No Drama: 10 Comfortable Books with Happy Endings

1. "You will find it in the library" by Michiko Aoyama

A Japanese best-selling book about the power and magic of books in 2021 took second place at the Japan Booksellers Awards. Sayuri Komachi works at the library and gives readers unexpected book recommendations. For example, Tomoka, 21, who is looking for an Excel textbook, she suggests reading a children's picture book about two mice. And for 65-year-old pensioner Masao, who plans to learn how to play Go, a collection of Japanese poetry. The advice of the librarian at first amaze visitors, but gradually begins to change their lives: someone finds something to his liking, someone starts a new stage in creativity, someone learns to notice the good in a series of weekdays.

This book will appeal to fans of Japanese literature.Human combi» Sayaki Murata and «Until the coffee is cold» Toshikazu Kawaguchi. And also for loversUwe's second life" Fredrik Backman and "Bookseller's Diary» Sean Bytell.

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2. "This is Happiness" by Niall Williams

The writer Niall Williams was born in Dublin, received a master's degree in modern American literature and made his debut as a playwright. According to the British newspaper The Daily Mail, "Williams has the eye of a poet and the talent of a storyteller who sees magic even in the dullest nooks and crannies of everyday life."

This Is Happiness is a coming-of-age novel and the story of a hinterland. The action takes place in the remote village of Faha, the Irish equivalent of Macondo from "One hundred years of solitude» Marquez. In a place where nothing has changed for a thousand years, an amazing thing happens: the eternal rain stops, electricity comes and the mysterious Christy appears with many secrets and stories about the past.

The book will appeal to fans of Irish culture, as well as novels. John Boyne And Tana French. Another reason to read the work is the translation of Shasha Martynova, perhaps the best connoisseur of Irish literature in Russia.

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3. "Under the Cicada Tree" by Paola Peretti

A novel by writer and freelance journalist Paola Peretti, who lives in Verona, writes books and teaches Italian. Her debut book, The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree, has been translated into 20 languages.

Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore and Urania are the aunts of 22-year-old Cecilia. With them, the girl lived all her life, surrounded by the aroma of homemade pasta, conversations, violent quarrels and love. Unexpectedly, the elder aunt dies and leaves Cecilia with an unusual task: to find their younger brother Lorenzo, with whom communication was cut off in 1945. The girl sets out on a quest, and this journey changes her life: among the faded photographs and memories, she finds herself.

The novel will appeal to those who love difficult family stories, the atmosphere of Italy and books Fannie Flagg, Joanne Harris And Elena Ferrante.

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4. Anxious People, Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman is a Swedish writer and author of the novels Uwe's Second Life, Bear's Corner, We Against You, and the Britt-Marie series. His books have been translated into more than 25 languages ​​and published in 40 countries around the world.

"Anxious People" is almost a detective story. A retired couple, a banker, a young couple expecting their first child, an 80-year-old lady, a real estate agent and a man who has locked himself in the bathroom - all these people gather in one apartment, exhibited on sale. An armed criminal appears in the same place, in which a bank robbery breaks down. He decides to take hostages, but this idea is unsuccessful. After all, everyone who is in the apartment is a very disturbing person.

Backman's book will appeal to those who love prose Matt Haig, novels Where Have You Gone, Bernadette? Maria Semple andold friends» Jean-Claude Murleva.

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5. Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

Stacey Lee, a Chinese-American, has become a top recommendation for Reese Witherspoon's book club. "The novel reflects contemporary problems and gives a detailed picture of life in the past" - this is how they speak about the work in the American newspaper The New York Times.

17-year-old Jo Kuan is a Chinese woman who was born and raised in America. During the day she is the maid of one of the rich in Atlanta, and at night she is an anonymous newspaper columnist with advice for noble ladies. Joe, or Miss Berry as her readers call her, talks about racial discrimination and women's suffrage. Her column becomes insanely popular, but because of too progressive views, Joe has enemies. Will she be able to continue to fight for her rights and change something?

A novel for fans of the atmosphere of the series "Bridgerton" and those who like "servant» Katherine Stockett, «To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee, Jack the Ripper by Kerry Maniscalco, and Tender War by Julie Berry.

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6. "What We Know About Each Other" by James Gould-Bourne

Screenwriter James Gould-Bourne's debut novel, translated into 15 languages. Writer Owen King reviewed it: “…a comedy of sadness and dancing bears. It’s also a delightful story about fatherhood and childhood.”

After the death of his wife, Danny cannot get on with his life: he is fired from his job, and 11-year-old son Will does not utter a word. Danny buys a shabby panda costume with the last of his money and goes to work as a life-sized puppet in the park. Seeing the doll, Will decides to talk to her, unaware of the person lurking inside. The boy shares his pain and memories, and the panda does everything so that Will does not guess who is in front of him.

The book will appeal to readers who love life-affirming stories and fans of books. Nika Hornby, Jojo Moyes and The Rosie Project by Graham Simsion.

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7. "Chemistry Lessons", Bonnie Garmus

A novel that spent all of 2022 at number one on bestseller lists around the world. The rights to publish it have been sold to 40 countries, and Apple TV + is already filming a TV series based on the book. Brie Larson, winner of the Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Emmy awards, will play the main role in it.

1960s, Southern California. Elisabeth Zott, a brilliant research chemist, lives in an era where a woman is only required to stay at home and raise children. She wants to succeed in science, but things don't go according to plan. Zott gives birth to a child, raises him alone and begins to host a cooking program on television, where he explains every process in the kitchen from a scientific point of view.

Fans will love the novelHypotheses of love" Ali Hazelwood and "black cake» Charmaine Wilkerson.

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8. "Two Weeks in September" by Robert Cedric Sherriff

The English playwright wrote his only successful novel back in 1931. The book thundered in Europe and America, but already in the early forties it was forgotten. In our time, it was republished to once again immerse readers in the serene atmosphere created by the author.

In the center of the plot is the Stevenson family, who is going to rest in a small resort town. The reader watches the Stevensons worry about forgetting something, worry about the weather, make a list of things to do before they leave, drive, eat on the road, rest. Sherriff notices all the little things that make travel and vacations so important. And he describes the ordinary moments of life, their simplicity and mediocrity as something truly valuable - something that makes up ordinary happiness.

This book will appeal to fans of novels.Witching April» Elisabeth von Arnim, "Maine" Courtney Sullivan and travel stories.

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9. "Death on the Thames" by Robert Thorogood

Robert Thorogood is an English novelist and screenwriter who created the Death in Paradise series as well as the Richard Poole series of novels. At the age of 10, he read the novels of Agatha Christie and fell in love with the detective genre.

The heroine of his book, Judith Potts, is 77 years old. She lives in an old mansion, solves and composes crosswords, and at the same time has a bizarre hobby - swimming naked in the Thames. One evening, while bathing, Judith witnesses a brutal murder. But the local cops don't believe her story, so Judith takes the investigation into her own hands. She is assisted by the vicar's wife, Becks, and the local dog lady, Susie. Together they found the Marlowe Murder Club, the perfect ladies' thing to do.

A book for lovers of English humor and detectives like "Thursday Murder Club"Richard Osman and"Forty Killers» Anthony Horowitz. And also for those who are interested to know how Agatha Christie would write if she lived in the 21st century.

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10. "Homer's Cat Happiness Rules" by Gwen Cooper

The book is based on real events that happened to the writer Gwen Cooper. When she found the blind kitten, all she had in her life was a broken heart, a low-paying job, and two more cats. Gwen named her new pet Homer.

After a while, she wrote a book about how a blind kitten completely changed her life. Gwen talks with humor and warmth about feline habits, her expectations and reality - how her beloved pets helped her gain confidence in herself. When the book was published, the author received a flurry of letters from readers. Someone thanked for a bright story, and someone decided to take a kitten with special features. And the memoirs of Homer the Cat became a New York Times bestseller.

A novel for those who love animals, life-affirming stories and book about a street cat named Bob.

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