Books With The Feel Good Factor

Onchan Book Group's next meeting is on Thurs 7th November @ 6 p.m. We're chasing off the winter blues by reading and  talking about books that make you feel better for reading them. Some are from The Reading Agency's Mood Boosting Book Lists and some are our own picks. Here's a taster and we'll add more after Thursday's meeting.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer

Random House

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie society is set in London and Guernsey immediately after the Second World wWar. It takes the form of a series of letters between a writer, Juliet Ashton, and the members of the society. The different characters find their voices and personalities through the letters as their story unfolds. We learn of the many hardships facing Islanders during the German occupation, and also of their courage, stoicism, loyalty and friendships. These letters lead to close bonds, a love affair and life changing decisions when Juliet decides to visit Guernsey for herself. If you enjoyed 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, then read this too.

Mary Ann Schaffer was a librarian who died in 2008. This was her first novel, which her niece Annie Barrows helped to finish when her aunt fell ill before the book could be published.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Howard Fry by Rachel Joyce

Harold Fry seems a most unlikely hero – recently retired, modest and unassuming.
His life is humdrum in the extreme. A letter from a former colleague leads him to undertake a journey on which he will eventually confront his past, and become something of a reluctant media celebrity. Journeying through Britain on foot, wearing only his yachting shoes and without mobile phone or credit cards, he encounters a rich variety of characters along the way, who, despite having their own problems, encourage and help him on his long journey. This is a gentle, amusing and at times heart-breaking novel, which was greatly enjoyed by everyone who read it. Cath

As I walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee

Penguin Books

Here's another book about walking, which seems to be therapeutic whether you're doing it, or reading about it. This book doesn't really have a plot, but meanders through 1930s Spain - on the brink of Civil War - at a walking pace. Laurie Lee had lead a sheltered life in Stroud before walking to London and working on a building site. He'd never even seen the sea when he decided to catch a ferry to Spain with just a violin and the kindness of strangers to support him. He said 'my violin was a passport of friendship wherever I went'. His travels took him diagonally across the length of Spain, and he seemed to have no concerns... 'Here I was, a young boy, golden haired and beautiful, appearing from nowhere and bringing music which meant happiness ... I couldn't go wrong.'

Miss Read 

"To pick up a Miss Read book is like coming in from the cold to a lovely glowing fire and a warm drink". Joan









More books with a feel good factor coming soon! If you have any recommendations, please let us know and we'll add them to the list.