Best Light-Hearted Books
22 Best Light-Hearted Books
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Reading light-hearted books can be a great way to brighten your day, put you in a good mood, and provide an escape from reality. Whether you are feeling down, stressed out, or just need a break from your daily routine, picking up a light-hearted book can be just what you need to lift your spirits.
One of the great things about light-hearted books is that they are often easy to read and don't require a lot of effort or concentration. This can be especially helpful if you are feeling tired or overwhelmed and don't have the energy to focus on a more complex or serious book. Light-hearted books are often filled with humor, quirky characters, and fun plot twists that can keep you engaged and entertained from start to finish.
Another benefit of reading light-hearted books is that they can provide a much-needed escape from reality. Whether you are dealing with personal problems, work-related stress, or just the chaos of everyday life, getting lost in a good book can be a great way to forget your troubles for a while. Light-hearted books often feature idyllic settings, charming characters, and happy endings that can transport you to a more pleasant and carefree world.
Reading light-hearted books can also be a great way to improve your mood and overall sense of well-being. Studies have shown that reading can help reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and even increase empathy and social skills. When you read a light-hearted book, you may find yourself laughing out loud, feeling a sense of joy and pleasure, and experiencing a general sense of upliftment.
Of course, not all light-hearted books are created equal, and it is important to choose books that are well-written, engaging, and enjoyable to read. Some popular examples of light-hearted books include romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, and humorous memoirs. It is also important to choose books that are appropriate for your reading level and personal interests, as this will help ensure that you stay engaged and motivated throughout the reading process.
In conclusion, reading light-hearted books can be a great way to brighten your day, put you in a good mood, and provide an escape from reality. Whether you are looking for a break from the stresses of daily life or simply want to enjoy a good story, picking up a light-hearted book can be a great way to relax, unwind, and have some fun. So why not give it a try and see how it can improve your mood and overall sense of well-being?
“[What book character would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?]
Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding. He’d be very practical and calm and handle the whole situation like a champ, but of course he’d also be very aloof and wouldn’t make any real attempts to comfort me or anything, which I think would really annoy me. And then once I was annoyed I’d probably become pretty annoying myself, if I’m being honest. And once he was annoyed we’d start bickering and exchanging witty insults back and forth, but we’d inevitably find a way to form an unlikely emotional connection while in crisis mode. Then we’d be rescued and go our separate ways, but of course that wouldn’t be the end of the story.
”
Read my full interview with Bethany Turner.
"Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding
a humorous take on the life of a single, 30-something woman living in London.
“[What book character would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?]
Ford Prefect from Douglas Adams’s Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, for two reasons: 1) he’d almost certainly have alcohol, and 2) he would likely improvise a surprising way out involving a towel.”
Read my full interview with Catriona Silvey.
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams
a science fiction comedy following the misadventures of an unwitting human and his alien friend.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Bernadette Fox, from Maria Semple’s novel, Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Bernadette’s quirky otherness and outrage with indifference to ‘the-way-things-are’ resonate with me. She feels like my tribe. I think we’d roll our eyes about the state of the universe and hold each other’s hands as we got sick going through the Drake Passage together. ”
Read my full interview with Judith Jackson-Pomeroy.
"Where'd You Go, Bernadette" by Maria Semple
a quirky novel told through emails, letters, and other forms of communication about a woman who disappears and the search for her that ensues.
"The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion
a romantic comedy about a man with Asperger's syndrome who sets out on a quest to find his perfect mate.
"Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
a collection of humorous essays about the author's life experiences.
“[What book character would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?]
Westley from The Princess Bride by William Goldman, because then he’d get me out of it.”
Read my full interview with Monica Byrne.
"The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
a fairy tale adventure about a farmhand named Westley who sets out to rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup.
“[What book character would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?]
If I had to be stuck in an elevator, I definitely would want to be accompanied by someone with the power to teleport us to safety. Of course, I’d also want them to be interesting and fun, just in case there were any delays. I’m thinking of Aziraphale and Crowley from “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Terry Pritchett and Neil Gaiman. If one’s going to be stuck in an elevator with anyone, it might as well be exciting, entertaining and easy to escape.”
Read my full interview with Rudy Ruiz.
"Good Omens" by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
a comedic take on the apocalypse, featuring an angel, a demon, and a young boy who may be the Antichrist.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
When I think of my best friends, they are people who are authentically themselves and are funny. Because of that, I think maybe if Gail Honeyman’s character Eleanor Oliphant and I managed to find each other, we could be friends.”
Read my full interview with Emily Austin.
"Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" by Gail Honeyman
a heartwarming novel about a socially awkward woman who learns to open up and make connections with others.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Probably Adrian Mole (from Sue Townsend’s ‘Diary of Adrian Mole’ series) or the unnamed narrator from Flann O’Brien’s ‘At Swim-Two-Birds’. Both are quite similar to how I was as a teenager: scruffy, anxious over-thinkers with lofty literary aspirations...”
Read my full interview with Tom Ellen.
"The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4" by Sue Townsend
a funny and relatable coming-of-age story about a British teenager in the 1980s.
"Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by Mindy Kaling
a memoir by the comedian and actress about her life and career.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Tina Fey. “Bossypants” by Tina Fey. I’d love to talk to Tina about how empowering it is to be bossy. And, of course, I would envision her making me laugh until I wet my pants.”
Read my full interview with Denise Larson.
"Bossypants" by Tina Fey
another memoir by a comedian and actress, this one detailing Tina Fey's rise to fame.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde
a classic comedy of manners about two men who pretend to be someone they're not in order to woo the women they love.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Ove from A Man Called Ove (Fredric Bachman) - if only because I imagine that’s how I’ll be later in life and people like that still need friends!”
Read my full interview with Christopher Parker.
"A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman
a heartwarming novel about a grumpy old man who learns to love and be loved.
"The Sisters Brothers" by Patrick deWitt
a darkly funny Western about two brothers who are hired to kill a prospector during the California Gold Rush.
"The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin
a heartwarming novel about a widowed bookstore owner who learns to open up and love again.
"My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durrell
a memoir about the author's childhood on the Greek island of Corfu, filled with anecdotes about the various animals he encountered.
"Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome
a comedic novel about three friends who take a boat trip down the Thames River.
"The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared" by Jonas Jonasson
a humorous novel about a centenarian who escapes from his nursing home and goes on a wild adventure.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Alex Claremont-Diaz from RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston. He’s smart, funny, loyal, and if I didn’t already love him from the first chapter, the turkey scene would have sealed the deal for me. (Seriously, if you haven’t read this book, it’s worth it for the turkey scene alone.)”
Read my full interview with Megan Collins.
"Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston
tells the story of Prince Henry falling in love with the First Son of the United States. This book is perfect for anyone looking for a fun and light-hearted read that will make you laugh out loud. It's no wonder why it's often included in book club reading lists.
"The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett
a novella about Queen Elizabeth II discovering a love for reading and the challenges that come with it.
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
a novel told through letters about a writer who becomes fascinated with the inhabitants of a small island in the English Channel during World War II.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Mma Precious Ramotswe from The No1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. She is such a great character bursting with charm, wit and wisdom. I’d ask about her latest case while we waited for the elevator to be repaired. ”
Read my full interview with Janice Hallett.
"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith
a series of cozy mysteries set in Botswana, featuring the first female detective in the country.
Reading light-hearted books can really boost your mood and make you feel good. When you're in need of a pick-me-up, there's nothing quite like diving into a love story or a humorous tale. If you're not in the mood for a novel, there are plenty of other lighthearted and funny books to read, so go ahead and add some fun books to your reading list. And if you're short on time, consider listening to the audiobook version while you go about your day.
