May's Book Competition - Something Happy

This month, I wanted “something happy” because May holds both my birthday and anniversary! I also thought “something happy” was vague enough to get two very interesting selections for this month’s competition.

The Ground Rules

To help keep things mostly apples-to-apples, I selected a theme each month. Then, Leslie and Noah each submit a book to me for reading. Neither knows what the other shared with me. Then, over the course of a month, I read the books and choose a winner for the best book that month.

May 2022: Something Happy

Leslie submitted The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary. Here's what she said about why she chose it:

Beverly has so many amazing books and is the reason that many kids get into reading. I hadn’t read anything of hers in decades but decided to take this one for a spin (motorcycle pun intended) to see if it hit the bar for the happy challenge. It’s the ultimate happy.

Next, Noah submitted A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Noah found the “something happy” genre a bit challenging.

A Walk in the Woods was an unexpected book for me. I had not come across Bill Bryson and didn’t know what to expect. A Walk in the Woods is Bryson’s experience of hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. It’s a humorous book full of fun facts and science. I learned so much about the Trail and its flora and fauna. Like any good story, there were highs and lows which kept me reading. 4/5 Stars

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary was even more unexpected than A Walk in the Woods. I read it when I was young. Something in me knew I liked Cleary’s books, but I couldn’t remember the plot at all. Despite it being for kids, I was hooked. Cleary nailed everything from the personification of Ralph Mouse to the magic of using one’s imagination. This book unequivocally brings joy to the reader. 5/5 Stars

Two Will Enter, One Will Win

Comparing these books and deciding on a winner between my two friends still isn't easy. Both books are happy and lighthearted, but there was a clear winner: The Mouse and the Motorcycle. This month, Leslie takes the win again!

Here’s a recap of point totals:

January: Noah

February: Tie

March: Leslie

April: Leslie

May: Leslie

Noah stands at two points while Leslie increased her lead with four points. June’s book is “Classic - female author” and I can’t wait to see what the selections are.