I’m sticking with Top 5 Tuesday again this week! I’m participating in the meme originally created by Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm, now hosted by Meeghan Reads.
This month’s topics are like a bookish scavenger hunt — what fun! You can see all the topics for March here.
This week, it’s all about doorways, and I’m happy to share a few faves:
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune: Sweet and uplifting!
A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L’Engle: I read this one ages ago, and I think this is as far as I got in the Wrinkle in Times series. Someday, I’ll go back and read the rest!
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow: I loved this book so much! The plot is fascinating, and I loved the main character.
Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire: The first book in the Wayward Children series introduces us to a world where doors lead children to new lives. Such a favorite.
The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley: A fairy tale collection that includes new stories as well as retellings. All are lovely.
What “door” books do you love?
As always, if you have a TTT or T5T post this week, please share your link!
Yes, you read that right! This post is a Top 5 Tuesday post — I’m participating in the meme originally created by Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm, now hosted by Meeghan Reads.
My usually Tuesday lists are linked back to the Top Ten Tuesday meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, but I just wasn’t feeling this week’s prompt, so I thought I’d do something different.
Books to re-read!! This topic is definitely in my sweet spot, since I’m a big fan of re-reading my favorite books. I’ll usually let at least a few years go by, although sometimes, when the next book in a series is on the horizon, I’ll do a quick re-read (or audiobook listen) to get a refresher on all the details.
Here are five I plan to re-read in 2022:
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien: I’m actually planning to start a LOTR re-read this year, and I’m leaning toward starting with the audiobook of The Hobbit (narrated by Andy Serkis) — but I also have this illustrated edition on my shelf that I may choose to spend time with instead.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling: I’m looking forward to enjoying the gorgeous MinaLima edition of HP#2.
When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire: The newest October Daye book (#16, Be the Serpent) comes out in the fall, so before then, I’ll be doing an audio re-read of #15.
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: I read the 9th book in the Outlander series as soon as it was released this past November, but starting next week, my book group will be doing a group read, sharing and discussing two chapters per week.
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller: This is another one for a book group discussion, and I absolutely do not mind the idea of reading it again!
Do you plan to re-read any books in 2022?
As always, if you have a TTT or T5T post this week, please share your link!
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Books Too Good to Review Properly .
I definitely have plenty of these! Many of these are book group books or literary fiction books that impressed me in different ways or are so well-known and written about that I felt like I had nothing to add. And somehow the idea of reviewing a classic (other than by saying — wow, I read this! and I liked it!) seems a little beyond my scope!
In any case, below are ten books that I loved — but apparently had no words when it came to writing a review (other than just handing out 5 stars, of course).
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Deerskin by Robin McKinley
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
What books made your list this week?
Please share your link so I can check out your top 10!
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Love Freebie, which means we all put our own spin on the topic of LOVE.
Just like I did for the February Love Freebie TTT posts in 2020 and 2021, I’m going to keep it simple and highlight my ten favorite love stories that I read in the past year:
1. Heartstopper graphic novels by Alice Oseman: I just want to give the main characters all the hugs! These books are sweet and funny and also heart-breaking at times.
2. The Matzah Ballby Jean Meltzer: Reading a romance novel with a Jewish holiday as its central plot point was so much fun.
3. Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev: I’m loving this author’s series of Austen adaptations! (Next one will be an Emma retelling, and I can’t wait!)
4. Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon: You didn’t think I’d write a list of favorite love stories and not include Outlander, did you? There’s SO much going on in this book — battles and danger and journeys and more — but Jamie and Claire’s love story is still the heart and soul of the series.
5. Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell: A terrific science fiction adventure with a compelling romance at its center.
6. All the Feelsby Olivia Dade: Another fun, steamy romance set in the same fanfic-centric world as Spoiler Alert.
7. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: I loved this friends-to-lovers-to-not-friends-to-lovers tale! It’s quirky and funny and sincere, and just so much fun.
8. The Stand-Inby Lily Chu: I had a great time listening to this audiobook, about an ordinary woman introduced to the glamorous world of movie stars, and finding love along the way.
9. Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau: Another falling-in-love-with-a-celebrity romance, but with baked goods!! I mean, how could I possibly resist?
10. The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo: A lovely story about family and connection and yes, finding true love.
What were the best love stories you read during the past year?
If you wrote a TTT post this week, please share your link and let me know your topic!
And PS – Happy (early) Valentine’s Day!
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And PPS — Since this post is going up on February 8th…
Happy Anniversary to us! 24 years ago today, my husband and I said “I do” in a cute little wedding chapel in Reno, Nevada!
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Books with Names/Character Names In the Titles. I did something similar for a freebie TTT topic several years ago (here), and although it’s tempting, I’m not going to repeat any for today’s list!
Josh & Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren (review)
Gwendy’s Button Box by Richard Chizmar and Stephen King (review)
Cousin Kate by Georgette Heyer
How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior (review)
Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower by Tamsyn Muir (review)
Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti (review)
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2021.
There were way more than 10, and it’s so hard to choose favorites… but I’ll go with these ten, whose books I really enjoyed:
Julia Quinn (I read ALL the Bridgerton books!)
Rosie Danan
Sarah Morgenthaler
Crystal Maldonado
Kristen O’Neal
C. Robert Cargill
Adrian Tchaikovsky
William Kent Krueger
Everina Maxwell
Emiko Jean
What new-to-you authors did you discover in 2021? Any particular favorites? Do we have any in common?
Please share your link so I can check out your top 10!
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is 2021 Releases I Was Excited to Read But Didn’t Get To. So, so many of these!
Here are 10 that fit the topic — all of which I still really want to read!
Have you read any of these? Which ones should I tackle first?
If you posted a TTT list this week, please share your link!
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection. I did buy a LOT of books at the end of 2021 — but I think I’ve share most of those already.
Usually, I build these posts around my physical books purchases, but to switch things up, here are my 10 most recent additions to my Kindle library:
Have you read any of these? Which ones do you think should be my priorities to read?
If you posted a TTT list this week, please share your link!
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Most Anticipated Books Releasing In the First Half of 2022. While one of my goals this year is to read the books I already own, I can’t help feeling excited about a bunch of new releases that will be coming my way too!
My 10 most anticipated new releases for the first half of 2022 are:
Where the Drowned Girls Go (Wayward Children, #7) by Seanan McGuire (1/4 — my copy arrives today!)
An Impossible Imposter (Veronica Speedwell, #7) by Deanna Raybourn (2/14)
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle (3/1)
Spelunking Through Hell (Incryptids, #11) by Seanan McGuire (3/1)
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi (3/15)
Reputation by Lex Croucher (4/5)
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth (4/5)
To Marry and to Meddle (The Regency Vows, #3) by Martha Waters (4/5)
Book of Night by Holly Black (5/3)
Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean (5/31)
What new releases are you most looking forward to in 2022? Share your links, and I’ll come check out your top 10!
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Best Books I Read In 2021.
According to Goodreads, I have over 40 books that I rated 5 stars in 2021! I guess it truly was an excellent year for reading. Excluding all the re-reads in the mix, that still leaves me with way more than 10 — and since this is a situation where my list, my rules apply, I’m going to go with 20 of my favorite reads (and even that hurts my heart, having to leave out so many others!).
In no particular order, my top TWENTY books of 2021:
The Fall of Koli by M. R. Carey: A fabulous wrap-up to a compelling trilogy. (review)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: Everyone raved about this book, and with good reason! (review)
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah: This book about the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression was a tough read, but so moving and powerful. (review)
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger: Simply a beautifully written historical novel — and yet another reason to be thankful for my book group’s terrific reading choices.
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner: Totally engrossing contemporary fiction. (review)
Flash Fire by TJ Klune: Book #2 in the author’s Extraordinaries YA series moved me to tears and to hysterical bursts of laughter. I love these books. (review)
The Apocalypse Seven by Gene Doucette: I feel like this was an under-the-radar book for 2021, but I thoroughly enjoyed this strange apocalyptic sci-fi tale. (review)
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline: Another powerful historical novel, with a focus on transportation of British prisoners to Australia. (review)
Emily of New Moon trilogy by L. M. Montgomery: These books are beautiful and optimistic and just all around wonderful. (review)
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean: This YA novel, kind of like The Princess Diaries but set in Japan, is sweet and funny and just so good. (review)
The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: This author writes in so many genres, and while I’ve enjoyed quite a few of her books, I think this one is my favorite. (review)
The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo: Sensitive and sweet contemporary romance about family and heritage and connecting the past with the present. (review)
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon: Another great YA read! (review)
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey: Ooh, this sci-fi thriller really got to me! (review)
Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti: I’m actually at about 90% as of when I’m writing this post, but I’m loving this book enough to include it on my “best of” list!
Horseman by Christina Henry: Terrific, spooky retelling of the Headless Horseman legend. (review)
So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow: As the subtitle says, this is a “remix” of Little Women, and it’s wonderful. (review)
Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill: The aftermath of a robot uprising, starring an animatronic tiger nannybot. What more do you really need to know? (review)
A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny: This is going to be my new annual Halloween tradition. (review)
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict: Fascinating historical fiction about a real event in the life of Agatha Christie. (review)
I could go on… but this gives you a sense of what books I loved best in 2021.
What were your favorite books of 2021? Do we have any in common?
Share your link, and I’ll come check out your top 10!
Bookshelf Fantasies 