TTT – Books That Made Me Smile

Happy Top Ten Tuesday everyone! Today’s prompt is super cute, but I already know I’m gonna have trouble with it… Oh well, no one will come arrest me if I don’t make it to ten books right??

smile

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and you can find all prompts, past and future, on her blog!

Anyway, today’s prompt is: books that made you smile! This could be for any reason, of course. Now where I encounter my troubles is… I read a lot of fantasy and sci-fi. Not exactly books that inspire joyful thoughts. In fact, a lot of the characters I read about are positively miserable. Anyway, I shall do my best because of course I have read books that made me smile!

1 – The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

By Becky Chambers

This is the first book that came to mind after reading the prompt. This sci-fi is really more a story of character than of actual hard sci-fi. It is about one Rosemary Harper, who finds among the crew of the Wayfarer more than just a job. Although there is still plenty of action, it really was the characters’ stories that sold it for me. I actually reviewed this book a while ago, and you can find it here!

2 – Strange the Dreamer

Strange the Dreamer

By Laini Taylor

Will I ever shut up about Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares? Absolutely not. I actually shed quite a few tears reading Muse of Nightmares, but despite that this book also makes me smile. I feel like the story of Lazlo and Sarai is a hopeful one, and we could all use a little hope every now and then. I’m actually planning to reread this duology at some point. I want to feel all the emotions again.

3 – The Raven Cycle

The Raven Boys

By Maggie Stiefvater

This series always makes me smile because it makes me appreciate friendship. Every time I think of this series I want to grab my friends and make a road trip to West Virginia or something. Which is entirely within the realm of possibilities, since I already am in Virginia.

4 – The Upside of Falling

The Upside of Falling

By Alex Light

This book made me smile because it was so…high school. It was also so incredibly cheesy, but it was what I wanted to read at the time. I think it’s a super cute love story, and if you’re looking for a cute contemporary without angst, this is the one! I even reviewed it for me Books About Books Challenge, and you can find it here!

5 – The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora

By Scott Lynch

This book made me smile because at times it was genuinely funny. I don’t really want to make a Six of Crows comparison, especially because this book is way older, but the two books do have similar elements. Mainly that the gang is trying to pull off a major heist, and you suddenly find yourself caring for a band of criminals. This book made me smile and laugh throughout, except for the end. I cried during the end…

6 – The Eyre Affair

The Eyre Affair

By Jasper Fforde

Another book for my Books About Books challenge. This book made me smile because at times it was just so absurd. The entire setting of this book is like you’re reading Monthy Python. It’s set in the 80s, and immediately you realize that in some ways civilization is more advanced than ours right now, but in other ways it’s totally not. I’m glad there are a bunch more books in this series, because this book was quite delightful.

7 – The Land of Stories

The Land of Stories

By Chris Colfer

I honestly love reading a middle grade novel every now and then. I’ve read up to book three in this series, and it’s so whimsical! These books always make me smile because the fairy tale characters you know and love are given a whole new life. I especially recommend these books if you have/know children that are in the earlier stages of reading middle grade novels.

I’m gonna leave it at these seven books and series. There are undoubtedly more books that made me smile, but these ones stand out to me. What are some books that made you smile?

You can find more of my Top Ten Tuesday posts here!