Top Ten Tuesday | Books That Make Me Smile

By Birdie

Life has been so busy. I completely missed last week’s TTT, and I didn’t want to miss this week’s. Luckily these have been easier weeks to put together.

Except for me, since I thought I really need to pick books I haven’t talked about a million times.

Some of these are more recent, some are older, but I think I’ve only mentioned them once.

1. Kulti

by Mariana Zapata

I’m loving this new trend of mine, to basically read all of Mariana Zapata’s backlog. I’ve now read 5 books, and Kulti is still be best one so far.

2. The House in the Cerulean Sea

by TJ Klune

I said I wouldn’t talk about BOOKS I’d previously pushed. Not authors. It wouldn’t be an honest list if I didn’t include at least one book from my favorite author. TJ Klune always makes me smile. The House in the Cerulean Sea was special though, because of the children.

3. Cancer Ships Aquarius

by Anyta Sunday

I know, another book in the Leo Loves Aries series. What I can say, it’s fantastic romance. Every single one makes me smile, but Cancer Ships Aquarius is the most recent one, and comes in at 2nd place.

4. Wonder

by RJ Palacio

Wonder made me smile because it’s just so precious. When I think of stories that lift you up, and fill you with joy, I always think of Wonder. Every child should read this book, or have it read to them.

5. Hard Time

by Cara McKenna

I love Cara McKenna. Hard Time is my favorite. I think I’m a sucker for prison romance books, which is an odd thing to write. Hard Time gave me all the good stuff, and all the swoons. I’d really like to find time for a reread.

6. Winter Wonderland

by Heidi Cullinan

I think maybe I’ve talked about this book more than once, but I can’t help it. You want to talk about a book that makes you smile, well in this one there are penis snow sculptures. How do you not smile at that!?

7. Eleanor & Park

by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell is a smile-worthy author. All of them make me giggly, but my favorite is Eleanor and Park is my favorite. There’s something innocent between Eleanor and Park that you can’t help but love. Plus, add in all the 80’s references for us middle age ladies, and it made my face hurt from all the smiles.

8. Dark Lover

by JR Ward

You want to talk about series I want to reread, and this is it. Is Black Dagger Brotherhood perfect, no. It is one of the most highly entertaining romance series I’ve ever read. There’s a bromance banter between these males that is unlike any other.

9. Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss was a YA romance I read early on in Goodreads. I loved it. I loved the characters, and the romance. I loved how Etienne was perfect, even though he was short. He made me picture Zac Efron. It’s an adorable story.

10. First Grave on the Right

by Darynda Jones

First Grave on the Right didn’t hook me the first time I read it. I thought the humor was overdone. The second time I read it, I asked myself what I’d been smoking. Charley is hilarious, and I loved her constant snark throughout the series. I’m actually devastated it’s over. I’m praying for more.


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme previously hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but as of 2018 is hosted by hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

About Birdie

Don’t look for her in any bar, club, crazy raging party, or anywhere there may be a large gathering of strangers. She’s more likely to be found tucked into the corner of the couch watching one of her favorite shows, or preferably under a comforter with her current novel.

30 Responses

  2. Naty

    oh I don’t know Mariana Zapata’s books! What genre does she write? Also I keep seeing The House at the Cerulean Sea everywhere… looks so adorable.

    Like

    1. Birdie

      I think you’d love The House in the Cerulean Sea. It’s really beautiful and full of hope.

      Mariana Zapata writes lengthy contemporary romance, with a very slow burn. They’re the best because she almost always establishes a friendship first. If you want to give her a try, Kulti is excellent. So is Wait for It, and The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Kulti and Wall of Winnipeg are sports romance. Wait for It is about a woman who’s raising her brothers boys. All very beautiful.

      Like

  7. Ruby's Books

    YES TO KULTI!!! Sorry. I got excited there for a second. But honestly, it’s such an amazing book! I also adored First Grave On The Right. And I agree, while the BDB isn’t perfect, the bromance is hilarious. And the males are very sarcastic, which I always appreciate. Awesome list!

    My TTT

    Like

    1. Birdie

      The bromance is where the magic was, honestly. The romances were entertaining, but it was the friendships that really hooked me. And never worry, I would get that excited if I saw Kulti on the list. That story was epic.

      Like

  14. tasya @ the literary huntress

    I love Wonder, it’s just such a wholesome book! I heard a lot of amazing things about The House on Cerulean Sea and really looking forward to read it 🙂 I loved Eleanor & Park and Anna and the French Kiss when I first read it, but I’m unsure whether I’ll enjoy it as much if I read them now.

    Great post!

    Like

    1. Birdie

      I think I’d still love Eleanor & Park if I read it today, but I do agree with you about Anna and the French Kiss. I haven’t reread it specifically because of that.

      Like

  15. minalikrishna

    I’m 14 years old and I read a lot of fantasy books most of the time ,so I am not that aware of the books you suggested .but I loved reading wonder ,it really changed me a lot . It changes the way you think about others and judge people by their looks . It inspired me in many ways !☺️

    Like

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