Happy Tuesday and welcome to day two of the Five Fall Favorites blog party!
You can find all of the information about Five Fall Favorites by reading my first post this week (click HERE), or by going to our wonderful host, Kate Willis’s, site (click HERE).
For a quick recap, every day this week, a group of bloggers (me included) are sharing our five favorite books in a variety of prompts – the goal being for us all to enjoy great new reads and cozy fall vibes!
This year’s theme is all about books that remind us of the Fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and so on! You’ll see a little variation of those fruits between bloggers each day (since there are more fruits than days in the week and we can pick and choose), so you should find plenty of good recs to add to your TBR!
Today’s prompt is all about joy!
This was a surprisingly difficult theme to find recommendations for, and it’s made me realize that I don’t read many lighthearted or comedic stories. So today you’ll see my round-up of humorous books I have read, books that inspire joy in myself, and books featuring characters with joy in difficult circumstances.
Let’s dive in!
(I’ve reviewed many of these more thoroughly on Goodreads, so if you’re interested in reading my thoughts – or other reviews – you can find the Goodreads link under each book or by clicking on each book’s title.)
A Curse of Gold and Beauty
Author: Mary Mecham
Genre: Rumpelstiltskin fantasy retelling
Target Audience: YA and above
What Stuck Out to Me: I didn’t want this story to stop! First, I loved that Rhys’ disability wasn’t something to be fixed. It was just part of him and I teared up at many of the things he said – especially reminding the other protagonist that his pain didn’t define him and that he can make his own choices. He wasn’t defined by his body. I was also convicted by how optimistic and joyful he was! He didn’t feel sorry for himself or wallow in hardship, instead, he was inspiring and selfless.
Story-wise, this is a cute and light read, with heartfelt romance and immersive worldbuilding. I enjoyed how the author wove the Rumpelstiltskin tale into the story without it feeling forced or cheesy. It was just subtle enough to not notice all of the connections right away, but once I did, it felt so obvious. It was very fun to read!
The father was a sympathetic and ultimately likable character. Even if he was misguided and frustrating for the first part, he redeemed himself by the end. And the villain was…disgusting (and well-written). I couldn’t wait to be rid of him. The other protagonist was one of the rare first-person protagonists that I could really relate to. She was strong and capable, but not overly-masculine or fake, and not embarrassingly head over heels for Rhys.
Their romance was well-established early on, and I rooted for them to get their happily ever after. They make a very wholesome couple. Overall, I loved this book, and will be reading it again, as I really can’t overstate how convicted and encouraged I was by Rhys. Highly recommend this one!
Tricky Content: Mentions of one of the characters laying with her head on a love interest’s shoulder (“cuddling”), brief kisses, mild descriptions of injury and blood, kidnapping, mild peril.
I’d Recommend It To: Fans of creative fairy tale retellings, quick and easy reads, stories with disability/chronic pain representation, and sweet friends-to-lovers romance!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Ichabod Fly and the Great Newspaper Roundup
Author: Bree Pembrook
Genre: Middle-grade fantasy comedy
Target Audience: MG and above
What Stuck Out to Me: This is the funniest and craziest story that I’ve read in a long time, haha. I believe that the author has explained that the story was born through imaginings and childhood antics with her siblings (if I’m wrong on that, it certainly reminded me of my wild imaginations with my siblings!), and you can tell – in the best possible ways.
It’s a short story, filled with so many events I wasn’t expecting. You never know what’s next, and that’s the fun. The characters are larger than life, and man, that Ichabod Fly, he certainly gets into trouble! I was smiling throughout the entire book.
If you enjoy short and rambunctious stories that might just leave you laughing every other sentence, definitely give this one a try. It’s so far from my typical reading comfort zone, but I’m so glad I gave it a try. The author’s writing is fantastic. I’m interested to see what happens in further books in the series!
Tricky Content: You might just burst out laughing at the most random of sentences!
I’d Recommend It To: Middle-grade readers and older that enjoy short and zany stories with constant humor, unexpected twists, and fun and unique characters!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Author: Lemony Snicket
Genre: MG Contemporary Mystery
Target Audience: Children 12+
What Stuck Out to Me: This may be controversial in a round-up of books about joy, but I decided to include it for the nostalgia and quirky writing style. My mom read these books to my siblings and I years ago and they prompted many evenings of laughter.
This entire series is such a unique and zany set of stories. Even the “author” is a character, a narrator that is just as much a part of the story as any of the featured protagonists. His writing style is incredibly odd, and while I won’t spoil it, the quirks he used even in his descriptions, made us laugh frequently.
There’s a lot peril and danger in these books, so they’re not for young children and may not be stereotypically joyful. But especially if you don’t take them too seriously (I’m not sure how you could, honestly), they have humor and nonsensical events that left me wanting to read more and more. In my opinion, they get better (deeper and less juvenile) as the series continues, so if at first they don’t click, maybe try a couple more of the books.
Tricky Content (for the series): Tongue-in-cheek darkness, peril, emotional & physical abuse, loss, grief, mention of drinking and revealing outfits, fights, mistreatment, death (murders, accidental, etc.)
I’d Recommend It To: Mature pre-teens and older who enjoy wacky and mysterious series with tongue-in-cheek humor, bizarre circumstances, intriguing characters, and a unique and quirky writing style.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
Enjoy the Poodle Skirt
Author: Kate Willis
Genre: MG Contemporary
Target Audience: Older children and above
What Stuck Out to Me: This was such an enjoyable little story, and it fits the joy theme to me because it was so much fun to read! Short and sweet, just like the goods in the 50’s-themed café the story is set in, I loved the atmosphere and the cute characters.
This book moved quickly, and featured a low-stakes mystery involving the plucky young protagonists, who work together to host a contest and find something important to them. All of the characters were kind and interesting, and I would love an even longer book with them!
I especially loved the themes of God working through the little things, even if they might not seem “big enough” for Him to care about. That’s so far from the truth, and this story did a great job of illustrating that, while providing a very cute, innocent, and fun story. I enjoyed the vibes and want to visit that café!
Tricky Content: None that I can remember! It was a very squeaky clean and sweet story.
I’d Recommend It To: Older children and older that enjoy fun, quirky stories about small mysteries, working together, and God weaving through even the little things of life. Older readers may enjoy the nostalgic feels!
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
You’ll Get Through This
Author: Max Lucado
Genre: Christian Non-fiction
Target Audience: Teens and above
What Stuck Out to Me: Max Lucado’s writing has a way of making familiar Scriptures come alive for me, and this book was no different. Reading it felt like strolling calmly with a dear friend, soaking up his wisdom.
If you’re in a tough place in your life right now, I definitely recommend this book for its encouragement and inspiring reminders that the same God that was with Joseph through all the trials and sufferings of His life is with us still today. There’s nothing going on that He can’t handle, or that He’s unaware of. No matter the pain, no matter the grief, or guilt, or uncertainty, we WILL get through this – with Christ.
I needed to be reminded of those things right now, and if you do too, reading this book is an excellent place to start. It’s inspired joy in me as I realize that life is bigger than the hardships of right now, and that God is always working through even the smallest stressors. It makes all the difference to know that there’s purpose, a Protector and Friend, and so many blessings in the midst of it all. Highly recommend this!
Tricky Content: None that I can think of. Lucado’s writing style is too flowery and poetic for some, which is one reason I enjoy it, but if that sounds frustrating to you, be aware.
I’d Recommend It To: Anyone seeking comfort and affirmation that God is unchanging, still just as faithful as He was in the days of Joseph, and that He will continue to see us through this crazy world.
Here’s the link to add it on Goodreads!
We’ve come to the end of day two of the Five Fall Favorites blog party! What are some of your favorite books featuring joy? Have you read any of the ones I mentioned? If so, what did you think? I’d love to find out!
Again, check out Kate’s host blog here for extra information, even more book recommendations, and to enter the special giveaway!
I’ll see you tomorrow for day three of bookish fun!
Recent Posts:
Ooh, I’m enjoying this! I want to check out Enjoy the Poodle Skirt and Ichabod Fly 😀
I’m so glad! <3 I think you'd enjoy them both!
Good books, my friend!! 😀
Thank you so much! 🙂
I love Enjoy the Poodle Skirt so much. Fun list today!
Thank you! It was such a fun story, yes!
Amazing recs! I LOVED A Curse of Gold and Beauty!! I’m tempted to buy the paperback just so I can display it on my shelf. I’ve never read a Series of Unfortunate Events- might have to check it out.
I’m so glad you loved A Curse of Gold and Beauty too! I thought the same thing, I’ll probably snag a paperback at some point too haha 🙂 And a Series of Unfortunate Events is definitely a fun one!
Aw, thanks so much for the shout-out, Bella! <3
You’re so welcome, friend! <3
I’ve read #2 and #4—they ARE good. #5 sounds excellent, and I so have to try the Lemony Snickett books….
I’d love to know what you think if you do read them! I’ve been wanting to read them again on my own. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed those two as well!