A book you've read before that never fails to make you smile

[Juanita]

A book you've read before that never fails to make you smile ... I'm not sure I'm a fan of the re-reads. I'm hoping to use this category as a read-aloud opportunity for my kids and me to share.

[Brandy]

My youngest is 5 so I am thinking Charlottes web, Stuart little, or Matilda.

[Mie]

I don't like re-reads either... With all the good books I haven't read yet, I don't want to spend time reading old ones.
(Also, I didn't like last years prompt "A book you were supposed to read in school, but didn't " - but I read everything???)

So what to do about this one? Perhaps a short children's book, that is quickly done with - only, I don't have kids to read to, so it feels like cheating, haha...

[Booklover]

Mie wrote: "I don't like re-reads either... With all the good books I haven't read yet, I don't want to spend time reading old ones.
(Also, I didn't like last years prompt "A book you were supposed to read in ..."

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Three Girls and a Baby
My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands - CRUDE
Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea - CRUDE
Legend
Wicked Appetite
Cheaper by the Dozen
Ready to Were
Elderberry Croft: The Complete Collection
Louisiana Longshot
Single Wide Female: The Bucket List Mega Bundle - 24 Books
Pirate Dave and his Randy Adventures -CRUDE

[Mie]

Thanks, Booklover - they all seem like good suggestions, but I haven't read any of them before... I might consider reading some of them anyway, though - just for fun :)

[Anna]

I, for one, like re-reading books. Some I read over and over because slipping into the pages brings comfort or feels like visiting an old friend. Sometimes I need a refresher before picking up the next book in a series (WHY is there no "previously" section in books like there is on TV?). But mainly I like seeing how my opinion of the book changes over time.

[Marilyn]

I'm a knitter, so I'm thinking about a knitting book that I have not read. The fact that it IS a knitting book is bound to make me smile. Another option is a book about genealogy research since that is another hobby. Same reasoning.

[Mie]

Marilyn wrote: "I'm a knitter, so I'm thinking about a knitting book that I have not read. The fact that it IS a knitting book is bound to make me smile. Another option is a book about genealogy research since tha..."

But the prompt is called "A book you've read before...."
:-)

[Katie]

I tend to follow the prompts very strictly, so this one becomes a little different for me because there's a lot to it. That whole "never fails to make you smile" thing. The never fails part of it makes me think I should've already read it more than once, as in I keep coming back to it and enjoying it again and again. And the make you smile part, I think I don't usually smile when I'm reading, I'm too sucked in. Hahaha, what an overthinker I am.

[Megan]

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - I usually read this every year anyways so at least it'll count for the challenge!

[Lindi]

Megan wrote: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - I usually read this every year anyways so at least it'll count for the challenge!"

That's what I'm reading too! Just thinking about it makes me smile :)

[Nadine in NY]

I don't re-read very often, and while I LOVE reading, I'm not sure if it actually makes me smile. I probably have some sort of weird frown of concentration on my face instead!

I'm a little up in the air about this. A few years back, I did kinda sorta start a plan to re-read Zelazny's Princes in Amber series; I was shocked-just-shocked to find my entire county library system did NOT own all of the books (blasphemy!), so I bought the omnibus for myself. I've been reading it very VERY slowly. It doesn't make me smile, exactly, but I like it, so I think it will have to do. I haven't read these since wayback in my teens, so I've actually forgotten most of it, and it doesn't feel like a re-read, and that makes me happy.

ALTERNATIVELY I LOVED listening to the Neverwhere audiobook so much that I asked for the Author's edition for xmas last year (and received it). So I could read that.

[Marilyn]

Mie wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "I'm a knitter, so I'm thinking about a knitting book that I have not read. The fact that it IS a knitting book is bound to make me smile. Another option is a book about genealogy re..."

I missed that part! I have not been able to print out my list yet since our computer is currently NOT speaking to our printer. Our IT friend is going to try to fix it tomorrow. I hope! I'll have to think about this. I don't like re-reads either.

I guess it's Winnie-the-Pooh

[Booklover]

Nadine wrote: "I don't re-read very often, and while I LOVE reading, I'm not sure if it actually makes me smile. I probably have some sort of weird frown of concentration on my face instead!

I'm a little up in ..."

Neverwhere is such a fantastic book!

[Lexi]

The Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner is one that always makes me smile. I can say always quite accurately since I have read them almost every few years since I found the first one in grade school.

Other suggestions:
The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris

[Nadine in NY]

Xelly wrote: "... since I found the first one in grade school...."

Oh that got me thinking about children's books! There IS a book that always makes me smile! It's a Christmas picture book that I used to read to my kids every year: How Murray Saved Christmas



Timing is awkward though - I won't want to wait until December to read a book, and I don't know if I'll be in the mood for xmas in January. If I am, I am TOTALLY re-reading this book to myself!!

[°~Amy~°]

I am going to skip both of the re-reads. I just don't like them. :-(

[Larissa]

Time to reread Superfudge

[Shannon]

I'm going to go for Pride and Prejudice. I read it last year but I'm looking forward to it again. Austen's wit gets me every time, I love the basic story-line of P & P, and I adore Lizzie of course.

[Therese]

I have so many books that I want to read the first time, and so what I've decided to do for this challenge is read another book by Sue Grafton, the alphabet series. Every time I read one of those I smiled so I figure that is close enough. Besides, I think I read them a long time ago. I just don't remember how far I got in them.

[Tara]

Gosh so many! I have a few I can read over and over. Might go with Alice in wonderland since I haven't read it in a couple years since I've been concentrating on the prompts since 2015.

[Kathryn]

I was thinking of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith as I've read this a couple of times and I'm pretty sure it makes me smile, but actually I like the idea of Pride and Prejudice as well. I might see which I feel like reading at whatever point I decide to tackle this one!

[Cindy]

Brandy wrote: "My youngest is 5 so I am thinking Charlottes web, Stuart little, or Matilda."

Those were three of my choices too! lol I'm also considering Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.

[poshpenny]

Anna wrote: "Sometimes I need a refresher before picking up the next book in a series (WHY is there no "previously" section in books like there is on TV?)"

This is where Wikipedia comes in handy.

[Nadine in NY]

poshpenny wrote: "Anna wrote: "Sometimes I need a refresher before picking up the next book in a series (WHY is there no "previously" section in books like there is on TV?)"

This is where Wikipedia comes in handy."

I like The Recaptains, too.

[poshpenny]

Bookmarked!

[Holly]

While don't usually do many re reads. Matilda by Roald Dahl is one book I read every year, it never fails to make me smile

[Sheila]

Mie wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "I'm a knitter, so I'm thinking about a knitting book that I have not read. The fact that it IS a knitting book is bound to make me smile. Another option is a book about genealogy re..."

I'm a knitter too, love the idea of a knitting story.

[Sheila]

I'm thinking Hop On Pop or Green Eggs and Ham, this way I can fulfill the prompt.

[Kristina]

I'm re-reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

[Kirsten]

The Royal Blood series by Rhys Bowen for me. Lady Georgie is such fun!

[Kat]

I don't usually do re-reads, so I was puzzling about this aloud today. My husband piped up and said, "How about Harry Potter?" He has never read them, so we're going to read the first one together.

[Angela]

Kat wrote: "I don't usually do re-reads, so I was puzzling about this aloud today. My husband piped up and said, "How about Harry Potter?" He has never read them, so we're going to read the first one together."

I'll be reading the first Harry Potter book for this prompt, too. I haven't read the series in at least 5 years and one of my daughters keeps making references that I don't always get. It's time for a fresh read. I'll actually count all 7 books toward prompts. Chamber of Secrets has a red spine, Goblet of Fire deals with several mythical creatures; Order of the Phoenix is over 800 pages so I'm using them for those prompts. I have never visited Scotland, Harry Potter is a character's name and J K Rowling uses a pseudonym so the remaining books will count for those 3 prompts. I don't have a full reading plan for this challenge but the Harry Potter books are a start.

[Miles]

Angela! You're amazing! You just helped me plan 18% of my list. I've never read the series but thankfully one of the prompts fits that too.

As for a re-read, I can't think of any *book* books that make me smile. A children's book it is! Perhaps something like Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel.

[Nikki]

I also don't re-read very often as my remaining reading years are fewer than they once were. However, Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm is one I like to return to now and then, so I think that's what it will be.

[Sofie]

I'm going with Dirk Gently again. It's been a while since I re-read The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul so it's due anyway. I always smile through Dirk Gently. My other suggestion was re-reading The Uncommon Reader.

[Fiona]

Oh I love Dirk Gently. I just scanned my shelves and the first one I came to that fits this category was The Colour of Magic. But I feel the need to look for Dirk Gently as well now :)

[Kerri]

I'm going to re-read Anne of Green Gables. It's one of my all time favorites. Looking forward to reading it again. I may do this challenge first.

[Nazeerah]

Harry Potter always makes me smile. I love Gone with the wind too.

[Nicole]

Katie wrote: "I tend to follow the prompts very strictly, so this one becomes a little different for me because there's a lot to it. That whole "never fails to make you smile" thing. The never fails part of it m..."

That's the book on my list, too! :)

[Jessica]

For me this will always be Pride and Prejudice.

[Tami]

Holly wrote: "While don't usually do many re reads. Matilda by Roald Dahl is one book I read every year, it never fails to make me smile"
This is the book that got me into reading. It took me a while to really like reading. It was an obnoxious chore up until 5th grade. Then one night my parents took me to Barnes & Noble. I picked this book up and wouldn't put it down. They bought it for me and I read it by car headlights, it was so good. I can't wait to read it to my daughter.

[Marisa]

This one I will be honest I am a little conflicted with. A lot of you mentioned you don't like to re-read and I would have to agree with that. I have so many books that I want to read that, I don't want to re-read one I already read. As far as making me smile.. hmm I don't think I really show emotion when I read unless I find something shocking or funny. I think for this prompt I am going to cheat a little. Nicholas Sparks books always make me happy and I have yet to read The Notebook so, that is what I am going to read for this prompt!

[Nadine in NY]

Woohoo! I'm pleased to be starting this new year off with a BANG by reading and finishing my first Challenge book!! How Murray Saved Christmas for this category.

My younger daughter bravely forged her way into my crowded closet and dug it out for me, then she sat down right away and read it (in the backseat of the car, while we were on our way to the library to pick up other books - it always cracks me up when they bring books to the library LOL it's like coals to Newcastle! ... which is what I say, and then they look at me and say "huh?" Every time. Can you tell I'm excited?)

Yay! I am now 1/52 :-)

[Gina]

A Dog's Life by Peter Mayle. Hilarious!!

[Gina]

Also Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

[Elle]

Kristina wrote: "I'm re-reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."
Great suggestion! Haven't read that in years, and thinking of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson will definitely make me smile!

[Ashley]

Anything by Junot Díaz is worth reading again for me. And I've never read a book more than once, so this will be new for me as well!

[Nikki]

I'm rereading The Help. This book never fails to make me smile and brings back so many memories of my summers in Jackson, MS with my grandma and her maid (of over 50 years!) Earlene. Rest assured, she did not treat her like Hilly Holbrook treated hers though! Love books that transport you to a different time...

[Shannan]

I think for this prompt, I'm going to have to go with Naughty Stories for Good Boys and Girls: The Complete Book of All 13 Volumes.

As it's a collection of stories, I won't feel encumbered having to take time out of reading new novels to read it again - I can just do a couple of stories at a time! :)