If you're willing to go away from Barcelona in your reading, I recommend Winter in Madrid. Not a feel-good novel, but a thriller that takes place in post-Civil War Spain.
By J. Sansom.

If you like an ornate style of writing try Juan Ramón Jiménez.

If you want to read about the darker side of the Spanish soul try Camilo José Cela.

grandmere, did read Winter in Madrid, it was good, though you're right, not a feel good novel :)