Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This was my review: "Oh, my heart! What an exceptionally moving novel. I didn’t know I would fall in love with an octopus, but Marcellus is the heart of the story. This book is about grief, love, magic, growth, change, found family, animal and human. It is quirky and the characters are dysfunctional, but so lovable, even at their most frustrating. And it has a happy ending. Don’t miss this book!" I will stand by that assessment, forever. Who doesn't love, need, a happy ending?
The audio is narrated by the author, and it's pretty great. I haven't listened to the whole thing yet. Reading it on the page was excellent — such pretty writing.
I’ve been rereading all the “Anne of Green Gables” books this year. Simpler times. The stories of small community told from an optimistic point of view.
Next I will probably reread a series that I have successfully pushed on several friends: Devon Monk’s “Ordinary Magic”. The premise? A coast Oregon town full of supernatural folks, including gods living as “ordinary” humans. Light mysteries. A bit of romantic comedy. Demons, vampires, werewolves, Sasquatch, and a family of sisters tasked with keeping the peace and facilitating gods who want to set aside their power and “jobs” for a while. My favorite? Death wearing tourist-y shirts and running a kite store. Followed by Zeus being a horrible chainsaw artist.
I second Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It is such a heart-warming story. Yes, you can see the plot twist coming a mile away but the story is so wonderful and warm that you hardly care.
Last week, I read Ted Chiang's time-travel story: The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate. It took my mind off everything else happening in my life and the world. It's such a lovely puzzle box of a story I can't get enough of, especially while I explore time travel in my own fiction writing. Thank you for your Substack and your question! By the way, I'm a fan of your Well-Fed cookbooks that I used back around 2014 and 2015 when my husband had cancer (now in remission for about 10 years). Huge gratitude to you for all your books and content!
The One in a Million Boy by Monica Wood. Anne Bogel talked a lot about this book the year it came out and I suggested it to my book club. Everyone loved it. There are sad parts, but it's still a feel good book.
Oh shoot, I just thought of more. Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown (I recommend it constantly because this book has something for everyone, it is really fun, and I have never met anyone who didn't like it), and also The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan (it's a bit Hallmark-y if that is your thing). Also, Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Takes a bit to get into (3 storylines, none of which seem to have any connection at all, which is confusing, but when you begin to see what the author is doing as the book progresses, it is glorious! So much hope for humanity! Author wrote it during COVID, and it is very comforting.)
I recently read The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst & it was a delight. Friendship, found family, some romance, tea & jam. It’s a huggable book. I also loved Legends & Lattes and Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This was my review: "Oh, my heart! What an exceptionally moving novel. I didn’t know I would fall in love with an octopus, but Marcellus is the heart of the story. This book is about grief, love, magic, growth, change, found family, animal and human. It is quirky and the characters are dysfunctional, but so lovable, even at their most frustrating. And it has a happy ending. Don’t miss this book!" I will stand by that assessment, forever. Who doesn't love, need, a happy ending?
That was such a fantastic book! I recommend it to everyone :)
Read The House in the Cerulean Sea and watch The Great British Baking Show (Bakeoff.)
Bake-off actually lowers my blood pressure.
I thought of The House in the Cerulean Sea immediately!
And I look forward to my hour of Bake-off every week!
Completely agree! In fact, read anything by TJ Klune; it's all fantastic!
Just re-read it! Love it SO much!
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy. A touching short novel about a lonely 80 year old woman whose life is turned around by a found mouse. Charming ❣️
That sounds so sweet!!!
The Thursday Murder Club series! It’s just delightful, and the characters are so vivid and comforting.
Still Life by Sarah Winman. It has a found family living in Florence.
I just read Still Life and LOVED it. Such a warm story with a dusting of magical realism.
I think that is one of Mel's all time favorites!
You are correct! I love it so much. Thank you for knowing that :-)
Anyone have recommendation on audio vs print for Still Life?
The audio is narrated by the author, and it's pretty great. I haven't listened to the whole thing yet. Reading it on the page was excellent — such pretty writing.
Thanks! Maybe I will try the audio then. I need to work in some more literary works that way vs my usual audio thrillers.
Same!
I was just going to recommend this too! What a lovely found family story 🥰
Yep, perfection.
Same--loved it. Have already re-read it once, even though it makes me cry. ;)
The Princess Bride, and Good Omens. Coincidentally, also feel good movie and show!
For a less well known rec -- the Thursday Next series, starting with The Eyre Affair.
I might just put The Princess Bride movie (along with Amelie) on loop for the foreseeable future. Great recommendations.
Amelie!
A book from a while ago that touched me, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson.
Her second book, The Summer Before the War, is also one of my favorite books. A great writer of character.
I have heard both of these books are good.
I’ve been rereading all the “Anne of Green Gables” books this year. Simpler times. The stories of small community told from an optimistic point of view.
Next I will probably reread a series that I have successfully pushed on several friends: Devon Monk’s “Ordinary Magic”. The premise? A coast Oregon town full of supernatural folks, including gods living as “ordinary” humans. Light mysteries. A bit of romantic comedy. Demons, vampires, werewolves, Sasquatch, and a family of sisters tasked with keeping the peace and facilitating gods who want to set aside their power and “jobs” for a while. My favorite? Death wearing tourist-y shirts and running a kite store. Followed by Zeus being a horrible chainsaw artist.
I second Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It is such a heart-warming story. Yes, you can see the plot twist coming a mile away but the story is so wonderful and warm that you hardly care.
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau is such a great, feelgood story -- plus it will transport you to another time and a sunnier season, which helps!
Last week, I read Ted Chiang's time-travel story: The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate. It took my mind off everything else happening in my life and the world. It's such a lovely puzzle box of a story I can't get enough of, especially while I explore time travel in my own fiction writing. Thank you for your Substack and your question! By the way, I'm a fan of your Well-Fed cookbooks that I used back around 2014 and 2015 when my husband had cancer (now in remission for about 10 years). Huge gratitude to you for all your books and content!
The One in a Million Boy by Monica Wood. Anne Bogel talked a lot about this book the year it came out and I suggested it to my book club. Everyone loved it. There are sad parts, but it's still a feel good book.
Oh shoot, I just thought of more. Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown (I recommend it constantly because this book has something for everyone, it is really fun, and I have never met anyone who didn't like it), and also The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan (it's a bit Hallmark-y if that is your thing). Also, Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Takes a bit to get into (3 storylines, none of which seem to have any connection at all, which is confusing, but when you begin to see what the author is doing as the book progresses, it is glorious! So much hope for humanity! Author wrote it during COVID, and it is very comforting.)
YES, Cinnamon and Gunpowder! It's so much fun and then has some really strong emotional beats, too. Good recommendation!
Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher. I try to read it every couple of years and I cry every time! I rarely reread books so that’s saying something.
That one by her is particularly heartwarming and very "feel good"! Shell Seekers is also wonderful.
Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine
I put this in my response before seeing you recommend ded it, too! A gem of a book.
I recently read The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst & it was a delight. Friendship, found family, some romance, tea & jam. It’s a huggable book. I also loved Legends & Lattes and Remarkably Bright Creatures
I just placed a hold for this one.