Happy Tuesday, y’all! This week, Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl is asking us to share a list of books that conjure happy memories. I have to say, this is such an interesting concept. Are the happy memories related to when or why we read the book? Or is it the book itself that makes us happy? I actually found a book tag I did that kind of fits this week’s topic. Who wants to see the bookish memories book tag?
I originally did this tag back in the summer of 2021. I was in a low place, as my dad had passed away only a few months prior, and I wasn’t able to go home. You can check out my responses from then here.
Now let’s check out the bookish memories book tag!
A Book From Your Childhood
- The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell
- Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
- Release Date: January 1948
I was more of a Trixie Belden fan than a Nancy Drew fan. Don’t ask me to explain why; maybe it was because I had a handful of Trixie Belden books on my bookshelf and no Nancy Drew. Maybe it was because I found Trixie to be more relatable. No matter the reason, this may explain my fascination with mysteries!
A Book That Reminds You of Your Parents
- Sackett’s Land by Louis L’Amour
- Genre: Western
- Release Date: January 1974
I will admit, I’m not sure if my dad ever read this book. But I do know he was a HUGE fan of Louis L’Amour. He had a collection of brown leather-bound special editions of almost all of L’Amour’s books. And if he wasn’t reading westerns, he was watching them.
A Book That Reminds You of Your Best Friend
- Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
- Genre: Superhero, Fantasy, Science Fiction
- Release Date: September 2020
Why does this remind me of my best friend? The main reason is that it is basically a novelization of a comic book. But it is so much more than that too! But what does that have to do with my best friend? One, he’s a huge comic nerd. Two, once I finished the book, I handed it over to him and demanded he read it. Which he did, and he enjoyed it as much as I did, if not more.
A Book That Reminds You of Your Significant Other
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- Genre: Science Fiction, Humor
- Release Date: October 1979
Okay, this is probably cheating, as my significant other is also my husband, and that means I’m thinking of more books for him. I remember when The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy came out as a movie. He was so excited—I think even more than he was over the Star Wars prequel trilogy. I tried reading the book a couple of years ago, but I couldn’t finish it. That doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the movie.
A Book That Reminds You of The Past Summer
- Lady X by Molly Fader
- Genre: Mystery, Relationships
- Release Date: July 2026
I’m not sure whether this reminds me of the past summer (2026) or of current events that brought this book to mind. But it’s a powerful read about a woman wronged by the man she trusted most. It’s also a story of women standing up for themselves and correcting wrongs done to them. Am I advocating for vigilante justice? No, but more people need to stand up for what’s right.
First & Last Book On Your TBR Alphabetically
First & Last Book On Your TBR by Date
- Palisades Park by Alan Brennert (added February 2018)
- Mrs. Christie & the Mystery in the Mews by Amanda Chapman (added September 2026)
Those are some of my bookish memories. What are some of your bookish memories? What is on your TBR?
Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my other bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.
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You’ve piqued my curiousity about Trixie! Thanks for stopping by earlier.
I love The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Such silliness. I can’t stop myself from laughing out loud.
I attempted to read the book, but I just couldn’t get into it. Though I did enjoy the movie adaptation.
I loved Trixie Belden too!!! She was my favorite sleuth growing up. I just reread the first book this year and I think I am going to keep reading them. 🙂
I think she was so relatable. I grew up in rural New York, and much like her, spent a lot of time outside. It would be great if someone wrote about her adventures as an adult.
That would be cool!
Fun tag!
Hi, Pam. I had a bunch of Trixie Belden books too. Such fun memories!
A great post. I’m sorry about your dad. They were some times we went through. My gran passed near the end so we were able to get to her funeral. Visiting her in the Nursing Home was a bit strange and I had a 2 year old at the time so I was paranoid about him catching it.
Have a good week
I love that soft, vintage The Secret of the Mansion cover!
I really loved Hench and it was such a pleasant surprise as I don’t often click with superhero books.
Not sure if your comment about the cover being vintage should hurt or not, as that is the cover I had as a kid. LOL! I loved Hench, but unfortunately, Villain (the sequel) was so difficult to get into.
🙈 Sorry! 😅 I know the feeling!
That’s disappointing to hear! I’d seen it get put back and put back, but I was looking forward to getting to it eventually. I wonder if the publishing delay was due to it not going well.
From what I’ve seen, the delays were due to the author’s health. She has a chronic condition, and it kept flaring up. And she also had a feeling of imposter syndrome.
Aww, that’s a real shame. Especially that imposter syndrome when the first book was SO good. I wonder if its success actual made the sequel wven more difficult to right then.
I’ve never read a novel by Louis L’Amour, but have seen adaptation inspired by those books. Also, I had some Trixie books on my shelf too! But I cannot remember if I ever read them. 😉 Thanks for visiting my list today!
I’ve never read any Louis L’Amour books either, but I grew up watching several of the movies.
This is a fun tag! It’s nice to revisit memories this way.
Nice work!!
This is a fun tag. Have a great week!
For me I think my answers were a mix of books that made me happy in themselves and books that I happened to be reading during happy times… it’s an interesting distinction!
I love the idea of tying certain books to certain people in our lives. I haven’t read Hitchhiker’s Guide, but I have gifted to someone. Nice tag!
I love your list! The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is one of my favorites. I did like the movie, too.
I struggled with the book, but adored the movie.
Awesome list, Pam! I was more Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, but I have heard of Trixie Belden. Isn’t it interesting to consider what books our family members collect? Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog today.
Great idea of post!
I’ve been meaning to get to Hitchhikers Guide, everyone has nothing but good things to say for it, I just never get round to it!