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Tuesday, April 07, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: On Hold at the E-Library


Happy MonTueWedThurFriSatSunWhateverday!  My kids have now been out of school for a month thanks to Spring Break and COVID-19.  We've been plugging along pretty well, all considered, but my 11-year-old social butterfly did have a little breakdown yesterday over missing her friends.  She said (with a sad little sniff), "I love hanging out with my family, but I just want to see other people's faces!"  My husband owns his own business and has still been going to the office most days.  Yesterday, even he said, "I'm going a little crazy."  I haven't gone anywhere in days, but I've been busy reading, blogging, working on a cross-stitching project, cleaning, etc.  What have you been doing to stay sane during these crazy times?

Top Ten Tuesday is always a fun diversion, even in normal times.  If you haven't heard of it, remedy that!  All you have to do is hop on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few quick instructions, create your own list, then click around the book blogosphere checking out other people's lists.  It's a great way to spread the love—and who couldn't use a little of that right now?  The topic du jour is Top Ten Books I Bought/Borrowed Because ... I haven't bought any books lately, but I have been checking out e-books from my library.  So, that will be the focus of my list today.

Top Ten E-Books I've Borrowed From the Library During the Quarantine (and Why):


1.  A Single Light by Tosca Lee.  Why?

  • I enjoyed the first book, The Line Between.  It's a fast-paced, engrossing, well-written dystopian novel that is surprisingly clean and faith-promoting, although it's not a religious/Christian book.  
  • I had to know what happens to Wynter, Chase, and the others.
  • So far, A Single Light is darker than The Line Between but just as exciting.

2.  Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower.  Why?
  • that punny title!
  • A blogger (sorry, can't remember who) mentioned enjoying this cozy series that takes place in an Amish candy shop.  I'm in the mood for lighter mysteries and this first installment sounds fun.

3.  From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks.  Why?
  • I love middle-grade novels.
  • This mystery features a 12-year-old African-American girl who's curious about the father she's never met.  He's in prison for a terrible crime he insists he didn't commit.  Zoe's desperate to prove her dad's innocence.  Can she?  Sounds intriguing!

4.  Let's Call It a Doomsday by Katie Henry.  Why?
  • Stephanie from She's Probably at the Library gave it an excellent review.  She was especially impressed by the way religion (mine specifically) is portrayed in this book and thought I would enjoy both its story and the faith exploration.
  • The plot sounds interesting.  It features a teen girl who's obsessed with all the ways the world can end and a new friend who knows when it will.  Definitely sounds like my kind of book.


5.  The Eagle Catcher by Margaret Coel.  Why?
  • Back before I started blogging, I read several installments in Coel's Wind River Reservation mystery series.  As much as I enjoyed them, I didn't continue on with the series for some reason.  I'm ready to dive back in.
  • I need a Wyoming book for the 2020 Literary Escapes Challenge.
  • Since it's been so long since and I have a terrible memory, I won't remember whodunit! 

6.  The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams.  Why?
  • The fun premise:  In an attempt to save his crumbling marriage, a macho baseball player joins a secret romance book club, where he's coached by other alpha males on how to woo back his wife.
  • I need a "book about a book club" for a POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt.
  • I've read lots of positive reviews, so I'm hopeful it will be a light, entertaining read that's more sweet than steamy.  Too much to ask for??

7.  Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker.  Why?
  • I've long been fascinated by the mechanics of sleep and why we dream what we do, so this book just sounds crazy intriguing.

8.  Where the Watermelons Grow by Cindy Baldwin.  Why?
  • my aforementioned affinity for middle-grade novels
  • the cute, colorful cover art
  • The premise sounds interesting:  A 12-year-old girl notices her mother displaying disturbing behavior, the kind that has previously landed her in a mental hospital.  Desperate to fix her mom, the girl puts her faith in Bee Lady's magic honey, only to find the solution may have more to do with healing her own heart.  Sounds like a sweet read.

9.  Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf.  Why?
  • Lark's review
  • Small town setting + baffling mystery + family drama = Yes, please! 

10.  A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.  Why?
  • A high school senior decides to reexamine a murder that rocked her town five years ago for her senior project.  What could possibly go wrong?  Now that's a compelling premise right there! 
There you go.  Have you read any of these?  What did you think?  What other books do I need to add to my library e-book wishlist?  What books have you bought/borrowed lately and why?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

53 comments:

  1. From the Desk of Zoe Washington sounds like such a good read.

    My TTT .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doesn't it? I've wanted to read it ever since I heard about it. I'm excited.

      Thanks for coming by, Lydia!

      Delete
  2. I haven't read Amanda Flower but she's high up on my wishlist and now just feels like the time for cozy mysteries! I need to get back to the Margaret Coel books. Like you I read several pre-blogging days and I remember I really enjoyed them. I should try to pick up a few.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a cozy mystery series you haven't read? I don't believe it! It sounds super fun and who can resist a candy shop setting? And, yes, the Coel series is a good one. I'm excited to revisit it.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

      Delete
  3. I've only read Before She Was Found and liked it so I can't wait to see what you think of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've heard good things about it and it's just the kind of novel I enjoy, so I'm assuming I'll like it. We'll see.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

      Delete
  4. From the Desk of Zoe Washington stuck out to me in that list too. It sounds really interesting, and I'm so glad to find that my library has it on e-book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I put the e-book on hold a couple weeks ago and it came through today. Yay! Can't wait to read it. I hope we both love it :)

      Thanks for stopping by, Kristi!

      Delete
  5. The Bromance Book Club does sound like a good, light read right now! I hope you enjoy it.

    And I really want to read Assaulted Caramel, too. It sounds like a lot of fun, and has a different theme from the cozy mysteries I usually read! (usually for me it's books or knitting focused...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm excited about the Bromance book, but the waitlist is really long, so I don't know when I'll actually be able to read it. If it takes too long, I might just buy the book. We'll see.

      Most (maybe all) of the cozy mystery series I read revolve around eateries of some kind or another. I don't know why - they just make me hungry!

      Thanks for coming by, Nicole!

      Delete
  6. I haven’t read any of these but I’ll have to check them out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you found some interesting-looking titles. If you end up reading any of them, let me know what you think.

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  7. I'm eager to read the Bromance Book Club, too. I'm on the waiting list. I wish my library had pickup. I have a bunch of great books there right now waiting for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The waiting list at my e-library is really long for BROMANCE as well. I agree - I wish my library offered curbside. I have a physical book on hold there and it's killing me not to be able to read it!

      Thanks for stopping by, Deb!

      Delete
  8. Sounds like a great list of reads. Glad you and yours are doing okay. I am staying and reading a lot. Doing things around the house that needs attention. Ordering groceries online. Stay well and safe. Have a Joyous Easter.
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like you've been very sensible about COVID living. My husband and son are both still working and I can't convince my son to stay away from his girlfriend's house, so I'm a little worried about what they might bring home ... We are all well right now, so I'm counting my blessings :)

      Continue to stay safe and healthy. You have a wonderful Easter as well. Thanks for coming by, Marilyn!

      Delete
  9. I'm still chuckling over Assaulted Caramel. LOL I don't usually go for punny titles but that one is awfully clever. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The punny titles make me smile. They get pretty creative :)

      Thanks for coming by, Tanya!

      Delete
  10. Ohhh, you picked a good topic! I should have chosen library ebooks. I check them out all the time especially on my Kobo. P.S. my blog is still WordPress like you've seen already. I used to have Blogspot but only kept it for comments purposes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hadn't checked out many e-books from the library before COVID. Now, I've maxed out the amount I can have out at one time! Some of them have really long waitlists, but I've been pleased about the ones I have been able to get immediately. It's been nice.

      Thanks for coming by, Colleen!

      Delete
  11. It is a crazy time, isn't it??? My two are a bit frustrated with the social isolation as well.

    A Single Light sounds good to me, and so does A Good Girl's Guide. I've had that on my TBR for a few weeks now, hopefully I get to it soon! I feel a cozy mood coming on too- with everything so crazy right now a cozy sounds relaxing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a long waitlist for A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE at my e-library, so I'm not sure when I'll actually get to read it. Soon, I hope.

      I'm liking A SINGLE LIGHT, although it's pretty much like every other dystopian book I've read. It is cleaner than most, though, so I appreciate that.

      Thanks for stopping by, Greg!

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. They are, aren't they? I'm a sucker for a good cover, but I also need an intriguing story to keep me interested.

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  13. Looks like you've got a good selection hope you enjoy them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been impressed by the selection of books at my e-library. I'd never really borrowed e-books from the library previous to COVID, but I'll probably continue to do so even after the real library opens back up.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  14. This is my third week home, and it's like a very long weekend for me. I'm a homebody. I have been running my parents' errands, and today, was salon day. Oh, yes. Dyed my mother's hair and buzzed the back of dad's. It was very stressful. Bromance and Good Girl's Guide are two books I loved! I actually listened to a MG book yesterday, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. It was so wonderful! I am listening to the sequel today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a homebody also, so I think this has been easiest for me. I never leave the house much anyway!

      How awesome that you are there for your parents. Mine live far away and it's tough for me not to be able to check in on them in person. Two of my siblings live in their basement, so it's not like they're alone, but still ...

      My kids had a salon day the other day. One of my sons gave the other one a mullet! Why not?

      Oh, good, I'm glad you love those two. I'm sure I will, too. I just have to wait in line for my turn to read them. I'm glad CACTUS is good. The author actually sent me a copy of it when it came out and I haven't cracked it open yet. I should do it soon.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
  15. I haven't read any of these, but The Bromance Book Club sounds great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds super fun, doesn't it? I've heard good things, so I'm excited to read it.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  16. That's a nice selection of library e-books. I'm mainly using my library right now to check out audiobooks even though I'm finding it hard to sit down and listen to them. Audiobooks, for me, have always been tools to use while I'm making my way through mind-numbing traffic or on an extended road trip. Listening to them at home doesn't come nearly so naturally.

    Right now, I'm listening to Tom Hanks read his short story collection called "Uncommon Type." That Hanks is a great reader/narrator doesn't surprise me at all, but his short stories are much better than I expected them to be. I'd reccomend this one.

    And, I'm with your daughter. I miss my friends, the guys I had morning coffee with three or four times a week since most of us have retired. It's the little things that I seem to miss the most - and which I will appreciate a whole lot more than I did before when this is finally all over one day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had been mostly listening to audiobooks in the car, but I've hardly been in my car lately so I'm still in the middle of the same audiobook I've been listening to for over a month!

      I love Tom Hanks as an actor, but I wasn't sure how he'd be as a writer. Sounds like I need to give his book a try.

      I'm a homebody, so the quarantine hasn't been too tough on my. My more extroverted family members have had a hard time, though. My daughter, especially, because she just loves all her friends so much. She can text and Facetime them, but it's just not the same!

      I agree with you - I think we'll all appreciate the simple things, like meeting a friend for lunch, much more after all this. At least one good thing will come out of COVID-19 :)

      Delete
  17. The Bromance Book Club is such a fun read!!

    My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's what I keep hearing! I'm excited to read it, even if it takes weeks for the e-book to become available at my library.

      Thanks for coming by!

      Delete
  18. I love your list. Thank you for that. And for visiting my TTT

    I often find other lists that have only books I wouldn't read. But yours is such a diverse list, I think you have something for every taste.

    Happy Reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, my tastes are kind of eclectic :) I'm glad you found some titles that interest you. Let me know what you think if you end up reading any of them.

      Thanks for stopping by, Marianne!

      Delete
  19. I own 3 of these books (the Bromance book, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and Before She Was Found - all unread as yet, but who knows - one day I'll pick them up. As to going more than a little stir-crazy - yep. I said to my husband this morning that it felt like we were in the movie Groundhog Day - a little bit anyway. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. I just watched Groundhog Day the other day. I've always loved that movie, but I agree - it felt a little too familiar this time around :)

      I've been contemplating whether or not I should just buy A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER and THE BROMANCE BOOK CLUB, since the waitlist at the library is super long. I want to support the indie bookstores that are still going online, but I also have PLENTY of books already to keep me busy!

      Delete
  20. You'll have to let me know what you think about Before She Was Found...and if the ending felt a little bit abrupt to you, too, or not. :) Even with more time to read and blog, I've definitely been going a little stir crazy lately. I agree with your daughter. I want to see some other faces, too. ;D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm planning to read it soon, so I'll let you know what I think.

      Yeah, I think my daughter's had enough of just seeing her family. Poor kid. This has been rough on her :(

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

      Delete
  21. I'm rubbish at sleeping so I think I should read Why We Sleep! I'm working from home for now, but totally going stir crazy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should! Maybe it will give you some insight into why you have insomnia and how to get rid of it. I hate not being able to sleep.

      Thanks for stopping by, Trish!

      Delete
  22. Sorry to hear that you're all going a bit stir crazy! Seems like there's a lot of that going around lately.

    I've been wanting to read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, too! I love the title, and it sounds like a really interesting concept.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband and I keep saying we're really glad this virus thing didn't happen ten years ago when our kids were a lot smaller and a lot less easier to entertain! Now, they've got Netflix, cell phones, interactive computer games, FaceTime, laptops, etc. They'll survive :)

      Thanks for coming by, Sammie!

      Delete
  23. These all sound like great reads but my gosh do I love that "Assaulted Caramel" title, haha. A+ punnage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? Cozy mysteries often have punny titles, but some are definitely more clever than others. ASSAULTED CARAMEL is definitely above par :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  24. I should totally start reading more MG books - if only so I can start working on my son's little library [plenty of time, he's only 13 months, haha].

    The Bromance Book Club is one I've been recommended so I should definitely get myself a copy, right?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's NEVER to early to start building a child's library :) MG books are great because they're fast reads, clean, and often just as well-written and impactful as books for older readers.

      We should probably both get ourselves copy of BROMANCE. It sounds like it's just the thing to be reading right now.

      Thanks for coming by, Kathy!

      Delete
  25. I loved The Bromance Book Club. The group of guys in the book club had me laughing out loud so much. It was a light, fluffy, and fun read for me so I hope it does the trick for you as well. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm definitely in the mood for something light and fluffy right now.

      Thanks for stopping by, Suzanne!

      Delete
  26. Most of these I haven't heard of, but I do want to read the Bromance one sometime. I've been working from home for 3 weeks, and probably will be for another 3 weeks at least. I live alone, so I've been trying to keep myself entertained with blogging, reading, and watching TV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a crazy time right now, isn't it? I've been reading a ton, cross-stitching, and doing lots (okay, not that much) of housework to stay busy. My kids are old enough to entertain themselves, but we've all been going a little stir crazy. Luckily, our weather is nice right now so we can go for walks and drives. My kids are all learning how to skateboard, so that's kept them busy and has gotten them off their screens and spending more time together. Still, we're all ready for this pandemic to be over!

      Thanks for coming by, Nicole!

      Delete
  27. So many of these sound really good Susan. From the Desk of Zoe Washington sounds like such a good read that I might check out. I love Amanda Flowers Amish Candy Shop series. It is just a fun mystery series, perhaps you read about it on my blog. I hope you enjoy all these books and I will watch for your reviews.

    ReplyDelete

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