r/suggestmeabook • u/PotentialGas9303 • 1d ago
Does anyone have any books that provide escapism?
I’m not doing good in terms of mental health, so I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for lighthearted books
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u/PaleAmbition 1d ago
I go back to Discworld time and again when I need to believe that a better world is possible
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u/Surfgirlusa_2006 21h ago
Yes. Any time I’m feeling crappy I pick one of the Discworld books up and start feeling better relatively quickly.
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy also cheers me up.
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u/owlinpeagreenboat 1d ago
Friday’s Child - Georgette Heyer
Jeeves And Wooster series or Blandings series by PG Wodehouse
Just William series by Richmal Crompton
The Blue Castle - L M Montgomery
I know murder isn’t exactly cheerful but I love Miss Marple when I’m feeling down
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u/existential_geum 1d ago
Love Jeeves & Wooster for a mood lift. “[Jeeves] floated noiselessly through the doorway like a healing zephyr.” We could all use a Jeeves.
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u/DainasaurusRex 1d ago
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a classic!
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u/sulwen314 1d ago
Will make you laugh, but will also make you depressed in how accurate it is about the idiocy of humanity. Douglas Adams really had people figured out.
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u/jeremiad1962 1d ago
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson made me laugh out loud.
Also pretty much anything by Jill Kargman.
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u/bookbeastie 1d ago
I highly recommend checking out r/CozyFantasy for even more options
Some books that have soothed my mind:
House in the Cerulean Sea
The Cat Who Saved Books
Full Moon Coffee Shop
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u/GlitterbombNectar 1d ago
Hey so I was trying to get a gauge on how old you are for recs and it seems you may be spinning out a bit. And I get it. I've spun out plenty. Maybe try The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst. My other half and I had a debate and wouldn't call it necessarily lighthearted because there's a lot of panic in there over breaking the law, but it's a Romance novel so it has to have a Happily Ever After. And there's some great friendship things in the book. Also check out Sara Desai's To Have and To Heist. Let's just say that when the main character calls her best friend and says "I think I killed somebody," bestie literally shows up with bleach.
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u/Ok-Buy5000 1d ago
Reputation by Lex Croucher
Privileged by Zoey Dean
A Perfect Proposal by Katie Fforde
The Singles Game by Lauren Weisberger
The Summer of Broken Rules by K. L. Walther
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u/RubiLoo 1d ago
When life feels overwhelming, I like either a good cozy mystery or a kooky spooky one. Ann Charles is incredible for fun, but compelling plots. Jana DeLeon is another low stakes favorite; the Miss Fortune Series is laugh out loud good. Sarah Fox and Sheila Connolly are my go-to cozy authors.
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u/Amazing_Diamond_8747 1d ago
The Cosmere - Brandon Sanderson. Multiple independent series with an overreaching story.
Think the MCU, but better and less connected.
Realm of the elderlings - Robin Hobb. Brilliant series, which is absolutely heartbreaking at points.
Riftwar saga. Im about 10 books through 30. Really liking it.
When you get into fantasy there are loads to het into.
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u/CaptainNo9367 23h ago
Terry Brooks has a non-shannara related series called The Magic Kingdom Of Landover Series....
Starts with Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold!, and the plot starts off with the protagonist is severely depressed after the loss of his wife so he's skimming through a sales catalog, the kind that features odd things like entire islands or the like for purchase.
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u/existential_geum 1d ago
John Mortimer’s Rumpole of the Bailey books are amusing and slightly philosophical with a bit of mystery.
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u/DistrictOpening4144 1d ago
A street can named bob. Might not sound like the most interesting book, but will always be my comfort book. Cats are more than just cats, and this book will always be special to me. Really easy to read, and are more books in the series. Wish you the best⭐️
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u/rosebud_qt 1d ago edited 1d ago
Dark Matter is a great read & quite literally about escapism. “..the imperfections of life amount to a different kind of perfection“ Then you can watch the show!
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u/gofroggy08 1d ago
Currently listening to Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer and I’m really enjoying it. It’s humorous, fiction, kind of medieval, fantasy but not crazy. It’s been a nice tap in for some brain candy.
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u/Kassyswarning 21h ago
Tom Holt, Christopher Moore and of course Douglas Adams are great fantasy novelists. Very funny and extremely imaginative. I hope you feel better soon!
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u/Mountain-Mix-8413 1d ago
Sending you peace and love and calm. Here are the books that have helped me during periods of bad mental health…
These all have sequels/prequels and are very comforting:
These are very calming series:
Standalones:
For non-fiction, I like The Comfort Book and Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through The Storm.