Search This Blog
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (9)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (2)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (4)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (3)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (9)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (3)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (3)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (2)
- Washington, D.C.* (2)
International:
- Argentina (1)
- Australia (3)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (2)
- England (22)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- India (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (1)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Tuesday, June 08, 2021
Top Ten Tuesday: "Please, Sir, Can I Have Some More?"
11:55 AM
Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is a little clunky, which maybe explains why it threw me at first. Here's Jana's explanation of Books I Loved That Made Me Want More Like Them: The wording is weird here, so if you have a better way to say this please let me know! What I’m thinking is… you read a book and immediately wanted more just like it, perhaps in the same genre, about the same topic or theme, by the same author, etc. For example, I once read a medical romance and then went to find more because it was so good. The same thing happened to me with pirate historical romances and romantic suspense. I've done at least one list about subjects I'm always interested in reading more about, but it's been a hot minute and I don't know if I've ever focused on specific books and authors. So, I guess I'll be playing it straight this week, no going rogue for me!
If you want to join in the TTT fun (and you do!), click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.
Top Ten Books I Loved That Made Me Want More Like Them
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton—I read this lush family saga, my first book by Morton, back in April of 2014. The novel was so rich and absorbing that I immediately wanted to read more like it. So, I did! I read the rest of the books Morton had published at that point in rapid succession. I adored them all and still get excited when she comes out with a new one. Since that only happens every 2-3 years, I have to be very patient!
2. Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee—I'm a big Lee fan and it all started with this YA western, her debut. Not only does the book offer a unique setting (at least for a teen novel), it also features diverse characters and a well-balanced blend of action/adventure, suspense, romance, and humor. Although I have found a few more that are similar-ish (Rae Carson's Gold Seer trilogy as well as Vengeance Road and Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman, for instance), I'm still on the lookout for more fun YA westerns.
3. The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts—Back in the day, I read a fair amount of Christian fiction featuring the Amish people. While these novels were warm and uplifting, they portrayed the Amish as pretty darn near perfect. It wasn't until I encountered this novel by Younts—who was raised in the faith until her parents left it and remains connected to her Amish family—that I felt like I was reading about real Amish people with real problems. I definitely want more of this! I've enjoyed several of Younts' other novels, but this one remains my favorite of hers.
4. A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn—The first installment in the Veronica Speedwell mystery series, this one is just pure fun. It revolves around a smart, spunky Victorian amateur sleuth, her hunky sidekick, and a whole lot of hilarious misadventures. I absolutely want more engaging, entertaining series like this. A similar-ish one I enjoy is the Kat Halloway series by Jennifer Ashley.
5. Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell—If you can't tell, I'm always up for a compelling historical mystery. I especially like those that are clean and feature interesting settings, quirky characters, and intriguing plots. This Gilded Newport Mystery series fits the bill. Even though I haven't finished the whole thing yet, I want more like it. The Gilded Age is a fascinating time period. Paired with a fun mystery? Yes, please!
6. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah—I've enjoyed Hannah's last few blockbuster novels, but this one, her newest, is especially evocative. Although it's a tough read, it's so vivid and moving that it immediately made me want to read more books set during the Depression. I'd especially like another absorbing family saga. Recs, anyone?
7. A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner—An interest in learning more about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City led me to this novel, the first I ever read by Meissner. Not only did it ignite (pardon the pun—I didn't even notice it until I re-read this post) my interest in other historical tragedies, but it made me crave more dual-timeline novels. Many (all?) of Meissner's books follow this formula and, while I like some of hers better than others, I definitely recommend her if you also enjoy this type of book.
8. Still Life by Louise Penny—Lots of people love the Inspector Gamache series and it's easy to see why. The books are set in a quaint little town full of quirky people harboring intriguing secrets. Inspector Gamache is a wise old policeman who solves mysteries in a quiet, unassuming manner. Penny has a unique style that I can't quite describe. Suffice it to say, it's inspired me to Google "authors like Louise Penny" many times. Sadly, I've yet to find one that really compares.
9. Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs—This is the initial book in the Tempe Brennan mystery series, which I've talked about many times because it's a long-running one that I've enjoyed over the years. It definitely piqued my interest in forensics, mostly because Reichs (who is a forensic anthropologist herself) explains the science in a way that is understandable to the average reader without talking down to them. I also just love Tempe. I haven't encountered a lot of other mystery series featuring forensics that I love as much as I do this one.
10. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko—The first in a middle-grade series, this one is about a group of kids who live on Alcatraz in the mid-1930s. I had never given much thought to the fact that adults who worked at the prison had families who also lived on-site. This series brings that little-known fact to life through a vivid setting, interesting characters, and a series of fun adventures. I'd love more children's books that bring fascinating pieces of history to light through compelling, well-written stories.
There you are, ten books that left me wanting more, whether it was from a certain author, a particular genre, or a specific subject. Have you read any of these? Do you have any recommendations for books I should read that fit these categories? Which books did you feature this week? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
Quote of the Day!!3 hours ago
-
First Line Friday5 hours ago
-
An Insignificant Case by Phillip Margolin10 hours ago
-
-
-
-
My Christmas Wish List 202423 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The Telegram by Debbie Rix1 day ago
-
-
-
Open for Murder by Mary Angela2 days ago
-
-
A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson2 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
Middle-Grade Graphic Novel Round-Up4 days ago
-
Books read in October4 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
Reading Recap September 20245 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
Review: The Duke and I2 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus3 months ago
-
Sunday Post3 months ago
-
-
The Music of 2024: Q24 months ago
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ▼ 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)