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Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Books Set in Another Time
I was overwhelmed by all the books I could pick for this topic and so I decided to narrow it down a little and only do books set in the past. Maybe next time I’ll do one set in the future or some other time. I do enjoy historical fiction very much, and these are some of the ones I loved!
Top Ten Books Set In Another Time – The Past
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon – Set in 1789. This is historical fiction/biographical fiction based on real people and true events that happened in Maine in the 1780s. I just finished it at the time of this writing and I loved it! I would highly recommend it!
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows – Set in an alternate universe of 1500s England where shapeshifters are a thing. I loved this one and the TV series too, and I’m so bummed that the series got cancelled.
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid – I cannot believe that I’m calling a book set in the 1990s historical fiction but sadly, here we are. I’m not a sporty person and I don’t know anything about tennis, but this is one of my favorite books by the author.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett – It spans the 1950s to 1990s and explores racial issues in America during that time. I am wholly ignorant about American racial issues but this was such a good look into what it was like at the time. Such an amazing book I still think about it.
Universe of Two by Stephen P. Kiernan – Set during WW2, this is another author whose works I love. I would happily recommend all his other books as well, but not all of them are historical fiction and this is one I really loved that fit the bill.
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel – This one has the distinction of being the “oldest” in that it’s set during prehistoric times. I loved it when I read it, decades ago, but I never finished the series and I’m feeling the itch to reread.
The Light Bearer by Donna Gillespie – I’ve talked about this one a lot, but it’s so underrated that I feel the need to talk about it as much as possible to keep it alive! It’s set in Ancient Roman times, and it’s one of the top ten, maybe top five, most influential books in my life.
Imperial Woman by Pearl S. Buck – Set during the Qing Dynasty in China. Another one of my favorite books that I’ve mentioned before. It’s funny because it’s a book I’ve reread many times but never finished – the last few chapters just seemed irrelevant to me back then and I haven’t reread it recently. Maybe I’ll try finishing it one day.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah – Set in Texas, 1934, during the Dust Bowl. As with so much of history, this was another era I’m completely ignorant about, but this book was so emotionally devastating and I felt so much for the characters and their story.
11/22/63 by Stephen King – The time frame is in the title! Everyone knows I’m a huge fan of King, and of course, I had to include this book because it’s one of my favorites (I have so many though!). It’s not strictly historical fiction because it’s time travel, but it is technically historical fiction because it’s majorly set in the past about real historical figures. It’s an amazing book, regardless!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Love Freebie
I decided to go with romances on my TBR because I haven’t been reading very many romances recently and I have a backlog! I’m also desperately needing some romance and I’m thinking of boycotting every other genre while I binge on some of these. If you’ve got more great romance books you loved, please recommend me some more!
Top Ten Romance Novels on My TBR
Better than Revenge by Kasie West – I loved Kasie West’s other books, and I haven’t kept up with some of her recent books. I’d like to catch up!
Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane – This has been on my TBR for so long. I need to read it this year!
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston – I wasn’t initially interested in this one but I’ve heard such good things about it that I’m curious.
How to End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang – I’ve been seeing this book around and maybe it’s just because I’m desperately craving some romance, it went immediately onto my TBR.
Promchanted by Morgan Matson – I loved Morgan Matson’s other books as well and want to catch up with some of her newer ones that I hadn’t kept up with.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison – It’s been on my TBR for a while too but I haven’t gotten to it yet.
The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa – I found this book in a Little Free Library near my house, so in the TBR it goes!
The Do-Over by Lynn Painter – I’ve heard so much about this author but haven’t read her. I hope she’s as good as I’m anticipating.
I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang – This one sounds really cute and I want to read it!
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren – I’ve enjoyed Christina Lauren’s books and I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one too.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is 2024 Releases I Was Excited to Read but Still Haven’t Gotten To
There are so many good ones!! There’s really not enough time in the world to read all the books, but I’m going to try. This is why I need immortality, Book Gods and Goddesses!! But I’ll settle for a superpower that stops time if you can swing that.
Top Ten 2024 Releases I Was Excited to Read but Still Haven’t Gotten To
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan – This has been on my TBR since it came out last January because she’s a Malaysian author and I gotta support my fellow countrymen! I meant to read it sooner but I haven’t gotten around to it.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst – I picked it up purely because of the cover, but it sounds really good too and I hope I’ll get to it soon.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher – I’ve loved so many of this author’s books and I’m pretty sure I’ll love this one too. It’s got an interesting premise.
The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe – This is actually the sequel to The Girls I’ve Been, which I loved. I also loved a couple of other books by the same author so of course I need to read this one too!
The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard – Saw it at my library’s featured shelf last year and have been borrowing and renewing it ever since, but still haven’t gotten around to it. 😅
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle – This one comes highly recommended by a friend whose book tastes I trust. I don’t know much about it, but I’m excited to read it.
The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich – Another one I saw at the library. I have read The Sentence by the same author and really enjoyed it, and this one sounds even better!
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson – This is the fifth book in The Stormlight Archives and I’ve only just finished the first two books, so it’ll be a while until I get to this one.
The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin – I’m so excited she’s got a new book out, but The Keeper of Hidden Books is next!
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley – Picked it up at the library’s featured shelf and really loving the sound of it. I can’t wait to read this.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2025
So many books to be excited about this year and these are just for the first half of the year! As if I didn’t already have tons of backlist books on the TBR, I’ve got new ones to contend with! I can’t wait!
Top Ten Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2025
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – Expected publication date: Jan 21, 2025. The third book in the Empyrean series. The second was a little disappointing but I have to see this through!
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins – Expected publication date: Mar 18, 2025. I wasn’t interested in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes when it was released but have since read it and now I’m all in for any other book in the THG universe.
Swept Away by Beth O’Leary – Expected publication date: Apr 10, 2025. I love her other books and I’m sure I’ll love this one too!
Never Flinch by Stephen King – Expected publication date: May 27, 2025. I know some people are tired of reading about Holly but I love her, so I’m totally here for it!
The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb – Expected publication date: May 6, 2025. I’m anticipating this alright, but I’m also scared to read it because I cried so hard with two other books from the author I loved.
The Love Haters by Katherine Center – Expected publication date: May 20, 2025. I’m completely sold on Katherine Center and I’m excited for this next one!
Overgrowth by Mira Grant – Expected publication date: May 6, 2025. I read a couple of her books a long time ago and they made an impression on me. Curious to read this one and see how I feel about it.
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett – Expected publication date: Feb 11, 2025. More Emily Wilde! More Wendell! More faerie hijinks! I can’t wait!
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Expected publication date: Jun 3, 2025. I love everything TJR, and this one sounds so good!
A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson – Expected publication date: Jan 7, 2025. Dragons, languages, dark academia! I mean, how can I resist?!
Are you anticipating any of these books? Have you read any books by these authors? What books are you looking forward to?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Books on My Winter 2024-2025 to-Read List
Alright, now that we’re almost at the end of the year and we’re doing a Winter TBR post, I can say that I’m a little disappointed that some of the books that have been on my TBR since last year haven’t been crossed off the list yet. I’ve read some great books this year, don’t get me wrong, but I really want to get to those pesky books still on my TBR too! Still, for the sake of this post, I’m posting different books so that I won’t feel sad about having the same books from last year on this year’s list!
Top Ten Books on My Winter 2024-2025 TBR
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher – I’ve been wanting to read this but haven’t gotten my hands on the book yet. I’m a huge fan of Kingfisher and this one sounds really good too!
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers – This is the second book in The Wayfarer series and will be a reread for me. I read the first and second book a while ago but not the next in the series, so I’m rereading before moving on to the next ones.
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren – My irl bookclub’s BOTM. I’ve read other books by the authors and I’m hoping it will be a much needed light-hearted read for the holidays.
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell – My online bookclub’s BOTM and hopefully a fast-paced, thrilling read!
The Terror by Dan Simmons – This one sounds ominous but I’m intrigued and really want to read it. I’m scared but also very curious!
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson – The third book in The Stormlight Archive series. I just finished reading the first two recently and I am hooked! I know the fifth book just came out and I’m really excited to get through the books!
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst – Honestly, this one is purely judged based on the cover. And title. It seems so whimsical and magical and I just want to read it!
Deadly Assessments by Drew Hayes – The fifth book in Fred, the Vampire Accountant series. I breezed through the first four and have enjoyed them all. Very much intending to finish the whole series.
The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman – The third book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I loved the first two and I’m excited to read the rest of these books!
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston – I just want a little more light-hearted romance in my life and heard this one was good.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Thankful/Thanksgiving Freebie
Canada’s Thanksgiving was last month, but I’m happy to play for bookish things I’m thankful for this year! Also, I’m having a couple of intense weeks and I haven’t been around much on the blog but I’m really thankful that you’re here and I’ll resume visiting blogs and replying comments as soon as I can!
Top Ten Bookish Things I’m Thankful For In 2024
The Calgary Public Library – I honestly believe that my library is the best library in the world. So many book selections both physical and digital, so many books you can check out at any one time, so many free programs, so much support provided to the people of Calgary. I even had a friend from New York visit and even she said that my library is better than the one she has in New York! I am thankful every day for my library!
My bookish friend visiting from New York – I met her through an online bookclub, and we bonded through the mutual love of books. Plus we did all the bookish things while she was here, and she gifted me a couple of gorgeous handmade book sleeves!
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale – She happened to visit during the book sale, so we went and we got lots of books for cheap, and I went back on the final day when all the books were free!
My in-person bookclub – I started the bookclub early this year and it’s been going really strong even though we started out with only a few members. We even went on a road trip to the Royal Tyrell museum together when we read our non-fiction dinosaur related book this summer! I look forward to seeing them every month and we always have a great time. So thankful for my bookclub family!
My online bookclub – A different bookclub from the one I met my bookish friend in New York. I’m no longer in the first one, but a different friend introduced me to this other bookclub this year and I love it! It’s bigger and has so many more bookish activities – it’s a blessing and a curse, tbh, because I’m finding it hard to say no to all the fun activities and buddy reads!
All the buddy reads – I realize some people are solitary readers – and I’m happy reading quietly on my own too sometimes – but I also absolutely love buddy reads and talking about the books with other readers! It enhances my reading experience, helps me remember the books better, and gives me so much perspective from other readers’ POVs. I just love buddy reads!
An Audible membership – I treated myself to an Audible membership for my birthday this year, and I’m already loving it so much! I got it on a discount and I’ve already listened to so many amazing books this year, and discovering more! I still love reading books on text but some books are just better on audio, especially when you’ve got a great narrator on board!
Discovering so many amazing new-to-me books this year – One of the best things about being a part of book communities is discovering all the books that I might not have picked up on my own, but because of other book bloggers and bookclub members raving about them, made me pick them up. I’ve read so many new favorite books this year I never expected to love!
Meeting with another book blogger – So even though I’m active in a few online book spaces, I haven’t been to many in-person book events. However, I got lucky that one of the people I got to know from the bookblogging community lives relatively close to me and I got to meet her in real life! I met Susan from The Cue Card last month and had the best time hanging out with her!
The bookblogging community – And last but not least, I am so grateful to be a part of this bookblogging community, and especially every one of you taking part in the Top Ten Tuesdays, hosted by the wonderful Jana, every week. It’s one of the highlights of my week; coming up with ideas for top ten lists and seeing what everyone else has come up with! I am so thankful for every one of you!
What bookish things are you thankful for this year? Did you discover any new favorite books? Have you met any new bookish friends?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Oldest (aka Earliest Published) Books On My TBR (submitted by Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits).
I sort of already have a list of earliest published books on my TBR, for The Classics Club challenge, so I decided to go with the next alphabet on my easy go-to topic; Books Beginning with B. (I can’t believe I’m only on the second letter!)
Top Ten Books Beginning with B
Bear by Marian Engel – This is a weird but interesting book. I’m not sure if I would recommend it to anyone, except for the sake of curiosity. I buddy read it with some friends and we did get some interesting discussions out of it though.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center – I loved this one! Katherine Center has become one of my favorite authors, and I’d probably read anything she writes.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree – Another one I loved! I love Viv, and I love her friends, and I love the whole cozy bookshop setting as well. And obviously, the best thing for me about these books is the found family aspect, because I love found families!
The Bad Weather Friend by Dean Koontz – This one was okay. It’s a good and fun read, but nothing really special stood out for me.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie – I wasn’t sure about this book at first because the characters were so unlikeable in the beginning, but I ended up really loving it and the characters!
Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane – This has been on my TBR for ages and I’m trying my best to get to it soon! I love the author’s other books, and I’m sure I’ll love this one too, I just have to read it.
The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey – The first book of an amazing series! I highly recommend this one!
The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed – I have not read this one, but it’s been praised a lot and I am very interested in the premise!
Barbed Wire Heart by Tess Sharpe – Tess Sharpe is so great at writing badass young female protagonists! I loved this one and also The Girls I’ve Been, which is supposed to be made into a movie starring Millie Bobby Brown, but I haven’t any news about it since.
Book of Night by Holly Black – I’m a huge fan of Holly Black, and I loved this story and the characters! There’s also supposed to be a sequel coming out next year and I cannot wait to dive back into the story!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Destination Titles (titles with name of places in them. These places can be real or fiction!)
Looking up books with destination titles, I came across a lot of titles with witches from somewhere or other, and I decided to focus my list today on them! It’s also because I ended up adding so many of these to my TBR and book addicts love company, so I’m obliged to share these in the hopes you’ll add some to your TBR too!
Top Ten Books with Witches Everywhere
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare – I don’t remember reading this, but it’s listed as read on my GR and I gave it 2/5 stars! I don’t know if I clicked it by accident or if I really didn’t like it, but I must (re)read it soon to find out for sure!
The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho – I haven’t read a lot of Coelho but I did like The Alchemist. I’ll probably read this one too someday.
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay – This is one where witchcraft and medical science collides. It sounds delightfully creepy and mysterious and I am very interested in reading it.
The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike – I feel like I’ve heard about this one before and also the author, but the ratings aren’t very good. That makes me very curious!
The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy – This one follows three generations of women and as with many witch stories, has vibes of unfair prosecution of witches. Gothic horror and historical fiction, sounds right up my alley!
The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche – The MC uses gemstones to heal the sick, but has to play nice with others to get herself recognized as a physician. This one sounds really good too, and I love the cover!
The Witch of Little Italy by Suzanne Palmieri – This one looks so charming and light-hearted compared to the other books listed here. The author has several books about witches in other places as well; The Witch of Belladonna Bay, The Witch of Bourbon Street, but I chose to go with this one because it’s her debut.
The Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris – Inspired by the true story of the last person to be executed for witchcraft in Britain. I need to read this!
The Witch of Napoli by Michael Schmicker – Aaahhh, the battle between science and religion! Personally, I believe that science and spirituality are compatible with each other. Religion is a different story, however.
The Witch of Cologne by Tobsha Learner – A sexy, witchy romance! Sign me up! This author’s name is very familiar to me but I can’t remember where I heard about her.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Books with [Item] on the Cover
I chose pianos for the item on the cover because I’ve been trying to be better on the piano and I’m hoping to motivate myself to practice a little more. It’s not working but hey, at least I found some books with gorgeous covers!
Top Ten Books with Pianos on the Cover
The Piano Man’s Daughter by Timohy Findley – This is a historical fiction set in Canada. I have not read or heard of the author, but it’s got great reviews and I’m curious about it.
The Secret Pianist by Andie Newton – A newly published historical fiction that reminds me of books in the vein of Madeline Martin. It’s set during WW2 and gives me the same kind of vibes.
Pianos and Flowers by Alexander McCall Smith – I read his book, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency years ago and enjoyed it but I’ve never read anything since. This is a book of short stories so maybe a good place to get back into his stories.
Death in D Minor by Alexia Gordon – The second book in the Gethsemane Brown Mysteries series with a classical musician as the mystery-solving protagonist.
The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield – This is a picture book that sounds absolutely adorable! I think I’d love to read it.
Forbidden Melody by Magnolia Robbins – An LGBT romance that looks really good. Two musicians falling in love, that sounds right up my alley!
Mad Boys by Heather Long – This is the second book in a new adult, reverse harem romance series, not something I’m usually interested in, but I love the cover!
Lessons by Ian McEwan – I’ve only ever read Atonement by the author, but this one sounds really good too!
Crescendo by Allen Cheney – This is a biography but I don’t know anything about the person of topic, Fred Allen. I do love the cover though.
Middle C by William H. Gass – I don’t even know what this book is about, but I love the representation of part of a piano on the cover and had to include it!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly bookish meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl that features a different bookish topic every week.
Today’s topic is Halloween Freebie
I decided to go with vampire stories for today’s topic because there’s been so many vampire stories I’ve loved. Except Twilight, I did not like Twilight so I didn’t include it, but I do recognize its popularity. I’ve listed some of my favorite vampire books here although I haven’t read the last three. They feel familiar to me because I’ve watched the movies and there are so many pop culture references to them. In any case, I could do with a reread for almost all of these books!
Top Ten Books About Vampires
Sunshine by Robin McKinley – This is one of my all-time favorite vampire books, and an author I love in general. It has been a long while since I read this, so definitely time for a reread!
‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King – I have such fond memories of listening to this on audio during a thunderstorm while being home alone. I spoiled the atmosphere a little by turning on every single light in the house, but I was still very creeped out by it. I loved the experience so much!
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black – Another favorite! And another favorite author! I thought this book was a very interesting take on vampires and a very different vampire story.
Thirst series by Christopher Pike – My first vampire love. The first of the series came out more than two decades ago and I loved it as a teenager. It’s a bit dated but you never forget your first love.
Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead – I devoured the series! I read it more than a decade ago but I remember loving them so much at the time.
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova – I remember really enjoying the story although missing a lot of the details, especially because of POV and timeline switches, but I do intend to read this again eventually.
The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes – I thought this was such a fun read and intended to read the rest of the series but never got to them for some reason. Now that I’m reading Super Powereds by the same author and loving it, I’m definitely planning to come back to this one.
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist – I thought I read this but I might be wrong. I’m quite certain I watched both the movies though! I think? I remember being immersed in this story and yet I’m doubting myself now.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice – I definitely watched the movie! I might have read the book but I don’t remember, so it’s time to (re)read it either way!
Dracula by Bram Stoker – I know I didn’t read this one but I’ve been meaning to for ages! The last time I tried, I did a stupid thing and listened to it to go to sleep, and I was very rudely awakened by a screaming evil voice that scared me so much I couldn’t go back to sleep!
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Would you read any of these books?
