This might be a silly question to ask, but is there a genre of books that uplift you?
I'm really prone to getting feelings of depression, anger, and sadness. I have learned that one way of combatting that is to be careful what I consume, whether it be what I eat or what I put into my mind.
With that in mind (pun totally intended), this year I have made an effort to read more fiction. The problem is finding fiction that doesn't bring me down. Thrillers often bring up feelings I really don't want to deal with. I love the "thinking" aspect of mysteries, but they often deal with solving a murder or something. A lot of novels tend to involve characters with glaring negative traits or who have to deal with frustrating negative situations.
The closest genre I have found that seems to fit my needs is the cozy mystery genre. They are often lighthearted, full of comedy, and have characters that I would probably like to hang out with if they were real. I enjoy those books. The only thing is that they always seem to be from the point of view of a woman. That is not a problem itself, and it broadens my perspectives, but being a man, it would be nice to read a book like that from a male perspective from time to time.
Anyway, any advice you could share? Thank you!
by hercxjo
9 Comments
Well in Fantasy there is a sub-genre called Cosy fantasy.
I didn’t know about cosy mystery. Humour books too perhaps?
While not exactly a genre, I like Corey Doctrow’s style of sci fi which is incredibly hopeful while still acknowledging that there are problems. Little Brother is a fun one to start with.
I keep stuff by Terry Pratchett around for just this very reason. Haven’t read ’em all, but I know there’ll come a day when I’ll want to.
Same with Tom Robbins and Douglas Adams. Sometimes I get a giggle just catching a glance of the spine of a book. Everyone should keep around a few books like that. They’re like little light bulbs that give off invisible incandenscence.
There’s a subgenre of science fiction called “solar punk” that, by definition, has a happy ending.
Someone mentioned “cozy fantasy”; there’s also cottagecore books which tend to be very uplifting.
I hope you find some great reads!
I don’t know about a specific genre but there are uplifting books in all genres if you look hard enough.
The book “What You Are Looking for is in the Library” was very uplifting and featured short fiction stories about people who improve their lives in various ways in connection with their local library.
All of Terry Pratchett is uplifting. You could try We Free Men for a fun quick book.
All The Things They Said We Couldn’t Have, a book of trans joy was delightful as a non-fiction book of people writing about positive life experiences, big and small. I particularly loved this one. It did make me cry, but in the best way.
An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good was great. It’s about an old lady who hurts or kills people, but she’s an old lady and does it in strange ways so it’s intended to be silly and lighthearted.
The No. 1 Ladies Detecive Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is my comfort series
I want to, but cannot really understand the cozy phenomenon when it’s a book about murder
Search the Hopepunk list at Goodreads.
Uplit. Google “uplift books.” It’s books like A Man called Ove, Remarkably Bright Creatures, etc.