Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Made Me Smile

Top Ten Tuesday is now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl

Given how 2020 has been going, I think we all can agree that we want to smile more, that maybe we need an extra incentive to want to smile more--or encouragement to smile. Most would agree that at the start of this year, this is not how anyone would have predicted this year would go. Despite everything that is happening including battling out of multiple reading slumps, when I sat down to write out this list, most I have come with on this list are ones I read this year. These are not in any specific order other than when they entered my mind as I was working on compiling this list. 

1. Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

I read this in a single day at the beginning of this month. I really liked Emily, our main character, and her love interest Oz. There is more than just fluff to this book, but I could not deny that I was smiling at the antics of Reign of Terror group. 

2. Losing It by Cora Carmack

One of the first (if not the first) new adult and first Cora Carmack book I read, this book has so many laugh out loud moments that I cannot imagine most would not smile if they like new adult contemporary romance. I do not really read new adult at all any longer, but this one will hold a fondness in my mind for a time to come. 

3. Storm and Fury by Jennifer L Armentrout

I read this book last year and could not help but laugh at the main characters: Trinity and Zayne. I read this last year and I enjoyed it enough to want to continue the series AND I have gone back to read the companion series--The Dark Elements--this year. I have to say it is amazing to see how Jennifer Armentrout's writing has grow over even just between the two series (White Hot Kiss published in 2014 and Storm and Fury was published last year).

4. The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wong

Would could not this delightful graphic novel about Prince Sebastian finding his true voice with the help of his dressmaker, Frances. The artwork is beautiful too. 

5. A Discovery of Witches (really the entire All Souls Trilogy) by Deborah Harkness

My all time favorite series, I discover something new each time I read or listen to the audiobooks. This is like coming home in the form of a book for me and I will continue to read this book yearly (if not more than one time each year). I know that seems crazy but with the richness of Deborah Harkness' writing and the fact that she is a history professor, I always find something that I want to explore further after reading these books. 

6. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

I picked this book up at the right time this year: during March when I was in a massive reading slump due to feeling overwhelmed with having to balance the insanity of having to switch to remote learning and personal life at home with my family (husband and daughter). I really like Stevie and I have since read the second book in the series: The Vanishing Stair. I have one left in the original series, and I say original series because it was announced not too long ago that Stevie (and possibly more?!) will be making an appearance in a fourth book. 

7. Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

This book is one that I believe most have probably heard of as Tweet Cute has taken the YouTube and Twitter by storm earlier this year. Reading about two competing teens have Twitter Wars is hilarious at times and it made me smile throughout the book. I look forward to promoting this book to my students come the fall when we are back together. 

8. Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Out of all the books on the list, this is probably the most surprising to me simply because I did not expect to like it quite as much as I did this year. This is one of those series that was around for a very long time on my bookcase and I finally picked it up during the OWLs Magical Readathon this April. It is not earth shattering, but their antics did make me smile. 

9. The Trials of Morrigan Crowe (the Nevermoor series in general) by Jessica Townsend

I knew based on how everyone was raving about this series, this would have potential to be a new favorite. I held the audiobooks until my family and I drove down during our midwinter break to Hilton Head (from New England--plenty of time to listen to audiobooks) before the world exploded with COVID. I am so glad we listened to these as a family because my husband (not an avid reader at all) loved these and we are all looking forward to listening to the third book come August when it is released. 

10. Becoming by Michelle Obama

Lastly, but certainly not least, is this heart warming and inspiring memoir written by one of the best First Ladies we have had the privilege of having in this country. I listened to this book and it had me hooked from the very moment I started this book as it is read by Michelle Obama--I could not imagine anyone else doing this book justice as the audio. I have yet to watch the documentary on Netflix, but is high up on my want to view list. 

So there you have it, these are ten books that have made me smile. I look forward to reading more lists this week because I think we all need some extra help smiling right now. Please leave your link for me below so I can come explore your list.