Recommendations for happy books based on or inspired by actual events?
Recommendations for happy books based on or inspired by actual events?
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Newfoundland. A dogs perspective of the Lewis and Clark expedition. I found it rather enjoyable.
The Boys in the Boat. Not sure that is the actual title but rowing club from U of W and going to the Olympics!
Great story!!
That is the title. That book made me want to see a rowing event.
Knew some of his relatives in Sequim, Wa.!
King Peggy. It is an autobiography of a secretary who lived in the U.S. and was related to a King of a small province in Ghana. When the King (i think her uncle?) died with no children, the elders elected her. It is the story of an ordinary women, who six months of the year goes to Ghana to fight corruption and try to modernize her province while dealing with traditional sexism, and having no idea what she is doing. I read it a while ago, but it was so good, and inspiring.
A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson.
That book is hysterical!
@Kathy I loved it too, and for years wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail. I just started reading Grandma Gatewood’s Walk (on the Appalachian Trail) and am a bit depressed by it. I just turned 67, and here this old lady (67 y/o) is, for the first time, hiking the trail. It’s an ok book, but nothing seems to come close to A Walk in the Woods!
@Marilyn, my husband also read it. Then we both decided that there was not one thing in the book that encouraged either of us to hike ANY portion of the trail. ?
His other travel books are pretty good, too.
@Kathy Good to know. Then I won’t feel bad not finishing Grandma Gatewood! I’d rather spend the time re-reading A Walk in the Woods and getting all psyched up about a long hike!
Read this years ago and loved it. Just picked it up 3 days ago to reread for the 5th time!
Unfortunately the movie was a snorefest. Some things just can’t be adapted.
I love it but my favorite of his travel books is “In a Sunburned Country.” His books are equally hilarious and informative!
@Jamie Sunburned has been on my self for ages. I think it’s time to read it – thanks for your recommendation.
The Dove.
Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith. It chronicles the journey of Matt and Karen as they journey to all of the National Parks. It is written as a series of emails to their friends, Bob & Sue. It is at times irreverent sarcastic and delightfully funny! It also makes you want to visit all of the National Parks!!
I completely loved this book. Hilarious.
They are hard to find now, but any book by Erma Bombeck or Jean Kerr.
Or Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman is a riot if you are a teacher or are close to one.
Agree … to all of ’em.
I read Up the Down Staircase in the late 60s, early 70s. Loved it. My inner city high school was huge, 4 floors counting the basement. I think the staff spent all summer organizing everyone’s schedules so no class was ever near another of your classes and always involved at least 2 flights of stairs. Like 4 dimensional chess.
I have read Up the Down Staircase multiple times. It is a simple book that is a total emotional roller coaster and I find myself making up various tales about what happened to the different characters. I wore out my first copy.
“Longitude” by Dava Sobel. While what happens in the book is centered around an actual tragedy, Harrison’s labor and creation, a marine chronometer, are inspirational.
The Day The World Came to Town
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Winterdance, by Gary Paulsen. The Egg and I by Betty McDonald, the Little House books.
Love Winterdance!
I have read it three times and laugh out loud every time.
Winterdance is definitely one of my Paulsen favorites.
The day the world came to town by Jim defede
A good time for this one!
That’s a great book, fast read too.
Tuesdays with Morrie.
Wonder
James Herriot’s books. I Capture the Castle. Like Water for Elephants. The #1 Ladies Detective series. Will think of more later!
Definitely Herriot
Definitely Herriot. I loved those books.
Herriot. Yes!
Thanks, Everyone! Lots of good choices!
The Glass Castle
The glass castle was amazing. I read it then listened to it as a recorded book.
Nancy Young the first time I read it I was so sorry when I finished it that I turned around and read it again!
Very good book, but I wouldn’t describe it as “happy”.
@Susan the ending is happy to me. . .
@Meg I found the entire book depressing.
Hated it; such hype for such mediocre writing.
Eat, Pray, Love
The invisible thread.
Look Me in the Eye, John Robison’s (first) autobiography.
Seabiscuit was 1000 times better than I expected. I recommend it whole heartedly. ?
I second that! Very uplifting book.
When I rented the movie (!), which I loved, to show it to my teens, there was a Seabiscuit doll available. Bought it and kept on the shelf by the book. Years pass and Seabiscuit is my 4 year old granddaughter’s favorite toy. She gallops through the house with him shouting ‘Go, Seabiscuit. Run!” I’ve shown her some race footage but she is too young for the movie. She’ll read the book when she is older too.
Will Roger’s autobiography is one of my favs.
Apollo 13
Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam Jr. They call it October Sky now because of the wonderful movie made from the first of the four stories he tells.
I agree – Rocket Boys was an astonishingly great read. I think every kid (and most adults) should have the chance to be inspired by it!
Fates and Traitors, Benjamin Franklin’s Bastard, Mrs. Grant and Miss Jule
Same Kind of Different as Me by Denver Moore and Ron Hall
I loved this book!
The Corfu Trilogy
Interlibrary loan? My library has 2 of the 3. Which reminds me, I need to suggest that they buy the other one.
These are hard to find!
@Alissa they have them on amazon
I also would recommend Same Kind of Different as Me
A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley. It was the book that inspired the movie Lion. Not the best writing, but an amazing story.
Great post.
Boys in the Boat.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
An Hour Before Daylight by Jimmy Carter
The Day the World Came to Town
A good time for this one!
The “Charm Bracelet”, “The Hope Chest”, “The Recipe Box” all by Viola Shipman. Based on her (his – its a nom de plume) memories of growing up with his grandmothers. Lovely!
Love these too.
Surviving my assassin.
Same Kind of Different As Me.
Wild
Rocket Boys, by Homer Hickam (Hickham? I always get it wrong)
This is a true story and so good!
Malala’s autobiography.
Following. I need to add these to my tbr list!
October Sky
Wonder
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
Happy?
@Maryann – depends on your view of then end result for the Lacks family.
Abuse of power by healthcare
SEABISCUIT
The Boys In the @Boat
The boys in the boat
Anything by Peter Mayle.
Dreamers of the Day
Great book
I just finished A Fall of Marigolds. It was amazing!
Should read THE RADIUM GIRLS. IMPORTANT READloved a walk in the woods. Pretty big undertaki g. Surprised wife came at times.
84 Charing Cross Road
Well, with all the comments on it I’m going to have to read ‘Boys in the Boat.’
I was on a crew team for a couple years. And learned quickly that 2 seconds of daydreaming = an oar end in your gut.
I don’t usually read non-fiction but this was highly recommended. It is a compelling story and I loved it.
Just bought this for my very old coxswain from Miami. ?
The boys in the boat by Daniel James Brown
following
Seabiscuit!
The boys in the boat. About an American rowing team that won gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Anguished English by Richard Lederer — a compilation of actual mistakes people have made with the English language. It’s organized in chapters like: school , court documents and trials, insurance claims, etc. It had me howling with laughter. One of the school mistakes came from my classroom.
The James Herriot books.
Those are soooo sweet, that I just started rereading them because I need a breath of fresh air.
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth was a fun read.
The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Grigsby Doss was another good one.
Warriors Don’t Cry- inspirational, not all “happy”
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Such a good story about Louis Zamperini.
And her “Seabiscuit”, as well.
The Magnolia Story–about Chip and Joanna Gaines
Angels by Billy Graham
Same Kind of Different as Me
Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. Inspiring and interesting.
I thought this was about novels?
That’s how I approached it, too.
So few happy books.the only one I can think of is the one set in Tuscany, was made into a movie with Diane Lane?
I read The Women in the Castle
Seabiscuit by Laura Hilderbrand is one of my favorites. You just fall in love with that horse’s personality. Great story. ???
Boys in the boat
Good book!
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd. Set in South Carolina. The main character, Eliza Lucas is
Eliza Lycas is well known in South Carolina’s history . The book is based on true events.
Eliza Lucas – – Not Lycas. Having trouble posting on my phone.
I laughed out loud to Tina Fey’s Bossy Pants & anything by Nora Ephron
I Feel Bad About My Neck.?
I don’t know if “Desert Solitaire” by Edward Abby can qualify as fun. It is humorous and a good read.
The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor
Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet was fun
The Day the World Came To Town. I just finished it today. Highly recommend.
Really good!
I Had our book club read this a couple years ago. Hard to believe all this went on and not too many people even knew it was happening
An invisible Thread by Laura Schroff
I love Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, and also (a children’s book)Millie and the Macy’s Parade.
The Indigo Girl, by Natasha Boyd. It’s set in Charleston, S.C. . The main character, Eliza Lucas, was a real person and is a well-known to people interested in the history of South Carolina. It includes letters written by Eliza and to Eliza. A good example of accomplishments of a strong woman.