Books to chase the funk away!
I have never really fell into an actual reading slump, but sometimes I fall into mental slumps. Therefore, I am spinning the topic to books that help me chase the funk away. When I am in that sort of headspace, I find I need to keep it light and breezy. I seek out funny books, books with solid HEAs, and more generally speaking, books that make me happy. Here are some recent made-me-happy YA books.
Jenn Bennett
Series: n/a
Publisher: Simon Pulse
If you have ever visited WLABB before, you are well acquainted with my love of Jenn Bennett books. She just knows how to write books that are fun and positive and filled with happy feels. Her characters are well crafted, authentic, and I always want them to be my friends. But most of all, her books leave me in happy tears. Every. Time.
Sara Barnard
Series: n/a
Publisher: Simon Pulse
I have a huge smile on my face just thinking about this book. Barnard did such an incredible job capturing all those wonderful feelings associated with first love. There was this really wonderful scene, where they are listening to "You Make My Dreams Come True" by Hall & Oats, and that's the kind of mood this book evokes. It's buoyant and bouncy and the happiness just radiated out of the page.
Sarah White
Series: n/a
Publisher: HarperCollins
I am such trash for these friends-to-more books, and White wrote one, which I am adding to my favorites list. I think I wore some sort of sappy grin the entire time I read this book. This book left me filled to the brim with happiness. It was fun, sweet, delightful, touching, and a whole lot of other warm and fuzzy type adjectives.
Sandhya Menon
Series: n/a
Publisher: Simon Pulse
I remember wanting to dance in an open field, when I finished reading this book. It made me that full of joy and glee. This had a great rom-com feel, and I was utterly in love with Rishi. Simply put, a hilarious, adorable, and endearing story of falling in love.
Nisha Sharma
Series: n/a
Publisher: Crown Books
This book really captured the joy that is present in Bollywood movies. Winnie was so vibrant and funny, I couldn't help but love her, and Raj just added to the fun. The romance was adorable, and I loved the rom-com feel of it all.
Natasha Friend
Series: n/a
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
My happy feels came in a little different form in this book. These two teens had had a rough year. Quinn was feeling isolated due to her alopecia, and Nick lost his legs in an accident, ending his promising football career and leaving him to adjust to a whole new way of life. They form an unlikely friendship, and the strength and support they get from each other was really beautiful. There were tears, but they were happy tears.
Rachel Hawkins
Series: Royals. #1
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Books for Young Readers
Royals was just a rollicking good time. Hawkins' humor was so on point, and the story was rife with situations, that had no choice but to be amusing. Royals had a fun premise, some great low-grade drama, and laughs galore.
Kasie West
Series: n/a
Publisher: Point
West is my go-to for light and fluffy, low drama, and lots of heart. As always, KWest delivered a story packed with great characters, a nice family focus, an awesome female friendship, an adorable romance, and lots of feels.
T.S. Easton
Series: Boys Don't Knit, #3
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
This book was hilarious! I loved Fleur so much, and her inner monologues left me in stitches. She also had two really funny friends, who added to my amusement, but the situations they got themselves into, as well as the things they said. This was book, which featured boxing, and there were all the fabulous Rocky references made me smile as well.
Emma Mills
Series: n/a
Publisher: Henry Holt
I fell in love with Mills via this book. I wish I had read her other books when I first bought them, because I was missing out on some serious, smile inducing stuff here. Her characters were all so wonderful, I wanted to hug them, AND I also wanted to be adopted by Claudia's family, because they were top notch. The romance was awe-shucks precious, sweet, and adorable. This book was nothing but smiles for me.
What are some books that made you happy?
Let us know in the comments!
I haven't read any books on this list but I am glad they have helped you get out of slumps! Great List!!!
ReplyDeleteAmber ♥ The Book Bratz
My TTT
The light and fluffy works every time for me.
DeleteThis is a great list, with lots of feel-good books! Those are just the best to chase away a book funk.
ReplyDeleteI remember going through a mini-slump. I had DNFed 2 books in a row (hey, that's a lot for me), and I just knew I had to pick something on the lighter side. It totally worked.
DeleteI think I must be a bit twisted as most of comfort reads are horror related!
ReplyDeleteHey, whatever comforts you is the right thing. I remember watching a lot of horror movies in my teens, because that was huge back then (the 80s). Those movies scared me to death. I think reading it, and letting my imagination run wild would be even scarier for me.
DeleteKasie West is awesome for getting out of a book slump! She featured on my list too. My TTT
ReplyDeleteEven my least favorite KWest book was good. They always have such a nice family focus, friendship, and sweet romances. She never fails to make me smile.
DeleteYes happy books chase the funk away for sure! Love Foolish hearts. I still need to get to that Kasie West!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Foolish Hearts really was so wonderful. I swear I am getting a little wet in the corners of my eyes just thinking about all the happy feels that book delivered.
DeleteEvery time I see Royals on a list it just make me smile! And it's great when a book can make you do that in an uncomplicated way.
ReplyDeleteI loved that book. I cannot wait to see where Hawkins goes with the series
DeleteI've only read When Dimple Met Rishi! I need to get on some of these other books. I find that funny books always make me happy. I used to read a TON of contemporary fiction, but now I read so many other genres, it's hard to keep up.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I read very little outside of contemporary, but it happens every once in a while 😂
DeleteOkay I am having a bit of brain wave twinsies moment here because I also think that fluff books are the kind of books that can pull anyone out out from a reading slump.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great choices. I am familiar with some. I have a copy of a Jenn Bennet book (Alex, Approximately) on my e-reader that I can't wait to dive in. And I also have When Dimple Met Rishi HB that I have yet to pick up. A Quiet Kind of Thunder is on my TBR, I've heard great thing about it. :)
Jennilyn @ Rurouni Jenni Reads
Right? My mood is totally sustained via fluffier books. They just help me tolerate the rest of life. I hope you get to the books you have. All Bennett's books are ah-mazing. I can only fangirl about her
DeleteI don’t usually read happy books, but I do want to read A Quiet Kind of Thunder. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
AQKoT is soooooooooooooo good!
DeleteWhen it comes to books, I tend to prefer dark to light and fluffy but when I need a break from all the darkness, I go for a Rick Riordan book as they're always funny and never fail to make me smile.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/21/top-ten-tuesday-173/
I am a few books into Percy Jackson and I am really enjoying the series. I need to read more of his books
DeleteAh! SO many great books! Awesome list and happy Tuesday! :D
ReplyDeleteI have been really lucky to find so many fantastic books
DeleteWell you know what sam? Your list just made me feel better!!!! Thank you as I need this in these moments ;-) Sophie @bewareofthereader
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it. ((Hugs))
DeleteYes, lots of happy. I always reach for light and fun when I am in a funk and there are many up there that I think would do the trick.
ReplyDeleteThey are my bright spot and definitely delivered the pick me up I was seeking
DeleteThe only book on your list that I've read is Starry Eyes and I absolutely loved it! It was such a wonderful story that makes me want to grab my sleeping bag and a tent. The idea of sleeping underneath the stars, waiting out a thunderstorm, and exploring caves just seems like the perfect adventure. Jenn Bennett's books are always good go-to books!
ReplyDeleteMost of the others are already on my TBR, but I added A Quiet Kind of Thunder. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy. :)
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
AQKoT was absolutely precious. Guaranteed to make you smile
DeleteI'll remember that when I need something cheerful!
DeleteWhen Dimple Met Rishi is perfect for the slump. It's among the few books that made me nothing, but happy while reading.
ReplyDeleteMy face hurt when I was reading it from all the smiling I did
DeleteI have When Dimple Met Rishi on my shelf. I’ll keep it mind for my next slump.
ReplyDeleteIt's really fun and cute. Totally rom-com
DeleteCute picks! Haven't read any of these but from the looks of it, they're contemporaries and that would be why. Glad you had so many wonderful choices to help you out of a slump should you ever encounter one!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I have read some SFF books, which I liked, but they never give me the happy feels that contemporaries do. Though I remember feeling really happy about the ending to Poison's Cage. It was just such a brilliant ending.
DeleteI haven't read any of these but a few regularly pop up on my blog rounds. I need to give a few a try.
ReplyDeleteI like to reread old favourites that give me all the happy feels when I'm in a funk.
This is my YA list, but I also have a lot of adult contemporaries that would fit the bill. The common trait they share are they are lighter reads and have an HEA. These are things that make me happy. I am not a re-reader, but I know a lot of people will go back to an old "friend" when they are struggling with their reading.
DeleteThese look like such happy books! I'll have to try one of them out next time I've read too many dark fantasy or dystopian type of books.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much fill my shelves with the happy books, though I have a penchant for grief and loss books too. However, they usually focus on the healing part of the characters journey and are ultimately hopeful. So, yeah, I totally have a type, and it's not dark at all, though, I dabble with darker stuff.
DeleteEmma Mills' books are just adorable - I love how real they are!
ReplyDeleteShe really writes wonderful books. Her characters and their stories are just the best.
DeleteI agree with every single book on your list that I've already read so that seems like a pretty big hint that I need to read the rest of them, haha. :)
ReplyDeleteYou have read well. =)
DeleteA nice lighter read is sometimes what I need to, if I'm just not feeling the reading. And Starry Eyes- I'm glad to see that one because I forgot to put it on my TBR but I definitely want to get it! And that's nice that her books leave you happy every time! that's a gift when an author can impact us like that.
ReplyDeleteMy So-Called Bollywood Life is another. Kinda want to read it.
You need to read Jenn Bennett! All her books are perfection.
DeleteI'm going to be reading Royals soon! I don't read a lot of YA contemporaries, though :(
ReplyDeleteRoyals was super fun and had that soapy feel with all the royal watching blog posts. I really enjoyed it.
DeleteSlumps are never any fun! It's great that you have a good way of dealing with them and making them go away! Great list :)
ReplyDeleteI think I never really get slumped because cut it off early
DeleteKasie West, Emma Mills, and Jenn Bennett are three of my favorite contemporary authors, and three authors I can always count on to conquer a reading slump! Totally agree about Royals, which actually pulled me out of a slump a couple months ago.
ReplyDeleteI will forever fangirl when it comes to three authors
DeleteI LOVED A Quiet Kind of Thunder. I don't feel like it gets nearly enough attention. That's the only one on this list I've read yet, but I own Starry Eyes, Dimple, Listen to Your Heart and Foolish Hearts. Now I know which books to turn to when I need something light and breezy.
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
That book was a total gem, and I try to mention it often. I hope you do read some of those books when you need a light and breezy read, because they really delivered the feels for me.
DeleteWhat a great list of books you have to break a reading slump! ❤️ I go to manga when I hit a reading funk and if it’s a really bad day, k-dramas. They are funny and serious at the same time with impossible situations.
ReplyDeleteI have all my daughter's old manga on my shelf. She was a huge fan. I see so much love for K-dramas, I have to check one out sooner or later.
DeleteRoyals and Starry Eyes for sureeeeeeeeeeeee chase away the funk. Might have to check out the rest of these when the funk comes back. Wonderful picks, Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteThose books were both lots of fun, and I will hype Jenn Bennett always.
DeleteStarry Eyes and A Quiet Kind of Thunder are both sitting on my Kindle and waiting on me to read them whenever I can. When Dimple Met Rishi is on my TBR and I cannot wait to be able to read it :D
ReplyDeleteJenn Bennett is a contemporary rockstar! Her books are perfection for me, and Barnard is an author I want to read more and more of. I hope you get to some of these, because they made me smile tons.
Delete