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When my life feels stressful, one of the things I like to do for some respite is pick up an uplifting, light book. I don’t want it to be too fluffy - it’s got to have just the right amount of depth. I like to feel like I’m sucked into the storyline, but not to the point that it’ll keep me up late at night thinking about it. Below are a few books that truly fit the bill, in case you’re looking.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - A quirky, odd girl who struggles with appropriate social skills meets Raymond, together, they help an elderly man named Sammy, and the three form a great bond. It’s a story about love, friendship, dysfunctional families, and strength to overcome adversity.
With the Fire on High - A high school aged girl with a passion for cooking carefully balances being a young, hopeful, smart student and being a mother from a working class family trying to make ends meet.
In Five Years - The girl who’s always carefully planned everything in her life finally has it all - a beautiful friendship with free-spirited Bella, the lawyer job she’s dreamed of, and the NYC apartment in the best part of time which she shares with her soon-to-be-husband. But she has an odd dream that takes place five years from now that she just can’t seem to figure out. This book will make you laugh, cry, and think about what really matters in life.
This is Not How it Ends - Charley meets Phillip on a plane, and they wind up getting married. She knew what she was getting into before she married him - him constantly traveling for work, but now she feels like there might be something more going on. In the midst of trying to figure it all out, she meets Phillip’s friend Ben, and they form a friendship, since he is much more emotionally available than Phillip. Just as she’s made up her mind for what she needs to do next, Phillip shares a secret that destroys everything.
One Day in December - Laurie is too smart to believe in love at first sight, but one day, she spots a guy on the bus and she feels a pull that is undeniable. She searches all over the city for him, but she can’t find him anywhere. One day, her best friend introduces her to her new boyfriend, who turns out to be the guy from the bus. What ensues is ten years of friendship, loss, and love.
I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments section below!