Tuesday again already! And this week’s Top Ten Tuesday theme is “books that make me smile”. Which is… honestly, most books. Just being around books makes me smile — even books I personally wouldn’t enjoy, it can be really exciting to look at someone else’s books, or browse through a shelf… But there are some specific books that put a smile on my face for various reasons, so let’s do this!
- The Talisman Ring, by Georgette Heyer. Most Heyer novels have me giggling throughout, but this was one of the first I read, and the reread was just as good. The Reluctant Widow, too. She has some annoying heroes and some repetitive plots/themes… but in general, I’m always going to smile at a Heyer novel.
- Band Sinister, by K.J. Charles. Most K.J. Charles books would fit the bill actually… but Band Sinister is one of the rare ones that doesn’t also have a massive bodycount, so it’s the one that fits most readily on a list about smiling! Though A Fashionable Indulgence is also worth mentioning. And A Gentleman’s Position. Ugh, no, they all make me smile.
- Have His Carcase, by Dorothy L. Sayers. From the opening paragraph onwards, there’s so much cleverness and wit. And it features two of my favourite characters in fiction, Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. How could I not smile? Also, memories of the radioplays and BBC TV adaptations, and so many good conversations with my mum and my wife…
- The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison. Alright, not all of it is happy or comfortable reading, but Maia is a delight and so are many of the characters who surround him. I’m trying not to reread it too often, but honestly, when I’m stressed it’s the first thing that comes to mind.
- Small Robots, by Thomas Heasman-Hunt. There’s a Small Robot for almost every occasion, and they’re so often so cute… or so apt for the moment. Check out their Twitter!
- The Natural History of Dragons, by Marie Brennan. The series has been so much fun, and the accompanying art (including on the cover) is so good. Isabella and her deranged practicality really stick with me.
- The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin. I can’t help remembering being sucked in and just ZOOMING through it, whenever I see this book! And so many great conversations about it, and just… yeah.
- Catching Breath, by Kathryn Lougheed. One of the many books about disease (like The Emperor of All Maladies, or Spillover) that a) helped me get over irrational fear through fostering curiosity instead, and b) really set me on my current path when it comes to studying. Of course I smile when I think about this one! There’s so much out there to learn, and I never have to stop. Plus, I wrote my dissertation on TB basically because of this book. I know a lot of people hate their dissertations by the end, but I did not; I’d gladly research and write several more chapters!
- This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, by Kacen Callender. I haven’t actually read this yet, but it looks like fun and I’m really excited to finally get through my TBR pile to it. (Not that I am reading a set number of books before I pick it up, just that my brain is like a very crowded train station, and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story has not — yet — managed to get on the attention-trains zooming through.)
- Red, White and Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston. Ditto the above! It looks and sounds so cute, aaahh.
I’ll be interested to see what books make other folks smile — and hopefully why! Leave me your links if you’ve done this TTT as well!
I absolutely loved Red, White & Royal Blue! Great list 😀
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday post.
Happy Reading!
I’m reaaaally looking forward to it! 😀
Georgette Heyer makes me laugh too.
Marg recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Smile
Her books are always so witty!
Oh I really liked The Natural History of Dragons too! Great fun series which I don’t see on these lists often. And Red White and Royal Blue was awesomely sweet!
This is the link to my TTT
Michael @ The Book Lover’s Sanctuary recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Make Me Smile
Ahhh, Marie Brennan often comes up on my lists. Isabella is just the besssst.
I keep hearing about The Goblin Emperor (possibly here ) – I really must give it a read!
Oh I love the Lady Trent novels and really must finish the series…. My list of unfinished series surprises me every day!
proxyfish recently posted…Teaser Tuesdays: July 14
I definitely talk about it enough, ahaha. It’s a lovely book!
And aaaah yes, definitely! The last book in particular is a shocker in the best way.
I’ve only read one Georgette Heyer novel and it was a mystery, but I loved it! I should make an effort to read more of her work. Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
Ahh, I need to read her detective stories more, because I’ve mostly only read the romances. Some of those have a bit of mystery too, but they’re a lot wittier than I remember the detective ones being!
K.J Charles’ books are on my list. I’ve heard nothing but praise for them! I also really enjoyed Red, White, Royal Blue! Definitely a book that made me smile too.
Nick @ The Infinite Limits of Love recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday (21): 2020 Books That Made Me Smile
K.J. Charles is really good, highly recommended! 🙂
The Talisman Ring does sound interesting!
My TTT .
Lydia recently posted…Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: A Project or Hobby of Mine Inspired By a Book
It’s really fun! I reread it recently and it was just as giggle-worthy as I remembered.
Red, White, and Royal Blue has been sitting on my TBR list for ages…I should bump that up.
Great list!
Me too, ahaha. I’m looking forward to it.
Small Robots looks so fun!!!
Greg recently posted…Tuesday Tagline #198
It is! Their Twitter feed is a delight, too.
I need to read Band Sinister and The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms are on my tbr. Thanks for sharing!
Band Sinister is just the loveliest, I do recommend it! And N.K. Jemisin is a great writer too.
I haven’t read Georgette Heyer, but I have another bloggy friend that reviewed one of her books and it sounded fun. I must get to one of her stories. Great list and thanks for visiting my TTT! 🙂
Rachel @Waves of Fiction recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Make Me Laugh
Heyer is such a witty writer! I do recommend giving her work a try. 😀
Great list! I have a copy of This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story that I need to read as well!
Lauren @ Lala’s Book Reviews recently posted…7/14/20 Releases
Ooh, here’s hoping we both enjoy it!
I need to read Red, White & Royal Blue for sure. I’ve seen it on so many TTT lists this week, and I need a book to make me smile.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Will Make You Happy
It sounds so squishy and fun. I’ve been meaning to read it for a while, but I’m such a mood reader!