TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS THAT MADE ME SMILE

Posted on by RAIN CITY READS

 

I love books that make me smile. Most of my favourite books did that for me, at least in parts. So this post is going to be a nostalgic journey through some of the ones that stood out to me the most for this very reason!

I like that this topic came now, because I think we could all use some joy and humour. I don’t know about all of you, but I’m struggling. I’m in the high risk category, which means that even though restrictions are easing and people are starting to carefully open up their social circles and regain some freedom of movement, we’re not. I can handle it okay, but my family is struggling – and the hardest part is telling my daughter she can’t go to the park or have visits from her grandparents. And it’s not going to get any easier for a while. It’s hard to keep reminding myself that it’s better to have months of life on pause than no life at all, and no mother for her. Sometimes it feels like a very steep price to pay. At this point in time, any small moment of levity is vital to my mental health and my ability to keep going, so these books are some of the ones I’ve been reaching for to do exactly that. I hope that any of you who are likewise struggling, either due to the pandemic or other sources of stress and sadness, will find a book here to help see you through.

           
 

Any of you who have been here for any length of time have heard me go on about The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. I’m not sure why, something about books and found family, but it just found a special place in my heard and never left. The Red Notebook is likewise endearing, and reminded me of my favourite film, Amélie. There’s a new Laurain book coming out soon, and I’m hoping I’ll get a chance to read it! Likewise 84, Charing Cross Road is another favourite amongst book lovers, and is the best example of the lifelong bonds readers can forge through the love of books. Simon had so many great relationships in it that it made me feel more hopeful about the world.

           
 

I read The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse this year and it was such a quiet but beautiful story that I completely fell in love with it. The Secret Garden is one I re-read this spring when I was in desperate need of something to take my mind off my fear of contracting COVID (I still need that, if I’m being honest). It worked, at least for a while. Jackson and Durrell are two of my favourite memoirists, because they both have that rare ability to poke fun at themselves and their lives (and, by extension, their families).

           
 

I love Raymond Briggs’ work. The Snowman was my favourite holiday film as a kid, and probably still is. I loved this book, not only because of the work itself, but also because it’s a glimpse into my grandparents’ England, and it made me feel closer to home. Guernsey is another I re-read this year to take my mind off things and remind myself that no matter how scared I am, it could always be worse. I love this story, even if it is a little sentimental at times. Love, Nina is just hilarious. It’s not perfect, but it’s highly entertaining and I love that it contains such highbrow literary figures while also being completely human. Bennett (who features in Love, Nina as he is her neighbour) wrote a wonderful novella about what the love of books can do to a person, and it’s one I keep coming back to when I need a smile!

           
 

I think Vigilante was the first book I finished after having my kid, and it took about six months. By the time I finished it the beginning had gone a bit blurry, so I never reviewed it. But it’s a great entertaining read. I think particularly moms who have somehow ended up being nothing else but kind of secretly wish they had more of a life outside their family will really get a kick out of it. Furiously Happy is another I read during that time, and though I didn’t review it, it meant so much to me. It helped me feel less alone and like it was okay to not be okay. Likewise Brosh’s book also made me feel like it’s okay to not be okay. Free Days was simply delightful. George came into Colin’s life when he was most needed, and the two created a wonderful life together (complete with George learning to surf!). It’s a wonderful story for animal lovers.

   
 

Pretty much all of Tom Robbins’ books made me giggle at some point. He’s a master of the absurd and profane in equal measure, and the result is a vibrant, colourful story with unforgettable characters. Tropper’s This Is Where I Leave You takes tragedy and finds the comedy in it, which is something I think we all need to learn to cope with the worst life will throw at us. It shows that no one is perfect, but if we can learn to forgive our own failings, we can forgive others, and that’s when love can grow.

I know there are more, but this is plenty long enough! I’d love to hear if any of you have read one or more of these, and if so if you enjoyed it as much as I did! Likewise if you have any suggestions similar to these for books I should try, please leave them in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.

24 thoughts on “TOP TEN TUESDAY | BOOKS THAT MADE ME SMILE”

  1. notesbyj says:

    I love The Secret Garden! One of ny favourites. I really need to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel society. I’ve heard so many good things about it

    Reply
    • RAIN CITY READS says:

      Me too! I think furiously Happy is a really great book for anyone who has an interest in mental health – either as someone dealing with similar issues or just someone who wants to understand them better. I loved her vulnerability and honesty, that she didn’t show up saying look at me! I’m fixed! but rather saying this is part of who I am, it always will be, but it doesn’t make me broken. Just different.

      Reply
  5. Brooke Lorren says:

    I haven’t read any of these yet, but I so agree with you… we need books that make us smile right now! Furiously Happy’s cover is awesome. I can’t help but think that whenever I see it.

    Reply
    • RAIN CITY READS says:

      Well, it definitely has dark parts for sure. So don’t go into it expecting lightness and humour all the way through. But it did show the importance of community, of friendship and of making connections through books. That’s what I loved about it the most.

      Reply
  11. Marg says:

    I am waiting for The Boy,The Mole, The Horse and the Fox (is that right?) to come in from the library. And I am enjoying seeing Guernsey popping up on so many lists!

    Reply
    • RAIN CITY READS says:

      I can never remember what order they go in, but I’d say close enough! I can’t wait for you to get your turn with it – it will take no time at all to read, but it’s just so lovely. Guernsey is a great one, and definitely nice to lose yourself in at the moment!

      Reply

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