The Next Best Book Club discussion

I love a good depressing, thought provoking book, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for some more cheerful books - not necessarily just a happy ending, but that may be okay too.

I say this because I'm studying for the NY Bar and am getting stressed out; I was going to read "My Sister's Keeper" but decided I didn't feel like adding to my depression lol.

If you could go through my book list to see what I like that would be even better! Thanks. :)

Uplifting, huh? Have you read any Christopher Moore? He's hilarious. Stupidest Angel and A Dirty Job are my favorites from him.

Hi Christina!

I am another one studying for the bar that would appreciate book suggestions of this type.

Hi Christina, I'm recommending The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. There are sad moments because it deals with WWII but it is generally uplifting and has a happy ending.

I saw that Watership Down was on your to-read list, you may want to look that up. It's oddly dramatic and suspenseful but uplifting overall.

I took a quick look at your to-read list and I recommend Holes, featuring a main character with determination and inner strength and Me Talk Pretty One Day which will make you laugh out loud. Good luck with the Bar Exam!

oh I agree...Me Talk Pretty One Day is a great book for cheering the spirit. Enjoy!

ooh, The Princess Bride would be pretty cheerful! It's a good one to lose yourself in and there is a bunch of stuff in the book that's not in the movie.

Studying for the bar? Then Anonymous Lawyer A Novel by Jeremy Blachman should entertain you. I've just finished it and its very light and very funny indeed. Not sure if it would put you off the law or make you even more determined though!

Whenever I'm down, I read Juno & Juliet A Novel. Its incredibly funny without being trivial. Its also uplifting thought-provoking.

I think I have Meera living inside my head. I was going to say Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society too.
Other than that, and if you like Sci-Fi, try anything by Terry Pratchett.

The Spellman Series: The Spellman Files, Curse of the Spellmans and Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. Hilarious and very creative!! Good Luck with the Bar Exam!

Petra X wrote: "Studying for the bar? Then Anonymous Lawyer A Novel by Jeremy Blachman should entertain you. I've just finished it and its very light and very funny indeed. Not sure if it would put..."

That sounds funny! I added it to my to-read list.

I decided to pick up "Me Talk Pretty One Day" because I've been wanting to read it forever ... these were all great suggestions (I would have picked "Watership Down" if it wasn't so long - good thing I own it though!) and I'll be reading the others after I finish this one.

Thanks, guys! Keep the list coming if anyone has any others!

(and thanks for the good luck!)

Hi Christina,
I had to wait for a while on my library's hold list for Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World‎
by Vicki Myron, Bret Witter
It's a nice little story for anyone. Very enjoyable to those of us that are cat lovers.

Elhara wrote: "Hi Christina,
I had to wait for a while on my library's hold list for Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World‎
by Vicki Myron, Bret Witter
It's a nice little story for anyone. V..."

Wow well you have me pegged - I love cats! I'm adding it to my list right now. :)

Hi Christina - I've been a legal secretary for about 30 years...are you sitting for the Bar in July?
Best wishes Christina - you'll be fine!
If you love cats- check out The Cat Who Went to Paris and/or The Cat Who Came for Christmas. Both true stories, both trilogies, don't read the third ones....

Diane D wrote: "Hi Christina - I've been a legal secretary for about 30 years...are you sitting for the Bar in July?
Best wishes Christina - you'll be fine!
If you love cats- check out The Cat Who Went to Paris ..."

Yes, end of July - less than a month away! I'm sure you know all about the craziness and stress related to the bar. It's a unique experience, I'll say that. Thanks for the suggestions!

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Manday wrote: "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"
Uplifting? You don't find it depressing that Earth is just about to be blown up to make room for an interspace highway?

Just joking. I think that's a very good suggestion for an uplifting book.

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons and Patty Jane's House of Curl by Lorna Landvik had laugh out loud parts for me. They have some touching/sad parts but on the whole they are generally upbeat.

I'm not sure you would like it, but I have to recommend Anne of Green Gables as a happy, peaceful, beautifully written book.

I'd recommend 84 Charing Cross Road from your TBR list.

I would avoid Jodi Picoult novels if you're looking for happy books. A lot of Meg Cabot novels are light and happy. I like the Mediator series, personally.

I read The Noticer by Andy Andrews and it's pretty inspirational with a good message. Also books by Patsy Clairmont or Marilyn Meberg will keep you laughing. Good Luck!

Christina wrote: "I love a good depressing, thought provoking book, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for some more cheerful books - not necessarily just a happy ending, but that may be okay too...."

My new-found, favorite author is Jennifer Cruisie. I have a smile on my face throughout her reads. She would be my suggestion :)

So, I was looking at this list because I needed something to read that was cheerful (my planned reads include Gone Girl and My Sister's Keeper) and I decided on Princess Bride. Thanks, guys!