A Book That Makes You Happy: Picks for the TPL Reading Challenge 2023
Picking "a book that makes you happy" had me considering many angles:
- Should I pick a funny book?
- Does it need to have an optimistic ending?
- Can I pick a book that introduces folks to a new, beloved format?
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey
My recommendation for this category is an answer to all of the above questions! I have both hand-sold this title to friends and family as well as promoted it through more general channels like Talk About Books and my Audiobook Club because I do think it has broad appeal. It is a modern story set in Toronto about a "surprisingly young divorcee" (her words) embarking on a self-care journey after an embarrassingly short marriage ends in divorce. It includes 2SLGBTQ+ themes thereby bolstering the library's efforts to celebrate Pride. Despite myself, this title had me barking out laughter on the TTC, much to my own embarrassment; humorist tone: check. If I may indulge you, two of the funniest chapters are simply a list of recent Google searches ("how to wear wide-leg pants, big ass") and a line-by-line rendering of unanswered text messages to the protagonist's ex-husband. As always, the audiobook performed by Julia Whelan is amazing for both avid listeners and folks just looking to try a new format.
Other categories:
- A book about friendship (she has two friends named Lauren, one she calls "emotional Lauren")
- A book about sports (she tries a variety of fitness hobbies in her self-care journey)
- A book about survival (basically she has to relearn how to live by herself, post-divorce)
Staff Recommendations
Perhaps my recommendation didn't make you happy, and that's okay! I am hopeful that these other books chosen by a wide variety of our staff will put a smile on your face.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
I would count any memorable reading experience as a book that makes me happy, so my pick is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. A semi-autobiographical work of fiction, the book recounts the childhood and young adult years of Francie Nolan growing up in poverty in working-class Brooklyn. Francie's life is hard a lot of the time, but there is also an optimism that pervades the book. It's a relatively simple story but told with such empathy and grace that it has become a classic.
Other categories:
- A book told from a child's point of view
- A book about survival
- A book you would recommend to your younger self
-Mike, Digital Content Lead
I Think Our Son Is Gay 1 by Okura (Mangaka)
A cheerful, heart-warming manga series about a mother raising a teen son she believes to be gay. He hasn't come out, but he often slips up with pronouns about who he's interested in and has a friendship with another boy that seems more like a deep crush (among other signs). The mom accepts her son as being gay but wants to give him space to come out in his own time (if he is indeed gay). In the meantime, she's happy to play along and muse over his future as a (potentially) gay man.
Other categories:
- a book about friendship
- a book about a land you would like to explore
-Morgan, Librarian
The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
Murder makes me happy. But in particular, this book is really a fan love letter to golden age locked room mysteries with characters who are part of a murder mystery appreciation club and have corresponding nicknames (Agatha after Agatha Christie, Ellery after Ellery Queen, etc.). Basically The Cabin in the Woods for golden age murder mysteries.
Other categories:
- A book about survival
- A book about a land you would like to explore (if you want to go to Japan like me)
—Tessie, Librarian
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
When Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) unexpectedly becomes the primary guardian of his niece Maisie and nephew Grant, despite having a set of "Guncle Rules," Patrick has no idea what to do with the kids, and his lifestyle does not lend itself to effective paren'ting. It doesn't help that he's mourning the loss of the love of his life and trying to keep his acting career afloat. A beautiful story about families and grief that is hilarious and tear-jerkingly sweet — I'll be re-reading this one whenever I need a pick-me-up.
Other categories:
- A book about friendship
-Max, Senior Library Assistant
Stars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo
This book made me happy because it's an easy read, and it's my beloved genre — historical fiction — set in a country I absolutely love! I was also reading it for my pleasure, not for book club, or any other event, just for me! The book follows the love between Giovanna, the daughter of a tailor (like me!), and Vincenze, a count, following WWII in Genoa, Italy. Will the end of the monarchy in Italy be the end of their romance? You have to read to find out!
Other categories:
- A book about a historical event you are unfamiliar with (for me, snippets of the history of the monarchy in Italy)
-Despina, Branch Head
Recommendations from the Facebook Group
These are just some of the suggested titles from our Facebook TPL Reading Challenge 2023 discussion group. You can read all of the responses in the original post. You do not need a Facebook account to read the suggestions.
- The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs
- Something Like Happy by Eva Woods
- Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
- Geography of Bliss Eric Weiner
- Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes by Travis Baldree
- I Want to Be a Wall 1 by Honami Shirono
- Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
- Tales from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean
- The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
- Mister Roger and Me by Marie-Renee Lavoie
French Recommendations
If you like to read in French, check out the list of recommended books for "un livre qui fait du bien: suggestions pour le Défi lecture." There's a mix of books, ebooks and digital audiobooks to try.
What did you read for "a book that makes you happy”? Add your suggestions in the comments section below!
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