Books That Give Me Serotonin

Hello, readers! I feel like I am in the constant need to escape into happy books but then end up crying during every book. I feel like I’ve made it really obvious that I love to read books that make me cry, but I also love books that make me really happy.

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

When I am feeling down, I just think about these graphic novels and feel so much better. The characters are so sweet and the romance is so adorable. The plot is pretty much just the two main characters falling in love with each other and dating, but it does also cover some serious topics like eating disorders and bullying. I am very excited for Volume 4 to come out in May. I also really love Alice Oseman’s art style.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

This feels like a nice warm, cup of soup. This is definitely a comfort read for me and warms my heart. Emoni is such a good soul and you can tell that everything she does is for the people around her and so full of love. The way the story is told feels like Emoni is talking directly to you and telling you her life story. I am also just an Elizabeth Acevedo stan, but this is by far her happiest book, although I would recommend all of her books.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This book is so happy and the definition of a serotonin book. This book is about a child service worker who is sent to spend a month at this orphanage where the children are considered to be outcasts just because of what they were born as and to make sure the guardian is doing his job. But really, it’s about two gay men who fall in love with each other and raise six children together. I really loved the way the guardian talked to children. He was so supportive of them and never discouraged the children.

Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

I wish I lived in this world. This book takes place in an alternate timeline where a woman won the 2016 election and is the first female president. Her son ends up falling in love with a prince of England. First off, the romance was very cute and I love Henry and Alex’s banter off of each other. I aspire to be in a partnership like theirs. I also love a really diverse cast both in personality and backgrounds, and that was this book. The ending also makes me super happy and truly makes me want to live in this world.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

I wish publishing would publish more books like this one. This is cute and feel-good, but there is also social commentary that is super important. It’s about a queer black girl who signs up for her school’s pageant for prom queen. The one problem is that her school is extremely homophobic. Liz and Amanda’s romance is so cute, and I also love how it focuses on Liz rekindling a completely platonic friendship. Also, will say, if you read and like Red White and Royal Blue, there is a really strong chance you will enjoy this one because they have very similar vibes.

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

This is a book that you wouldn’t expect to be so happy and because it is about a boy who is trying to revive his dead cousin and instead revives his school’s residential bad boy. This is a book that I really resonated with because I had recently come out to my family like Yadriel had and was dealing with the aftermath of it so the words that the love interest Julian said in support of Yadriel really struck a chord with me and were what I needed. Julian also misquotes multiple common expressions, which brought me joy every time he does it.

The Princess and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

I think I smiled every page. This is a book about self-expression and loving yourself as both of the characters go through a journey where they grow to accept themselves for who they are. This is about a prince who loves to wear dresses and hates his role as a prince because he associates it with masculinity. He hires a dressmaker to create his dresses, and her storyline is her making the content that she wants to make.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

This is a book series that you probably have already read, but I wanted to include it because it’s such a comfort read for me. It is the big fandom that I got invested in when I was in middle school, and I feel as if I grew up with the characters even though that’s not really the case at all.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This felt like a dream. This is about a world in which there is a witch and she usually gives the babies the town abandons stardust and she takes them in and then sends them off, but one day she accidentally gives the baby moondust. The writing feels so whimsical and the characters are so sweet.

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

This is so cute! I love the way the characters interact with each other because it’s so full of care and love. The art style is super cute and also adds to the cuteness of the story. Also, the tea dragons are super cute.

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery

This is a serotonin book until the ending, but I’m still going to count it because it is a comfort read for me. Anne is such a sweet and imaginative character that is so full of joy and love that it oozes onto you when you read it.

Those are all the books I have to recommend! Let me know if there are any books that I didn’t mention that you think I should check out. I’d love to chat with you down below!