I don’t think it’s an understatement to say that things have been a bit… tough lately. I turn to books in any kind of mood, but especially seek solace (or distraction) in them during difficult times. With the political situation the way it is, and the winter gloom still lingering, my seasonal depression and I have already binge-watched our way through most of my comfort television shows, and I’ve been increasingly seeking out more literary methods of coping. Just in case some of you are in the same boat, I thought I would share a list of uplifting books to help guide you through the tough times. I hope there’s something on this list that brings YOU joy!

Wintering by Katherine May

Katherine May’s Wintering is a beautiful and contemplative guide to getting through the hard times. Using personal storytelling tied to the concept of “Wintering”— the way the natural world rests and retreats during challenging times — the book is structured as a guide to take with you from early autumn, through winter, and into spring. The storytelling is lush and immersive, leading to a “cozy” reading experience that both soothes and inspires you. Meditative and tender, this book is a balm, full of gorgeous prose, heartfelt advice, and personal storytelling. I really enjoyed the audiobook, but afterwards found myself wanting to revisit passages, and ended up getting a physical copy to highlight and underline at my leisure.

Funny Story by Emily Henry

Emily Henry has a fan in me, so it should have been no surprise that I adored this book. What was a surprise, however, was how often it had me laughing OUT LOUD. Fresh, charming, witty, and full of excellent banter, Funny Story is a love story that’s full of tenderness and heart. When Daphne’s fiancé breaks up with her for his long-time best friend, she’s devastated, and shattered… and homeless. So, she turns to the only person who might understand what she’s going through. Her ex-fiancé’s new girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend (try saying that 5 times fast)! Scruffy and chaotic, Miles is everything that buttoned-up and organized Daphne is not. But when an impulsive lie has them pretending to be dating, both Daphne and Miles soon realize that maybe what they have is kind of special? Full of great characters, and a tender, emotional core, I read this book in one sitting, laughing out loud often.

There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura

I adored Kikuko Tsumara’s strange and compelling “slice of life” story, There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Job. Translated from Japanese, this book did a great job of portraying burnout, millennial ennui, and the endless, exhausting puzzle of the job hunt. Our main character is weirdly relatable, as we follow her through her misadventures in a series of quirky, unique, and highly specific jobs. This book was a lot of fun, as we join our narrator through her various neuroses and joys. Cozy and comforting, with a sense of humour, this is the perfect low-stakes book to distract you during difficult times.

Pure Innocent Fun by Ira Madison III

Ira Madison III’s essay collection Pure Innocent Fun is part memoir, part exploration of pop culture and the ways it shapes us. This book was laugh-out-loud funny at times, as it forays into the author’s life through the lens of popular culture. In this collection, Madison reflects on pop culture, including the key cultural moments that defined his life, guided his coming-of-age as a Black gay man in Milwaukee, and inspired his career as a critic. Taking us on a trip through the 1990s and 2000s, this book takes us through his experiences learning about sex from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his mom’s Lil’ Kim CDs, reckoning with the most heartbreaking election from his youth (Jennifer Hudson losing American Idol), and more. Funny, smart, and told with a real love for pop culture, this was a delightful and fast read.

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

Technically, Lost and Lassoed is the third book in Lyla Sage’s bestselling cowboy romance series, but after reading book 1, I immediately skipped ahead to this one, because I NEEDED this story injected in my veins. This book follows grumpy eldest son Gus, who has the weight of many responsibilities on his shoulders — from caring for his six-year-old daughter by himself this summer, to managing his family’s 8,000-acre ranch. He’s always been the dependable one, but when his workload starts to overwhelm him, he turns to his little sister’s best friend, a woman he can’t stand. Teddy is the embodiment of chaos and going with the flow. But for some reason, lately, it feels like everything is changing, and Teddy is being left behind. Her best friend just got engaged, she’s losing her job, her favourite jacket has a hole in it, and her sewing machine is broken. So when the opportunity comes up to help Gus, and look after his daughter for the summer, she decides to take the time to figure out what she wants out of life. As tempers flare, and tensions build, these sworn enemies soon start to see each other in a new light. Hot and steamy, with a tender emotional core, this book was a… wild ride.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a cozy, warm, and uplifting novel, following Mika Moon, one of the few witches in Britain. Mika keeps her head down and hides her magic from other witches, so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. Orphaned at a young age, she’s used to being alone, and she follows the rules, with one exception: an online account where she posts videos pretending to be a witch, one that she thinks no one will take seriously… but someone does. An unexpected invitation comes, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House, in order to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all the rules, but Mika goes anyways, immediately getting tangled in the lives of the house’s occupants, including her three charges, and the prickly (and handsome) librarian. When a threat comes knocking on their door, Mika must decide if she’s willing to risk everything to protect her new family.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Tia Williams’ A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is an epic love story that’s 100 years in the making. Ricki Wilde is the impulsive, artistic daughter of a powerful Atlanta dynasty. She’s always felt in her bones that a different, more exciting life awaits her. When the regal nonagenarian Ms. Della invites her to rent the bottom floor of her Harlem brownstone, Ricki jumps at the chance for a fresh beginning, leaving behind her family, her wealth, and her romantic history to realize her dream of opening a flower shop. The music, the stories, and the drama of the Harlem Renaissance still simmer under the service of her new neighbourhood, and one evening in February, Ricki encounters a handsome, mysterious stranger who knocks her world off-kilter in the most unexpected ways. This is a swoon-worthy love story of two passionate artists drawn to the magic of New York, whose lives are uniquely and irreversibly linked.

Disney High by Ashley Spencer

Ashley Spencer’s Disney High was a really fun read for anyone who grew up in the 2000s under the banner of the Disney Channel. This book charts a timeline from the launch of the channel, to its growth and evolution—from the Mickey Mouse Club revival, to the rise of shows and stars from Hilary Duff and Raven Symone to Miley Cyrus and Zac Efron. Journalist Ashley Spencer shares the inside story of the Disney Channel, featuring interviews with former executives, creatives, celebrities, and more, exploring the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Less a salacious, gossip-y tell-all, and more an anthropological pop culture history, this book doesn’t dive into the scandals in-depth, but it doesn’t avoid them either. The audiobook is narrated by Lalaine, aka Miranda from Lizzie McGuire, and the book does a great job at rekindling a nostalgia for millennials who grew up in the heyday of the 2000s era Disney Channel.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is the charming and delightful first installment in Heather Fawcett’s cozy fantasy series. The book follows the curmudgeonly professor, Emily Wilde, who has journeyed to a small town in the far North to study faerie folklore. She’s always preferred the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk to the company of people, so when she arrives in the village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff locals. Nor does she care to spend time with the other new arrival, her handsome and insufferably charming academic rival, Wendell Bambleby, who immediately charms the townsfolk, and gets in the middle of Emily’s research. However, as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the elusive Hidden Ones — she also finds herself embroiled in a new mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? Only, to find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all: Her own heart.

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Ameema Saeed (@ameemabackwards) is a storyteller, a Capricorn, an avid bookworm, and a curator of very specific playlists and customized book recommendations. She’s a book reviewer, a Sensitivity Reader, a book buyer at Indigo Books & Music, and the Books Editor for She Does the City, where she writes and curates bookish content, and book recommendations. She enjoys bad puns, good food, dancing, and talking about feelings. She writes about books, big feelings, unruly bodies, and her lived experiences, and hopes to write your next favourite book one day. When she’s not reading books, she likes to talk about books (especially diverse books, and books by diverse authors) on her bookstagram: @ReadWithMeemz