Ann Patchett's mood boosters

Ann Patchett swears by five books to lift mood and find joy in everyday life.

“Okay, friends, lately I’ve been a little down, right? I mean, I’m guessing that maybe you’ve been a little down too.”

The Book of Delights

Ross Gay's 2019 essay collection finds joy in small wonders like wildflowers and insects.

“Gay decided to find good things in the world, and every day he wrote a little tiny micro essay about something that he had found that day that brought him happiness.”

On Beauty

Zadie Smith's novel about academic families and culture wars offers comfort during tough times.

“It’s about two families in academia, and they’re dealing with a long feud. They’re dealing with the love of their children, and they’re dealing with the culture wars.”

Little Pieces of Hope

Todd Doughty's pandemic-era list of joy-sparkers includes burgers and yellow flowers.

“It’s a set of lists of all of the things that spark joy for Todd.”

Little Heathens

Mildred Armstrong Kalish's memoir of Depression-era Iowa farming brings nostalgia and comfort.

“My grandmother grew up during the Depression in Kansas, so it’s very close to her story.”

This Is Happiness

Niall Williams' 1958 Irish village novel offers slow, soul-nurturing reading.

“It’s about the tiny town of Faha in Ireland in 1958 getting electricity. It’s about falling in love. It’s about making friends.”

Why these books work

Each book provides a reset button for mood, from micro-joy to historical nostalgia.

“It’s a book that places you in life and makes you see the larger picture and the passage of time.”

Reader reactions

Online reviews praise the books for their ability to uplift and inspire during difficult times.

“Love really is all around.”

Mood boosters for today

These backlist books offer immediate joy without needing the newest releases.

“You don’t need the newest releases to find joy; old books can be just as transformative.”

The power of books

Reading these books helps shift perspective and fosters optimism about the future.

“At the end of the day, enjoying any feel-good story can help shift your perspective so you feel more optimistic about the future.”

Ann Patchett's favorite

She now eagerly plans to read more books by Niall Williams after this discovery.

“I am now such a fan of Niall Williams. I can’t wait to go on and read his other books!”

What happens next

Readers can find these mood-lifting books on their shelves or online for instant joy.