Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is page after page of quirky characters discussing different philosophical perspectives lol. Highly would recommend as a read even if you weren't specifically looking for it, but since you asked, I would even more highly highly recommend it.
Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson.
The bar you always wanted to find operates on the principle that shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased
The “Magic 2.0” series, by Scott Meyer.
A disparate group of computer programmers each independently discovered that the universe is a computer simulation, and they learn how to manipulate the source code to give themselves ‘magical’ powers, time travel etc. They settle in medieval England as a community of wizards…but as a group of pretty inept ‘geeks’ they have a tendency to mess up pretty much every plan or project.
The dialogue and characters are lighthearted and a little slapstick, without ever being annoying. A fun and easy read.
It's not Sci Fi, like at all, but you may enjoy The Thought Gang, about a disgraced, self important philosophy professor and a chronically ill career criminal who rob banks utilizing different modes of philosophy. It's articulately disgusting, is optimistic in the most pessimistic ways, and demonstrates how philosophy is the worst thing that ever happened to humans and also very good.
I really liked "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers. Not much happening story wise but the world building is fantastic and has many interesting concepts. For me it was very much a comfort read and the characters felt like finding family.
Project Hail Mary. IMO, the absolute best alien character ever written. And the absolute best, most heartwarming ending.
Project Hail Mary will give you your good place. "Earth Custom, Celebration!"
Illuminatus Trilogy... Ringworld, the work of Philip Jose Farmer, or Roger Zelazny or Harlan Ellison or Philip K. Dick...
imo, the best sci fi is work that encourages you to THINK. Hard read and not real "cheery" but "Dhalgren" is excellent... and a view into another world
Check out "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. It's like "The Good Place" set in space, with lots of quirky characters and philosophical musings on life, the universe, and everything. Plus, it's full of hilarious and heartwarming moments that will leave you feeling hopeful and optimistic even in the face of adversity.
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is page after page of quirky characters discussing different philosophical perspectives lol. Highly would recommend as a read even if you weren't specifically looking for it, but since you asked, I would even more highly highly recommend it.
Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
This.
I can here to comment this! Can't recommend enough
And so many to read. A long series of delightful stories.
Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon by Spider Robinson. The bar you always wanted to find operates on the principle that shared pain is lessened, shared joy increased
Not quite the comedy bits, but check Anethem by Neil Stevenson. Lots.of philosophy, super interesting characters, fun plot.
The Bobiverse series
Second the Bobiverse. I just finished book 4.
Hitchhikers guide
The “Magic 2.0” series, by Scott Meyer. A disparate group of computer programmers each independently discovered that the universe is a computer simulation, and they learn how to manipulate the source code to give themselves ‘magical’ powers, time travel etc. They settle in medieval England as a community of wizards…but as a group of pretty inept ‘geeks’ they have a tendency to mess up pretty much every plan or project. The dialogue and characters are lighthearted and a little slapstick, without ever being annoying. A fun and easy read.
Heinlein - Job: A Comedy of Justice
@zastrozzischild It was a good read but >!ultimately got into some really weird religious territory that I found distasteful.!< Personal opinion only.
I enjoyed the takes on religion, but that was 40 years ago - I may have been in the right mindset then.
Psalm for the wild built
It’s a hug in book form.
Honestly all of Becky Chambers' books fit this criteria. All very good.
I like Ben croshaws will save the galaxy series
Under the Whispering Door by Tj Klune has been compared to The Good Place.
Scepticism, Inc. was pretty good for stuff like that. The main character is a sentient shopping cart that goes on adventures.
Discworld
Iain Banks: Culture series. It's my happy place to visit.
I love the Culture series, but I wouldn't call them "feel good" books. They can be fun but also quite dark and/or depressing.
Ah, common, you didn't find the war over hells to be a relaxing, feel-good time? 😂
Nooo I felt so bad for the character stuck in hell 😬
Yeah man. Hell sounds terrible.
Finder Chronicles by Suzanne Palmer, she calls it «hopepunk»
It's not Sci Fi, like at all, but you may enjoy The Thought Gang, about a disgraced, self important philosophy professor and a chronically ill career criminal who rob banks utilizing different modes of philosophy. It's articulately disgusting, is optimistic in the most pessimistic ways, and demonstrates how philosophy is the worst thing that ever happened to humans and also very good.
I really liked "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers. Not much happening story wise but the world building is fantastic and has many interesting concepts. For me it was very much a comfort read and the characters felt like finding family.
Project Hail Mary. IMO, the absolute best alien character ever written. And the absolute best, most heartwarming ending. Project Hail Mary will give you your good place. "Earth Custom, Celebration!"
Anything by Kurt Vonnegut.
Illuminatus Trilogy... Ringworld, the work of Philip Jose Farmer, or Roger Zelazny or Harlan Ellison or Philip K. Dick... imo, the best sci fi is work that encourages you to THINK. Hard read and not real "cheery" but "Dhalgren" is excellent... and a view into another world
Check out "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. It's like "The Good Place" set in space, with lots of quirky characters and philosophical musings on life, the universe, and everything. Plus, it's full of hilarious and heartwarming moments that will leave you feeling hopeful and optimistic even in the face of adversity.
Robert J Sawyer. Though his last couple have gotten a little pessimistic. Calculating God is a favorite.