Launched 20 years ago by Dr. Dale Anderson, a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic with over 35 years of experience, Act Happy Day is a celebration and endorsement of exactly what you’d think: acting happy. Specifically, the idea of acting happy as a way to bring about positive change, especially when one is feeling less than great. While Dr. Anderson advocates for a 15-minute belly laugh at the start of one’s day (which seems like a big ask that early in the morning), there’s plenty of science to support this “fake it ‘til you make it” approach. It’s tough to knock being happy, and we won’t, but it’s difficult to look at the idea of acting happy without thinking of how it can be taken too far, to the point of Toxic Positivity. So, on this Act Happy Day, we’ve selected some books to help you get in a more positive mindset. And if that doesn’t sit well with your cynical sensibilities, we’ve got books for you, too.

For more great books, make sure to check out the offerings of your local branch, Libby, and hoopla.

The Happiness Advantage 

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success 

Happiness: Essential Mindfulness Practices

Teach Yourself Happiness

Happiness: The Art of Living with Peace, Confidence, and Joy

Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America 

Toxic Positivity: Keeping It Real in a World Obsessed With Being Happy

Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic–and What We Can Do About It

The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking

The Positive Power of Negative Thinking

Half Empty

Against Happiness

Promise Land: My Journey through America’s Self-Help Culture

Yes You Can!: Behind the Hype and Hustle of the Motivation Biz 

How to Be Sad