out loud.
Wow! I read this so long ago…it’s like vintage fare, lolol
@Karen it is but light.
@Catherine yes! I loved it and her…
The Rosie Project
I loved this!
Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
This is what I was going to recommend. Her books are light and funny.
Nine Women, One Dress
Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls
Beginner’s Luck by Laura Pedersen.
Elin Hilderbrand writes summer stories about Nantucket.
When I’m down, I go fantasy. Escape into worlds that can’t exist and allow myself to dream. The Phantom Tollbooth is probably one of my most favorite books. It’s a fantasy adventure and written for upper-elementary/ middle-school YA. Quick read, but wacky with a lot of fun word-play. A great quick escape!
When I feel like that, I want pure fluff. Anything by Debbie Macomber fits the bill for me!
Always cheers me up! very easy read.
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Any PG Wodehouse book.
I read some silly PG Wodehouse to pick me up, or re-read some childhood comfort reading. I love The Secret Garden.
No baggage by Clara Bensen was fun
The lottery
Hope you feel better! Try Sophie Kinsella’s Remember Me or Can You Keep a Secret.
I will add Undomesticated Goddess and the Shopaholic series
@Shannon I loved Undomestic Goddess! That was the first Kinsella I ever read
Anything by Jane Green, Emily Giffin, Elin Hilderbrand, Devil Wears Prada trilogy, Crazy Rich Asians, Jamie Brenner has some good books.
let’s pretend this never happened
@Tracy is that a book ?
Yes it is. Sorry, I know you didn’t ask me.
@Lynette Thanks for the assist.
My husband says any of the Spellman books. http://lisalutz.com/books/the-spellmans/
@Mindy these sound great.. ty
Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank by Celia Rivenbark.
@Cheryl ty will put it on my list
Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella
@Clare love her
I just finished reading this. Loved it!
This book is super cute and fun to read ?
“My Dear Sylvia” by Dawn French. It’s hilarious in parts and extremely touching.
The Miss Julia series by Ann Ross or The Number One Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith.
@Pamela thank you
Yes, to the Number One Ladies Detective Agency series!
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
I kinda like The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. It always gives me a chuckle. ?
Yep… he was FRAMED!
All things Bright and Beautiful by J. Harriot. It’s old, but very light, funny and full of heart.
@Dina ,and informative. Learned stuff about critters I didn’t know. ?
@Thomg If you’d like to continue in that direction, try books by G Durrell. He is hilarious and informative.
@Dina , TY for the suggestions ?
Mitford series.
Yes, the first book is At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. Sweet story with a mild spiritual overtone. Very comforting in difficult times.
The status of all things, your perfect life or the year we turned forty, all by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
The Harry Potter books!
Where’d you go Bernadette
Sophie Kinsella
Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meier is a cute fun mystery read. The PMS Murder by Laura Levine was hilarious
Try books by Lorna Landvik.
Rosie Project
Some of the funniest books I’ve read were by people who were depressed as they wrote it. But probably not good choices for a depressed reader. One of the most light-hearted, funny, and total fluff books I’ve read are Molly Harper’s Half Moon Hollow series. The first book is “Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs”. If you aren’t up to silly vampires – try her book “And One Last Thing”. Very funny If you read audiobooks I suggest listening to them. Amanda Ronconi narrates her books perfectly.
@Laura ty
Where the Heart Is
Anything by Alexander McCall Smith
The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald. It will make you laugh out loud!
Bill Bryson, A Walk in the
Woods (funny and soothing), Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson (Let’s Pretend This Never Happened) (funny and totally irreverent), and The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (funny and uncannily fitting the times — how to survive and outsmart a world that makes no sense).
Hamish Macbeth or Agatha Raisin qseries by M.C. Beaton. Julie Garwood mysteries, though her Scottish romances are good.
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. Very, very funny.
Authors: Jan Karon and Ann B. Ross. Likable characters, good story lines, a bit of a mystery (though nothing serious since I don’t care for mysteries and never read them). My light reading right now is Jenny Calgon, from Scotland.
Fun mysteries: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/
Sorry
Thank you for the recommendations
Anything by Penny Reid beginning with Neanderthal Seeks Human.
David Sedaris books make me laugh
.
Anne?
I’m sorry you’re feeling depressed. Maybe some Christopher Moore would help pick you up a bit. “You Suck” was good, “Lamb” was very funny too
I hope you feel better soon
Sourdough. Was great and not too deep.
Not my usual thing at all, but for light and heart warming I really enjoyed the Beach Street Bakery series, set in Cornwall. Can’t remember the author, sorry.
Similar to that is the Jenny Colgan books. I really liked them..easy reads. Also love Sarah Addison Allen’s books.
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend, loved the people, the world, the book. Kept hoping I could just stay there for a while.
Janet Evonovich and her Stephanie Plum series always cheered me up. Hopefully it will for you.
Anne of Green Gables series ❤❤❤
Try My Lady Jane! ?
Sophie Kinsella or Chelsea Handler
David Sedaris is my favorite writer to forget with. I love his short stories. Me Talk Pretty One Day is my favorite. ?
Where’d you go Bernadette was so great and really made me laugh! Also the princess bride!
The exact opposite of okay is a really good one.
7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn hardcastle is really different and likely to get you thinking in a new way
Just finished this young adult read, really enjoyed it.
What’s it about?
A family line that have all died in very strange circumstances and trying to protect the last in the line. ?
@Vikki Oooh that sounds interesting!
Any books by Jan Karon or Fannie Flagg.
The Mitford series was my go to during some tough, sad times. Sweet, great story, loved the characters.
All Bill Bryson books.
Following Atticus by Paul Ryan.
Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. They are laugh out loud fun.
Any Christmas books by Debbie Macomber. I love them.????
Sourdough is clever & light. A quick easy read.
The Crossing places
The Rosie Project, House at the end of Hope Street, any title of Terry Pratchett
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, The General Danced at Dawn by George Macdonald Fraser, 1066 And All That by W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman, Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield
Jenny Colgan.
Girl wash your face or if you like Christmas try Skipping Christmas
I find James Patterson and David Balducci mysteries totally absorbing
Subway Girls
The art of hearing heartbeats
Autobiography of a yogi by Paramahansa yogananda
The Rosie Project
Nora Ephron books…light and funny…
The four books beginning with All Things Great and Small by James Herriot. So much fun! He tells the kind of stories that you laugh out loud at, and generally, they are about animals–he was a veterinarian in England in the 20th century.
The Rosie Project
Best man! Short but wholesome
Janet evonovich
I read Chelsea Handler books when I need a good laugh
The Art of Inheriting Secrets by Barbara O’Neal
Sourdough… can’t remember the author’s name.
Books by Ann George
The Rosie Project.
Sheets(cute graphic novel about ghosts), Meet Cute(cute short story collection about couples meeting), or The Color Of Magic(first book of disco World series a comedy fantasy series that is pure delight)
Wonder
Super easy read and delightful!
Elin Hilderbrand
Whenever I’m down, I either revisit old favorites like Harry Potter or my favorite romance, Second Star to the Right. If I need something new I usually hit up the romance section, but avoid the extra smutty looking ones. I try to find one with a good story. Second Star to the Right is a good one with a nod to Peter Pan.
Box car children. Always takes me away
#1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Charming main character and a lovely, totally unfamiliar (to me) country. Very comforting series.
Just don’t read Fear by Bob Woodward I had to put it down, just made it worse.
Anne of Green Gables
The Mrs Pollifax books
Anne George; Southern sisters novels. There are 8 in all and all are funny. I read them repeatedly during the time my husband was ill and in the hospital. I just reread one the other day. They are quick and easy to read.
The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman, The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
I’m reading a cozy fall mystery called Stirring the Plot.
Jenny Colgan
Loved The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry as well.
The Mitford Series by Jan Karon. Here’s the first one:
At Home in Mitford: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018MS1Y6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CrKUBbPSWFW1E
Yes easy gentle reads..
E.F. Benson’s Make Way For Lucia books are very good. If you like fantasy, Terry Pratchett’s books are very funny.
Sorry for your pain. I get it. I’m savin’ a lot of these suggestions! ?
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg
Your favorite comfort book. Harry Potter!
https://sonisays.com/2018/10/06/who-the-hell-is-albania-2/
It will make laugh..
Katie MacAlister/Aisling Grey series
Book 1: You Slay Me
Book 2: Fire Me Up
Book 3: Light My Fire
Book 4: Holy Smokes
Silver Dragons Series
Book 1: Playing with Fire
Book 2: Up in Smoke
Book 3: Me and My Shadow
Try an Agatha Christie mystery. Yes, there’s usually a murder or two involved, but there’s a cozy feeling to her books that make one feel safe, regardless of what’s going on in the novel. I think Christie had great respect for her readers and wanted to protect them from heavy and graphic violence. Her Miss Marple and Tommy and Tuppence books convey this more than her Hercule Poirot stories, in my opinion.
Any of Jen Lancaster’s memoirs.
The Magic Mala
There are a series of books. Her royal spyness. Very light hearted
Mr. Pemberton’s 24 Hour Bookstore
Georgette Heyer Regency romances. “The Grand Sophy” or “A Civil Contract” are my two favorites.
I always loved May Higgins Clark. Any of them.
Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series. Some snort inducing dialogue and incidents!
Hounded by Kevin Hearne.
Furiously happy Jenny Lawson
The Rosie Project…
Witch Is When It All Began by Adele Abbot. It’s the first in a long series about a private investigator who is also a witch. It’s a lot of fun and not too serious.
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome always gets me XD it reads like somewhere between a travelogue and standup, because that’s what it is XD
Most of Maeve Binchy’s novels are light and charming- set in Ireland. Try “A Week in Winter”.
@Jennifer I love Maeve binchy.. haven’t read that one yet will definitely try it. Ty
@Jennifer just downloaded the audio!!! Yay
Loved them all- sweet, gentle reads.
Any cozy mystery! Try the @Cozy and pick up a free one, if you’re willing to review. This is my go-to genre when I want something light but entertaining!
I know it’s probably not what you are looking for, but I would suggest rereading one of your favorite most nostalgic books to take you to a happier time, even if that means a childrens book 🙂 I reread catcher in the rye or peter pan usually and it’s very soothing
Paolo Coehlo books