What are some good literary fiction books that aren't super depressing?

Don't fall into the trap of thinking literary fiction has to be bleak and miserable to be serious. Books like *Remarkably Bright* by Catherine Mangan or *Lessons in Chemistry* by Bonnie Garmus deliver real character depth and thoughtful writing without dragging you through despair. *The Remains of the Day* by Kazuo Ishiguro is contemplative but ultimately gentle, and *Piranesi* by Susanna Clarke is beautifully strange in a way that's more mysterious than dark. If you want something with wit and warmth alongside substance, *Thursday Next* series by Jasper Fforde blends clever literary references with genuine humor.