7 lighthearted books to escape into right now

7 Lighthearted Books
“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.”
-Mason Cooley

Watch my Good Things Utah segment featuring some of these reads here!

I’m feeling the 2020 blues, and the thought of getting away on a vacation sounds SO nice. That’s not a possibility right now, but it doesn’t mean we still can’t jump into a good book and at least FEEL like we’re somewhere else. Here are a few favorites that allow you to escape your reality from the comfort of your favorite reading chair.

Let’s get reading!

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

One of the wittiest books I’ve read. It’s lighthearted, intelligently written, and hilarious, which makes it kind of a perfect read right now. Nina is an introverted, single girl who works in a bookshop. She isn’t convinced real life could ever live up to fiction, but that all changes when she starts crushing on a guy from an opposing trivia team, You’re a Quizzard, Harry. If you liked Eleanor Oliphant, you’ll love this one. Check out my full review on my Instagram Stories.

MY LADY JANE BY CYNTHIA HAND, BRODI ASHTON, AND JODI MEADOWS

This parody on the classic story of Lady Jane Grey is so unexpected and hilarious. The narrator is PERFECT. Reading this book would not have the same effect. This story is so witty and has historical accuracy, which had me looking up the true story of Lady Jane. (Spoiler alert: She is queen of England for nine days then gets beheaded at 16 years old!) I definitely like this book’s version better than the real one.

ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE BY GAIL HONEYMAN

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is about a socially awkward woman with a traumatic past who finds love and healing in an unexpected friendship with an old man and an endearing co-worker. I love the quirky characters and the feel-good ending.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

When I finished Beach Read, I hugged it to my chest and wanted to start it over again. Which rarely happens to me. The author wrote with so much honesty, wit, and emotion. If you want a fresh contemporary romance that will have you laughing and crying, this is for you. Easily one of the best books I’ve read all year and a new top 10 favorite.

AT HOME IN THE WORLD: REFLECTIONS ON BELONGING WHILE WANDERING THE WORLD BY TSH OXENREIDER

Finishing this book felt like the end of an adventure. I lived vicariously through Tsh Oxenreider, a fellow journalist-mom who traveled the world for a year with her husband and three kids. I felt like I was visiting Australia, New Zealand, and England again and discovering Africa, Italy and Thailand with her. If you’re craving an escape, this is the book for you.

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

I heard so many rave reviews from friends at Talk Wordy to Me about this little book. It’s a quick and delightful read, and something I needed to lift me out of the fog of quarantine. 84, Charing Cross is a compilation of 20 years of correspondence between a freelance writer in New York City and a used-book dealer in London at 84, Charing Cross Road. There’s a film adaptation I’m excited to watch too!

This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick

I picked up this book because I’ve been wanting to feel more connected to where I live. This book is all about feeling at home in your city, and it’s right in line for my word for 2020: Home. The author includes interesting facts and statistics about place attachment. After every chapter, she includes a Love Your City checklist that sums up ideas of how to show your hometown some love and feel more attached to it as a result. It definitely worked its magic on me. I feel notably more attached to where I live after reading it and implementing some tips from it.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick.

After finding a curious memento from his late wife, 69-year-old Arthur Pepper ditches his usual routine and embarks on the biggest adventure of his life to learn more about his wife before she met him. If you loved A Man Called Ove, you’ll love this one!