I don’t know about you guys, but I’m slowly losing my mind and descending into madness. I’ve had bad news after bad news recently, and I can’t even take out my frustration on the bookstore because they’re all closed! So instead, I decided to compile a list of lighthearted books to read during this heavyhearted time.
Okay so I hate saying that some books require less thinking than others, but if we’re really honest with ourselves it’s true. Lighthearted books are just way easier to read than epic fantasies and hardcore science fiction.
This list of lighthearted books consists of some that I’ve read, some that I’ve not, and some that I want to read eventually. But all of them are low on angst and difficulty, and high on feel-good and humor!
An Offer You Can’t Refuse – Jill Mansell
Before I got sucked into worlds of dragons and epic space battles, I loved to read chicklits. I read this particular book on vacation in Portugal in… 2009? A long ass time ago, that’s for sure. I read it in Dutch, but I remember really enjoying this book.
Our main character Lola gets offered $10,000 from her boyfriend’s mom to break up with him. She takes the money, because she can use it to help someone very dear to her. Unfortunately, no one else can know about her secret, least of all her (ex) boyfriend. Until ten years later they meat again. Lola still likes him a lot, but Doug (that’s his name) unsurprisingly is a little upset. The rest of the book chronicles Lola’s attempts to win Doug back for herself.
The Kiss Quotient – Helen Hoang
I haven’t read this book yet, even though it’s on my shelves. I think a lot of you might actually have already read it. The book follows Stella, who works with algorithms and ends up with more money than she really needs, but also hardly any experience in the dating department. Until she hires escort Michael Phan, that is…
This book seems both heartwarming and funny, so I’m planning to pick it up one day soon. It’s also an own voices novel and has autism rep! Obviously I don’t know how realistic the rep is, but considering the author was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, so I think it’s safe to say it is.
The Shopaholic Books – Sophie Kinsella
Honestly these books are the best if you need something lighthearted and funny. Confessions of a Shopaholic is the first book in this series. Becky Bloomwood leads a trendy life. Not that she can afford it. Her job writing for Successful Saving Magazine doesn’t pay that much. Her only consolation is to buy herself a little something each time she gets another angry letter from the bank (which honestly is relatable). Until she gets the chance to write an article she’s truly passionate about, which starts a whole chain of events…
I honestly don’t remember a lot about this book, but I’ve read a few of the other books! Albeit out of order… Either way, they’re super fun!
Crazy Rich Asians – Kevin Kwan
Another book I haven’t read yet, but I really want to! Especially since the movie looks so fun, too. Also, I loved what I’ve heard of the soundtrack.
Anyway, Rachel Chu, American Born Chinese, thinks that spending the summer with her boyfriend Nick’s family in Singapore means a relaxing stay, and long drives around the island. Unfortunately that is definitely not the case. Nick turns out to be Asia’s most eligible bachelor, and his family turns out to be super, stupidly rich. Not to mention that Nick’s mom definitely has some opinions on who her son should – or shouldn’t – marry.
Hopefully I’ll be able to pick this book up soon! It sounds so fun.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse – Charlie Mackesy
I’m not going to tell you too much about this book. It’s different from all the others on this list in that it actually forces you to reflect on life. Full of illustrations drawn by the author himself, this book is chock full with uplifting life lessons (and cake). It’s just plain adorable.
Funny story;
This book was the book of the year at both Barnes & Noble and Waterstones UK. When I still worked at B&N, we had a little competition going on to see which store could sell out first. I don’t know who won in the end, but my store manager bought me a drink from the cafe twice because I sold so many.
I’m going to leave it here for now. Obviously there are many more lighthearted books around, so maybe I’ll make a part two one day! I feel like this list could also use a little Jenny Han and Christina Lauren…
What are your favorite lighthearted books?
Cover image by Jenny Caywood via Unsplash
