Don’t Worry, Read Happy

By Birdie

Life is hard, right?  Sometimes life throws you curve balls and you just can’t hit them.  They smash into your eye, or stomach, and you double over and it’s just hard.  I think that’s why I love reading so much, because it’s so easy to disappear to somewhere better.  When you pick up a book you know that there’s going to be a plot, and a climax, and usually a happy ending.  (In the books I read, everything ends happy.)  I love happy endings, especially romantic ones.

Tonight I’ve been thinking about my favorite ‘Happy’ reads, and thought you guys might be interested in my list.

lover-eternalLover Eternal

I loved almost this entire series, but Lover Eternal holds a very special place in my heart.

In this world, all the men are as macho and alpha as you can get, but they all turn gooey with their females.  Rhage takes everything that extra step further.  He’s such an amazing character.  He’s so kind and gentle, and his love for Mary was… I don’t even know how to describe it.  His love for Mary was so pure and beautiful, it made me ache.

There are so many scenes in this book that make me feel good, like Mary feeding Rhage ice cream or when he brings food to her.  Or when Rhage holds the moon in his palm.  Sometimes when I’m outside, I hold the moon in my palm in their honor.

When I’m feeling down, I know this book will lift me back up.

The Sherbrooke Bridethe-sherbrooke-bride

I found The Sherbrooke Bride when I was in High School.  It was the first Catherine Coulter I ever read.  Since discovering Sherbrooke Bride, I’ve read many of Coulter’s other Regency Romances and they were all good, but none of them came close to my first.

Obviously most stories aren’t all happy all the time, you have to get through the rough spots to find your way to the happy place.  Sherbrooke Bride was no different, however even through all the drama there was a lightness, a humor, that made this one of my favorite comfort books of all time.

To this day, Alex remains one of my favorite heroines.  She was the perfect balance of innocence and bravery.  I loved that she was curvy, and small.  I loved that she wasn’t described as ‘alluringly beautiful’. I love that Douglas didn’t love her immediately.  I love everything.

For me, when I need an old friend, I pick up Alex and Douglas to comfort me.

eleanor-parkEleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park had a really intense subject matter, and I’m not trying to make light of, or take away from, the abuse.

The reason I chose this as one of my Happy books is because of how Eleanor & Park were with each other.  This is one of my most highlighted books.  There are so many quotes that blew me away, and all of them had to do with the relationship that developed between E&P.

“Park ran his hand out to her hip and back again, catching his thumb under her sweater. She swallowed and lifted her chin.
He pulled her sweater up farther and, then, without thinking about why, he pulled up his shirt, too, and laid his bare stomach against hers.
Eleanor’s face crumpled, and it made him come unhinged.
‘You can be Han Solo,’ he said, kissing her throat. ‘And I’ll be Boba Fett. I’ll cross the sky for you.'”

How do you not feel that?  How does it not fill you with love and joy?

How to Be a Normal PersonHow To Be a Normal Person

Okay okay, you’re probably tired of hearing about this book but I can’t talk about stories that make me happy and leave off How to be a Normal Person.

Laughter makes me happy, and How to be a Normal Person is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read.  I laughed so hard from the first chapter, all the way to the end.  That alone would catapult this book onto my Happy list, however it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

The real reason I feel so happy would be because of Gus and Casey.  Gus is so grouchy, but in the most endearing way possible.  I love how intimidated he was by Casey, and that caused him to be extra awkward in all of their initial interactions.  I loved how relaxed and laid back Casey was in return.  The more awkward Gus was, the more Casey fell for him.  Casey was amazing, with his compassion, and sweetness, and hugs.

What could be happier than Casey’s epic hugs!

Pass me over all the books that take you to your happy place and bring you comfort.

I would love your recommendations!

About Birdie

Don’t look for her in any bar, club, crazy raging party, or anywhere there may be a large gathering of strangers. She’s more likely to be found tucked into the corner of the couch watching one of her favorite shows, or preferably under a comforter with her current novel.

33 Responses

  1. TheAliceFan

    I am greatly interested in How to be a Normal Person! Thank you for the wonderful list 😀

    As for me, I’d recommend “Fortunately, the Milk” by Neil Gaiman. It is an illustrated story of a dad who went out to buy a bottle of milk for his children’s cereal, but then encountered the alien race, resulting in a time-traveling adventure with a anthropomorphic Stegosaurus! XD

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      4. Birdie

        I remember they did Northern Lights, so maybe it was around the same time. I’m going to look and see if any of them are on Netflix. (My favorite Nora Roberts was Carnal Innocence.)

        Liked by 1 person

      5. alwaysbooking

        Oooo Carnal Innocence was soo good… I spent part of my 20’s collecting every Nora book ever made lol. I think my husband thought I lost my mind. I’ve been to her bookstore multiple times and met her multiple times. She is just the sweetest lady…

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      6. Birdie

        Wow!! I was convinced that she wasn’t real, hahaha! She puts out so many books that I started thinking maybe she was a pen name for multiple authors like Caroline Keene with the Nancy Drews. She must just be a writing machine!

        I went through a phase where I read her constantly too. I loved her trilogies and saga’s. (I particularly loved the Irish trilogy with the three sisters.) I also adored her JD Robb series, In Death.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. alwaysbooking

        She does write a lot lol. She’s so personable the line will be out the door at the signing and she will be asking you how you styled your hair a certain way or ask about your mom. She remembers people its strange. Then she takes a pic with you and tells you thanks for coming. In the mean time I’m trying no to faint!

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  3. ~ Angie Elle ~

    Great list! Eleanor & Park is one I really want to get to!

    One of my happy books is Paradise by Judith McNaught. I feel like Matt and Meredith went through hell before they finally found their way together, and I just love knowing that there is a happily ever after to be conquered and lived.

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    1. Birdie

      I adore Eleanor & Park, but I think you’ve heard me talk about it a million times. 😀

      I’ve never read a Judith McNaught book, I don’t think. I might have when I was in my younger teens. My older sister loved authors like Judith McNaught and she had a drawer full of books in the room I slept in when I was there. I was constantly raiding that drawer. It’s where I discovered Nora Roberts (Montana Sky) and Linda Lael Miller.

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  7. Books, Vertigo and Tea

    This is a fantastic post that I think many of us can benefit from. I am the worst for reading “happy” books though. I do not know why, but I love gore and misery haha. But I will flagging this for the next time I need a boost. I have heard so many great things about Eleanor & Park 🙂 Love this ❤

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