Best Light-Hearted Books
22 Best Light-Hearted Books
Reading light-hearted books can be a great way to brighten your day, put you in a good mood, and provide an escape from reality. Whether you are feeling down, stressed out, or just need a break from your daily routine, picking up a light-hearted book can be just what you need to lift your spirits.
One of the great things about light-hearted books is that they are often easy to read and don't require a lot of effort or concentration. This can be especially helpful if you are feeling tired or overwhelmed and don't have the energy to focus on a more complex or serious book. Light-hearted books are often filled with humor, quirky characters, and fun plot twists that can keep you engaged and entertained from start to finish.
Another benefit of reading light-hearted books is that they can provide a much-needed escape from reality. Whether you are dealing with personal problems, work-related stress, or just the chaos of everyday life, getting lost in a good book can be a great way to forget your troubles for a while. Light-hearted books often feature idyllic settings, charming characters, and happy endings that can transport you to a more pleasant and carefree world.
Reading light-hearted books can also be a great way to improve your mood and overall sense of well-being. Studies have shown that reading can help reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and even increase empathy and social skills. When you read a light-hearted book, you may find yourself laughing out loud, feeling a sense of joy and pleasure, and experiencing a general sense of upliftment.
Of course, not all light-hearted books are created equal, and it is important to choose books that are well-written, engaging, and enjoyable to read. Some popular examples of light-hearted books include romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, and humorous memoirs. It is also important to choose books that are appropriate for your reading level and personal interests, as this will help ensure that you stay engaged and motivated throughout the reading process.
In conclusion, reading light-hearted books can be a great way to brighten your day, put you in a good mood, and provide an escape from reality. Whether you are looking for a break from the stresses of daily life or simply want to enjoy a good story, picking up a light-hearted book can be a great way to relax, unwind, and have some fun. So why not give it a try and see how it can improve your mood and overall sense of well-being?
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Beach Read by Emily Henry
What happens when a romance writer who no longer believes in love is thrown together with a literary fiction author in a beach town? Sparks fly, both emotional and comedic, in this witty, meta-romantic comedy that plays with tropes while delivering all the feels.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Linus, a buttoned-up government worker, is sent to evaluate an orphanage for magical children. What he finds there—including a 6-year-old Antichrist—changes his life. Whimsical, affirming, and often hilarious, it’s like a warm hug of a book.
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
A single mom and struggling novelist is mistaken for a contract killer—and decides to play along to pay her bills. This clever and wildly entertaining mystery blends mom-life chaos with accidental assassinations. Think suburban PTA meets Dexter, with a wink.
Flying Solo by Linda Holmes
Another delightful read from Holmes, this novel follows a woman returning to her small Maine hometown for her aunt’s estate sale—and an unexpected mystery involving a carved wooden duck. Sweet, funny, and just a little poignant, it’s a celebration of self-discovery at any age.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Evvie is a recent widow who secretly wasn’t sad about her husband’s death. Dean is a major league pitcher with the yips. When they become unlikely roommates, their evolving friendship is full of humor, warmth, and healing. A gentle romantic comedy with charm and depth.
[What book character would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?]
Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding. He'd be very practical and calm and handle the whole situation like a champ, but of course he'd also be very aloof and wouldn't make any real attempts to comfort me or anything, which I think would really annoy me. And then once I was annoyed I'd probably become pretty annoying myself, if I'm being honest. And once he was annoyed we'd start bickering and exchanging witty insults back and forth, but we'd inevitably find a way to form an unlikely emotional connection while in crisis mode. Then we'd be rescued and go our separate ways, but of course that wouldn't be the end of the story. - An excerpt from my interview with Bethany Turner.
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
This modern classic introduced readers to Bridget, a lovable, neurotic, and hilariously self-deprecating 30-something woman navigating single life in London. Written in diary format, the novel chronicles her attempts to improve herself—losing weight, drinking less, finding Mr. Right—all while battling office crushes, well-meaning but meddlesome parents, and her own comedic insecurities. A witty and relatable peek into the chaos of dating and self-improvement.
[What book character would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?]
Ford Prefect from Douglas Adams's Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, for two reasons: 1) he'd almost certainly have alcohol, and 2) he would likely improvise a surprising way out involving a towel. - An excerpt from my interview with Catriona Silvey.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Equal parts absurd and brilliant, this cult sci-fi comedy kicks off when Earth is unexpectedly demolished to make way for a galactic freeway. Arthur Dent, an average British guy, escapes the destruction with the help of Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the titular guidebook. From space-hopping hijinks to philosophical jabs at bureaucracy, this book is clever, surreal, and laugh-out-loud funny.
[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Bernadette Fox, from Maria Semple's novel, Where’d You Go, Bernadette? Bernadette's quirky otherness and outrage with indifference to ‘the-way-things-are’ resonate with me. She feels like my tribe. I think we’d roll our eyes about the state of the universe and hold each other’s hands as we got sick going through the Drake Passage together. - An excerpt from my interview with Judith Jackson-Pomeroy.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Told through a creative mix of emails, letters, and official documents, this novel follows 15-year-old Bee’s attempt to piece together the disappearance of her eccentric, agoraphobic mother, Bernadette. With biting satire of tech culture, private school absurdities, and Seattle’s social elite, it’s a unique, offbeat, and deeply funny story about genius, motherhood, and reinvention.
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Don Tillman, a brilliant but socially awkward genetics professor, embarks on a scientific quest to find the perfect wife—complete with a 16-page questionnaire. Enter Rosie, who’s nothing like what Don is looking for—but might be exactly what he needs. Full of charm and laugh-out-loud moments, this is a feel-good romantic comedy with heart and intelligence.
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Sedaris brings his sharp wit and unique perspective to a collection of essays ranging from his childhood in North Carolina to his misadventures in France (where he hilariously struggles to learn the language). With his signature deadpan humor, he finds absurdity in everyday situations and gives readers a deeply funny, occasionally poignant look into his life.
[What book character would you like to be stuck in an elevator with?]
Westley from The Princess Bride by William Goldman, because then he'd get me out of it. - An excerpt from my interview with Monica Byrne.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Part fairy tale, part satire, this “classic tale of true love and high adventure” blends swashbuckling romance with comedic narration. Framed as an abridged version of a longer work, it follows Westley and Buttercup through giants, pirates, and Rodents of Unusual Size. A book that’s as funny as it is romantic, and as clever as it is timeless.
If I had to be stuck in an elevator, I definitely would want to be accompanied by someone with the power to teleport us to safety. Of course, I’d also want them to be interesting and fun, just in case there were any delays. I’m thinking of Aziraphale and Crowley from “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Terry Pritchett and Neil Gaiman. If one’s going to be stuck in an elevator with anyone, it might as well be exciting, entertaining and easy to escape. - An excerpt from my interview with Rudy Ruiz.
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
The apocalypse has never been funnier. When an angel and a demon—who’ve grown rather fond of Earth—realize the Antichrist is missing, they team up to prevent Armageddon. A sharp, irreverent take on good and evil, prophecy, and bureaucracy, this book balances celestial hijinks with laugh-out-loud satire.
When I think of my best friends, they are people who are authentically themselves and are funny. Because of that, I think maybe if Gail Honeyman’s character Eleanor Oliphant and I managed to find each other, we could be friends. - An excerpt from my interview with Emily Austin.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
At first glance, Eleanor is rigid, reclusive, and socially awkward. But as she forms an unexpected friendship with a bumbling coworker, we slowly learn what lies beneath her odd behavior. This novel is both humorous and heartfelt, with Eleanor’s blunt observations offering unintentional comedy and emotional depth.
[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Probably Adrian Mole (from Sue Townsend's 'Diary of Adrian Mole' series) or the unnamed narrator from Flann O'Brien's 'At Swim-Two-Birds'. Both are quite similar to how I was as a teenager: scruffy, anxious over-thinkers with lofty literary aspirations... - An excerpt from my interview with Tom Ellen.
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ by Sue Townsend
Adrian is a painfully self-aware teen navigating puberty, poetry, and unrequited love in Thatcher-era England. His diary entries are full of earnest angst, misguided intellect, and accidental hilarity. A brilliant, dryly funny coming-of-age novel that captures the awkwardness of adolescence.
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
With wit and warmth, Kaling takes us from her childhood as the daughter of Indian immigrants to the writers' room of The Office. Whether discussing her love of romantic comedies or her frustrations with Hollywood beauty standards, her essays feel like chats with your funniest friend.
[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Tina Fey. "Bossypants" by Tina Fey. I'd love to talk to Tina about how empowering it is to be bossy. And, of course, I would envision her making me laugh until I wet my pants. - An excerpt from my interview with Denise Larson.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Fey recounts her journey from nerdy comedy kid to head writer at SNL and creator of 30 Rock, all while navigating sexism, parenthood, and awkward photoshoots. Her essays are as smart and hilarious as you’d expect, full of sharp one-liners and unexpected vulnerability.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Wilde’s most enduring play skewers Victorian society with razor-sharp wit and a plot full of mistaken identities, secret engagements, and ridiculous social norms. A timeless farce where everyone is pretending to be someone else—and no one is quite as clever as they think.
[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Ove from A Man Called Ove (Fredric Bachman) - if only because I imagine that's how I'll be later in life and people like that still need friends! - An excerpt from my interview with Christopher Parker.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Meet Ove: a grumpy, rule-loving widower who’s ready to give up on life—until his boisterous new neighbors interrupt him. What begins as a tale of crankiness soon blossoms into a heartwarming story of second chances, unexpected friendship, and the transformative power of kindness and community.
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
This darkly comic Western follows Eli and Charlie Sisters—two hired guns with very different temperaments—on a journey to kill a prospector. Hilariously violent and surprisingly tender, it’s a stylized, deadpan novel that reinvents the Wild West with absurdity and heart.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
A widowed bookseller living on a remote island has grown grumpy and closed-off—until a mysterious package left in his store changes everything. This charming novel is a love letter to books, second chances, and the unexpected ways we find family.
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
In this eccentric memoir, naturalist Gerald Durrell recalls his childhood years living with his quirky family on the Greek island of Corfu. Filled with sun-soaked escapades, exotic creatures, and unforgettable relatives, it’s an irresistibly funny and warmhearted look at life in paradise.
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
What begins as a tranquil boat trip down the Thames becomes a series of delightful disasters, thanks to the incompetence of three Victorian friends (and a dog). Originally intended as a travel guide, it turned into one of the funniest novels ever written—filled with sharp observations and timeless humor.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
On his 100th birthday, Allan Karlsson escapes his nursing home and accidentally embarks on a wild journey involving a suitcase of money, criminals, and a lot of vodka. Told with deadpan wit and flashbacks to Allan’s accidental involvement in major world events, it’s like Forrest Gump meets The Grand Budapest Hotel.
“[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Alex Claremont-Diaz from RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston. He’s smart, funny, loyal, and if I didn’t already love him from the first chapter, the turkey scene would have sealed the deal for me. (Seriously, if you haven’t read this book, it’s worth it for the turkey scene alone.)”
[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Alex Claremont-Diaz from RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston. He's smart, funny, loyal, and if I didn't already love him from the first chapter, the turkey scene would have sealed the deal for me. (Seriously, if you haven't read this book, it's worth it for the turkey scene alone.) - An excerpt from my interview with Megan Collins.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
What happens when the First Son of the United States falls in love with a British prince? An enemies-to-lovers rom-com that’s sparkling with humor, heart, and political fantasy. It's laugh-out-loud funny, swoon-worthy, and full of optimistic energy.
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
When Queen Elizabeth II stumbles upon a mobile library, she develops a surprising obsession with books—disrupting the palace routine and bewildering her staff. This novella is short, witty, and a delightful exploration of how reading changes lives.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Told entirely through letters, this charming novel follows a writer who begins corresponding with members of a book club on Guernsey Island shortly after WWII. Warm, funny, and full of eccentric personalities, it’s a tribute to storytelling and resilience.
[What book character would you like to be best friends with?]
Mma Precious Ramotswe from The No1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. She is such a great character bursting with charm, wit and wisdom. I’d ask about her latest case while we waited for the elevator to be repaired. - An excerpt from my interview with Janice Hallett.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Set in Botswana, this cozy mystery series features Precious Ramotswe, the country’s first female private detective. With wisdom, wit, and compassion, she solves cases big and small. It’s a calm, gentle series that feels like a warm hug.
Reading light-hearted books can really boost your mood and make you feel good. When you're in need of a pick-me-up, there's nothing quite like diving into a love story or a humorous tale. If you're not in the mood for a novel, there are plenty of other lighthearted and funny books to read, so go ahead and add some fun books to your reading list. And if you're short on time, consider listening to the audiobook version while you go about your day.
