Whether its raining, cold, or just too hot, there are many reasons we find ourselves bored. Fortunately, for us readerly-types, books are always a good remedy for boring days. Look in any corner of the book worm’s search history, you’ll find loads of book lists. From classic to niche, you can find a book list for anything. Here is our feel-good influential book list to brighten your mood and make you happy to stay inside!
Influential Books for Feeling Good
1. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Treasure Island is a beloved classic. Though now many people classify it as a young adult novel, it wasn’t published that way. Recognized as one of the grandfathers of the classic adventure story, Treasure Island is a fun romp for readers of all ages. And if you have never read this timeless tale, your local library is bound to have a copy.
Join young Jim Hawkins as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. This harrowing fight between good and evil will have you happy to be reading instead of doing anything else.
2. The Martian by Andy Weir
Mark Watney is human resilience personified. After being left for dead by his fellow astronauts during a wind storm on Mars, Watney must learn to survive on his own and get a message to NASA that he is still alive.
There is only one problem. Even IF he is able to live long enough to send the message, he will have to wait for them to plan a rescue mission. But don’t worry. Not only is Watney brilliant and resourceful, he is also hilarious as he catalogs his success and failure in the captain’s log with no end of good humor. This story will have you fearing for Watney’s life and laughing simultaneously.
3. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
The original fantasy adventure that inspired every epic writer from Frank Herbert to Stephen King, to George R.R. Martin. The journey begins in a hole in the ground as we meet Bilbo Baggins, a happy hobbit, as he sits outside his pleasant home contently smoking his pipe.
The adventure ensues when a wizard heckles him about the phrase “good morning” before sending a bunch of dwarves to recruit him as their burglar. Though written in 1937, the heart of the story revolves around a highly relatable character even today. Full of wordplay, wargs, and wizards, this classic fantasy novel is a perfect introduction to the genre if you haven’t yet dabbled.
4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
For over 200 years, Pride and Prejudice has been one of the most popular books ever written in English. It goes beyond a simple classic and into the echelon of cultural canon as the opinionated young Elizebeth intellectually spars with the wealthy Mr. Darcy.
With humor and romance, Pride and Prejudice finely treads the line between English etiquette and social commentary that still deserves literary praise.
5. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
If you’ve read our other blogs, you may have noticed we talk about downsizing and tidying up A LOT. So, it only makes sense that we would mention the tactics of the life-changing guru herself, Marie Kondo.
Taking a little side-step into the world of non-fiction, this book is perfect for clearing your clutter and your mind. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is the organizational push you need to start tackling the clutter to make room for more joy in your life.
6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Love, betrayal, and years of wrongful imprisonment prove an effective technique for getting to what lies at the center of the human heart. If you like the adventure of Treasure Island, the gravitas of The Great Gatsby, and the political scheming in A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones), this is the book you’ve been waiting to read. Really, it has everything. Though after 1,200 pages, we should hope so.
It might not be a “feel good” book in the conventional sense, but it will make you very happy to not be living in 19th century France.
7. Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Changing it up a bit and leaving the novel genre entirely, Much Ado About Nothing is Shakespeare’s 18th play. If you haven’t read Shakespeare since Romeo and Juliet in high school, we’d suggest giving “the bard” another try.
In this comedy of errors, the headstrong Beatrice, roguish Benedict, demure Hero, and valiant Claudio all pontificate their ideas regarding love and friendship as hijinx ensues. If you are concerned with the difficult language of 16th century England, we recommend getting the Folder’s edition. Folder’s editions of Shakespeare’s plays offer great translations with definitions of the archaic language to help you bridge the linguistic gap.
8. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
You might go to a seasonal production every year at your local theater, but if you’ve never read the book there is no time like the present to change your ways. This Charles Dickens classic follows the spiritual trials of Ebenezer Scrooge on one fateful Christmas Eve. Follow Scrooge as he learns to be a better person in one holy night.
Ultimately a quick read, A Christmas Carol is split into five chapters that could be covered in a single afternoon.
9. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
DON’T PANIC and enter a galaxy of the absurd with Arther Dent and his whacky alien pal, Ford, as they traverse some of the more ridiculous corners of the universe. Ripe with the ludicrous British wit of Douglas Adams, this book will have you laughing at bureaucracy, technology, and even the destruction of a small blue planet.
This guide includes the first four books in the series (there are eight in total).
10. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
On a more serious note, The Namesake is the story every immigrant parent in America wishes their children understood. Likewise, every child raised by parents of another country can find commonality in Jhumpa Lahiri’s tale of family.
Explore Indian culture from both the parental perspectives -Ashoke and Ashima – as well as the perspective of their American born son with two names. The Namesake examines the significance in Bengali tradition of giving a child two names, how it influences identity, and the nuance of familial bonds through the names they give each other.
This tale may have you looking at family dynamics in a whole new way.
11. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
You wouldn’t think a story about a man at the end of his life would be uplifting, but Tuesdays with Morrie proves us all wrong. This true story follows Mitch Albom, a sports columnist, as he discovers a teacher that helped sculpt his life is dying of ALS.
Though Albom’s life has gone in a much different direction since he was a student, his reconnecting with the philosophically brilliant and endlessly patient Morrie begins to teach him all new life lessons. Taking place over fourteen days, Tuesdays with Morrie will make you cry followed by a newfound inspiration for living life.
12. The Essential Calvin and Hobbs by Bill Watterson
You may have noticed we’ve been trying to keep this book list pretty diverse, exploring a few mediums for reading that maybe you’ve never read. Here, we are continuing that trend with The Essential Calvin and Hobbs. Hailed by many critics as the greatest comic strip ever created, Calvin and Hobbs is a classic in its own right. The Essential Calvin and Hobbs standing out as the best highlights.
Following the imaginative observations of Calvin while he talks to his stuffed (or real, depending on you’re interpretation) tiger, Hobbs. Prepare to start looking at the ordinary or mundane through an entirely new lens.
We hope this gives you something to do while you stay inside and we always encourage you to visit your local library. For more information on staying at home as you age, bored or otherwise, check out some of our resources here.
Confident Living is a continuing care at home membership program, focused on helping you remain active and independent as you age in your own home. We serve the greater Cincinnati area. For more information, contact us online or call (513) 719-3522.
