By Camila Karalyte
After the chaos the world has faced these past few months, and with (hopefully) a well-deserved summer break on the way, picking up a feel-good book will ease the stress and anxiety that has fuelled us during these uncertain times. Whether you’re an avid reader, or fancy a new hobby, these books are perfect to unwind to and help lift your mood.
Quick and easy for non-readers
Sunrise, by Jessie Cave is a fantastic book for those of us who dread reading and feel nauseous at the sight of a thick book. Written by actress and doodler, Jessie Cave, Sunrise is a hilariously honest and uplifting story of Jessie’s life after a breakup, dealing with children and going back into the dating scene.
Her tales are relatable and will make anyone sympathise with her candid thoughts and feelings, remembering we’re all human. The oversharing builds a connection between her and the reader and you’ll love her for it.
Kindle version: Sunrise.
One for the romantics
The flatshare by Beth O’leary is a love story like no other. A tale of two roommates who have never met due to their opposite job schedules, but still share the same space. An unlikely romance blossoms after friendship- isn’t that what we all want?
Hard to imagine, yet relatable. Modern and heart-warming, you’ll be unable to put it down and you’ll be rooting for the characters.
Kindle version: The Flatshare.
Pulls at the heartstrings
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan is a story of a man who was once an author, trying to return the lost objects he had collected to their rightful owners. As he nears the end of his life, he puts his trust in his assistant to fulfil his good deed and with that her life develops a new purpose, especially after going through some hardships herself.
A combination of tearful and amusing, this novel’s charm connects with the reader. Perfect for a roller-coaster of emotions that will leave you feeling content.
Kindle version: The Keeper of Lost Things.
If novels aren’t your thing
If you’re not into reading fiction or fancy something different, poetry helps with winding down and de-stressing. It often sheds different perspectives on subjects and can really help enlighten you. The peace of wild things and other poems by Wendell Berry is a collection of poems that make you stop focusing on the busy aspects of life and appreciate the beauty of nature around us. The collection is filled with varied themes including death, love and friendship, and you’re bound to develop a personal favourite.
Another collection is Chris Riddell’s, Poems to Fall in Love With, which features a huge selection of Chris’ favourites, including some by notable poets, Carol Ann Duffy and Shakespeare. It’s a perfect collection due to its variation of old and more modern poems, covering different themes and subjects so you’ll always find something to suit your mood.
Kindle version:
Laugh-out-loud relatable
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman is a humorous, yet emotional story of a 29-year-old dealing with her social anxiety and relatively lonely, mundane life. Her story unfolds along with her mental health and non-existent social and love life.
Poignant and hilarious at the same time, you’ll see yourself in Eleanor’s character and recognise that we all share the same awkward experiences in life.
Kindle version: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Reading is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures and anyone can enjoy it. There are so many genres of print, so you will inevitably find something to your taste, from poetry to autobiographies. Whether it’s a rom-com storyline or a gritty thriller, read whatever brings you joy and transport yourself into the twists and turns of any plot.
Camila Karalyte
Camila is a recent graduate in English literature and creative writing. A lover of books and music, with a passion for writing.
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