Wholesome books to read on a difficult day

We’ve all had some bad days. You wake in the morning and just know that ‘oh, its going to be one of those days.’ You get a move on and go to work/ college and its one of those off days, where nothing you do seems to be going right. And by the end of the day, all you want to do is just get home and snuggle up in bed with a warm cup of coffee or tea, and importantly, a good book in hand. Because after all, nothing beats the blues better than a book that can take you places away from reality.

Listed below are few feel-good books (of different genres) that can help brighten up a grim day.

• This is going to hurt by Adam Kay

It is rightly said that laughter is the best medicine. This book by comedy-writer Adam Kay is a collection of his years spent as a junior doctor in the NHS. While it may have you laughing out loud, it is also filled with highly shocking as well as heartbreaking moments- all making it a very wholesome read, one that you will not be able to put down.

Especially during the current pandemic times, this book also helps you see how grossly underappreciated and hard a doctor’s life is!

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

If you are a fan of self-help books, this one is for you. In the book, a young shepherd ‘Santiago’ sets out on a quest to search for his ‘personal legend,’ or dream. This book succeeds in connecting with fellow dreamers, who like Santiago hope to pursue their dreams with a robust passion. More than following your dream, the book rouses one’s search for individual meaning. If you ever feel stuck in a rut, The Alchemist’s sagacity might just get you right back on track.

“And when you can’t go back, you only have to worry about the best way of moving forward”

– Paulo Coelho

• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

In Gail Honeyman’s debut novel, the central character is Eleanor Oliphant- the socially inept, quirky but yet strong oddball, with a life of trauma and hardships; a life that we cannot pull away from. Eleanor’s character is beautifully real and dynamic, she could be us or someone we may have come across at work or college; and no wonder it draws us in. The book is a whole roller coaster of emotions, with a wonderful message, as Eleanor finds her happiness at the end- it is never too late for any of us too. 

• The God of small things by Arundati Roy

This is another debut novel, that you will probably go back to for a re-read- just to take in the beauty of it. The story revolves around a pair of fraternal twins and their multi-generational family, whose lives come into scrutiny due to certain socially and culturally enforced ‘love laws’, i.e. laws that dictate ‘who ought to love whom and how.’ The book is more than about just a tragic story, every character’s insecurities, motivations and unfulfilled dreams are woven together lucidly. The book has itself deeply rooted in the exquisiteness of Kerela, which can be appreciated even by someone who hasn’t been there.

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

A beautiful tear-jerker that will have you hooked right until the last page. The book is the heart-breaking, yet unforgettable story of Amir, a wealthy boy and Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. The juxtaposition of the two boys who are so close but yet are on different paths is beautifully tragic, but ends with soothing redemption and forgiveness. The beauty of the book does not reside in the pivotal story of the two boys, but with the ingenious weaving of the war in Afghanistan, after effects of the wars- all against mainstream America- into the story. The book is alluring and calming, but yet manages to shock you to the core.

You may question that since a couple of the books include tragic stories, how are they feel-good books? Well, doesn’t the beauty of books reside in that fact that even they may be tragic, they make you feel complete? Afterall, books make you feel connected to something that’s bigger than yourself; a temporary escape from worldly concerns.