Top Ten Books That Make Me Smile
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
I’ll admit it: I’m the kind of reader who actually laughs out loud when reading – or worse – does that weird chuckle. And it happens surprisingly often, considering my favourite books tend to be a bit darker. Nevertheless, I do enjoy some good humour and there are characters that are just too sweet and settings that bring back memories. So today I’m presenting you ten books that make me smile!
1) The Martian – Andy Weir
I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again: I love this book. One of the biggest reasons for that is the humour! Stranded astronaut Mark Watney survives on Mars just as much through humour as through science. If you like space, science and sarcasm this one’s for you! And in case you’ve seen the film: the book is even funnier.
2) An Absolutely Remarkable Thing – Hank Green
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is a sci-fi adventure about alien robots and internet fame. It tackles important issues like power, the responsibility that comes with that and how we use the internet. But it’s also very funny thanks to a brilliant cast of characters and a ridiculous sequence of events you couldn’t make up if you tried.
3) Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs – Caitlin Doughty
Caitlin Doughty is my favourite mortician. Her YouTube channel Ask A Mortician is filled with countless videos tackling everything from protecting trans people in death to Walt Disney’s morbid curiosities. She also happens to be one of my favourite authors. In Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs, Caitlin Doughty answers questions about death from kids. They range from “Can I keep my parents’ skulls after they die?” to “What would happen if you swallowed a bag of popcorn before you died and were cremated?”. Doughty answers honestly without sugar-coating. The beautiful illustrations by Dianné Ruz give the book a morbidly whimsical feel and despite the subject matter, I find myself smiling whenever I read it.
4) Truly Devious – Maureen Johnson
Truly Devious follows Stevie, a true-crime fan who wants to be an FBI agent and gets accepted into a strange school for students with all kinds of talents. She tries to solve a kidnapping that happened at the school years ago when past and present intertwine and one of her classmates dies.
I particularly loved the characters in this series. My favourite being Nate a socially awkward teenage writer who, after gaining critical success with his debut novel, is in a perpetual state of writer’s block.
5) Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston
This queer romance took the book world by storm when it first came out and I had so much fun with it! I genuinely rooted for the characters and loved seeing how their relationship developed. It’s filled with sweet moments and is the perfect summer read.
6) Ballet Shoes – Noel Streatfeild
Although it wasn’t a part of my childhood, like it was for so many people, Ballet Shoes holds a special place in my heart. The family dynamic is incredibly wholesome and as someone who both does ballet and theatre, there was something utterly charming about seeing these girls discover those worlds. A classic that is guaranteed to make you smile!
7) Rumple Buttercup – Matthew Gray Gubler
I mentioned this book briefly in my June Wrap-Up but for the uninitiated: it’s essentially a picture book, following a tiny monster named Rumple who’s too scared to go outside out of fear that people will think he’s weird. The illustrations are whacky and the story is heartwarming, it’s the perfect book to read on a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea when you’re a bit sad.
8) Undercover Princess – Connie Glynn
Undercover Princess is the first in a series following Lottie Pumpkin (an aspiring princess) and Ellie Wolf (a real princess) who become friends at a prestigious boarding school. Shenanigans ensue, Lottie pretends to be the princess to protect Ellie and soon their small world gets more dangerous than they expected. The world sparkles with magic and I wish I could be a student at Rosewood Hall, their fantastical school. If you’re looking for a light read with adventure, friendship and a hint of romance, this might be for you!
9) The Thief Lord – Cornelia Funke
This is a childhood favourite of mine and I have read it many times. The Thief Lord follows a pair of orphaned brothers travelling to Venice, where they join a gang of street children living in an abandoned cinema. Their charismatic leader is a master thief and soon the btothers get wrapped up in a big adventure. I absolutely love the setting of this and as a child the idea of getting to live in an old cinema excited me so much! Cornelia Funke writes children as real, complex people and the pure nostalgia of this book is enough to make me smile.
10) I Am The Messenger – Markus Zusak
Lastly, we have yet another nostalgic favourite of mine. This book follows 19-year old Ed, who likes playing cards and doesn’t do much else with his life. He accidentally stops a bank robbery and suddenly receives playing cards in the mail, with people he has to do something for. It’s a novel about friendship, meaning and small acts of kindness and it’s guaranteed to have you smile!
What’s a book that never fails to make you smile?
One Comment
linesandlifemiriam
Yep, I chuckle too….. it’s a thing!!
Wow… I really need to read The Martian, huh?
I think the last time I laughed out loud though was when I read The Flatshare!
I love these list posts, they are always so fun to read