Anonymous wrote:The Orphan Master’s Son. Adventure, love, intrigue, peaches ... all in North Korea.
I also loved Americanah.
I was going to recommend the orphan master’s son book! So compelling, but a bit harrowing for op.
For uplifting I adored Kevin Wilson’s Nothing to See Here. The premise is a sort of magical realism about a woman who nannies kids bursting to flame when they are upset (don’t worry, nobody gets hurt, the flames don’t actually hurt them) but it is more a meditation on handling big emotions.
If you like essays, anything by Tim Kreider is very funny and thoughtful. I always feel more curious and hopeful after reading one of his essays. Start with “Referendum”.