I'm kind of a dour person, and the uncertain state of the world doesn't help with that. Nor does my interest in history books (and all the human tragedy involved). But I recognize each day spent in this cynical mindset does nobody favors. Suggest me some books you've personally read that were a net positive for you. I'm not asking for anything saccharine, but I am asking for something that, on the whole, might have adjusted your perspective on life. Here's some books I've finished that I think meet the criteria:
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A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. A recent widower with nothing left to live for gets a new lease on life. This was sometimes a little triggering but a heartwarming read. Satisfying and shows the importance of community, even for curmudgeons.
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Lincoln In The Bardo by George Saunders. Willy Lincoln, son of US President Abraham Lincoln, dies and hangs out with a lot of ghosts who themselves are in predicaments of their own. Poignant but also quite funny. Went through this book 3 times.
3.The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J Walker. The UK is demolished by a series of meteorites. The protagonist, a reluctant father and husband, attempts to reunite with his family across the razed country by foot. Identified with the protagonist despite not being a husband or father, felt like I was growing alongside him.
I'll take any suggestions! They don't have to be thematically similar to the above books I've read. They just had to leave you feeling better than before you started.
by napghosts
4 Comments
I enjoyed Educated by Tara Westover. Helped me to see that things can be/are worse for others. This story is non-fiction and uplifting/inspiring.
The Road by Cormac M.
{{a backpack filled with sunsets by Ifeanyi Ogbo}}
This just makes me realize (although I kinda already knew it) that I really gravitate toward depressing shit. I couldn’t stand A Man Called Ove (couldn’t get past the first few pages). I loved Lincoln in the Bardo, however. Go figure. So I’m having a hard time coming up with anything… I see someone else recommended “The Road.” That’s a phenomenal book (and a good example of the stuff I typically like), but did I feel better after I finished it? No, not really. But I guess one could take away something positive from it — like not ALL human beings are horrible, just most of them. 🙂