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Funny, Happy, Cozy Books to Help You Relax

3/31/2020

16 Comments

 
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As I am writing this my county is on lockdown. I know many people across the world are living under similar orders, whether they are official or not.

We are dealing with empty grocery stores. Worrying for the first time in our lives, if we will be able to get milk for our babies. We are not allowed to leave our homes, except for groceries, medicine and daily outside exercise. We must maintain a social distance and not spend time with anyone outside our household.

It is a real-life nightmare.
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A Twitter friend asked me to find gentle reads for her kids and I thought I should do the same for adults. I am limiting my entertainment to light comedies as much as possible right now and I figure lots of other people are doing the same.

Here are some options from a variety of genres that will hopefully help you relax.

​I have included a summary excerpt from Goodreads followed by my thoughts on the books.  
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​Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen

Above the Bay of Angels
Historical Mystery. Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings.
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This is the perfect time to read something by Rhys Bowen. She writes cozy historical mysteries that are thoroughly enjoyable and completely engaging. No Spoiler Book Review of Above the Bay of Angels.
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Alchemist by Paolo Coelho

Alchemist
Fiction. An Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried near the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles in his path. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. 
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This short novel has the feel of a folk tale or parable. It’s comforting, affirming, and inspirational. This is an older book, so there is a good chance you can check out the ebook from your library with no wait.
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​Bossypants by Tina Fey

Bossypants
Memoir. Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true. Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.
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If you are a fan of Tina Fey or 30 Rock and somehow never read this memoir, now is the time. A laugh-out-loud choice that is probably available as a library ebook right away.
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Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson ​

Feather Thief
Non-Fiction. On a cool June evening in 2009, twenty-year-old American flautist Edwin Rist boarded a train for a suburban outpost of the British Museum of Natural History (Tring). The Tring museum was full of rare bird specimens whose gorgeous feathers were worth staggering amounts of money to the men who shared Edwin’s obsession: the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying. Once inside the museum, the champion fly-tier grabbed hundreds of bird skins–some collected 150 years earlier–and escaped into the darkness.

I know what you’re thinking, how can this possibly be good? There are like three people who are interested in this subject. But I am telling you this book is wild! Also, probably available for check out with no wait online!
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Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

Flatshare
Contemporary Romance. Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time. They’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…
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I just finished this book, but I wish I could read it again for the first time, right now. Even if you do not love romance, you will love this outlandish and adorable book. No Spoiler Book Review of Flatshare.
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Let’s Pretend This Never Happened
​by Jenny Lawson

Let's Pretend This Never happened
Memoir. Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; and “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”.
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This VERY personal memoir had me laughing from the first page. Lawson is a bit of an over-sharer, so skip this if you are easily offended. Otherwise, this is a great choice if you need a laugh. There is a good chance you can check out the ebook for free from your library with no wait. 
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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice
Historical Romance. The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and her proud beau, Mr. Darcy, is a splendid performance of civilized sparring. And Jane Austen's radiant wit sparkles as her characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, making this book the most superb comedy of manners of Regency England.
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Any of Jane Austen’s novels would be a good choice (except maybe Northanger Abbey). Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park are soothing works of classic historical fiction. These titles are likely to be available for checkout from your library online right away.
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Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas

Study in Scarlet Women
Historical Mystery. With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. It will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind. 

This cleverly written historical mystery will appeal to fans of Sherlock and Pride and Prejudice. There are crimes and murders, but they happen at a nice historic distance. No Spoiler Book Review of Study in Scarlet Women.

I hope that these books help you find a little peace in this stressful time. What books have you read that you think might be good options for people right now?

Summary excerpts from Goodreads.com

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16 Comments
Sara Lili link
4/1/2020 02:03:58 pm

I loved BossyPants and Let's Pretend This Never Happened!

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/3/2020 12:41:29 pm

They are the two best memoirs that I have read! Also liked We Are Never Meeting In Real Life and Over the Top!

Reply
Ellie link
4/2/2020 08:30:10 am

Great list! Some interesting sounding books I've not heard of, I'll have to check them out

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/3/2020 12:41:54 pm

Let me know what you end up reading!

Reply
Raji link
4/2/2020 03:24:33 pm

I love Pride and Prejudice! Quite a few titles I haven't heard of in here, and I could definitely do with some calming reads. Thanks for the recommendations!

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/3/2020 12:42:39 pm

It's all about the calming reads for me right now! Let me know what you end up reading!

Reply
Castlesandturrets link
4/4/2020 05:34:36 am

I love Pride and Prejudice, I could quite happily reread that again! This is a great list though and there's a few on there that I haven't read before, but they all sound like the perfect read to help relax at this time - thanks for sharing x

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/8/2020 03:07:25 pm

Hope you find a book you love!

Reply
Ebun link
4/6/2020 12:58:53 pm

I’ve read Bossypants and Let’s Pretend this never happened before. But these days, I’m reading more romance novels. It’s been so long since I’ve read them.

Thanks for sharing this list!

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/8/2020 03:10:10 pm

I've been enjoying romance lately too! So many good options these days!

Reply
Lu link
4/6/2020 05:43:35 pm

Great list! The only one I have already read is The Alchemist. I read it right after it was originally published (in Portuguese), a long time ago. It's a very interesting read. I also enjoyed his other book (that I forgot the title) about the path in Santiago de Compostela.

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/8/2020 03:13:15 pm

The Alchemist was my favorite book, the year that I read it!

Reply
Pragati Mahapatra link
4/7/2020 04:58:39 am

*makes notes of the books that I want to read *
Thanks to you! :D

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/9/2020 02:48:58 pm

I know! My TBR is ever expanding!

Reply
Rhys Bowen link
4/9/2020 01:16:47 pm

Thank you for including one of my books

Reply
Alison Kelly
4/9/2020 02:53:45 pm

Your books are the perfect escape from our current situation. Thank you for commenting!

Reply



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