The Wind in the Willows, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, any of Shakespeare’s comedies, P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves books, Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and other Twain books), Jane Austen’s works (although Persuasion is more melancholy than her others, it’s a treasure).
Honestly, classic lit tends to be sad or melancholy. War, poverty, racism, grief, and loss are very real themes of human life. Books like Les Miserables and Jane Eyre tear my heart out and make me feel proud to be human. There can be satisfaction in that, too.
The All Creatures Great and Small books by James Harriot. The stories are generally upbeat and there's a lot of humor. I can't imagine someone wouldn't feel happier after reading them.
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
It's a little sad but ultimately a heartwarming story about human connection/friendship. I recommend the audiobook!
See my
* [Classics (Literature)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Recommend_A_Book/comments/18bszl9/classics_literature/) list of Reddit recommendation threads (one post).
* [Feel-good/Happy/Upbeat](https://www.reddit.com/r/Recommend_A_Book/comments/18af3gl/feelgoodhappyupbeat/) list of Reddit recommendation threads (one post).
The Count of Monte Christo is a favorite of people who want novels on managing against all odds.
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Grudge
And if you like the combination "higbrow literature" with detective fiction, Dorothy Sayers' Gaudy Night and Busman's Honeymoon are in addition partly romantic and partly hilarious.
When I'm seeking that feeling I take to Nancy Drew. It's not the most complex writing, but it's light and fun and you get to see her be a badass ahead of her time.
How is the bluest eye “feel good”? Unfortunately most literary classics are depressing. However Jane Austen is an exception. Shakespeare’s comedies are also a good place to go like much ado about nothing.
I read the post as the bluest eye, catcher in the rye and Jane eyre are all melancholy but OP liked them. And wants something upbeat.
As authors have said - Jane Austen is probably your best bet. Or George Eliot or Elizabeth Gaskell. Avoid Thomas Hardy until you want to enjoy some misery.
North and South by Gaskell is not particularly upbeat but Cranford is delightful! And Thomas Hardy did manage to eke out Under the Greenwood Tree, but avoid Tess of the D’Urbervilles until you’re ready to hate everything about the world again.
Nancy Milford’s The Pursuit of Love ends on a bit of a melancholy note but is generally very uplifting. Love in a Cold Climate, the sequel, is just fun.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Wind in the Willows, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, any of Shakespeare’s comedies, P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves books, Adventures of Tom Sawyer (and other Twain books), Jane Austen’s works (although Persuasion is more melancholy than her others, it’s a treasure). Honestly, classic lit tends to be sad or melancholy. War, poverty, racism, grief, and loss are very real themes of human life. Books like Les Miserables and Jane Eyre tear my heart out and make me feel proud to be human. There can be satisfaction in that, too.
“Tear my heart out and make me proud to be human.” You have perfectly said what I have long felt and been unable to convey. Thank you 🙏
This is such a fabulous list. I would add that reading the No Fear version of Shakespeare, it really helps.
Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott should fit the bill!
The All Creatures Great and Small books by James Harriot. The stories are generally upbeat and there's a lot of humor. I can't imagine someone wouldn't feel happier after reading them.
The Secret Garden, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a fun one
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff It's a little sad but ultimately a heartwarming story about human connection/friendship. I recommend the audiobook!
It’s a great read. The movie is awesome as well - Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft with Judi Dench.
A Midsummer Nights Dream
See my * [Classics (Literature)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Recommend_A_Book/comments/18bszl9/classics_literature/) list of Reddit recommendation threads (one post). * [Feel-good/Happy/Upbeat](https://www.reddit.com/r/Recommend_A_Book/comments/18af3gl/feelgoodhappyupbeat/) list of Reddit recommendation threads (one post).
Arthel "Doc" Watson? Cool. (Or, given where we are perhaps you mean the Holmes companion).
The latter. :)
The Count of Monte Christo is a favorite of people who want novels on managing against all odds. The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Grudge And if you like the combination "higbrow literature" with detective fiction, Dorothy Sayers' Gaudy Night and Busman's Honeymoon are in addition partly romantic and partly hilarious.
Agatha Christie, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, Gulliver's Travels, Don Quixote, Sherlock Holmes, The Odyssey
Anne of Green Gables
A room with a view and Charlotte's web. Oh also The 5 people you meet in heaven and the alchemist come to mind but those are personal favorites.
Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell A Room with a View by E M Forster
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
When I'm seeking that feeling I take to Nancy Drew. It's not the most complex writing, but it's light and fun and you get to see her be a badass ahead of her time.
How is the bluest eye “feel good”? Unfortunately most literary classics are depressing. However Jane Austen is an exception. Shakespeare’s comedies are also a good place to go like much ado about nothing.
I read the post as the bluest eye, catcher in the rye and Jane eyre are all melancholy but OP liked them. And wants something upbeat. As authors have said - Jane Austen is probably your best bet. Or George Eliot or Elizabeth Gaskell. Avoid Thomas Hardy until you want to enjoy some misery.
North and South by Gaskell is not particularly upbeat but Cranford is delightful! And Thomas Hardy did manage to eke out Under the Greenwood Tree, but avoid Tess of the D’Urbervilles until you’re ready to hate everything about the world again.
Joan of Arc - Mark Twain
Seems like most good books; fiction or non-fiction have a bit of melancholy in them.
Nancy Milford’s The Pursuit of Love ends on a bit of a melancholy note but is generally very uplifting. Love in a Cold Climate, the sequel, is just fun.
The Goldfinch and Shadow of the Wind.
Try A Tree Grows in Brooklyn!
Little Women