#BEST BOOKS ON OPTIMISM DRIVER#

This award-winning book paints a picture of humanity that leaves one left with hope for generations to come. Doerr creates two characters from opposite sides of freedom and brings them together through compassion and goodwill. This is a memoir that brings life and growth out of death.Īnthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See (Scribner, 2014)Īn unexpected bond between a French girl and a German boy in Nazi-occupied Europe depicts human goodness at unpredictable times. Turning to falconry to look for some kind of emotional relief, she comes to realize unforeseen perspectives of her life as she finds solace in the similarities between her hawk and herself. Helen Macdonald gives us a story of devastation, memory, and hope as she recounts coming to terms with her father’s death. Helen Macdonald, H Is for Hawk (Jonathan Cape, 2014) A father’s graphic memoir about the love for his daughter is the pursuit of meaning after loss. Through all of the heartbreak and sorrow shines unceasing love, sequentially transforming hopelessness into hope. Hart’s journey through the hopelessness that stems from the loss of a loved one is hardly stricken with grief. Tom Hart, Rosalie Lightning: A Graphic Memoir (St. He travels across England’s northern countryside, where he finds the kind of redemption that is only offered by newfound experience. After casting your vote this Election Day, make the nearest library your next stop and begin your journey in search of hope!īenjamin Myers, Pig Iron (Bluemoose Books, 2012)Īs John-John seeks to find reconciliation in his less-than-desirable family name, the young man stumbles upon roadblock after roadblock. It might be in your best interest to explore a hopeful and optimistic antidote, which is conveniently provided by the book list below. I know this writer is famous for The Book Thief, and for writing for a younger audience, but I find that books geared toward the next generation are often the things I turn to when I want to feel good about shared future and our collective humanity.In a particularly gloomy United States election year that “ has taken some dark-sometimes very dark-turns” and has recently inspired Canadians to join in a social media campaign to “ Tell America It’s Great,” the coming days seem void of any sunshine. What’s he supposed to do at these places? And who’s behind these cryptic messages? It’s been a decade and change since I’ve read it, but the ending-and the feeling of hope that it conjures-has endured in my mind. And then he starts getting mysterious notes in the mail with specific times and locations. But then one day, he accidentally stops a bank robbery.

#BEST BOOKS ON OPTIMISM DRIVER#

Have you ever heard of Markus Zusak’s I Am the Messenger? It’s about a 19-year-old cab driver whose life is going nowhere. The next recommendation I have might be a little weird, but bear with me. Walking around with Ross Gay’s voice in your mind is like that. A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage, by Cyndie Spiegel How do you change your thoughts One day at a time. In a way, it reminds me of this pair of swimming goggles I had when I was a kid: they were yellow, so when you looked through them, the world appeared sunnier, even if it was a gray day. It’s really a masterclass in finding joy it trains you to observe the world through Ross Gay’s optimistic lens. It’s an ode to the small miracles of daily life. The first book that comes to mind for you is Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights, a collection of poetic, short essays that will surely charm you. On the bright side, after you get up today, you only have to do it one (1) more time until the weekend. First and foremost, the book that helped me become a Grace Focused Optimist (and more than any other keeps me one) is the Bible.

Hoping this letter finds you first thing in the morning, when the day feels heaviest. Payne Through his analysis of historical events, Payne illustrates that, contrary to popular assumption, the world today is a much kinder and less violent place than it’s ever been.

Don’t worry: I am in therapy! But I would love to read something that leaves me with a sense of hope.Īlso, while I like to read, I was never into the classics and my attention span is shorter than ever, so nothing too complicated or time-consuming, please! A History Of Force: Exploring the Worldwide Movement Against Habits of Coercion, Bloodshed, and Mayhem by James L. I wake up most mornings and have mostly dread for the day. My personal life isn’t great, either, but I don’t feel the need to get into specifics. You tell me what’s eating you in an email to I’ll tell you what you should read next.

Welcome to Life Advice for Book Lovers, Lit Hub’s advice column.

Best books on optimism