13 Light-Hearted Books to Read If You're Sick of Netflix
I know I’m not the only one who’s been having trouble reading. A change in schedule and stress about what’s going on in the world have drastically changed my reading life. I used to average 2 books per week- now I’m happy if I read at all. Since sheltering in place since March 14th, I have found a couple of things that have worked for me- reading on my Kindle (my actual Kindle, not my phone- no access to social media!) and switching between uplifting/rom-com/smart chick lit and thrillers seem to have done the trick. Recently I shared a huge list of dystopian/pandemic books and engrossing books, but today I wanted to focus on books that are more light-hearted.
Oddly, this list was hard for me to make! I am not a sensitive reader and tend to gravitate toward gritty/thrilling, so I really had to dig deep to find stories that were uplifting. But I think I have some good ones! Again, I included new and old with the hopes that you’ll be able to borrow an e-book from the library without having to wait too long.
13 Light-Hearted Books to Read If You’re Sick of Netflix
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalauddin | Review
Romance, Retelling
Pub Date: 6/4/19
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
A Pride and Prejudice retelling with Canadian Muslim characters. Ayesha is a modern Muslim woman who is uninterested in being a part of an arranged marriage. Khalid is a conservative and traditional Muslim man, who initially disapproves of Ayesha after a misunderstanding. The two are forced to put aside their preconceived notions about each other and work together. What blooms is a sweet romance with characters who have an undeniable chemistry, despite their differences.
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Historical Fiction
Pub Date: 6/4/19
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
A woman in her 90s reflects back on her life and the choices that she's made. Vivien goes from privileged ex-college girl, to seamstress, to WWII factory worker, and a million things in between, all with her signature wit.
Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
Nonfiction, Humor
Pub Date: 10/15/19
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
Hilarious and dirty, comedian Ali Wong shares her stories of “making it”, motherhood, culture, and food with her two young girls. To be read when they turn 21, and not a moment sooner.
Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane L. Rosen
Women’s Fiction
Pub Date:
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
Women in a community are brought together after a fabricated rumor turns out to be more rooted in truth than anyone expected. This one is heartfelt with depth, and you get women lifting each other up without the petty drama. A good recommendation if you’ve been looking for characters who are out of their early 30s!
The Happy-Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
Romance, Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: 4/14/20
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
After a stray dog literally falls into her lap, a grieving widow finds herself unexpectedly falling in love with an up and coming rock star. Sweet, but not overly cheesy, with perfect witty banter.
The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin
Self-Help, Memoir
Pub Date: 12/29/09
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
If you're feeling up to re-evaluating the things that make you happy in your life, then this might be the perfect pick. Although her personal approach probably wouldn’t work for me (she is very organized and Type A), her focus on finding joy in the little things in life (middle grade book club anyone?) is a reminder we could all use right now.
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
Romance, Women’s Lit
Pub Date: 5/15/18
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
On the cusp of her engagement, a woman gets into a freak accident and is forced to re-evaluate her life. The romance is borderline unethical, but the characters were charming enough for me to get past it. (I also recommend Things You Save in a Fire by the same author).
Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman
Fiction, Humor
Pub Date: 3/17/20
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
After nearly all of the friends in a friend group get divorced, the remaining couple decides to embark on their own version of an open marriage to make sure they don't find themselves suffering the same fate. Unexpectedly funny!
The Moth Presents All These Wonders: True Stories About Facing the Unknown by Catherine Burns
Nonfiction, Short Stories
Pub Date: 3/21/17
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
A short story collection featuring a wide range of personal stories from real people, from a concentration camp survivor to a well known author sharing about rocky time in her marriage. This book is lovely both inside and out and would make a great gift.
The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
Fiction
Pub Date: 2/13/18
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
This was a true beach read chock full of friend drama. It's centers on Zadie and Emma, best friends who went to medical school together and now both practice in Charlotte. Then Dr X, the McDreamy of it all, reappears and turns their relationship inside out. If you’re in the medical profession, you’ll likely like this even more, as the author is an ER doc herself and uses a lot of medical jargon.
Sourdough by Robin Sloan
Fiction, Magical Realism
Pub Date: 9/5/17
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
This was a quirky little book. A young woman in San Francisco trades her life of working for a Google-like company for the life of a bread baker. She lives a pretty lonely, predictable life- so much so, that when the brothers who own her favorite restaurant get deported, they leave their special sourdough starter with her. I think this would be a great fiction choice for anyone who’s been trying their hand at baking their own bread during the quarantine!
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
Historical Fiction
Pub Date: 1/26/16
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
This story focuses on a group of very wealthy society women in New York and their relationship with novelist Truman Capote. Now that I’m looking back I might not call this one uplifting, but I think it’s gossipy enough to keep your attention, particularly if you like peeking behind the curtain into the lives of NYC’s high society.
Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion
Romance, Travel
Pub Date: 5/1/18
Affiliate Links: Amazon | Bookshop
This one will scratch your travel itch. Set on the Chemin in France/Spain, it's a sweet story about finding yourself in the second half of life and testing the limits of who you thought you were.
Stay safe out there! If you have light-hearted recommendations, I'd love to hear them! It was hard for me to find books that met my criteria.
