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10 Books That Made Me Smile #TopTenTuesday

February 23, 2021

10 Books That Made Me Smile #TopTenTuesday

10 Books That Made Me Smile (image: a woman seated with her hand at her chin looking up and laughing)

Image Source: Canva

Top Ten Tuesday (meme)

What is the last book that made you smile?

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Make Me Laugh Out Loud. (Except that I haven’t read any that actually made me laugh out loud, so I’m tweaking this for books that made me smile!)

It’s posts like these that cause me to realize that the majority of my reading is really intense! I do love Quirky Characters, so mostly quirky characters provide the levity in my reading life.

These are the first ten books that I came across in my Goodreads list that brought a smile to my face. While none are hilarious or laugh out loud funny, each one has some funny or heartwarming moments that make my reading heart light and happy. Obviously, my list is heavily quirky character-driven! (Looking at you Backman!)

See my similar post (with a few different titles) published on July 14, 2020.

 *This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

How to Raise An Elephant, by Alexander McCall Smith

Kind, gracious, and wise Mma Precious Ramotswe and a cast of quirky supporting characters and the culture of Botswana bring many smiles to my face. This recent release of the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency had one laugh out loud moment as the guys attempt to transport a baby elephant in Mma Ramotswe’s van. If you are looking for easy-reading, gentle, comfort reads with likable characters and uplifting themes, this series might be a good option.

How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith (cover) Image: a baby elephant and parent elephant walking with trunks linked

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Smart, snappy, and humorous writing with a likable and quirky character will bring a smile to your face. (skip Ch 5 if you are would rather not read crude humor)

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman

If you have children in your life, Backman’s essays on parenthood will bring a smile to your face. My review of Things My Son Needs to Know here.

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman (cover)

This Won’t End Well by Camille Pagán

Some snappy writing, a quirky character, and an enemies to lovers trope will bring a smile to your face. My review of This Won’t End Well here.

This Won't End Well (cover) ....a young woman peeking through some bushes

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

In addition to some heart-tugging themes, Backman writes a cast of characters that will provide many smiles. My review of Anxious People here.

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (cover) Image: a man and woman stand against a railing with backs to the camera

Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce

This zany (and at times tragic) story brings its share of smiles, too. My review of Miss Benson’s Beetle.

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce (cover) Image: black and gold text over a gold beetle and bright pink background

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Curmudgeonly Ove is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face….especially if you have an older Swedish relative!

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (cover) Image: a man with a cat brushing against his legs stands in an open field with his back to the camera

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal

Although there are some thoughtful themes, the trip these sisters take in memory of their mom is heartwarming and their adventures will bring a smile to your face. My review of the Shergill Sisters here.

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman

Have I mentioned that Fredik Backman writes endearing curmudgeonly characters? Earnest Britt-Marie will bring a smile to your face.

Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman (cover) Image: a woman stands on a sidewalk with her back to the camera, a valise and soccer ball at her feet

The Switch by Beth O’Leary

This life-swapping tale will certainly make you smile! My review of The Switch here.

The Switch by Beth o'Leary (Image: two scenes...one of a young woman walking a dog in the country and another of an older woman standing outside a building)

Bonus! Here’s a picture book that will guarantee a smile!

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy (cover) Image: pen and ink sketch of a horse, a boy, a mole, and a fox

Delightful illustrations and poignant, thoughtful reflections on life (reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh) will bring a smile to your face.

 QOTD:

Have you read any of these stories and did they bring a smile to your face?

What is your favorite “book-that-make-me-smile” read?

Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

Let’s Get Social

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Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price. This money will be used to offset the costs of running a blog and to sponsor giveaways, etc.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

The book covers and author photos are credited to Amazon or an author’s website.

© ReadingLadies.com

44 comments

    • Backman fan club here! 🙌😍 I’m sorely lacking in the funny book department as I read primarily histfic. Thanks for leaving your link! Hopping over now.

      Reply

  3. I am really loving seeing everyone’s lists for the prompt this week because everyone’s idea of a book that made them laugh is so different and I am seeing so many great recommendations!

    Reply

  6. What a lovely list you have! Why have I never heard of How to raise an elephant? I need to read that! Aaah Miss Benson’s Beetle was such a lovely and enduring book. Britt Marie also made me chuckle at a few places. I need to read more books by Fredrik Backman, I’ve only read two so far.

    Happy TTT!

    Ten Feline Book Titles that made me laugh out loud

    Reply

    • Thanks Mareli! Lighter reads have been more fun (and more needed) during this pandemic than ever before! I’m hopping over now to read your post!

      Reply

  9. You seem to be a fan of Fredrik Backman. I’ve heard a lot of good things about his work, but not tried it yet. Looks like something I need to correct! I read The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse in January, and it was so full of feel-good it was the perfect start to 2021. Thanks for a great list, and Happy TTT

    ~Top 10 Tuesday Post @Lexlingua

    Reply

    • Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I love Backman and work him into every list possible! 😂 I’m hopping over now to read your post!

      Reply

    • How fun to meet Backman in person! I’ve been able to attend a couple of his online author events. Thanks for commenting Joli and I’m hopping over now to read your post!

      Reply

  15. I don’t think I smiled once before I DNF Ove! Life of Pi is brilliant though, that’s my current book and its hard not to smile especially on the audio version!

    Reply

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