8 Feel Good Books You Need to Read

I took a few minutes out of my day to collect my fave feel good books. I’m not saying these are books you need to read – just books I’ve found that can pick me up when I’m feeling a little down. Sometimes, escaping into another reality is exactly what we need. Throughout history, we as humans have turned to stories for comfort. Back before we were penning out page upon page of fiction, we were telling stories around fires, passing each one down to our children and watching them change and grow across generations.

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Reading ideas for book lovers!

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Even now, we love a good story to occupy our mind: we turn to the movies for a night out, Netflix for a cozy night in, and in the good old days, a Vine video for a quick laugh. The diversification of the media we consume will probably never end. We all need books that make you feel good.

Over time, there’s always one tried-and-true storyteller we always find our way back to: books.

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Reading ideas for book lovers!
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Feel Good Books to Read

It’s hard to explain why books are so comforting. Maybe it’s the silence surrounding you while you still get to experience another world. Possibly it’s the vivid way you paint what you’re reading in your mind, guided by the writer yet having complete control. Maybe it’s even the smell of the pages. Whatever it is, books are powerful soothers.

Grab a book from your cozy home library or pick up one of these recommendations for the best feel good books. You will enjoy these reads!

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Reading ideas for book lovers!

Oh, the simplicity of spring 2020, where we all made bread and caused a flour shortage. I couldn’t help but add this silly tale of a hard-working, white collar woman who finds herself submerged in the wheaty world of bread. They first meet when she regularly visits a sandwich shop after work, seeking comfort from her fast-paced life in the form of a sandwich.

Suddenly, the store closes, leaving her feeling lost. Yet somehow, she finds the starter for her favourite sourdough in her hands, with all the responsibility of carrying its legacy. No spoilers, but Sourdough by Robin Sloan definitely doesn’t have a crumby ending.

Beloved Dog by Maira Kalman

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Reading ideas for book lovers!

What’s better than dogs? Well, nothing of course. But hand-drawn cartoons that capture the energy of dogs? A witty, expressive author giving each of her favourite dogs their own voices? I could flip through Beloved Dog by Maira Kalman for hours.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto by Mitch Albom

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Reading ideas for book lovers!

I love a book that connect fiction with history, and if you do too, this is a great one to get into. It follows a young orphan from Spain who also happens to be an insanely talented guitar player. After traversing the Atlantic in the bottom of a boat, with nothing but his instrument, this feel good book follows the journey his talent takes him on – and even sprinkles in some real musicians! If you love rock‘n’roll, The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto by Mitch Albom is one of the feel good books you need to read.

Pretend I’m Dead by Jen Beagin

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Reading ideas for book lovers!

Dark comedies are great in times like these. Slightly relatable, yet enough to tickle your ribs and make you laugh at your pain. About a 24 year old who seems to come in contact with every sort of person there is, the main character tries to find her way through adulthood and self-acceptance – while paying her bills along the way. Addicts, psychics, and a quaint small town are all on that path, and they truly do not disappoint. Pretend I’m Dead by Jen Beagin is not your typical feel good book, but sometimes it’s nice to try something new!

I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Books you need to read for book lovers!

If you’re into ballet and a strong female lead, this is a book you need to read (hey poetry! Didn’t see you there). It’s got an aspiring ballerina, a secret cross-country journey, and even a scruffy dog. You’ll be extra surprised to hear that an unlikely friendship unfolds along the way. If you’re looking to live vicariously at a time where we’re all stuck at home, check I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest out!

The Great Pretenders by Laura Kalpakian

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Books you need to read for book lovers!

This isn’t one of those typical feel good books about Hollywood and stars. This one’s a little different. It’s all about Roxanne, a woman who, despite living in the 1950’s, is hellbent on making a career for herself. But not as a leading lady – as an agent.

And she does it well. Soon, though, she starts to bend the rules. She starts selling scripts for exiled writers under other frontrunner’s names. And finds herself in love with an African American – something more than frowned upon at the time.  Her courage, determination, and sense of justice will keep you on the edge of your seat. The Great Pretenders by Laura Kalpakian is a great feel good read!

No One Can Pronounce My Name by Rakesh Satyal

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Books you need to read for book lovers!

A book about two separate Indian-American adults, living two separate lives, both trying to find light and joy in the midst of hard life changes. One by dressing in his sister’s saris, and one by writing paranormal love stories in secret. As if that’s not juicy enough on it’s own, the friendship that unfolds once their paths cross makes No One Can Pronounce My Name by Rakesh Satyal one book you need to read.

Hotel Pastis: A Novel of Provence by Peter Mayle

Lifestyle blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella shares 8 feel good books you need to read. Books you need to read for book lovers!

For those of us with a heavy case of wanderlust (hi!), this one will have you drooling. Leaving your white collar job? Moving across the world? And even a little reno and rehab to open a quaint hotel? I’m drooling just thinking about it.

When this former ad exec moves to the French countryside to do all the above, it naturally opens him up for a lot of new adventure. Love, jokes, and surprises all come as no surprise in this feel good book. Definitely add Hotel Pastis: A Novel of Provence by Peter Mayle to the list books you need to read.

Do you have any favourite feel good books I should add to my list? Happy reading!

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for recipes, dogs, sustainability, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.

Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance food, travel, and lifestyle writer for MSN and the Associated Press Wire.

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Leave a Comment

  1. I love to read, so I’ll have to check these out. They all sound wonderful!

    Posted 9.8.20 Reply
  2. Mimi wrote:

    These are not what I normally read so I don’t know much about them, the first one sounds great, I’ll pick it up next

    Posted 9.8.20 Reply
  3. Deb B. wrote:

    I’ve been looking for feel good books lately because you’re right… We just need to escape a bit! I always get so distracted by practical “life” books that I’m “learning” something from (hello parenting books…) – and sometimes it just feeds my concerns and worries. So I will definitely take some of these fab books off your list! Very excited – thank you!

    Posted 9.9.20 Reply