Sometimes, life demands a little pick-me-up. With a constant stream of unsettling news, soaring prices, and a “to do” list that grows by the minute, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Just like taking a deep breath or lighting a candle, diving into a feel-good book is the ultimate in self-care. Even if your usual fare is murder mystery, there are times we all crave something a little more uplifting.

If you’re like me, you might be a comfort re-reader. There’s comfort in what we already know. Books can act as time machines, whisking us off to the last time we read it, or even the very first time. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe hits different each of the 8 times I’ve read it.

But if you’re ready for something new, these audiobooks are like a warm hug, ready to boost your mood, motivate you to overcome challenges, or remind you of the goodness in the world. Lift your spirits and listen to the bright side of life with these picks on the Libby app. The best things in life are free—and so is Libby, thanks to your library.

How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery

This restorative memoir reflects on the personalities and quirks of 13 animals and the truths revealed by their grace. It also explores vast themes: the otherness and sameness of people and animals; the various ways we learn to love and become empathetic; how we find our passion; how we create our families; coping with loss and despair; gratitude; forgiveness; and most of all, how to be a good creature in the world.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

A skeleton discovered in a well in 1972 unearths long-buried secrets from a diverse, marginalized community in Chicken Hill, Pennsylvania, revealing the struggles and resilience of its residents as they navigate the harsh realities of early 20th-century America.

McBride shows us that even in dark times, it’s love and community—heaven and earth—that sustain us.

Dear Life by Alice Munro

Suffused with Munro’s clarity of vision and her unparalleled gift for storytelling, these short stories about departures and beginnings, accidents and dangers, and outgoings and homecomings both imagined and real, paint a radiant, indelible portrait of how strange, perilous, and extraordinary ordinary life can be.

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

A failed bank robbery turns into a life-altering experience for a diverse group of flawed strangers taken hostage at an apartment open house, where their secrets, struggles, and desires collide in unexpected ways.

This “endlessly entertaining mood-booster” (Real Simple) is proof that the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope can save us—even in the most anxious of times.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space—and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe—in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter

In vignettes both comic and sexy, men and women speak of and desire their ideal mates: The owner of a coffee shop recalls the day his first wife seemed to achieve a moment of simple perfection; a young couple spends hours at the coffee shop fueling the idea of their fierce love; a professor of philosophy, stopping by for a cup of coffee, makes a valiant attempt to explain what he knows to be the inexplicable working of the human heart. Their voices resonate with each other and come together in a tapestry that depicts the most irresistible arena of life.

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

The “riveting pick-me-up we all need right now” (People) that proves humanity thrives in a crisis and that our innate kindness and cooperation have been the greatest factors in our long-term success as a species.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangy Mandanna

A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family—and a new love—changes the course of her life.

A Good Life by Virginie Grimaldi

Estranged sisters are forced to confront their past and reconcile while clearing out their late grandmother's house, exploring whether the wounds of their shared history can ever fully heal.

Laughter, tears, and the transformative power of love—these are the ingredients that combine to make this uplifting, unputdownable literary novel the summer read of 2024.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

After being left by her fiancé, Daphne finds herself in a small town where she navigates heartbreak, a new job, and an unexpected friendship—and potential romance.

Through unexpected friendships and new beginnings, Daphne finds the strength to rebuild her life and discover love in the most surprising places.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

A chronically ill computer geek determined to break out of her "boring" life, recruits her enigmatic neighbor to help her complete her adventurous "Get a Life" list, leading to unexpected romance.

The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson

Strangers on a London bus unite to help an elderly man find his missed love connection in this heartwarming novel.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

The Princess Diaries meets Crazy Rich Asians in this refreshing story of an ordinary Japanese-American girl who discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan.

If you like this one, be sure to check out the sequel, Tokyo Dreaming.

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley, the orphan child who brings happiness and love into the lives of her foster family, is one of the most beloved heroines in all of literature.

This wildly imaginative, red-headed chatterbox tries to fit into the narrow confines of Victorian expectations, but her exuberant spirit keeps leaping delightfully beyond the bounds.

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

Check out your library—an instant mood booster! And download the Libby app for more free pick-me-ups you can get with just your library card.

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