Mood-boosting Books

Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.

One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life.

Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than… fine?

Debut Sunday Times Bestseller and Costa First Novel Book Award winner 2017.

“A gentle and honest story about overcoming adversity. It is a feel good read with humour and realism and ultimately uplifting.”

“It reminds us that someone we know superficially, who may appear to be a little unusual, may in fact be living their life in a completely different context to our own. If we we really got to know them and they
trusted us to understand their circumstances all would become clear. I read this during a stressful and
challenging period of my life and it was the only book which resonated with me and lifted me out of the dark experience towards light and hope.”

“Eleanor is a likeable character who you really end up rooting for. The book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions with her and has an uplifting but realistic ending. Loved it!”

“It’s a lovely story about a woman coming out of her shell and overcoming her past trauma and a very satisfying read.”

“I forgot my own problems, laughed many times throughout the book and appreciated my own life and
parents by the end of the book.”

“Eleanor Oliphant is the most unreliable of narrators, but her story is endearing. Her simple, habitual life is broken by an act of kindness which unravels her carefully created protections. We gradually see her discover herself, come to terms with her past, and affirm that she does have a future, after all. Sharing her journey is life-affirming.”