Wholesome Books to Get You Out of a Reading Slump

We all struggle with reading slumps, and more often than not, for no particular reason. Sometimes, the mood to read just disappears―nowhere to be seen. It can be pretty challenging to get back on your feet to read again, and you spend a lot of time thinking too hard about what to read, which spoils the mood even more. Fret not, we’re here to offer you a solution (or more appropriately, solutions)! In this list, we have presented simple, wholesome, and heartwarming books that may ignite your love of reading again. 

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

One of Burnett’s more notable works after A Little Princess, The Secret Garden is a story of a child’s growth―one from a spoiled princess to a girl learning to love and appreciate those around her. We follow her joy, her sorrow, and we feel her sympathy and love for the other characters. This is a story full of love, colors, and a heartwarming message. 

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

The story follows the perspective of a cat named Nana, whose owner is trying to look for a new owner for our feline protagonist. We follow Nana as he listens to the stories of the people who have had connections to his owner, and see how these events have impacted the life of Nana’s owner. Although some sequences of the story are heartbreaking, you’ll find yourself warmed up by Nana’s character and perspective on life, and the story that each character presents.

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R. M. Romero

We follow Karolina, a doll who had come from the Land of Dolls to Poland, on the brink of WW2. Karolina meets with a man whom she calls The Dollmaker, and seeks his help to save the Land of Dolls from the invasion and atrocity caused by the nation of rats. However, as Nazi Germany invades Poland, Karolina begins to learn that she has a far greater purpose in her presence in the human world and that it isn’t only about saving her own world. 

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Shiori is the only princess in her kingdom and she harbors a secret: she possesses hidden magic that could cost her her life. Upon learning that she isn’t the only one with magical powers, she and her brother are cursed by their stepmother―her brothers are cursed to turn into cranes, and if Shiori utters a word, one of her brothers will die. This is a compelling fantasy adventure story that is filled with an unforgettable adventure, lovable characters, and amazing plot twists!

Editor: Hussaina Yasmine