Feel-Good Books: 15 Uplifting Reads That Leave You Smiling
Some books feel like a hug. They're warm and funny, and you close them feeling better than when you started.
Here's a mix of uplifting novels and gentle non-fiction, all good for a cosy night in or as a present for someone who needs a lift.
We don't sell books. Think Like a Monk links to an outside retailer. The other titles are just books we like, and none of them are affiliate links.
Shop the cards that go with these
Shop cheer-up cards and gifts Funny cards Books to pick yourself up Books to get over a breakup
Cheer-up cards and gifts to go with a book
A book with a kind card tucked inside makes a lovely present. Our cards are designed in house and posted from the UK.
Uplifting novels
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: funny, moving and ultimately hopeful.
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce: a gentle walk across England that turns into much more.
- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: grumpy neighbour, huge heart.
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: pure comfort reading.
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: cosy crime with plenty of laughs.
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: a story about regret, second chances and choosing life.
Feel-good non-fiction
- The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy: a short, illustrated book about kindness, and it makes a lovely gift.
- Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty: practical ideas for a calmer, more purposeful everyday life.
- Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig: an honest, hopeful memoir about getting through dark times.
- Humankind by Rutger Bregman: an upbeat case that most people are fundamentally decent.
Found your words? Now find the card
Shop cheer-up cards and gifts Funny cards Books to pick yourself up Books to get over a breakup
How to write it so it lands
- Write a short note on the inside cover when you give a book.
- A short book is best when someone is low. Long reads can feel like homework.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a feel-good book?
A warm, hopeful read that leaves you in a better mood, often funny, kind-hearted or quietly uplifting.
What is a good feel-good book to give as a present?
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse suits almost anyone. Put a handwritten card inside and it's a present they'll keep.
What is a good example of feel-good books: 15 uplifting reads that leave you smiling?
"Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: funny, moving and ultimately hopeful." is one of 10 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.
Can I copy these messages word for word?
Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.