Welcome to The Bibliosmile Project, a series here on Novels & Waffles that aims to spotlight how books (+ the bookish community), has brought smiles, happiness, and positivity into our lives. Through an ongoing series of guest posts, different readers will share their stories of bookish happiness and spread some much-needed positivity, sunshine, and smiles with us all. Hopefully, reading about how books have brought a smile to their faces, it will bring one to yours as well. You can read more about this series in my introduction and catch up on previous guest posts here.
If you’re interested in writing a guest post as part of The Bibliosmile Project, then please contact me at my email, [email protected].
Sophie’s Bibliosmile Story
Hey everyone!!
I’m Sophie from ‘Me and Ink’ and today I’m sharing how books have made me happy.
Happiness is a sense of joy that you can’t, and shouldn’t, supress. It is eating a doughnut, or five. It is reaching a goal. It is spending time with people you love. And of course it is books.
Books are great for so many reasons. They have taught me so many things, inspired me and given me comfort. They have always been a safe place to land and I’m a big advocate that books are magic for all that they do. One very important thing that books have also done for me is given me endless amounts of unconditional joy. Today, I will be sharing with you three ways books have done this for me…
1) Sarcastic Characters
You know how they say laughter is the best medicine— well I think they might be onto something there because I love books that can make me laugh and it always makes me feel better. I know this seems like a very obvious reason as to why books make me happy because they simply make me smile. But on some days, smiling is not a simple thing. In fact, it is a very hard thing, but books can make it quite effortless.
I have put down sarcastic characters because they are my weakness—call it the Chandler Bing effect or something — but I have always loved the sarcastic characters. Their quick responses and effortless sass always makes me smile and can brighten my mood. I know characters have been known to break your heart (again and again and again—okay, so you get my point), but they also provide so much joy.
2) The Great Escape
As I’m sure you know, life is hard. Some days are worse than others. While I don’t advise hiding from all your problems as it isn’t very productive, I do think it is nice to have an escape, a space away from reality, and books are perfect for this. It provides a space where you can be okay for a little while— where you can clear your head, breathe, do something beyond your problems, and simply be happy.
It can make a big difference in the harder times and even in the good times you still need a break and books provide this with their intriguing plots, amazing characters and beautiful prose. It is like a big blanket to wrap yourself up in and forget about the world for a while.
3) The Book Community
Being a lover of books it soon led me to the wonderful world of the online book community, where I could scream about books with people who know what I am actually on about and this has definitely made me happy. Although the book community does like to call me out for my overly large TBR, they are a super kind community with nothing but support to offer. It’s full of bookish content, jokes and really nice people who inspire me and make me better. It provides a safe space for everyone and it is a joy to be a part of. There has never been a day where the book community can’t make me smile.
So there are my three reasons as to why books make me infinitely happier. They can make me smile any day of the week and are by far my favourite form of magic. Then mix them together with the book community and you just get bliss.
I wish you all lots of happiness and plenty of books to get through the tougher times.
“Between the pages of a book is a lovely place to be”
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How do books make you happier?
Do any of the ways Sophie mentioned make you happy too?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Yes yes yes to all of this! But especially sarcastic characters because I LIVE for them. Most of the books that I have on my frequent reread rotation have some kind of sarcastic character for that exact reason. Whether it’s Kenji in the Shatter Me series or the whole gang in Six of Crows, they just make my life better when I need some sunshine. Great post, Sophie! And I am seriously loving this series, Kat!
Laura @BlueEyeBooks
Sarcastic characters are great and have definitely enhanced my life!! YES if I hear a book has a sarcastic character, I am there haha!! I’m so glad you mentioned Six of Crows because they are perfect!! Thank you so much Laura!! 💛
Aaaw this is so cute! I’m weak for sarcastic characters like Mat from Eye of the World or Edan from Spin The Dawn <3
Yes sarcastic characters are amazing!! Ohh… I haven’t read those books yet but now I know they have sarcastic characters I will have to read them!! 💛
Yes to all of this!
Sarcastic characters are the best, I love them so much!
This is such a cool project, I really love reading all these posts!
– Emma :)
I’m glad you agree with this– books and the book community are amazing!! Yes sarcastic characters are amazing, I always hope for one in every book I read, haha!!
“In fact, it is a very hard thing, but books can make it quite effortless.” I love this so much. SO MUCH. It’s so true. Even on my crappiest days, snuggling up inside a book makes smiling easy. Thank you for sharing!
Ah.. I’m so glad you loved it, that makes me so happy to hear. It is so true, books can makes such a difference to your life and I can always rely on them to make my days brighter. I’m glad books can be there for you too 💛
I absolutely adore books with humor for these exact reasons! I use reading as a way to relax and enjoy my free time, and I want myself to be in a happy mindset when I do so. I’m one of the rare exceptions that prefers a book that makes me laugh over a book that tears out my heart because of this! I just love books that can brighten up an otherwise dull day!
Books with humour are amazing and they can be just want you need after a hard day to cheer you and have a laugh. It is a little thing that can make such a huge difference. I agree I love books that can brighten my day and make me laugh! 💛
Yes to sarcastic characters, the great escape, and the book community! I also love books that explore what it means to be human and books with strong character development. Even books that break my heart because of the feels.
I’m so glad you agree– these are just some of the things that always make me happy. I agree books which show you what it means to live and to be human are inspiring and gives an important message. I love character development too, it shows that you can change and be capable of so many different things which again is inspiring. I agree I love books which break your heart, there are so powerful and shows you that you have really connected to the story. 💛
Aww, this post is amazing! Sarcastic characters are some of my absolute favorites, and the bookish community always brightens my day! I love everyone there so much!! Wonderful post, Sophie! <3
Thank you so much Kelly, that makes me so happy to hear!! I love sarcastic characters, they always make me smile and usually become my favourite characters in stories!! The bookish community is amazing and everyone is always there for you which is amazing!! Thank you again!! 💛