Stories, even fictional stories, pull from reality and can remind us of the beauty in the world. In the midst of dark and terrible happenings on the news or in our lives it is easy to lose sight of that beauty and let go of hope. These books are not the only hopeful stories, but they are a few of them and I hope that they can shine some light into your lives.
1. Manalive by J.K. Chesterton
Chesterton is an author with a zest for a life that flows out in all his writing but is central in the narrative of Manalive. It’s a little book, just shy of 200 pages, and it tells the story of a strange man (quite literally) blowing into a house full of jaded cynics and waking up their lives. A good book for those who don’t have huge amounts of time to just sit and read for hours.
2.If Only They Could Talk by James Herriot
This one is the memoir of a British Veterinarian in the English countryside. He moves to Yorkshire straight out of veterinary school and marvels at the simple beauty of the animals he treats and the people they belong to. A good one for people with busy schedules since he is writing out little vignettes of his life and the book could be put down for long periods in between each without the risk of forgetting important details.
3. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Even if you have seen Hayao Miyazaki’s excellent film adaptation, I would still recommend reading this book. Sophie Hatter is a girl who has no confidence and doesn’t even know. Journeying through her life with her after she encounters a witch and wizard that throw a wrench into her expectations of a quiet, unexciting life and watching her own her strength is a joy.
4. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
This book is in turns painfully beautiful and sharply witty. The last unicorn in the world journeys out to find the rest of her kind. She encounters hardships that such a creature never should and gains some odd companions. Together they overcome much though they seem doomed to fail. There is sadness in this story but also a fierce, overcoming joy. It is a story to revitalize the tired soul.
5. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
