Top Ten Tuesday: Books Involving Food (That are Not Cookbooks)

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 Involving Food (That are Not Cookbooks). Yummmmm.

Here are ten (mostly) recent reads that feature food… and which left me hungry!

1. Songs for the Broken-Hearted by Ayelet Tsabari: So many wonderful descriptions of Yemenite Jewish food! (review)

2. The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais: About restaurants and family, and filled with mouth-watering dishes. (review)

3. Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev: Love on a cooking reality show! (review)

4. The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan: You could really include most Jenny Colgan books on this list! So many of her books center around bakeries or sweetshops, and even include recipes! (review)

5. Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki: I just finished this book over the weekend, and it left me with huge cravings for donuts. Especially cake donuts… (review)

6. Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau: Speaking of donuts… (review)

7. The Vintage Village Bake Off by Judy Leigh: Among other delights, this book includes a scone-baking competition. Delish… (review)

8. A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey: A YA book with a main character whose cooking is central to her journey. (review)

9. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: Throughout this YA trilogy, the main character bakes and bakes and bakes.

10. A Twist of Fate by Kelley Armstong: In this timeslip romance, the main character supports herself and her sisters by opening a bakery, and thanks to her time-traveling ways, introduces chocolate chip cookies to her Victorian-era family. (review)

What books have you read recently that feature amazing food? If you wrote a TTT post this week, please share your link!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Is there room for me? Bookish families I’d like to join (or at least visit… )

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 Relationship Freebie (Pick a relationship type and choose characters who fit that relationship as it relates to you. So, characters you’d like to date, be friends with, be enemies with, etc. Bookish families you’d like to be a part of, characters you’d want as your siblings, pets you’d like to take for yourself, etc.).

I love reading about big or unusual or quirky bookish families, so that’s my theme for this week. Below are ten families I’d love to join… or at least, have Sunday brunch with or visit for the holidays… or just pop in for tea now and then.

  1. Frasers – Outlander – Was there any doubt that I’d include Outlander folks on this list? I wouldn’t want to be around for all the terrible things that happen to these people, but would happily attend one of their big (joyful) gatherings on Fraser’s Ridge.
  2. Weasleys – Harry Potter — I want Molly to knit me a sweater!
  3. Bridgertons — I mean, no, I could do without all the pressure to make a good match, but I’d down for afternoon tea and cakes with Violet and whoever else is around.
  4. Price-Healy family – Incryptids – Yes, there’s a lot of weaponry involved… but this family of cryptozoologists is all sorts of awesome (and there are religious talking mice involved!)
  5. Bennetts – Green Creek series – So a family of werewolves might not be the safest place to be on an ongoing basis, but their Sunday traditions are awesome.
  6. All-of-a-Kind Family – What is their last name??? I couldn’t find it… but they must have one, right? In any case, I grew up on these stories, and thought living with these five sisters must have been the ideal childhood.
  7. Chen family (Aunties) – Dial A for Aunties series – Oh, the Aunties would drive me batty… but isn’t it good to know that your family will have your back no matter what, even when it comes to hiding a body?
  8. Hastings – A Stitch in Time – The sisters in this family all get an adventure going through a time stitch, and I’d like to join them!
  9. De Clermonts – All Souls – I’m not saying I’d actually want to be a vampire or witch… but I’d enjoy hanging out at one of the family’s fabulous castles and hear about how they lived over the centuries.
  10. Not a single family – Game of Thrones – Too many opportunities to end up dead, gruesomely. (Clearly, my ideas failed me by #10)

Would you want to join any of these families? Are there other fictional families you love?

What was your TTT topic this week? Please share your link!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Favorite Books from Ten Series

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 Ten Favorite Books from Ten Series.

I almost skipped this week’s TTT — this topic is a tough one! I love so many series, and choosing a favorite book from a favorite series is like choosing a favorite child. Don’t make me pick!!

I’d be tempted to just go with the first book from each series, because hey — if the first book didn’t hook me, why would I keep going? But, I feel like I’ve featured first books in series before (for example, here), so instead I’m focusing on books other than the first. The books I’ve chosen all have something about them that makes them stand out. I’m not playing favorites… but all these books are noteworthy!

My top ten are:


Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal

Series: The Glamourist Histories
Book #: 3 (of 5)
Published: 2013

Why this book? The entire series is excellent, so picking a favorite is especially hard. Here in book #3, the setup is just so good, and I really enjoyed the introduction of new political realities and new directions for certain characters.


Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi

Series: Old Man’s War
Book #: 4 (of 6)
Published: 2008

Why this book? I actually love the first book in the series best of all, but Zoe’s Tale is just so clever. Basically, this 4th book retells everything that’s already happened in the series, but from a different character’s perspective. I know some people who’ve stopped after book 3, but I always urge them to give Zoe’s Tale a try.


Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey

Series: The Expanse
Book #: 9 (of 9)
Published: 2021

Why this book? Because it pulls off the seemingly impossible feat of providing a stellar ending to a complicated (and excellent) series.


Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire

Series: Incryptids
Book #: 4 (of 13 – so far)
Published: 2015

Why this book? This is a somewhat random choice, since the whole series is really fun. This one shifts the action to Australia, which is new for the series, and introduces new characters and monsters in a really engaging way. With this many books in an ongoing series, it’s notable when an earlier book really sticks with a reader, and this one does.


Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

Series: The Rajes
Book #: 3 (of 4)
Published: 2021

Why this book? Each of the four books in the series retells a Jane Austen novel, and this one works especially well. I loved the setup, the characters, and the plot development.


Breakup by Dana Stabenow

Series: Kate Shugak
Book #: 7 (of 23 – so far)
Published: 1997

Why this book? For a series that goes to some pretty dark places, this 7th book is actually very funny. If you’re binging the series, it’s a really enjoyable moment of lightness before more tragic events come in the next few books.


A Twist of Fate by Kelley Armstrong

Series: A Stitch in Time
Book #: 2 (of 4)
Published: 2021

Why this book? The timeslip story in this installment resolves a mystery introduced in the first book. The characters are terrific, and there’s a lot of emotion mixed in with the adventure.


Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Series: Bridgertons
Book #: 4 (of 8)
Published: 2002

Why this book? First of all, it’s the only one I’ve read twice! I love all the Bridgerton kids, but Colin and Penelope’s romance is a special treat. (And it’s my most recent foray into the series, since I just reread it, so it’s freshest in my mind…)


Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire

Series: Wayward Children
Book #: 2 (of 9 – so far)
Published: 2017

Why this book? The story in this installment is particularly haunting and beautifully written. I’ve enjoyed each book, but this one is a stand-out.


A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon

Series: Outlander
Book #: 8.5 (of 9 – so far)
Published: 2012

Why this book? OK, let’s be real. My choice for a favorite in the Outlander series should absolutely be (and truly is) the first book, Outlander. But that’s kind of obvious… so instead I’ll highlight this excellent novella, which fills in the blanks of a particular character’s family history and is simply excellent storytelling. I know a lot of Outlander fans focus just on the main novels (or, Big Enormous Books, as the author refers to them) — but skipping the novellas and other related novels means missing out on a lot of content that adds so much to the overall Outlander-verse.


How did you do with this week’s topic? Did you have as hard a time as I did with narrowing down the choices?

If you wrote a TTT post this week, please share your link!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Debut Novels I Enjoyed

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 Debut Novels I Enjoyed.

I had to go digging a bit, since I don’t necessarily know which of the books I’ve loved have been debut novels. But after a little research, here’s what I’ve come up with.

My top ten debut novels:

  1. Rosemary & Rue (October Daye, #1) by Seanan McGuire (review)
  2. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (review)
  3. Old Man’s War (Old Man’s War, #1) by John Scalzi
  4. The Martian by Andy Weir (review)
  5. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (review)
  6. Shades of Milk and Honey (Glamourist Histories, #1) by Mary Robinette Kowal (review)
  7. My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan (review)
  8. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
  9. The Measure by Nikki Erlick (review)
  10. The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (review)

Which debut novels have you really enjoyed? Please share your links!

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Top Ten Tuesday — Throwback Freebie: Book Titles That Are Complete Sentences 

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. The prompt for this week’s TTT is: Throwback Freebie (Pick a TTT topic that has been previously done. Maybe you missed it, weren’t blogging then, or you’d like to update an old list you made.)

I decided to go with a topic that I last did in 2021 and really liked: Book Titles That Are Complete Sentences . My 2021 post is here; read on for a new, refreshed list. All books listed are books I’ve read since then.

I managed to find many more than I expected to! For purposes of this post, I’m sticking to ten… but I’m bookmarking this topic for myself, so I can come back to it next time I need a freebie theme.

My top ten picks for books with complete sentences as titles:

  1. Where Have All the Boys Gone? by Jenny Colgan (review)
  2. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (review)
  3. The Ladies Rewrite the Rules by Suzanne Allain (review)
  4. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (review)
  5. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger
  6. He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland (review)
  7. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (review)
  8. I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider
  9. Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan (review)
  10. Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry (review)

What throwback freebie topic did you choose for this week’s TTT? Please share your links!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books with my favorite color on the cover

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 My Favorite Color on the Cover.

I don’t know if this is my favorite color… but at this time of year, it’s the color I most yearn for: The blue of a beautiful sea!

Summer sea blue… I don’t know if that’s an actual color name, but it’s something I love. I guess I’m just dying for a beach vacation!

Here are ten books with shades of sea blue:

Don’t these book covers make you want to head to the beach?

What color did you choose for this week’s TTT? Please share your links!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2024

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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 2024.

There are so many to choose from — but since I already featured a bunch in my winter TBR post, I’ll focus on a different set of books this week.

Here are (just some of) the books I can’t wait to read in 2024!

Listed in order of release date:

  1. The Women by Kristin Hannah (2/6/2024)
  2. To Woo & To Wed by Martha Waters (2/6/2024)
  3. The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (2/14/2024)
  4. The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black (3/5/2024)
  5. Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle (3/5/2024)
  6. Studies at the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan (3/26/2024)
  7. The Princess of Las Vegas by Chris Bohjalian (3/26/2024)
  8. The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto (3/26/2024)
  9. The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald (4/16/2024)
  10. Funny Story by Emily Henry (4/23/2024)

What upcoming new releases are you most excited for? If you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books of 2023

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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 Favorite Books of 2023.

There were so many great ones! It’s hard to narrow my list down to just ten…

Consider this just a sampling of the great books I read in 2023!

1.. Wolfsong by TJ Klune: But really, the entire Green Creek series is my top reading experience of the year. I loved all four books, but Wolfsong holds an especially strong place in my heart. After all, it’s all candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome. (review)

… plus…

2. Hello Stranger by Katherine Center: The main character’s situation is like nothing I’ve ever read before. This book is fascinating and entertaining and lovely. (review)

3. Hard to pick just one T. Kingfisher book! I read three by this author in 2023, and these two are especially wonderful: (reviews here and here)

4. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree: The hype is real! This book has gotten so much buzz, and it’s all deserved. The cozy fantasy I never knew I needed. (review)

5. Whalefall by Daniel Kraus: This wins the prize for the weirdest thing I read all year… and yet, I still can’t get it out of my mind! (review)

6. A duo from a favorite series: Sleep No More (review) and The Innocent Sleep (review), books 17 and 18 in the excellent October Daye series by Seanan McGuire, were released one month apart in the fall, telling the same story from two different characters’ perspectives. Simply awesome.

7. Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer: Every once in a while, a Georgette Heyer novel is just right for the moment, and I absolutely loved reading Sprig Muslin this year. (review)

8. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto: This book made me laugh and kept me guessing. Just pure fun. (review)

9. The Celebrants by Steven Rowley: I loved this story of friendship across the years — beautiful and emotional and truly resonant. (review)

10. The Gunnie Rose series by Charlaine Harris: I hadn’t thought this would interest me, but after reading the first book (An Easy Death) early in the year with my book group, I couldn’t stop until I’d read all five (and I’m hoping for more!).

The rest of the best:

Who am I kidding? I can’t name just 10!! Here are other books from my 2023 reading adventures that I loved too much not to mention:

What were you favorite books of 2023? If you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!

Top Ten Tuesday: The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Kindle Library

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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 The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf .

I don’t buy physical books nearly as much any more, but I can never seem to resist adding books to my Kindle library when I spot a good price drop.

Here are the 10 ebooks that I’ve added most recently:

  1. Emmett by L. C. Rosen
  2. Violeta by Isabel Allende
  3. Little, Big by John Crowley
  4. The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
  5. Island of the Lost by Joan Druett
  6. The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
  7. The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews
  8. The Apology by Jimin Han
  9. The Bookseller of Inverness by S. G. Maclean
  10. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

What books have you added to your shelves most recently? If you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on my wishlist (winter 2023)

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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 about our bookish wishes.

My holidays are already over — and while my family was very good to me, many of my bookish wishes came true because I treated myself to great sale prices! Still, I do have remaining books I’d love copies of at some point.

Here are 10 books (not including books not yet released) that I’ve recently added to my wishlist:

  1. The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland
  2. The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
  3. Get Lucky by Katherine Center
  4. The Star and the Strange Moon by Constance Sayers
  5. Spells for Lost Things by Jenna Evans Welch
  6. The Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner
  7. The Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
  8. Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong
  9. The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune
  10. Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee

What books are you wishing for? If you wrote a TTT post, please share your link!