Spring is finally here—yay! But the winter blahs have been hard to shake. Whenever they hit, I fall into my usual routine of reading celebrity gossip on the internet and eating emotional support chocolate. Lately I’ve been breaking the cycle by by reading and rereading books that cheer me up and make the world feel nice again. These are my top three, beat-the-blah, old-timey classics.
Harriet the Spy
Harriet Welsch is a spunky eleven-year-old with serious writer ambitions. She sharpens her skills by trespassing, eavesdropping, and filling her secret spy notebook with juicy gossip and observations—that is until her classmates get their grubby little hands on it. As Harriet struggles to repair the damage, she’s also dealing with her governess leaving to get married and start a new life. This story is supercute, sweet, and funny, and I only cried twice.
Pollyanna
What more could you want in a novel–An uplifting message, lovable characters, funny situations. Recently orphaned (okay, that part’s not funny), Pollyanna moves in with her fuddy-duddy aunt in a small town, where her unstoppable optimism—and her Glad Game, finding something to be thankful for in every situation—transforms the lives of those around her. A perfect pick for days when you want to perk up and feel the good feels.
Nancy Drew
Maybe you love whodunits but want a break from the dark, heavy grown‑up kind? Nancy Drew is the perfect pick. Nancy’s early mysteries feature missing heirlooms, secret wills, haunted mansions, and puzzling disappearances—all solved with her own brand of bold, brave, and brilliant sleuthing.
If you’ve never read these books—or it’s been a while—grab one when you’re feeling crappy. They might just make you happy!
What books cheer you up? Please comment below!
