Written by Kelly Reynolds
We all define “comfort” differently. For some, comfort means a hot bubble bath and glass of Pinot. For others, it’s a black-and-white flick in fluffy slippers. For me, there’s no greater comfort than kicking back to lose myself in a book. A feel-good read especially, has the power to remind us that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark it seems.
Seeing as so many of us have found ourselves isolated to our homes as of late, there’s no better time to take a trip to the farthest shores of Ireland, open a seaside café, or fall in love with a debonair stranger… all without leaving the comforts of your couch (or patio, if you’re lucky). So, if you find yourself in need of a rapid mood-boost, you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up a few of the best go-to reads written by our favorite female authors, all of which will no doubt leave you with those warm and fuzzy feelings you’ve desperately been craving.
Happy reading!
The Switch
By Beth O’Leary
It’s a little bit “Golden Girls” with a whole lot of “The Holiday”! In this charming debut novel from witty Brit, Beth O’Leary, twenty-something Leena escapes her busy life in London for a quiet Yorkshire village, swapping places (literally speaking, so don’t go thinking they pull a “Parent Trap”) with her newly single, about-to-turn-eighty grandmother, Eileen. As if that set up isn’t cute enough, let me just tell you that Eileen soon discovers the online dating scene and… Come on, Eileen!
Buy it here (currently only available in hardcover, but totally worth it!).
The Real Deal
By Lauren Blakely
As someone who hosts a podcast dedicated exclusively to the promotion of romance novels, I had to include one of my all-time favorite romantic reads. Just as most romance readers are probably already familiar with Lauren Blakely, non-romance readers are likely to fall in love with Blakely’s books, too. Take a scoop of the “fake dating” trope, a dollop of competitive lawn sports, and combine them with a pinch of Craigslist’s Missed Connections, and you’ve got The Real Deal. I don’t know about you, but that ticks all my must-read boxes.
Buy it here.
The Sun and Her Flowers
By Rupi Kaur
Sometimes it’s nice to break up a hefty novel with a few thoughtful poems and when it comes to Rupi Kaur’s work– you might recall her #1 New York Times bestselling book of poetry and prose, Milk and Honey– you really can’t go wrong. Kaur’s second book of poetry is just as mesmerizing. This unforgettable collection of poems is full of life lessons about love, loss, and perhaps most importantly, healing.
Buy it here.
Such a Fun Age
By Kiley Reid
This striking page-turner will have you both simultaneously laughing and cringing as you find yourself commiserating with each of the characters in some relatable way… whether you’d like to admit it or not. At surface level, this Reese’s Book Club pick explores the stickiness of transactional relationships, what it means to be someone’s “family”, and the complicated realities of adulthood. However, on a much deeper level, Such a Fun Age satirizes the white pursuit of “wokeness” which, as a cis-hetero-white woman, had me LOLing throughout. Prepare yourself for a whole lot of “Ok, Becky” moments.
Buy it here.
Flipped for Murder (A Country Store Mystery)
By Maddie Day
What better way to spend a rainy afternoon than bundled up with a mug of tea and a cozy murder mystery? If you’re a mystery fan like I am, who’s also listened to one too many true crime podcasts, not to mention watched one hundred too many episodes of “Criminal Minds”, you’ll know that sometimes we need to “lighten” it up. Think of cozy mysteries as the Hallmark of literature. In fact, several cozy mystery series have been adapted to Hallmark Murder and Mystery flicks (but that’s a whole other blog post). With the first book in the Country Store Mystery series, expect trade in gruesome murders for gratifying food puns – did I mention that you can often find a recipe or two in each book?
Buy it here.
Waiting for Tom Hanks
By Kerry Winfrey
A contemporary rom-com about a screenwriter who dreams of becoming the next Nora Ephron… what more could you ask for? Yes, this book is near and dear to my rom-com loving heart. Yes, I spent days sweating bullets after learning Tom Hanks and his wife had contracted Covid-19 – don’t worry, they’ve since made a full recovery. Though this book might come across as mindless fluff, you’ll find a very powerful message at the core… life doesn’t always go according to the script.
Buy it here.
Untamed
By Glennon Doyle
This memoir from activist, speaker, and “patron saint of female empowerment”, Glennon Doyle, marks the second book on my list to also make Reese’s Book Club. It’s a story about navigating divorce, forming a new blended family, and learning how to trust ourselves. More than that, Untamed shows each of us how to be brave and let’s be honest, we could all use some extra courage during these darker times.
Buy it here.
Have any more feel-good read recommendations? Let us know in our Facebook Group!
