Feel-Good Books Part 2: Friends, Faith, Fun, And A Little Romance

From the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach:

July 21, 2020

by Tina

In the previous edition of Feel-Good Books, we focused on books that dealt with rising to a challenge in some way. This time, we’re going to cover some titles that are a bit more obviously feel-good, or maybe a bit escapist. Do remember that a funny book or a diverting book can still have something important to say.

Faith recommends Have Dog Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey by Stephen Kuusisto. The dog in question really is man’s best friend, as she is this blind poet’s guide dog. Faith says that this is a “great book that made me laugh and cry my eyes out. Kuusisto’s writing style is so lyrical that it almost reads like poetry.”

I really enjoyed The Lido by Libby Page. Cub reporter Kate is sent to cover the closing of a public pool (called a lido in the UK). She becomes friends with Rosemary, who has used the lido over eight decades. An unlikely friendship forms, and the two women begin to organize against the powers that be. A delightful portrayal of the importance of community.

I have to admit that I am attracted to any book with “Paris” in the title. Janice’s pick is One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan. Two women, one young and one middle-aged, find themselves living over a bookstore in Paris…another unlikely friendship and a great place for new adventures. I’m ready to go as soon as we can travel.

What is more evocative of male friendship than the road trip? Okay, in this case it’s a trail, and a pretty bumpy one, too. Theresa recommends the “hilarious” A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, in which two old college buddies hike the Appalachian Trail. “Definitely a ‘laugh out loud’ book!”

Antoinette enjoys faith-based fiction and recommends The O’Malley series by Dee Henderson which features seven siblings in high risk professions. She describes them as suspenseful, but with a feel-good message. Antoinette shared these books with her mom. It’s a wonderful thing to share books with the right person. She is also a big fan of Tracie Peterson’s books.

Speaking of family, Sophie recommends To All the Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han: “Seeing Lara Jean deal with her love letters being sent out is hilarious, but what I really loved were the heartwarming moments between her and her sisters.”

Tara recommends Fannie Flagg for feel-good reading, and I concur. She didn’t mention specific titles, so I will. In A Redbird Christmas, Oswald Campbell moves from Chicago to Alabama for his health. He encounters small town America and it turns out very well. Some of Flagg’s books are edgier, for example, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, also highly recommended.

Danielle suggested Hoot by Florida’s very own Carl Hiaasen as a feel-good book. This is a tween title with a young boy as the protagonist but has many of the Hiaasen trademarks: unlikely adventures, bad guys, alligators, and in this case, those adorable burrowing owls. (Hoot, get it?)

But would any list of feel-good books be complete without a little romance? Amris is a fan of Beach Read by Emily Henry. Why has no one ever called a book that before? Josie Silver calls it “a steamy, smart and perceptive romance.” Amris calls it adorable.

And we will close with a real classic. Sandra recommends Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. She loves this “story of two women marrying for love versus marrying for money” because it is “beautifully written and [has] a bit of humor. It’s a book to be read over and over again.” And finally, she loves it because of Mr. Darcy!

Happy Reading!

The Book Goddess

This press release was produced by the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.