happy, wholesome books to read when you're sad 📖☁️

The first 1000 people to click the link will get a free trial of Skillshare's Premium Membership: skl.sh/christyannejones02211
hello everyone! It's been a bit of a week, so I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about some of my favourite books to read when I'm feeling sad or a little down. These are books that don't really contain harsh ~ adult themes ~ (let's just ignore the mild inclusions of murder and childnapping lmao)
☁️ patreon / christyannejones
☁️ writings christyannejones.com
☁️ instagram / christyannejones
☁️ twitter / christy__jones
☁️ goodreads / christy-anne-jones
Music //
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...

[@christy-anne-jones]

Hello everyone!! For this week's video, I wanted to speak about happy wholesome cozy books to read that don't really have adult/harsh themes. There are a few books here that I love to death and have spoken about quite a bit, so I hope you'll forgive me--I didn't want to omit those books and make the overall list shorter just because I had spoken about them before. I hope you like the video! Take care and enormous love 💛💛

[@CuriosityRocks]

The House In The Cerulean Sea made me cry so much because it felt so healing after having a bad childhood

[@IshaSharma11]

Aww

[@margaretforsey7763]

I am reading it for the first time now, and am finding it to be a healing experience, too. 💕 It is so sweet and charming.

[@irissupercoolsy]

ah nevermind then, i'm not reading it

[@whydoweneedahandlehun]

I didn't cry but i lowkey felt melancholic after reading the book. One of my ult fav

[@mileykey4832]

I had a mental breakdown yesterday so this video is perfect on time🌼

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm so sorry. I hope you're okay 💛

[@mileykey4832]

@@christy-anne-jones thank you sm i love your videos🤓💅🏼

[@jaspreetkaur6833]

Sending love and joy your way

[@rl3920]

What happened?? Are u OK?? Plz have patience.. Good time will come.. Love nd blessing from my side

[@mileykey4832]

@@rl3920 yeah I just have hard few months, I have some serious healt issues and my grandpa passed away few weeks ago sooo yeah, thank you for asking

[@hollyoliver1103]

The Secret Garden is a beautiful book. Especially when you’re nearing the end of a long winter!

[@zephyr2266]

I'm currently rereading the whole Chronicles of Narnia. Can only recommend.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Oohh I've never actually read it! I really want to 😊

[@bigbori8716]

That authors from Belfast, I’m from Belfast 😎

[@kayleekissack]

My all time favorite series!!

[@Chryslerdealership]

Yesss those books literally warmed my heart and made me cry ♥️😍

[@ANA-il6js85]

The lion the witch and the wardrobe and silver chair are my favorites. I listened the whole series on audiobooks during winter 😍

[@fallenangelz291]

I am on the third Anne if Green Gables book. Wish I had started this series last year. So comforting.

[@marseypie5985]

Ooh and I'm on the fifth🥺🥺 Such pretty writing ❣

[@emilyreads5207]

The fourth one is my favorite. And the first two movies with Megan Fellowes are delightful!

[@margaretforsey7763]

Yay! I love LM Montgomery and just constantly re-read her books. I have ever since I was a teenager. It is so wonderful that you are enjoying them for the first time! 🙂💕

[@coly15]

yess i had a feeling howl's moving castle would be on this list!😍😍 the graveyard book is also one of my favorites!✨

[@christy-anne-jones]

Hahaha 😊 Both of those books are so wonderful 💛

[@LittleDreamer1412]

All of Diana Wynne Jones books are wonderful and so underrated! I love Howls Moving Castle but my favourite will always be The Lives of Christopher Chant. Also, no other book has made me as happy as The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it might be a bit heavier in some parts. It's like a warm blanket and a sad hug at the same time and I never felt more comforted by any other book.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Diana Wynne Jones is so wonderful 💛 And that's understandable! I can see how the House in the Cerulean Sea could be seen as a bit heavier. But I agree, it's probably the most comforting book I've ever read 😊💛

[@IshaSharma11]

Truee

[@allisongreenlea530]

So thankful for you coming up with a list of non triggering books! So much heaviness in the world its nice to find something light and happy ❤

[@MihaelaClaudiaPuscas]

Oh I so needed this video! It's a period for me when I don't mind escaping the reality sometimes! Happy and meaningful books can make a huge difference during low times (combined with a lovely green park where the birds are singing)! Thanks Christy!

[@asyeldesroses]

This video is so lovely and comforting! Thank you🐻☁️

[@autumnof1992]

Another thing that makes me feel happy when I'm going through a depressive episode is a warm cup of passionflower tea.

[@love_anneliese]

I love all of your BOOKSSSS video 🥰🥰🥰 I always rewatch your books video even though I already know what books you’re going to recommend. Watching them make me love reading even more.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Awhh thank you so incredibly much 💛💛

[@asmrmayth]

That's what we're CRAVING 🥺 I've felt down for the past couple weeks and I just want spring to come and read happy books aaahhh 💚☘

[@ossswin]

This could not have come at a better time! Thank you for your wonderful recommendations.

[@helena8046]

i have never felt this comforted by a video before!

[@Samreen0987]

I exactly needed this video! 😊 Thank you for always serving us with the best of content and recommendations! You are so beautiful inside out😊🤍❤

[@christy-anne-jones]

💛💛💛

[@greenlandgem]

Such a lovely idea and list to put out there! Thank you. :) I have a little collection of books that I keep for re-reading when I am sick or just feeling glumpy. One of those is Anne of Green Gables, which I grew up with (I'm Canadian) so I can wholeheartedly second the book as heartwarming and soothing to read. If you love LMM's descriptions of nature, she also wrote a great deal of poetry and much of it is exactly that - descriptions of nature. I bought a collection of her poetry a few years ago and keep it in my bedside table, and sometimes read a few poems before sleep to fill my head with lovely imagery. Other books I often comfort-read are Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons series, which is about a group of children who have wholesome outdoor adventures (mostly involving sailing) in the UK in the 1920s. They're well-written and fun, but, much like the Harry Potter series, they are wonderfully readable for adults as Ransome didn't write down to children despite keeping the themes and plot points light-hearted (no Deatheaters or Cruciatus curses here). I also love the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, a fictionalised autobiographical account of the author's childhood in the American mid-West in the 1870s, which captures her family's pioneer spirit and her love of the wild prairie.

[@ellie2285]

This is such a sweet video, thank you for this!! 😭🧡🧡

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you so much for being here 💛💛

[@Hope-dp5fd]

Love your videos Christy! Thank you for the joy you bring 😊

[@Hope-dp5fd]

Also am currently reading The Wind in the Willows which is very gentle and cosy, would recommend!

[@danieleigh6468]

Your hair looks pretty! Thank you for the recommendations

[@szekelynora772]

I'm not sad but constantly looking for happy books. My faves are The secret garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Miss Pettigrew lives for a day by Winnifred Watson.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you so much for your recommendations! 💛😀

[@annemadrid2361]

I read the House in the Cerulean Sea because of this video! & now, im on a beautiful journey of rediscovering my love for reading. Thank you!

[@lisam.5682]

Thank you so much for this video! I just read a really depressing book and don't feel so good right now (it was a bad idea). I definitely need to read something positive and cozy soon, thanks again💙

[@sejalb725]

Thank you so much! I was looking for such books for a long long time

[@kokoro_flow]

Thanks for these recs. I am grieving so this video is especially appreciated ❤

[@StellarSpell]

Much needed video! Thank you for all the great recommendations, I'll definitely read most of them and I can't wait to start the house at the cerulean sea!!

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm so glad you liked it 😊💛

[@armystayatiny2607]

Thank you so much for the recommendations, i really needed this ❤

[@christy-anne-jones]

You're so welcome!! 💛

[@KristinKravesBooks]

Love that edition of Anne of Green Gables. Anne is one of my favourite characters ever!

[@christy-anne-jones]

It's a really lovely copy!! 💛

[@kmz9.188]

My go to books are always something of Cassandra Clare’s ❤️ either the Mortal Instrument series, Infernal Devices, Dark Artifices.. I could read those books over and over again 🥰 I’m currently reading her new book Chain of Iron and am in love! I will be adding some of the books you reviewed to my reading list now as well 😊

[@moder_nord2475]

I love SO many of these books!! Also, Roald Dahl always helps me when I’m down :) If you want a wintery read from Norway to cool you down (haha!) I would recommend Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr. I have only read it in Norwegian, so I can’t say if the translation is any good, but it filled my heart with so much joy. The lovely friendship between a young girl and an old man is just so FUN and beautiful. She has a lot of Pippi Longstocking and Ann Shirley in her!😀

[@chloegoesbang]

The President’s Hat and The Red Notebook, both by Antoine Laurain. Both are fun stories and have a really sweet, optimistic feel to them. They are easy to read and follow, not overly complicated, so good if you are in a fuzzy headspace 💫

[@lolly5657]

I've just read the red notebook and reading the president's hat. I conquer with this comment really enjoying them and such lovely reads

[@bookishangie]

Such a wonderful video idea! Thank you for sharing these happy books - I’ll definitely be checking out Howl’s, the house in the cerulean sea don’t be graveyard book 😊 I recently bought the box set for Anne of Green Gables, as I’ve been meaning to read it for quite some time so I’m very excited! Thank you for sharing your recommendations!

[@afraaazmeer2296]

For some reason - I’ve always pictured Anne of Green Gables looking somewhat like you do in the most beautiful way!

[@frannieforthoughts9527]

What a nice peaceful video! Thank you

[@Mitsuna]

Thank you for these lovely recommendations!! The Forest of Wool and Steel seems really interesting so I will definitely give it a read!

[@noonalee4493]

Anne of Green Gables is my favorite book!! I love you version of the book :)

[@clemmy0308]

The Guernsey literary and potato peel pie society is the best thing ever

[@shanewilliams1873]

I was wondering if I should read it. I loved the movie.

[@clemmy0308]

@@shanewilliams1873 the film isn't good compared to the book because it missed out so many details that are important to the story. You'll see if you read the book you'll start hating the film haha.

[@christinacampbellbooks]

I definitely want to read this. I really enjoyed the movie adaptation!

[@donnasoriano5110]

I needed this🥺❤️💞 thank you💞

[@christy-anne-jones]

You're very, very welcome💛😊

[@lucilledatta4260]

I read The House in The Cerulean Sea last week and simply adored it and I was actually trying to find some good, happy books. Thanks for this list!

[@faqihahhasnizam8347]

Needed this thank you!!

[@Mandyxien]

I actually don't mind you recommending some books again at all! esp with how different this theme is from your other videos. So even though I might know of e.g. Anne of green gables, it is very helpful to hear you describe the books in relation to this theme and why you consider them happy books. I wouldn't have known to pick up some of these books for a comfort read otherwise. Also, it would be absolutely wonderful if you'd make another "happy book"-video some time! 🌷💛 or maybe your favourite comforting tv-shows? I really liked your video about your favourite tv-shows of all time! 📺

[@GinaHouse]

What wonderful book recommendations! Yay! I've either read these or have them on my TBR. This might be the motivation to finally get to some of them. I'm definitely thinking that 'The House of Wool and Steel' sounds perfect for this time of year since there's still snow here in New Hampshire. I also love Thich Nhat Hahn and, if you haven't already read the book 'Peace is Every Step', I highly highly recommend that one. It's my favorite of his. Thank you so much! :D

[@linnea9n]

Just this list of books puts me in a better mood already 😊✨ I love reading the original Moomin books by Tove Jansson when I’m feeling down, especially ”Finn Family Moomintroll” and ”Tales from Moominvalley”. They are so wholesome and sweet and also have the most beautiful illustrations in them! 🥰

[@timmelsweber7648]

I agree. I did a Moomin character test this morning and found out I’m most similar to Snufkin 🥰

[@christy-anne-jones]

AWWWH I love Moomin!! I need to read the books 😊💛

[@carolinareads6231]

Thank you for this lovely list 🐳 super random q not about reading - what red lipstick and polish do you wear?! They’re always so sharp! Love them 😻😻😻!

[@lolablack905]

Thank you so much for that list!💚 I am sure it will cheer me up during the Corona Lockdown

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm so happy you liked the video 😊💛

[@malefsij8284]

The house in the cerulean sea is my go to comfort book, it is so wholesome it gives me back my will to live

[@flaviaaghata6178]

I cried my eyes out reading The Graveyard Book, it's so beautiful!!

[@IshaSharma11]

Actually it is

[@JustAFangirl1]

After the first video you talked about the graveyard book about a year ago, I read it (it was a little bit difficult to find it here in my country) and I highly recommend it 💛💛💛 also Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorite books of all times.

[@IshaSharma11]

True.

[@TheChemist418]

I was so confused when you said Northern Lights. I was like “….that sounds like The Golden Compass, did he just write another His Dark Materials book?” Didn’t know it was only The Golden Compass in America!

[@bella619]

All the Miss Read books starting with The Village School. All of the Anne of Green Gables books(so good on audible too) and At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon.. This was a great video! Thanks for putting it together!!🥰

[@MermaidsAreNice]

Im not going to go into my mental health struggle, but this is v timely for me. Im just sooooo happy for this list. I cant wait to borrow all of these books.

[@mare2723]

❤

[@findingprerna]

Omg yessss! I’ve read all but two from this list. ❤️

[@mahina7572]

Ahhhh!! I hoped and hoped you would make a video like this one day - I love your other recommendation videos, of course, but wholesome recommendations!?!? Yes please!! All books have been added to my reading list :) (Howl's Moving Castle too, I'm due for a reread for the millionth time 😂 It just gets better every time!)

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm so glad you liked the video!! 😊💛

[@lillouve2992]

Immediately thought of Anne of green gables when I saw the theme, I m glad you told about this gem :)

[@sagetorrisi7097]

This video couldn't have come at a better time

[@IshaSharma11]

Exactly

[@flaviam.6048]

Love this video!

[@ruthfernandez8801]

So glad to find an Aussie book reviewer xx

[@smellydonut5088]

I absolutely adore your book reccs ! :)

[@thepolarbearsarelife]

Just went through a breakup and this is exactly what I needed. Thank you. 🥺

[@alliehinojosa7150]

i read the graveyard book because of this video and it is now probably my favorite book ever. so i’m back for more recs!

[@adrianainesbonaudi1365]

Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim is the happiest book I’ve ever read! Four English women rent a castle in Italy and it changes their lives, so beautiful to read and uplifting!

[@Midalias25]

Thank you. I am looking for books written by women with women characters that would make me happy.

[@christinacampbellbooks]

Definitely want to read The House in the Cerulean Sea this year!

[@Ambs2023]

I reread the Anne of Green Gables series each year 💛

[@chrissycox7166]

thank you! it came at such a suitable time. been having a hard time...

[@christy-anne-jones]

Hope you're okay 💛

[@IshaSharma11]

True .

[@laurenknauer3981]

I really really recommend Bob by Wendy Mass!! It is definitely a book that belongs on this happy, sweet, and wholesome list. I adored it and I know you will too!🥰🥰🥰✨

[@marianamenegati3738]

Ooh I really need to read The Graveyard Book, I want to get into Neil Gaiman so I think starting with one of his books that are light hearted will be good! I'd recommend The Chronicles of Narnia (except for the last one, it made me cry) for wholesome books, but you probably already read it😂❤️

[@karlafuentes4001]

Just whats I needed! 🙂

[@beautifulminutiae]

Jane Austen always puts me in a better mood. For animal lovers, I’d also highly recommend All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. It’s so wholesome and brought me a lot of joy in 2020 ❤️

[@PhysiqueQuantique]

I love these recommendations! I really need to read The House in the Cerulean Sea. My go-to comforting read when I'm sad or sick is A Year in Provence, which is a comic memoir/travel writing about a retired couple who move to the south of France. The best parts are all of the (MANY) vivid descriptions of huge provençal meals. Truly a delight.

[@viviennehayes2856]

Are you sure A Year in Provence is about a retired couple - I thought they were fairly young and he was a writer trying to do his work, but was side tracked nearly all the time. I loved this book too.

[@bubbualex123]

My favorite book in this category is Away with the Penguins. It has an odd heavy moment, but it is a beautiful and heartwarming story!

[@autumnof1992]

Little house on the prairie is my favourite comfort book series it warms my soul and makes me happy.

[@AnniesBookNook]

I love Thich Nhat Hahn’s books. I want to read the forest of wool and steel. My comfort read is pride and prejudice ♥️

[@kscorner97]

I love Anne of Green Gables! The 1985 movie is really good as well and very light hearted.

[@erinh7450]

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison! And I'll also agree with the other poster who said anything by Becky Chambers!

[@nickl3ee465]

The Secret Garden is soooooo lovely and wholesome, it excited me to get up and live. Just live.

[@geobarros]

I finished The House in the Cerulean Sea two days ago and immediately thought about it when I saw the caption on this video hahaha

[@ReadEatGameRepeat]

Since you mentioned anne of green gables & alice in wonderland I'd really really really really recommend trying the pages & co series by Anna james! I'm sure you'll love them

[@donnaoloughlin3446]

Hard to find adult books that are happy, but some favorites are John Steinbeck's "Travels with Charlie" and The Essays of E.B. White.

[@Samreen0987]

Oh l love your videos alot..l have been waiting for it eagerly😊l am so happy to see your video!!😁😄 Have a beautiful day!😊

[@christy-anne-jones]

Thank you so much!! I hope you have a beautiful day too 💛

[@timmelsweber7648]

Wonderful video, thank you 😊

[@christy-anne-jones]

You're very welcome!! 😊

[@nadiahenderson7295]

Loved this video ☺️ Journey To The River Sea by Eva Ibbotson is my comforting, wholesome recommendation!

[@Jadereadsbooks]

I absolutely love the fairyland series as well as the house in the cerulean sea. Couldn't stop smiling whilst I read those

[@mare2723]

What fairy books? I love fairies there’s almost never fairies in fairy tales though

[@Jadereadsbooks]

@@mare2723 'the girl who circumnavigated fairyland in a ship of her own making' although I would say there aren't loads of traditional fairys in it it is still an amazing middle grade book

[@kriw5658]

I've never seen better quality camera and lighting in a youtube video!!! omg! what do you use!?!?

[@mirandamarquette1438]

You have the literal best taste in books ❤️🧋🦦🍁 (idk random assortment of adorable emojis)

[@mirandamarquette1438]

Can't wait for your books some day! I'd buy and read them in a heartbeat

[@lourdesr.a3878]

You should read Laura Gallego books, she’s the most famous fantasy Spanish writer, every Spanish kid had grew up reading her books, she’s amazing. Also I recommend you Fairy Oak books, now is the 15th anniversary and she’s releasing a new book. I read Fairy Oak saga every year because is amazing and the illustrations are from another world

[@backstreet51]

I thought northern lights is quite dark haha. The way they treat the kids deamons. Some of the descriptions of those parts really freaked me out as a kid

[@leirumf5476]

Whenever I'm feeling down I pick a book by Terry Pratchett, the man can make me smile in the darkest of days. Of him I'd recommend (discworld, obviously) the nomes trilogy, specially the first book because that book is utterly cute and adorable and it made me blush all the way through. Also yes, Howl's moving castle also helped.

[@anna9190]

Non-fiction can be comforting, too. I would recommend everything by Dave Goulson, for example "A Sting in the Tale. My Adventures with Bumblebees."

[@pennybean6851]

Late to the party on this video but my favorite comfort book, hands down, is Silas Marner by George Eliot!

[@hitikasainiyt]

Needed this, tried listening to Persuasion yesterday but just couldn't get into it. thank you!

[@hitikasainiyt]

@Gökyüzü It's really calming and sweet but I don't know the language you wrote subtitles in, all the best with your channel! Also, plugging your channel in the comments can be considered a bit rude to the creator so please do keep that in mind. I sub-ed though

[@christy-anne-jones]

I'm glad you liked the video, Hitika 😊💛

[@emilysamoliuk8712]

Book hygge is the biggest comfort book ever also loved Anne from green gables books highly recommend them and recently I read daddy long legs and it's quite nice and similar to Anne

[@samragyibansal6750]

Thank you so much

[@bradyroberson4910]

Great List! looking forward to starting The House in the Gerulean Sea! Question? Are those board games under your coffee? I think I see Root, one of my group's favorite games! You a gamer?

[@RajdeepDhareed]

Thanks a lot for the video. Do you have any magical realism book recommendation ? And transcendentalis book recommendation such as Walden and so on ?

[@insanebutterfly3439]

Sometimes when im completely overwhelmed with my mental health I like to read the Twilight series. It’s just fluff that I can turn my brain off and enjoy

[@IshaSharma11]

Nthgg more soothing than this❤

[@Lizzyb1813]

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo was an unexpected cozy read. I loved the characters.

[@christy-anne-jones]

Ooh thank you for the recommendation 😊

[@Rachel-sv9pq]

I just finished The House on the Cerulean Sea for book club and I love, love, LOVED it. Another sweet comfort read you might like is The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.

[@ScullyPopASMR]

You're getting so close to that Silver Button. Simply incredible. See you on the next video.

[@IshaSharma11]

Yeas, her work is commendable