September 7, 2021
10 Books To Put a Smile On Your Face #TopTenTuesday
What is the last book that made you smile?
I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Books To Put A Smile On Your Face.
It’s posts like these that cause me to realize that the majority of my reading is really intense! It challenges me to come up with lighter reads. I do love Quirky Characters, so mostly quirky characters provide the levity in my reading life.
I wrote a post similar to this in February of 2021 and in 2020, so I’m revising those lists today to add some new selections. I think that during the Pandemic, I definitely sought out some lighter reads. 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!)
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson
In spite of some thoughtful and heavy themes, this story has some humorous and light moments that will put a smile on your face! My review of Funny Thing About Norman Foreman here.
The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
A quirky story with loveable characters and thoughtful themes. My review of Invisible Husband of Frick Island here.
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.
Three Words For Goodbye by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
Although not humorous, this story about two estranged sisters sent on a trip to Europe together by their grandmother to deliver messages on her behalf certainly brought a smile to my face on many occasions. Sister dynamics are always fun! I’m fairly certain this heartfelt story will make my best of 2021 list! It reminded me of The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters in some ways. My review of Three Words For Goodbye here.
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.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (the audio)
The audio format of this story is excellent and, despite the harrowing circumstances, the unlikely friendship brought a smile to my face on several occasions. Who would have thought that a sci-fi story would have an incredible and heartfelt friendship theme? Certainly not me! I love that this story is also appropriate for high school students and would make a great family reading experience (a scattering of F-bombs from my recollection). My review of Project Hail Mary here.
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! (content warning for suicidal ideation as Ove is depressed over the loss of his wife)
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
In spite of some heavier themes, a cooking competition during WW11 brings a few smiles as four women compete and ultimately support one another. My review of Kitchen Front here.
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. Not reviewed.
Summer Wedding For the Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett
This is #2 in the Cornish Midwife series (can be read as a stand alone) and is a light story (uplit) with a few heartfelt themes of friendship, women supporting women, and small town community. My review of Summer Wedding For the Cornish Midwife here.
Bonus! Here’s a picture book that will guarantee a smile!
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
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
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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.
T^hanks Carol, this was great to get some more titles. I’ve just downloaded the two Cornish Midwife books from Kindle Unlimited for free so look forward to some light reading. I too have gone with more light reads during lockdown.
Happy reading Debbie!
Fab list Carol!
Thanks Nicki! 🙌
We all need something to smile, especially at the moment. I’ve read the Ove book but none of the others though I have seen most of them. Nice list.
My TTT.
Thanks Marianne! I’m hopping over to read your post.
The Kitchen Front is a good pick.
This is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Thanks Astilbe! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
I visited your post but I’m having difficulty posting a comment for some reason! Either you’ll get two or none. Sorry!
Hail Mary is a wonderful choice! I loved that book.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-guaranteed-to-put-a-smile-on-your-face/
Thanks Lydia! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
Great list, Carol! The Invisible Husband of Frick Island definitely brought a smile to my face. I have been wanting to read Anxious People, since it is Bachman, I figured it would include some interesting characters.
The most recent book that put a smile on my face – enough that I even mentioned that in my review – was Closely Harbored Secrets by Bree Baker. It is the 5th book in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series. Every book has put a smile on my face. Even though they are mysteries and that part can be heavy, the main character is so likeable as are the supporting characters and every book ends on a positive note. They just put a smile on my face 🙂.
Thanks Gretchen! Backman finds his way onto most any list I create! Thanks for your rec……I love a good series with likable characters!
The Mackesy book is on my list too! I wish it could be longer, but still, its pocket-size charm is delightful. Haven’t read the others on your list, but I will for sure. Thanks for the recs!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Glad to see Backman several times💜
He will NOT stay off my lists! 😂😂😂 My fav author for so many reasons!
Great taste💜
Great list, Carol! I can’t wait to read the new Gaynor/Webb book!
Thanks Jennifer! I know (hope) you’ll love Three Words for Goodbye!
Backman is very good indeed. Happy reading! https://readwithstefani.com/ten-books-set-in-magic-schools/
Thanks Stefani! I’m happy to hear we both appreciate Backman! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
I have had A Man Named Ove on my TBR list for quite a while. I need to move it up, your list is the second one I’ve seen it on today! https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/09/top-ten-tuesday-smile.html
It’s definitely list worthy! I hope you enjoy it when the opportunity to read it presents itself! At least it will satisfy your curiosity….but I hope you love Ove! I’m hopping over now to read your post. Thanks for commenting Cindy!
The Home Front is such a great book! I read it earlier this summer and found myself wrapped up in the story of the 4 women.
When you get the chance, I hope you can pop over to my post: https://readbakecreate.com/10-books-with-yellow-covers/
I’m happy to hear we both loved Kitchen Front! I’m hopping over to read your p;ost now.
p.s. I hope my comment came through on your post….it didn’t appear when I hit publish so I’m not sure. But I did try! Nice spin on the yellow covers!
I said the same thing in my post—topics like these make me realize how heavy most of my reading is. It’s not that I don’t like humor, I just generally prefer it to be part of a more serious story not the whole story.
THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE sounds like such a great read. I’m hoping to get to it before the year ends.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I hope you love Three Words Susan! I’m hopping over now to read your post.
Books can put a smile on your face without being laugh out loud funny is so true. I have read a few of these, but will be putting a couple of them on my TBR. I fully intended to do the Top Ten this week, but ended up with company, so will probably post Top Ten Tuesday on Wednesday this week.
I’ll look forward to reading your post Carla!
You know, those hidden humor ones for me! I find those a lot. But a book that really made me smile was Guncle. It was adorable!
I haven’t read that yet but I’ve seen good reviews!
The Kitchen Front sounds really good.
It’s a story that was more substantial than it first appeared!
This is a good list!
Thanks!
I opted out because there are hardly any books I’ve enjoyed that are more than “amusing” . Like you, most of my reading is on the heavier side, I find comedy really hard to relate to in fiction
I read more light reads during the onset of the pandemic than ever…but now I’m back to heavier reads.
I’m very much in a Chronicles of Narnia mood since it’s getting colder. That book series always gives me uplifting feelings when I think of it.
Ahhhh! Love that series! And the film adaptations, too!
Fredrik Backman is obviously a favorite with four books on the list. I have been meaning to read his books for ages. Which one would you suggest that I start with?
Backman books are so different! If you like a quirky character start with A Man Called Ove. If you like Drama and social issues start with Beartown. If you like humor/mystery/poignant themes start with Anxious People. Happy reading!
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