BOOKSTHAT / LIST NO. 5754

Books that
Give You a Break from the Hard Stuff

If we can imagine it, we can make it our reality.

FILE UNDER

LIFE & COMMUNITY
LITERATURE

01 / 23

Theo of Golden

Allen Levi

03 / 23

Moon Bath

Dakota Hills, Sierra Brashear

05 / 23

How Lucky Am I

Christian Watson

06 / 23

Foster

Claire Keegan

07 / 23

The Book of Delights

Ross Gay

Ross Gay records a year of everyday encounters in short essays about ordinary pleasures, racism, grief, community, and the natural world.

Synopsis

08 / 23

Monk and Robot

Becky Chambers

09 / 23

Nothing Much Happens

Kathryn Nicolai, Léa Le Pivert

10 / 23

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt

“A heartwarming novel to suit any mood.”
New York TimesReview excerpt

11 / 23

The House in the Cerulean Sea

TJ Klune

“It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket.”
V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRuePublished endorsement

12 / 23

Automatic Noodle

Annalee Newitz

“Newitz packs this tale with simmering action, endearing characters, and political savvy, topping it all off with generous dollops of humor and imagination.”
Publishers Weekly (starred review)Review excerpt

13 / 23

I'm Just a Little Guy

Charlie James, Paige Tompkins

Paul Bog, a small frog based on Charlie James’s comedy sketches, offers humorous advice about rest, money, anxiety, and daily life.

Synopsis

14 / 23

I Wish to Say Lovely Things

Adam Gnade

15 / 23

All Boys Aren't Blue

George M. Johnson

“An exuberant, unapologetic memoir infused with a deep but cleareyed love for its subjects.”
The New York TimesReview excerpt

16 / 23

All About Love

bell hooks

hooks treats love as a practice of care, responsibility, and justice, challenging the idea that feeling alone is enough.

Synopsis

17 / 23

Big Friendship

Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman

“A soul-searching reflection that delivers an emotional journey to amplify the self-help tips.”
Kirkus ReviewsReview excerpt

18 / 23

One Last Stop

Casey McQuiston

19 / 23

The Passing Playbook

Isaac Fitzsimons

“A big heart of a book about how acts of courage—both small and large—can be so empowering.”
Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery BoysPublished endorsement