Really good NON- depressing book recs?

[LilMamiBella]

I haven't read anything in a while. I'm mostly looking for fiction but will definitely check out any other recs you may give me.

[Thalia the Muse]

Jeeves and Wooster! I defy anyone to be depressed after reading these. There's quite a few in the series, by P.G. Wodehouse.

Anything by Christopher Moore.

[katmann]

It's not fiction, but when I need a laugh I go to David Sedaris. So far Me Talk Pretty One Day is my favorite.

[ACsMom]

Dave Sedaris is awesome. Fiction; I like Ken Follett, Gregory Maguire. Both are very satisfying and non-depressing. No Lifetime Moment of Truth stories here.

[Amaranth]

Love Walked In and Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos

[jane-t-mommy]

I am currently enraptured with Terry Pratchett. Anything in his discworld series is seriously amazing!! On the plus side, if you haven't read him, he is extremely prolific, so there is a wealth of books available!!!

He is funny, smart, brilliant and amazing!!!::::

[crittersmum]

You guys swiped all my favourite funny authours already! Christopher Moore (what can you say about a guy with titles like Bloodsucking Fiends: a love story, Terry Pratchett (brilliant and sooo funnyfunnyfunny) and David Sedaris (his essay on -- what was it? -- 6 to 8 Black Men had me in tears, I was laughing so hard.

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series is a lot of fun, and if you don't fall in love with her main character there is something seriously wrong with you (I should add "IMHO," right? ). The first one in the series is The Warrior's Apprentice.

I know what you mean about looking for "non-depressing" books! These days, I'm looking for light and entertaining only. There'll be time enough to get back to all those "good for you" high literature reads when I'm back to getting 8 hours of sleep a night!

[snazzy_mom]

If you like twisted, funny, fiction, I recommend Carl Hiaasen or Tim Dorsey.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by jane-t-mommy

I am currently enraptured with Terry Pratchett. Anything in his discworld series is seriously amazing!! On the plus side, if you haven't read him, he is extremely prolific, so there is a wealth of books available!!!

He is funny, smart, brilliant and amazing!!!::::

Originally Posted by Thalia the Muse

Jeeves and Wooster! I defy anyone to be depressed after reading these. There's quite a few in the series, by P.G. Wodehouse.

Originally Posted by crittersmum

YLois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series is a lot of fun, and if you don't fall in love with her main character there is something seriously wrong with you (I should add "IMHO," right? ). The first one in the series is The Warrior's Apprentice.

:
(And I've got to check out Christopher Moore now )
In the same vein as the above, Robert Asprin's Myth books and Phule's Company books are fantastic.

If you like more girly stuff, I highly recommend Jen Lancaster's work. Because her books? Funny.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by snazzy_mom

If you like twisted, funny, fiction, I recommend Carl Hiaasen or Tim Dorsey.

:

[KristyDi]

I greatly enjoyed Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series is awesome too.

[NiteNicole]

Auntie Mame books by Patrick Dennis
Persuit of Love and Love in a cold climate by Nancy Mitford
I Capture The Castle by Dodi Smith

I agree that David Sederis is hilarious. The first story from Me Talk Pretty One Day had me in tears. I couldn't catch my breath.

[TigerTail]

it's not fiction, but sarah ban breathnach's book (man, title escapes me- it's a daily essay book) is something i find inspirational when i find myself flustered or depressed- about seeking your authentic self. it's a morning ritual for me w/ coffee.

i'm reading a really trashy historical romance right now, though it chagrins me to admit it. :embarassed otherwise i'd just second the sedaris .

[philomom]

Originally Posted by TigerTail

i'm reading a really trashy historical romance right now, though it chagrins me to admit it. :embarassed otherwise i'd just second the sedaris .

Have you tried any Dara Joy? Her romance is both different and scorching on the love scenes. Try Mine To Take... it rocks.

[philomom]

Originally Posted by crittersmum

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series is a lot of fun, and if you don't fall in love with her main character there is something seriously wrong with you (I should add "IMHO," right? ). The first one in the series is The Warrior's Apprentice.

My dh is highly enamored of these books. I like the ones that aren't quite so battle-ish. I'm not much for military strategy. But yes, her humor is funny and her characters are fairly believable until you get to the evil clone bits.

[Luvmyboyz]

David Sedaris for a good laugh. I really enjoy The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series for lighthearted fun with terrific writing.

[delly]

Yay, other people feel like me! My mom rolls her eyes at me when she recommends a book and I ask if it's going to be depressing - she likes books that make her cry, but ever since my first bout with PPD I just do NOT want to deal with it.
Honestly, I like romance, but hate explicit romance, so I read a lot of Georgette Heyer and Betty Neels. They're both very lightweight and fluffy, and in the case of Neels, formulaic, but it's safe and easy. I have to have happy endings.
I like mysteries if they're not too dark - the Mrs Pollifax series is usually good, the Cat Who series is ok although I find them a tiny bit tedious at times (I tend to listen to those on tape since they're readily available). Heyer has some mysteries too, actually. I've tried to get into other series, but don't have any favorites at the moment.
I used to love Anne McCaffrey as a teenager but I haven't read much of hers lately, except the Pegasus series.

[beanma]

Originally Posted by delly

Honestly, I like romance, but hate explicit romance, so I read a lot of Georgette Heyer and Betty Neels. They're both very lightweight and fluffy, and in the case of Neels, formulaic, but it's safe and easy. I have to have happy endings.

I recently picked up some books by Marsha Moyers at the library. They're romancey, but I really thought well written and believable, but with happy endings. I don't think they made me cry, although there were some sad bits in the first one, The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch since Lucy's first husband dies on the first page or something. Here's a line from Amazon's review describing that, though: "Suddenly widowed at 33 after 14 years of a barren, passionless marriage to a laconic farmer, Lucy Hatch Breward returns to her hometown of Mooney, Tex.". Anyway, there are several other books by the same author and they don't all have someone dying in them if that puts you off. I'm gonna look for another next time I'm off to the library. They're easy reads, but I don't feel stupid reading them.

I'm a big Barbara Kingsolver fan, too, and would recommend any of her novels with the exception of "The Poisonwood Bible" if you're looking to avoid depressing. "Poisonwood" is way heavy (very good), but you'll definitely cry with that one. You might like "Prodigal Summer". Been awhile since I read it, but I don't remember it as sad.

None of these are exceptionally funny if you're looking for funny, but they're not sad and full of people killing each other and stuff.

[BookGoddess]

Chick Lit is usually not depressing. It's usually all cotton candy. The Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella about young 20 something Brit is funny. Start with Confessions of a Shopaholic. http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Sh...6026536&sr=8-2

[kirstenb]

I love the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Mysteries by Sue Grafton. Start at A is for Alibi and work your way down. She has writen up through "T" now. She started writing the series in the early 80s so even though it's 25+ years since the first novel in the timeline of the story she is somewhere around 1986.

I also like Jane Green for "chic" novels. Very light and entertaining. Similar to the Shopaholic series.

Philippa Gregory writes historical fiction- I have liked all her books a lot. Read The Other Boleyn Girl (MUCH better than the movie that was based on it).