Please suggest me a book that will make my outlook on life and people just a little kinder. Usually my go to author is Fredrik Backman but I’ve read everything of his and I need more that highlights the tender parts of humanity and goodwill. Preferably not a romance book. Thank you so much!!!
by Julia_Andrade
43 Comments
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I also love Backman!
>Usually my go to author is Fredrik Backman, but I’ve read everything of his and I need more that highlights the tender parts of humanity and goodwill.
**A Man Called Ove** reminded me of another book where a grieving man finds “his people,” **How Not to Die Alone** (aka **Something to Live For**) by Richard Roper.
Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman.
He states at the very beginning, that it’s a book about an idea, and that idea is: people are not shitty.
Everything by Matt Haig, but my particular favourite is the Midnight Library.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Try Legends and Lattes. Not necessarily humans but it’s wholesome nonetheless
House in the Cerulean Sea! revived my hope that people change and life is inherently beautiful ❤️
The Monk and Robot books by Becky Chambers. They’re just like a warm hug, honestly.
Little Women is the ultimate cozy family drama. You might also check out Jane Austen!
Twilight
The Razors Edge. Somerset Maugham. The last few pages sums up what one man is capable of doing and following in his ways we could restore this planet. Whenever I am depressed I reread this. And imho one of the 5 best books of last 123 years.
“A Strangeness in my Mind” by Orhan Pamuk. Mevlut is just so good, and has so much faith in the world, even when his life goes very differently than he wanted. I cried a little at the end just because there was such a wholesome moment- I don’t want to spoil it, but he definitely gets back some of the love he gave to the world.
Unbroken by Hillenbrand. Biography. Main character thinks a lot about mental outlook / empathy.
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simpson.
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Weirdly, I think the Murderbot Diaries fit the bill. The first is “ All Systems Red” by Martha Wells.
The Goblin Emperor.
All Creatures Great and Small
The Day the World Came to Town…seems counterintuitive because it’s about 9/11, but it’s a true story and I stayed up all night reading it straight through because each page brought my hope in humanity and I loved that feeling so much I couldn’t put it down. Obligatory mention that the musical Come From Away is the same events and also really good.
Viola Shipman books also have a little bit of a Backman vibe to me, Heirloom Garden has been my favorite and the most Backman-esque of the ones I have read.
All the Light We Cannot See
(Anthony Doerr)
I should create a shortcut in my phone for how often I recommend Ruth Reichl, particularly Garlic and Sapphires. I reread it almost every year. Just what I need when I’m feeling very low. Plus, you get a few delicious recipes
The five people you meet in heaven
Stormlight archive by Brandon Sanderson
I really loved **Virgil Wander** by Leif Enger, it’s about a man after a near-fatal car crash recovering and rediscovering himself against the backdrop of a fading mid-west town with a mystery. The writing is beautiful and the characters are extremely life-like, I can’t recommend it enough.
This may be a bit tangential, but even Cowgirls Get the Blues.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
Man’s search for meaning by Viktor frankl
Demolished man. Bester
I have the absolute perfect author for you.
Elizabeth Goudge.
These are the ultimate books when it comes to a comfort read.
The Scent of Water
The Bird in the Tree (first of a trilogy)
Gentian Hill
Island Magic (this might have a romance-type cover, but I promise it’s nothing of the sort)
A City of Bells
The Rosemary Tree
Green Dolphin Street
The White Witch
I realize this is a book recommendation thread but… Have you watched Ted Lasso?
Monsignor Quixote by Graham Greene
The Alchemist
Les Miserables will make you a better human being.
Bright Valley of Love by Edna Hong
An obscure book written about a community in Germany who’s whole being is centered around caring for severely handicapped children before, during and post WWII.
“A very wise woman—Simone Weil was her name—once wrote that imagined evil is fascinating and inviting, while real evil is deadening and repellent. But imagined good is dull and uninteresting…”
A Gentleman in Moscow
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore (not a romance). Lovely cast of quirky characters and very heartwarming. I think you’ll like it if you like Fredrik Backman!
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Perhaps ‘All My Mothers’ by Joanna Glen? An exploration of the narrators mother figures throughout her life, connecting to her roots, it honestly feels like a hug from your mother. Its not devoid of its sad moments, so it might not be what you’re exactly looking for. But its definitely wholesome
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
Small Gods
How to win friends and influence people
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
I love Robertson Davies. Sort of a modern day Jane Austin for Canadian society. Lots of moral conundrums but generally uplifting and thought-provoking.
I know this sounds weird…IT. It’s about friendship and the bond that is unbreakable and it has a clown.
The Measure by Nikki Erlick. I thought it was a great look at humanity—touching, a little melancholic at points, but uplifting overall