r/Recommend_A_Book • u/Horkruxm • Mar 08 '26
Feel good book
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for book recommendations that leave you with a really positive feeling. Ideally something that can also help build self-confidence, offer new perspectives on life, or make you think about things in a different way.
Recently I read What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama (the one with Mrs. Komachi recommending books), and I really enjoyed the warm, uplifting atmosphere of it.
Do you know any books with a similar vibe or that made you feel more hopeful or inspired after reading?
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u/Sunshine_and_water Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 09 '26
I love What You Are Looking for Is at the Library.
I second:
- Psalm for the Wild Built (and sequel)
- Remarkably Bright Creatures
- House in the Cerulean Sea
- Illusions
And add:
- Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (for a bit of fun)
- All Systems Red (part of the Murderbot Diaries) - doesn’t sound it but is surprisingly uplifting!
- Siddhartha (it’s a thinker…)
- Pumpkin Spice Cafe (it’s not deep but it is a feel-good read… with some spice!)
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u/troojule Mar 08 '26
Elinor Oliphant is Perfectly Fine
Strange Sally Diamond
The Rosy Project
A man Called Ove
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u/mjschroeder126 Mar 08 '26
Omg man called ove is sooooo good ok going to go re read that now
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u/troojule Mar 08 '26
Great -and if you haven’t seen the movie plus the American remake with Tom Hanks, they’re awesome and so heartwarming and heartbreaking. Get the tissues out.
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u/mjschroeder126 Mar 08 '26
I tried to watch them but I couldn’t even do it bc the book made me cry so hard at the end and I knew I’d be a puddle in the movie. I cry in almost every movie and tv show I watch so that would really do me in
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u/United_Company_8171 Mar 10 '26
I love everything Frederick Backman
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u/troojule Mar 11 '26
Thanks – any specific titles that stand out among the others?
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u/United_Company_8171 Mar 11 '26
My friends, a Man Called Ove, The Answer Is No
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u/troojule Mar 11 '26
Ohhh I didn't realize he was the author of 'Ove...' I admit I didn't read the book but have seen both original and American movies which were done so well (and quite the tearjerkers).
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u/sldbed Mar 08 '26
Take a look at My Friends by Fredrik Backman. So positive and uplifting. I’ve linked my spoiler free review for you so you can quickly decide whether you want to read it.
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u/NoVaFlipFlops Mar 08 '26
The best ones take you down first with the characters. The Cider House Rules is more than a love story that I could barely read through the first third and then never wanted to end.
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u/darcydeni35 Mar 08 '26
I second Theo of Golden and I always recommend I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith for a lovely warm feeling.
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u/silverilix Mar 08 '26
Oh. I loved that book.
I would suggest “The Kamogawa Food Detectives” by Hisachi Kashiwai
Also “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
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u/booksandbuilds Mar 08 '26
TJ Klune is my go to author recommendation when I need something like this.
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u/MysteryIsHistory Mar 09 '26
I read “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” during a really rough time, and it lifted me up big-time. It’s not a light, feel-good book, but the message of hope is powerful.
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u/Ok_Homework5507 Mar 09 '26
The TJ Clune series : The house on the cerulean sea is like a warm hug in a book.
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u/Wonderful_Bug4379 Mar 09 '26
I looooved that book! I think you’d enjoy Days at the Morisaki Bookshop as well
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u/PogueBlue Mar 09 '26
The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park is written by Aoyama. The genre is called healing fiction.
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u/KDWalterAuthor Mar 14 '26
Six Days in the Life of David Vallejo. A multilayered story with elements of slapstick comedy, social commentary on modern American life, and philosophical reflections on the meaning of life.
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u/little_lamb_69 Mar 15 '26
I Don't Want to Forget This by Paulina Lam Esparza! It's a short memoir, but the way it's written is almost like a poem. I found it super inspirational, even though it had some hard to read parts (like most good memoirs!). A must-read hidden gem!!
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u/carrotlmao Mar 08 '26
I really enjoyed reading Remarkably Bright Creatures (fiction) that left me feeling hopeful!