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Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: The Heat Is On!


It's been a few weeks since I participated in Top Ten Tuesday. While I should have been spending those days packing up my house in preparation for our big move on July 15, I actually spent them traveling to the cool, rainy Pacific Northwest for a family wedding. Between the delicious weather and even better company, I didn't want to leave! But, alas, all good things must come to an end. Now, I'm back home and the heat is on—literally and figuratively. It's a million degrees outside AND I have tons of packing to do. First things first, though. I love TTT seasonal reading lists, so I didn't want to miss out on today's prompt. I can't wait to see what books everyone is looking forward to this summer.

If you need an excuse to procrastinate the things you should be doing  want to participate in this fun meme, head on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

Top Ten Books On My Summer 2022 TBR List


1. The Family Game by Catherine Steadman (available November 8, 2022)—I've enjoyed Steadman's previous psychological thrillers, so I was excited to get an e-ARC of this one, her newest. It's about a British novelist who's engaged to an American businessman who's a member of one of New York City's wealthiest, most influential families. Harriet is shocked when her father-in-law hands her a tape containing his confession to a shocking crime. Is this some sort of sick initiation game? Or is Harriet marrying into a family of criminals? 

I'm a few chapters into this one and it's...interesting so far. I'm enjoying it.


2.  The Second Husband by Kate White—A copy of this psychological thriller just landed on my doorstep. It concerns a woman who is rebuilding her life after her husband was killed in a random crime on the street. Just when the widow is starting to feel safe and comfortable in her new life and relationship, the police come calling. How did her husband really die? Does the widow know more than she's saying?


3. Lines of Courage by Jennifer A. Nielsen—This middle-grade novel features five children from different walks of life living in Europe while World War I rages. Their paths cross as they struggle to survive amidst the chaos of war.


4. Carolina Built by Kianna Alexander—Born on a plantation, Josephine N. Leary moves to Edenton, North Carolina, after Emancipation. While keeping a home and raising a family, she teaches herself the business skills needed to invest in real estate and build the kind of legacy that was unheard of for Black women of her time. This novel is based on the true story of Leary's remarkable life.


5. Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen—This contemporary novel, about a straight-laced Asian-American woman who gets caught up in her friend's very successful fake handbag scheme, sounds fun and entertaining.


6. The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton—This new middle grade series sounds like a more diverse, international version of Harry Potter. Hopefully, it's got its own unique spin. I'm in to find out!


7. Tiny Humans, Big Lessons: How the NICU Taught Me to Live With Energy, Intention, and Purpose by Sue Ludwig—When Lydia mentioned this book on her blog, I knew I had to read it. My two sons, who are six years apart, were both born at 29 weeks gestation. The oldest spent a month and a half in the NICU and the youngest exactly a month. Being in the NICU, experiencing the life and death struggle that goes on there every day, is truly life-changing. I'm interested to see how my experiences there compare and contrast with those of the author, who works as a neonatal therapist.


8. The Drowning Sea by Sarah Stewart Taylor—I've enjoyed the first two books in this series, which features an Irish-American detective solving crimes in both New York and the Emerald Isle. This installment finds Detective Maggie D'Arcy and her daughter in Ireland, preparing for a move to the country that will combine their household with that of Maggie's boyfriend and his son. Their bonding time is interrupted when human remains wash ashore in a small town with a mysterious history. Who is the dead man? Why was he killed? Maggie is determined to find out.


9. The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean (available August 2, 2022)—What do you think of this plot summary? Interesting, right?

Out on the Yorkshire Moors lives a secret line of people for whom books are food, and who retain all of a book's content after eating it. To them, spy novels are a peppery snack; romance novels are sweet and delicious. Eating a map can help them remember destinations, and children, when they misbehave, are forced to eat dry, musty pages from dictionaries.

Devon is part of The Family, an old and reclusive clan of book eaters. Her brothers grow up feasting on stories of valor and adventure, and Devon—like all other book eater women—is raised on a carefully curated diet of fairy tales and cautionary stories.

But real life doesn't always come with happy endings, as Devon learns when her son is born with a rare and darker kind of hunger—not for books, but for human minds.


10. A Woman of Endurance by Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa—Set in 19th Century Puerto Rico, this novel centers on an enslaved woman who is sold for the purpose of breeding future slaves. As heartbreaking as the plot sounds, the summary promises a story of triumph and faith over brutality and sorrow. I'm intrigued.

There you have it, ten books I'd like to read this summer. What do you think of my list? Have you read any of these? Do any of them look interesting to you? What's on your summer TBR list? 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! 

53 comments:

  1. I'm jealous you got to spend some time in the PNW. I love it up there. Our book club is reading Lines of Courage for August. I'm really looking forward to it. I like Jennifer A Nielsen a lot.

    My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me, too. You can take a girl out of the PNW, but you can't take the PNW out of the girl! Even though I haven't lived there in almost 30 years, it will always feel like home to me :)

      I like Nielsen's books, too, especially her historical novels. I'm going to pick LINES OF COURAGE up at the library sometime in the next few days. I'm excited to read it!

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

      Delete
  2. You always have such good books on your TTT lists. All of these look like fun reads. And good luck packing up your house! What a big job. I hope it all goes well. :)

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    1. Thanks! Packing is going well so far. I've packed more boxes for donation than for keeping—I think that's a good thing. LOL.

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

      Delete
  3. A vacation to the PNW sounds perfect right about now, so I’m glad you enjoyed it before the hectic mess of moving. These sound really good! I loved the audiobook of Counterfeit, and I hope you enjoy them all.

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    1. It was the perfect pre-move vacation! I always love spending time in all that green, especially when it's cool and rainy. It was also fun to be with my family. I can't even remember the last time me and all my siblings were together.

      I'll have to look for the COUNTERFEIT audio. I'm always looking for good books to listen to.

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

      Delete
  4. Welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday! It’s nice to hear from you again. :)

    The Book Eaters was on my list, too.

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-on-my-summer-2022-to-read-list/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's good to be back! I hate missing TTT, but it happens sometimes...

      THE BOOK EATERS sounds so intriguing to me. I hope we both enjoy it.

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

      Delete
  5. The heat is insane! I hate it already and it's not even the worst part of summer yet. Your move is coming up!! Yay, and the best of luck with moving. Ohhhhh... the Book Eaters book sounds so intriguing!! Going to have to add that one to the TBR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? Ugh. I was NOT made for desert dwelling! And, of course, we'll be moving during the height of the summer. Fun, fun, fun.

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

      Delete
  6. Great list! I was looking at Lines of Courage last night actually. It looks really good! I keep seeing The Book Eaters on a lot of lists today. I hadn't heard of it until today, but clearly I need to read it. :)

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    Replies
    1. I've enjoyed other historical novels by Nielsen, so I'm excited about LINES OF COURAGE. It sounds like a good read. THE BOOK EATERS just sounds unique and intriguing to me. I'll be interested to see what everyone thinks of it.

      Thanks for popping by, Kasey!

      Delete
  7. Very interesting list! Lines of Courage particularly sounds great, I'll be adding a few of these to my TBR for sure :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm always up for middle grade historical novels and I like Nielsen's books, so LINES OF COURAGE should work well for me. I hope we both enjoy it!

      Thanks for stopping in, Charlotte!

      Delete
  8. This sounds like a nicely varied summer reading list! The Marvellers is one I want to read soon, too. It sounds so good!

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT earlier. :)

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    Replies
    1. Right? I hope it's as engaging as it sounds and that we both love it.

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

      Delete
  9. Ooh you're moving soon! Good luck with everything and I hope it goes really well. It's gotten hot here too. I think the Pacific Northwest would be wonderful (and cooler ha ha) vacation destination...

    Anyway The Family Game DOES sound interesting! I've seen the Drowning Sea around on a few blogs and I think I want to get that one.

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    Replies
    1. The PNW never disappoints! It's beautiful. One thing the Gorge does particularly well is waterfalls and we were able to take in several.

      THE FAMILY GAME is interesting. I'm really digging the premise, although the main character being weirdly attracted to her fiance's father is...concerning.

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

      Delete
    2. Oh that does sound kind of weird! I'll be curious to see what you think when you're done. And I'll bet those waterfalls are beautiful!

      Delete
  10. I love your list, Susan. So many interesting looking books. Lines of Courage, Carolina Built, The Marvellers, and A Woman of Endurance caught my eye. I've been wanting to read The Book Eaters. Hope you get a chance to read all of these. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog today.

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    Replies
    1. I'm excited for all these as well! Now, I just need to actually read them...ha ha.

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

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. Right? I can't wait to see what it's all about. It sounds so unique and fun!

      Thanks for stopping in, Cheri!

      Delete
  12. I'm so glad you were about to get out and visit family. I read Carolina Built and really liked it. Hope you do too!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, good! I'm glad CAROLINA BUILT is worth the read. It sounds amazing to me.

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

      Delete
  13. I really want to read The Marvellers, too! I've read and enjoyed other work by the author, so I have high hopes for that one. Hope you enjoy all your summer reading!

    Here's my TTT post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good to know! I haven't read anything by her, so I'm excited to give her a go.

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

      Delete
  14. I hope your move goes smoothly, Susan. A busy and stressful time for you. I love all your choices here and feel like I want to read tham all. But the Book Eaters has me especially intrigued. That synopsis is pretty full on.

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    1. Isn't it? I'm just so very intrigued by THE BOOK EATERS. I hope it's as amazing as it sounds.

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

      Delete
  15. I disllike the heat! I hope you manage to get everything sorted soon. There are so many good looking books on this list!

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same. I'd rather be cold than hot any day!

      Thanks for stopping in, Emily!

      Delete
  16. As usual, I love your comments. As if I ever would need an excuse. LOL.

    I thought you might have moved already since I missed you here. But I hope you can do that soon and then it will get better from there. Believe me.

    Thanks for visiting my TTT which has twelve books this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nope, not yet. I was just at our new/old house today checking out the remodel and it's coming along nicely. I just can't wait until it's entirely done and we're all moved in and settled. That will be REALLY nice!

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

      Delete
    2. Oh, I know, the closer the date gets, the more do we want it over with. I wish you all the best.

      Delete
  17. So glad you got to spend time in the cooler regions! I totally understand about 'the heat is on'. We enjoyed our trip to North Carolina and it was cool and beautiful, etc. We'll be back to Oregon again for at least one more visit next summer (hopefully). As to the books you're looking forward to - I'm on the hold list for the new Kate White book and I just picked up the new Sarah Stewart Taylor book from the library and am about halfway through the #2 in the series. Good luck with packing, etc. Been there, done that. We're still waiting for renovations, but it's getting closer. We have faith. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cool weather really was a dream! I couldn't get enough of it. I really, really didn't want to leave.

      I'll be interested to see what you think of the White book. I really like the Taylor series. Glad you do, too.

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

      Delete
  18. You came to the PNW? Where? WA? You just must have missed our weekend hot streak then. We got up into the high 80s and low 90s. I hope you enjoy these books and good luck on your move!

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    Replies
    1. Deanna: Tacoma, WA, here! Mary @ Notes in the Margin http://notesinthemargin.org

      Delete
    2. I grew up in the Columbia River Gorge (SW Washington, right on the border with Oregon) and my parents still live there, so I visit every couple years or so. It's right on the river, hence all the rain. I know it was supposed to heat up right after we left. We had cool, rainy weather the whole time we were there. It was heavenly!

      Thanks, as always,f or coming by and commenting, Deanna!

      Delete
  19. What a great list, Susan! On a personal note, I now live in the Pacific Northwest. We retired here, in part, to get away from the hot, sticky weather of summer in St. Louis, where we spent our entire adult lives. Let me know if you ever have plans to get back up this way. And best of luck with the move! One benefit of moving is that you get to start over again, with new bookshelves and a new opportunity to organize your books on them.

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    1. How nice for you! My parents have thought about snowbirding here in Arizona during the winters to avoid the snow, but in the end, they always stay in Washington since the weather is mild the majority of the time.

      I do have lots of family in the Olympia/Bremerton area, so I visit there on occasion. Next time I'm there, I'll let you know!

      Yes, I agree. The move has been a great excuse to really sort through my books, get rid of the ones I'll never read, and pare my collection down to a manageable size. I'm only keeping two of my bookshelves (both are enormous), so it will also be a chance to reorganize them. I'm excited!

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

      Delete
  20. I thought I commented yesterday but I don't see it. The Book Eaters looks interesting. Good luck with all the packing/moving!

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    1. Hopefully, I didn't accidentally delete your comment! I've done that before. Thanks for re-commenting :) And thanks for the well wishes. Moving is such a pain. I'll be glad when it's over.

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

      Delete
  21. Great list! Book Eaters is on my radar and The Marvellers sounds great. :-)

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    1. I'm always up for fun new children's books, so I'm excited about these two as well. I hope we both enjoy them!

      Thanks for popping in, BCP!

      Delete
  22. Your move is coming up fast, Susan. Good luck getting all that packing done. I am surprised that not one of these books is on my TBR, so I will be off to Goodreads to check them out. Enjoy whatever you pick up next.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, a little too fast, in fact! I still have lots of packing to do. It's endless, it seems.

      I'm glad you found some titles here to pique your interest. Let me know what you think of the ones you read.

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

      Delete
  23. Oh wow, The Family Game sounds super good. I hadn't heard of that one!

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    Replies
    1. It is interesting and it gets more interesting by the page! Ha ha. The premise is definitely an intriguing one.

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

      Delete
  24. I was wondering where you were. I'm glad you had a good time in the PNW!

    As a NC native, Carolina Built definitely caught my eye from your list. The Marvellers also looks good (Side note: I saw Dhonielle Clayton speak at YallFest in Charleston last fall. She and Angie Howard seemed to have a lot of fun together on their panel.) But The Book Eaters really captures my interest! You had me at "Yorkshire moors" but the rest just finished reeling me in.

    ReplyDelete
  25. The Marvellers is so fun! I hope you enjoy it and the rest of the books on your list! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the variety in your list and have my eye on The Book Eaters as well. I hope all of these are great reads for you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looks like a great and diverse list, hope you'll enjoy all of them!

    ReplyDelete

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