5 Books to Cheer You Up, Guaranteed! - Happy book list
Books serve several purposes, one of which is to act as an escape from our day to day harsh realities. In search of joyous moments that take us away to meet quirky characters in faraway lands, here are five witty, romance-filled, light-hearted, happy books that will leave you with a big smile on your face.
1. The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
A blossoming romance that hits you unexpectedly is something we've all dreamt about at some point in our lives. The Flatshare picks up on this idea and places two young protagonists in a rather unusual setting, that of sharing an apartment and a bed. Tiffy occupies the flat during the night, and Leon, whose work keeps him out after sundown, uses it during the daytime. Beth O'Leary gives us a loveable, feel-good romantic comedy book, reminiscent of the movie You've Got Mail, since both Tiffy and Leon never meet, and communicate using Post-it notes. A delightful read, The Flatshare will charm your socks off with its novel approach towards finding love in the most unlikely of places, your own home.
2. One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B J Novak
B J Novak, it seems, can do no wrong. The brilliant actor-director debuts with a collection of enjoyable short tales in One More Thing, tackling universal emotions of love, fear, longing, and hope with overtones of humour thrown in for good measure. His stories, sometimes thought-provoking, and at other times a mirror to the absurdities of society will enchant you with their simplicity and in some cases leave you laughing out loud. Moreover, his candid style of writing and fun-loving attitude that oozes through the pages, make reading One More Thing exceedingly pleasurable.
3. The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith and Weedon Grossmith
This hilarious take on the life of a bank clerk in 1880s London is just the kind of book that can cheer you up after a hard day's work. The fictional diary chronicles the many amusing and mundane events that Charles Pooter, his wife Carrie, and son Lupin go through daily. The subtle humour comes from Pooter taking life a little too seriously and considering himself as all-important when, in reality, he is a "nobody." An entertaining and funny read some readers might find the Victorian setting a little vintage for their liking. However, dig deeper into the psyche of Mr Pooter, and you'll notice themes of fame and wanting to be seen pop up far too often, something we can all relate to in this social-media obsessed world.
4. Oh, The Places You'll Go! By Dr Seuss
It might seem a little juvenile, but sometimes a child-like approach to life can do wonders. The fun thing about any of Dr Seuss's books is that they are felicitous, irrespective of when and who, young or old, reads them. Oh, The Places You'll Go! was the last book by the author to be published during his lifetime, and is probably his most famous. Highly quotable, clever, and an inspirational book, its charm is in that the reader becomes the central character of the story, with the author pushing them to head on out on an adventure, and most importantly savour the bad times, for the good ones are always around the corner. Oozing with a spirit of hope and bliss, Oh, The Places You'll Go! is infectiously lyrical to the extent that you can re-read it often and take away something new from it every time.
5. Pure Drivel by Steve Martin
A comic actor par excellence, Steve Martin is a legend in Hollywood, having acted in numerous well-loved films over the years. Not many are aware that Martin is also a noteworthy playwright, screenwriter, and author of quite a few novels. Pure Drivel, though, is Steve Martin putting down his idiosyncratic nature on paper. The book is a collection of shorts, some new, and others that first appeared in the New Yorker. From the stomach achingly funny Dear Amanda to the sweet A Word from the Words, readers will find the absurdity of all that Martin has to share genuinely comical. Pure Drivel is a hilarious read, and undoubtedly a book that will cheer you up.
