Some feel-good reading to brighten your summer

No disrespect meant to the downers of the literary world, but sometimes you just want a book that makes you smile. Here’s a collection of the best feel-good reads of the year so far. They’ll make you laugh, and they might make you cry — but only tears of happiness.

“The Hawk’s Way,” by Sy Montgomery: If you’re a birdlover you’ll appreciate Montgomery’s latest. In “The Hawk’s Way,” she recalls getting to know a 4-year-old raptor named Jazz, which led her on a journey to understand the animals. It’s an informative read that will make you want to go outside and look up into the sky.

“Remarkably Bright Creatures,” by Shelby Van Pelt: It’s about Tova, a widow who works the night shift at a Washington state aquarium, which keeps her busy after her son’s disappearance three decades ago. The giant octopus, named Marcellus, just might hold the keys to unearthing what happened to Tova’s son.

“From Hollywood with Love,” by Scott Meslow: Meslow offers a worthy homage to the rom-com in this deep-dive that spans 30 years of hits, from “When Harry Met Sally” to “Crazy Rich Asians.” The book is sprinkled with fun trivia, photos and interviews with directors and stars.

“Book Lovers,” by Emily Henry: Nora is a workaholic literary agent. Charlie is the brooding book editor. After a combative first meeting, the two New Yorkers bump into each other in a small North Carolina town years later, when they do their best to resist the happily ever after that readers will root for from Page 1.

“Chef ’s Kiss,” by TJ Alexander: Pick up Alexander’s debut novel for the autumnal galette or cookie-crumb-crust cheesecake. Stay for the romance that develops between pastry chef Simone and her nonbinary colleague Ray.

“Chef ’s Kiss,” which takes place in a Bon Appétit-style test kitchen, is like a dish of comfort food.

“Flying Solo,” by Linda Holmes: It’s about a single woman on the cusp of her 40th birthday who returns to Maine to clean out her great aunt’s home. While there, she finds a mysterious wooden duck that leads her on — well, a wildgoose chase, which detours to an old love.

“One Italian Summer,” by Rebecca Serle: Katy is unmoored when her mom, Carol, dies — so she heads to Italy on the vacation they had been planning to take together. Once there, she encounters a 30-yearold incarnation of her mother, and the two embark on a magical romp that helps Katy understand who Carol was as a young woman.

“Let’s Not Do That Again,” by Grant Ginder: If you long for the days of “Veep,” look for the same dysfunctional family dynamics and political misadventures in Ginder’s latest novel. It’s about Senate hopeful Nancy Harrison, who has to go to France with her son to bring home her politically inept daughter.

“This Time Tomorrow,” by Emma Straub: Straub puts her own spin on “13 Going on 30.” It centers on Alice, who’s stuck in many aspects of life as she watches her beloved father slowly die. She wakes up on the eve of her 40th birthday and discovers she’s 16 again. This time she gets a second chance to fix old mistakes.

“Unlikely Animals,” by Annie Hartnett: In Hartnett’s new novel, protagonist Emma returns home to New Hampshire

to care for her dad. He’s hallucinating animals. There’s a lot happening in “Unlikely Animals,” a quirky, poignant novel about family, community and love for our animal friends.

“The Wise Women,” by Gina Sorell: Wendy was a longtime successful advice columnist — though you wouldn’t know it based off her two daughters’ disorganized

lives. As the women aim to solve their dilemmas, it becomes apparent that Wendy has plenty of her own.

“Kings of B’more,” by R. Eric Thomas: The YA debut of humor writer Thomas introduces readers to Harrison and Linus — Black, queer best friends about to be separated by a move. They plan a “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ” — worthy goodbye that involves a mini road trip, their first Pride celebration and a rooftop dance party.

“The Maid,” by Nita Prose: It’s about Molly, a socially challenged housekeeper at a fancy hotel who finds a wealthy guest dead in the penthouse. Once the police decide she’s suspect No. 1 — an easy case to make, based on her slightly odd mannerisms — her organized life is thrown into chaos.