It’s Top Ten Tuesday!

I’m joining in this week to share 10 Books That Make Me Smile! Every week, ThatArtsyReaderGirl posts a new topic and hundreds of bloggers join in – it’s a lot of fun to see how other people put their unique spin on the topic.

These ten books make me smile for a couple of reasons: the subject matter/message and the memories associated with the book. I tried to choose a mix of old and new, fiction and nonfiction.

Let me know if you’ve read any of these!

The Art Of Happiness by the Dalai Lama – Full of so much gentle wisdom. Open to any page and find a gem. Plus it’s hard not to smile back at the cover!

The Great Gatsby – Illustrated edition by F. Scott Fitzgerald – I recently started reading graphic novels and this one is a beaut! It really brings the dialog and time period to life to see it illustrated so beautifully.

The Pooh Book of Quotations by A.A. Milne – That little yellow bear has a simple and charming outlook on life and this Very Useful Book is an encyclopedia of quintessential quotes.

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson – Jenny Lawson is so relatable and flawed and honest. She also gives zero ducks what anyone thinks and if you don’t sob or laugh out loud, then you must be a robot. I mean what’s not hysterical about mental illness and depression?! And taxidermy raccoons?!

Home Front Girls by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan – A beautiful story of a true friendship that lasts a lifetime. I loved the relationship that developed between Glory and Rita despite their differences in age and social status. It reminded me a bit of the friendship in Beaches.

The Flood Girls by Richard Fifield – For every misfit and creative person who likes a good redemption story with a small town vibe and a motley group of fabulous characters- this heartwarming and funny story is for you.

A Borrowed Life by Kerry Anne King – this one comes out in September, but it’s already one of my favorite books of the year. A pastor’s wife gets a chance to reinvent herself after he dies. But after years of denying herself any joy, is there still hope? Can she let go of his hold on her?

The Summer Cottage by Viola Shipman – This is a feel good, beach read that made me laugh out loud and even tear up a little. Adie Lou will appeal to many women – who hasn’t wanted to try something new, to be brave and independent?

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery – this is a lesser known book by Lucy Maude Montgomery, originally published in 1926. Valancy is 29 and has never been in love. She lives in her fantasy world of books and does whatever her mother tells her until one day, she does something completely out of character and takes a risk. (I’ve had this book for over 30 years!)

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith – a classic that I’ve read dozens of times and I get a different perspective each time. One of the reasons it makes me smile is because I probably have at least 5 different editions of this book and I keep buying copies at thrift stores!

Did you join this week’s topic? Let me know in the comments! ⤵️

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