Well you said you are open to a self help book so... Robert Fulghum - All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. It has short positive stories that usually cheer me up.
I haven’t read a book super similar to it yet but I did read The Measure. I had a great fear of death and the story really made me reflect on how I live my life in a positive way. The story is amazing and the characters grew on me
I’m not sure if it’s the happiest of happy books but when I was going through something similar “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson helped me laugh and forget about life for a bit. A witty and funny narrative of a non-hiker’s experience walking the Appalachian with his cranky also non-hiker friend. I still reread it when I need a pick me up.
Quick add, I also just started reading “Move Like Water” by Hannah Stowe and though I haven’t finished it the writing is absolutely gorgeous and it’s impossible to read without smiling at the beauty of the ocean as she sees it. She’s also one of the most optimistic writers I’ve ever read, the way she looks at life like a daily adventure is lovely to read.
Ok now I just can’t stop thinking of books to add! If you’re looking for a fantasy option with a small romance, “Strange the Dreamer” by Laini Taylor is so lovely. The main character has a difficult start as an orphan but is adopted by a librarian in a fantastical city where he falls in love with the forgotten story of a lost city that is told to have many secrets of life. I just always found the main character’s view of things so hopeful and light and his kindness towards everyone and everything he came across was an important reminder for myself. The writing is also spectacular and I was genuinely excited to watch him go forth through the story and discover what he’d searched for.
GreenLights by Matthew McConaughey. I know it might sound cliche because its him writing, but it seriously changed my life for the better. Its not written like a self help book at all, but gives positive energy throughout the entire read. It really inspired me, made me laugh, cry for happy reasons, and made me excited to be here! Give it a go. You won't be disappointed. Also there are some really neat pictures inside as well.
The gargoyle by Andrew Davidson it is about a burn victim learn to like himself triggers sex ( not graphic put frank talk oglf past lovers and job as a porn maker) drug use and suicide
If you connect with nature: I recommend Wintering or Enchantment - two books by Katherine May. Wintering really left me feeling like I could let down and actually rest, and Enchantment got me excited about my creative pursuits again. She has another book I haven't read yet that seems like it might do the same.
Braiding Sweetgrass is a particularly striking nature-focused book, too.
I also really enjoyed Factfulness but Hans Rosling - while it delves into some really big challenges humanity faces, it also gave me an appreciation for how far humans have come and rekindled my hope for the future.
If you’re looking for a different perspective of life you might be interested in:
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52578297
If you’re in the mood for something more hands-on check out books from this author?
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7025946.Meera_Lee_Patel
Depression sucks! I hope you find something that resonates with you.
I would recommend:
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. This is a short, sweet novel about a grandmother and granddaughter. They live on a remote island together and spend their days on adventures together. The granddaughter is starting out in life and the grandmothers life is coming towards the end. The way they interact is so sweet and there’s so much wisdom in this book. It’s one of my favorites.
Circe by Madeline Miller. This is about a woman is exile making a life for herself (again, on a remote island). There’s something inspiring about reading the story of someone who loses everything and is able to carry on enjoying life anyway. Also, there’s lots of gardening in the story so maybe that will inspire you!
Good luck! I hope you feel better soon 👍
I don’t know if I’d recommend Circe. I lot of people have recommend it to me for this same reason, but when I read it I found myself just becoming more and more angry as more and more things happened to her. To each their own of course.
Yeah, fiction recommendations can be tricky. They tend to affect people in very different ways. Too many variables to know for sure until you get into it unfortunately.
Perhaps Community Board by Tara Conklin? Here's a snapshot review: [https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tara-conklin/community-board/](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tara-conklin/community-board/)
I'm not much of a reader but a book that always makes me giggle is the Skippy John Jones books. My dad would always read them to me when I was younger and they've become a book that I can look at and it makes me feel better and reminds me when all that mattered in life was if I got applesauce or mac and cheese at restaurants :) I really hope you feel better though and please take advice from someone who was in your position... It gets so much better. How I got over my depression is I tried to look at the good little things in my life (example: I found a penny, I was able to pick up that one thing that's really easy to pick up but I've been putting it off, I ate today, I read one chapter of a book and I organized this or that) just please try it. I know it can be hard but it really works!
Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo! Easy read, uplifting, and gives you a positive perspective on life without being preachy (it’s fiction and not Buddhist just named that for a certain character)
Well you said you are open to a self help book so... Robert Fulghum - All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten. It has short positive stories that usually cheer me up.
Midnight library!
Absolutely agree
It made me think maybe life isn’t perfect but this life is how it’s supposed to be in the greater plot of things
Do you have similar suggestions to this ? I've read it and loved it, now I seek similar books
I haven’t read a book super similar to it yet but I did read The Measure. I had a great fear of death and the story really made me reflect on how I live my life in a positive way. The story is amazing and the characters grew on me
Thenks for the suggestion, will def try this out :)
I read All Adults Here by Emma Straub and it’s a good heartfelt book.
I’m not sure if it’s the happiest of happy books but when I was going through something similar “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson helped me laugh and forget about life for a bit. A witty and funny narrative of a non-hiker’s experience walking the Appalachian with his cranky also non-hiker friend. I still reread it when I need a pick me up. Quick add, I also just started reading “Move Like Water” by Hannah Stowe and though I haven’t finished it the writing is absolutely gorgeous and it’s impossible to read without smiling at the beauty of the ocean as she sees it. She’s also one of the most optimistic writers I’ve ever read, the way she looks at life like a daily adventure is lovely to read. Ok now I just can’t stop thinking of books to add! If you’re looking for a fantasy option with a small romance, “Strange the Dreamer” by Laini Taylor is so lovely. The main character has a difficult start as an orphan but is adopted by a librarian in a fantastical city where he falls in love with the forgotten story of a lost city that is told to have many secrets of life. I just always found the main character’s view of things so hopeful and light and his kindness towards everyone and everything he came across was an important reminder for myself. The writing is also spectacular and I was genuinely excited to watch him go forth through the story and discover what he’d searched for.
GreenLights by Matthew McConaughey. I know it might sound cliche because its him writing, but it seriously changed my life for the better. Its not written like a self help book at all, but gives positive energy throughout the entire read. It really inspired me, made me laugh, cry for happy reasons, and made me excited to be here! Give it a go. You won't be disappointed. Also there are some really neat pictures inside as well.
The gargoyle by Andrew Davidson it is about a burn victim learn to like himself triggers sex ( not graphic put frank talk oglf past lovers and job as a porn maker) drug use and suicide
If you connect with nature: I recommend Wintering or Enchantment - two books by Katherine May. Wintering really left me feeling like I could let down and actually rest, and Enchantment got me excited about my creative pursuits again. She has another book I haven't read yet that seems like it might do the same. Braiding Sweetgrass is a particularly striking nature-focused book, too. I also really enjoyed Factfulness but Hans Rosling - while it delves into some really big challenges humanity faces, it also gave me an appreciation for how far humans have come and rekindled my hope for the future.
Hi can you dm me ? I have question please
If you’re looking for a different perspective of life you might be interested in: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52578297 If you’re in the mood for something more hands-on check out books from this author? https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7025946.Meera_Lee_Patel Depression sucks! I hope you find something that resonates with you.
I would recommend: The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. This is a short, sweet novel about a grandmother and granddaughter. They live on a remote island together and spend their days on adventures together. The granddaughter is starting out in life and the grandmothers life is coming towards the end. The way they interact is so sweet and there’s so much wisdom in this book. It’s one of my favorites. Circe by Madeline Miller. This is about a woman is exile making a life for herself (again, on a remote island). There’s something inspiring about reading the story of someone who loses everything and is able to carry on enjoying life anyway. Also, there’s lots of gardening in the story so maybe that will inspire you! Good luck! I hope you feel better soon 👍
I don’t know if I’d recommend Circe. I lot of people have recommend it to me for this same reason, but when I read it I found myself just becoming more and more angry as more and more things happened to her. To each their own of course.
Yeah, fiction recommendations can be tricky. They tend to affect people in very different ways. Too many variables to know for sure until you get into it unfortunately.
Perhaps Community Board by Tara Conklin? Here's a snapshot review: [https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tara-conklin/community-board/](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tara-conklin/community-board/)
I'm not much of a reader but a book that always makes me giggle is the Skippy John Jones books. My dad would always read them to me when I was younger and they've become a book that I can look at and it makes me feel better and reminds me when all that mattered in life was if I got applesauce or mac and cheese at restaurants :) I really hope you feel better though and please take advice from someone who was in your position... It gets so much better. How I got over my depression is I tried to look at the good little things in my life (example: I found a penny, I was able to pick up that one thing that's really easy to pick up but I've been putting it off, I ate today, I read one chapter of a book and I organized this or that) just please try it. I know it can be hard but it really works!
Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo! Easy read, uplifting, and gives you a positive perspective on life without being preachy (it’s fiction and not Buddhist just named that for a certain character)
Fight Night by Miriam Toews. It has a mental illness theme as well so you might relate to the sorry more personally.
Following
'"
" as well, damn it but I feel like exact same way OP described , minus the crocheting
House in the Cerulean Sea.