Let’s be honest. We all have those days or weeks, or even seasons where happiness feels like a destination on the other side of a crowded airport. You know it exists, but getting there feels complicated, delayed, and utterly exhausting. You’re not chasing manically for “perfect” bliss; you just want to feel a little bit lighter. A little more connected. A little more… okay.

What if I told you that happiness isn’t just a feeling you stumble upon, but a state you can cultivate? And that one of the most powerful tools for doing so is waiting for you, right there on your bookshelf?

The right book can be a warm hug for your soul, a spark of wonder for your spirit, and a reminder of the profound goodness that still exists in the world. These five books aren’t complicated philosophical treatises. They are pure, potent, and accessible sources of joy that feel like a deep, calming breath for your heart. Ready for your dose? Let’s begin. Find more posts on books that should get in your to read list here and best bookshelves for your to read list here.

Books to Read to Feel Happy

1. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

This is not just a book; it’s an experience. Through beautiful ink drawings and sparse, profound conversations between four unlikely friends, Charlie Mackesy captures the essence of kindness, hope, and friendship. The boy is curious, the mole is fond of cake, the fox is silent and wary, and the horse is the gentle, wise giant.

Together, they wander and wonder about life’s biggest questions, offering insights that are so simple and true they can make you cry with recognition and then smile with relief. It’s a book that proves the most powerful wisdom often comes in the gentlest packaging.

Why It Will Make You Feel Happy:

• It’s a Safe Haven: Reading this book feels like being wrapped in a soft blanket. It creates a bubble of pure, uncomplicated kindness that shields you, even if just for a few minutes, from the noise and harshness of the world.
• Instant Comfort Quotes: Lines like “What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy. ‘Help,’ said the horse.” offer immediate, profound comfort. It’s a masterclass in empathy and vulnerability that feels like a balm for a weary soul.
• The Beauty is the Message: The whimsical, imperfect artwork is a joy in itself. It’s a book you can open to any page and instantly feel a sense of peace and connection. It’s a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself and others.

Perfect for you if: You’re feeling lonely, overwhelmed, or just need a tangible reminder of the power of kindness and friendship.

2. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

While often shelved in the children’s section, The Little Prince is a deep and poetic guide to the human heart for all ages. It tells the story of a pilot stranded in the desert who meets a curious little prince from a distant asteroid. Through their conversations, the prince shares the wisdom he has learned from his travels across the universe, lessons about love, responsibility, and the silly, often invisible, things that give life meaning.

It’s a story that playfully pokes at the absurdities of the “grown-up” world while celebrating the profound wisdom of seeing with the heart.

Why It Will Make You Feel Happy:

• It Reawakens Your Wonder: This book is a thrilling call to remember the magic you understood as a child. It re-enchants the world, asking you to look at a sunset, a flower, or a star not for its utility, but for its sheer, beautiful existence.
• It’s a Love Story for the Soul: The relationship between the prince and his rose is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking depictions of love and connection ever written. It fills you with a sweet, melancholic, and ultimately joyful appreciation for the bonds we form.
• The Clarity is Liberating: The prince’s simple, direct questions cut through the complexity of adult life. It’s a comforting reminder that the most important things—like the joy of a single flower—are often the simplest.

Perfect for you if: You feel jaded by the “real world” and long to reconnect with a more imaginative, heartfelt perspective on life.

3. Humans by Brandon Stanton

You might know Brandon Stanton from the massive blog Humans of New York. This book is a stunning collection of his best work, but it’s so much more than a photo album. Each page pairs a striking portrait with a short, powerful quote from the subject; stories of love, loss, hope, regret, and triumph.

Reading this book is like walking through a city and having hundreds of strangers open their hearts to you. It is a breathtaking testament to our shared humanity, proving that everyone is fighting a battle and everyone has a story worth telling.

Why It Will Make You Feel Happy:

• It Fosters Deep Connection: In a world that can feel divisive, this book is a powerful antidote. It builds a stunning bridge of empathy, showing you the universal threads of hope, struggle, and love that connect us all. This feeling of connection is a fundamental source of happiness.
• It’s a Masterclass in Perspective: Your own problems might feel smaller, or at least more shared, when you read about the incredible resilience of others. It’s not about minimizing your pain, but about expanding your sense of community within it.
• It Restores Your Faith in People: The sheer honesty, vulnerability, and kindness displayed in these stories is incredibly uplifting. It’s a thrilling and comforting reminder that people are fundamentally good, interesting, and beautiful.

Perfect for you if: You’re feeling disconnected from others, cynical about humanity, or in need of a powerful dose of empathy and perspective.

4. A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

This is the book you need if your soul is tired. In a hopeful future known as Panga, robots gained consciousness centuries ago and wandered into the wilderness, never to be seen again. Until now. The story follows Sibling Dex, a “tea monk” who feels an existential itch for something more, and Splendid Speckled Mosscap, the first robot to contact humans in generations.

Their gentle, philosophical journey through the countryside is a quiet exploration of what it means to have a purpose, to be alive, and to be content. It’s a book that feels like a warm cup of tea for your mind.

Why It Will Make You Feel Happy:

• It’s “Hopepunk” in Action: This genre is all about choosing kindness and hope in the face of despair. The entire world Becky Chambers builds is one where humanity got it right. Reading it is a comforting, joyful escape into a future you’ll actually want to live in.
• It Validates Your Restlessness: The main character’s feeling of “I should be happy, so why aren’t I?” is one so many of us share. The book doesn’t offer a pat answer, but it offers deep, comforting companionship in the question itself.
• The Friendship is the Plot: The budding friendship between Dex and Mosscap is pure, curious, and deeply affirming. Their conversations are a gentle, thrilling exploration of life’s biggest questions, leaving you feeling peaceful and optimistic.

Perfect for you if: You feel burnt out, anxious about the future, or are wrestling with your purpose. This book is a balm for the weary and overstimulated.

5. The Comfort Book by Matt Haig

From the author of the life affirming The Midnight Library comes this unique and powerful little book. The Comfort Book is exactly what it sounds like: a compendium of thoughts, quotes, and mini essays that Haig wrote for himself as a reminder during a period of crisis. It’s not a linear narrative, but a patchwork of hope.

You can read it cover to cover or just dip in for a few pages when you need it most. It’s a book that says, “It’s okay to not be okay, and here is a little light to help you find your way.”

Why It Will Make You Feel Happy:

• It’s Immediate and Accessible: There is zero pressure with this book. It’s designed for low energy and low attention spans. You can get a powerful dose of comfort in under a minute, making it the perfect tool for moments of acute stress or sadness.
• It’s Deeply Reassuring: Haig’s reflections on failure, hope, and the messy process of being human are like talking to the wisest, most empathetic friend. He normalizes struggle and constantly reinforces the message that you are enough, just as you are.
• It’s a Toolkit for Resilience: Beyond just comfort, the book is filled with simple, actionable ideas for finding joy—from remembering that “you are a human, not a machine” to listing the things you love about the world. It actively helps you build your own happiness.

Perfect for you if: You’re in the middle of a tough time and need gentle, bite-sized pieces of hope and reassurance. It’s a first aid kit for the spirit.

Your Joyful Journey Starts on Page One

Happiness isn’t about ignoring the hard things. It’s about building a foundation of joy that can sustain you through them. These books are the building blocks. They are your reminders of wonder, your portals to connection, and your permission slips to rest and be kind to yourself.

So, the next time you feel that heaviness creeping in, don’t just scroll mindlessly. Pick up one of these books. Open it to any page. Let the words and the warmth wash over you. Your happier, lighter self is waiting just on the other side of the cover.

Which of these joyful reads are you most excited to pick up? Do you have a “happy book” that you return to again and again? Share your recommendations in the comments below!