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Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Let's Get Cozy!

Even though we don't really get winter weather here in the Phoenix area, it has been fairly nippy lately. Most mornings you'll find me sitting at my computer wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket to stay warm. The chill in the air (or at least in my house) definitely makes me want to cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book. This week's TTT prompt—Top Ten Cozy Reads—is appropos, but since I couldn't think of specific "cozy" books I want to read, I'm just going to go a *little* bit rogue today and hit you with the next ten I'm planning to "cozy" up with. That works, right? Hopefully so, because I'm too tired to get more creative than this. Ha!

If you want to join in the TTT fun, hop on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

Top Ten Books I Plan to "Cozy" Up With Next


1. Snow Struck by Nick Courage—I just started this middle-grade Cybils Awards nominee about a girl who can't wait to spend Christmas in New York City with her cousin. Elizabeth, who is from Florida, is keeping her fingers crossed for a white holiday. Weather in the U.S. has been unusually wonky, but everyone's shocked when a weirdly warm NYC winter suddenly turns arctic. As a deadly snow covers the city, grinding everything to a halt, Elizabeth's cousin's small dog gets out. Can the cousins find Fang before she becomes a victim of the vicious storm? Will any of them make it home alive? I love me a good disaster/survival story, so I'm enjoying this one.


2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot—I'm actually almost done with this book, which I've been listening to on audio. It tells the fascinating story of a poor, uneducated Black woman who was dying from cervical cancer when doctors at Johns Hopkins took a sample of her cells without her knowledge. Although Henrietta Lacks died without ever knowing it, her cells—known as HeLa—are "immortal." Since they were taken in the 1950s, they have been cloned over and over and have been used to test all kinds of drugs, develop vaccines, and have even been launched into space to test cell behavior there. While HeLa cells became famous around the world, Henrietta's descendants—most of whom couldn't even afford health insurance—were kept almost wholly in the dark about the whole thing. It's a super interesting read/listen.


3. Air by Monica Roe—Another MG book for the Cybils, this one stars 12-year-old Emmie who dreams of competing as a wheelchair motorcross racer. When an accident on a wheelchair ramp at school turns Emmie into the star of an unexpected media circus, her big dream feels like it's no longer her own. Wanting to prove herself perfectly able, she launches her own plan to get what she wants and show her little town everything she has to offer. Sounds like a fun, empowering read!


4. The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal—I still need to read a Hugo Award winner for the PopSugar reading challenge and this one sounds good. The book takes place in 1952, when a huge meteorite crashes to the earth, destroying most of the East Coast of the U.S. A climate catastrophe results, making space colonization suddenly imperative. Elma York, a female pilot and mathematician, must fight sexism and societal assumptions in her desperate bid to become the first female astronaut ever.


5. The Gods of Green County by Mary Elizabeth Pope—Every year, I struggle to find books set in Arkansas for the Literary Escapes Challenge. I just discovered this historical novel, which sounds intriguing. It concerns Coralee Harper, a woman whose life is shattered when her brother is murdered by a local sheriff. Poor and unimportant, she doesn't stand a chance of getting justice against the powerful policeman. When Coralee starts seeing her brother around town, she begins to doubt her own sanity. What is happening to Coralee? Can she stand up to the town and avenge her brother's death?


6. At the Quiet Edge by Victoria Helen Stone—Kansas is another state I have trouble checking off my Literary Escapes Challenge list, so I was happy to find this mystery/thriller. It stars Lily Brown, a single mom who's trying to rebuild her life in the wake of the havoc caused by her ex-husband's crimes. When Lily's son finds clues about a string of disappearances of local women, the two of them become entangled in investigating the crime, which makes them a target for a dangerous killer.


7. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens—This novella is one of my all-time favorite books. I try to re-read it every December to get me in the Christmas spirit.


8. A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser—Yet another Cybils read, this middle-grade novel is about two kids living in a homeless shelter who bond over their shared love of classical music. Sounds sweet.


9. How to Fake An Irish Wake by Eliza Watson—I'm reviewing this cozy mystery for a genealogical magazine, so I need to read it soon. This first installment in a series introduces readers to 24-year-old Mags Murphy. Her beloved genealogist grandmother has just died and Mags is in charge of not just her wake but also selling her cottage. When Mags is approached by a man desperate to discover his father's identity, she wants to help. Soon, she finds herself wrapped up in an intriguing—and increasingly dangerous—genealogical investigation.


10. The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey—I've been meaning to read this bookish romance ever since it came out. It just sounds sweet and fun.

There you go, ten books I want to "cozy" up with soon. Have you read any of them? What did you think? Which cozy books are you planning to read this winter? 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!

45 comments:

  1. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was so good. You might like the film based on it, too!

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-cozy-reads/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's super interesting! I would definitely be up for watching the movie. I'll have to see if I can find it.

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

      Delete
  2. The Library of Lost Things is one I want to read, too. I'm also planning to re-read A Christmas Carol this year, probably by listening to an audiobook version of it. Speaking of audiobooks, I'd been considering the audio version of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, so I'm glad to hear it works well as an audiobook.

    My TTT: https://bookwyrmknits.com/2022/11/29/top-ten-tuesday-cozy-sff-reads/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like Cassandra Campbell as a narrator. I've listened to several of her audiobooks. Turpin is good as well. I'm glad I listened to the audio. I do have a paper copy of the book as well, which has photos of the Lacks family and others who appear in the book.

      I'll probably listen to A CHRISTMAS CAROL on audio as well. Have you come across a version you really like?

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

      Delete
  3. I hope you enjoy all of these! At the Quiet Edge sounds like an exciting one.

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    1. I'm about halfway through AT THE QUIET EDGE and I'm really liking it. The premise has some uniqueness to it and the story is compelling so far.

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

      Delete
  4. Nice list! I hope you enjoy them. This topic was perfect for me today because we're getting snow right now! It's supposed to be gone in a couple of hours but maybe back Thursday. I hope it stays gone!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oooh, nice! Do you have snow right now? We're getting a bunch of rain and it's COLD. It's 52 degrees and I'm FREEZING. I guess my blood has thinned out from living in this hot, dry desert!

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

      Delete
  5. I’ve been wanting to read A Duet for Home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds really good. I haven't gotten to it quite yet. Hopefully, next week. I hope we both enjoy it.

      Thanks for stopping in!

      Delete
  6. Yes! Love your tweak, I almost did it as well, but felt I had already featured those books in a different way recently, so just went a different route! Have a great week! Are you all moved in and settled yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We moved in in mid-July when our house was in the middle of being remodeled. We didn't even have one working sink at that point! Now the remodel is done except for some touch-up painting, so we can FINALLY unpack the last boxes and really get settled. It's been a wild ride. LOL.

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

      Delete

  7. 2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and The Calculating Stars are on my TBR. Now, I'm adding At the Quiet Edge and The Library of Lost Things to the pie - Great list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like your TBR is full of great-sounding books! HENRIETTA LACKS is a good one and I'm enjoying AT THE QUIET EDGE. I hope all these are winners for you.

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

      Delete
  8. I read and really liked Calculating Stars (and #2 in the series too). Added God of Green County to my TBR - looks good! I like the eclectic mix of your upcoming reads!
    Since I work, it's often late on Tuesdays before I can visit everyone, but....here I am :)
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
    https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/ttt-cozy-reads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, good! I picked up THE CALCULATING STARS and its sequel at the library the other day. I'm hoping to get to them next week, but we'll see. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

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

      Delete
  9. It's definitely nippy here! Feels like the holiday season is underway here in Michigan- although it's 54 right now so I can't compain! At The Quiet edge looks good- the cover caught my eye and it looks like a neat thriller!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's rainy and 52 degrees here today in the Phoenix area. I'm wrapped in a blanket with the fireplace (electric) going and I'm STILL freezing. I guess I'm a real Arizonan now that my blood has thinned out. Ha ha.

      I'm enjoying AT THE QUIET EDGE. It's suspenseful, for sure.

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

      Delete
  10. I’m almost done with The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks too and it’s so good! I’m super intrigued by How to Fake an Irish Wake now, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a fascinating book, isn't it? I love narrative non-fiction that entertains and teaches at the same time. Glad you enjoyed the book, too. HOW TO FAKE AN IRISH WAKE definitely sounds fun. I just need to make the time to actually get it read.

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

      Delete
  11. Great list, Susan. I love A Christmas Carol. Many of these others sound interesting as well. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A CHRISTMAS CAROL is just so timeless, isn't it? It entertains and inspires me no matter how many times I read it.

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

      Delete
  12. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was such a riveting read. I was actually just thinking about it today because I finished reading Take My Hand, which has similar themes regarding medical procedures and lack of consent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I didn't know TAKE MY HAND addressed those same issues. It's on my TBR list. I just haven't gotten to it yet. It will be interesting to compare/contrast it with Henrietta Lacks' story.

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

      Delete
  13. These all looks so good! I want to read How to Fake An Irish Wake.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds fun, doesn't it? I need to finish all my book awards reading so I can dive into it! I hope we both enjoy it.

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

      Delete
  14. Every year I tell myself I need to read A Christmas Carol. Maybe this year?! Henrietta Lacks is such a thought-provoking book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This year for sure! It's a quick read and the only book by Dickens I've read all the way through. Ha ha.

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

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. Yep! I have comment moderation on to prevent spam, so comments don't show up as soon as you've made them. Sorry for the confusion! It's irritating, but it works.

      Delete
  16. That's a nice list of cozy books. #10 seems like a book I'd like too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've never seen genealogy used in mystery before, but How to Fake An Irish Wake looks interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I also read Christmas Carol each year. Some of these sound really interesting, Susan. I hope you enjoy them all.

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  19. I haven't read Christmas Carol in a while. I should pick cozy up with that this season. I hope you enjoy all of your books!

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  20. Love your twist on the topic! I hope you enjoy all of these! :D

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  21. Some interesting choices there. I've had Henrietta Lacks on my wishlist for quite a while. And A Christmas Carol is always a good read. Enjoy them.

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  22. You've got such a diverse set of reads on your list! I'm in Texas where our weather has been switching between hot/muggy and freezing cold every other day. It makes it tricky to get cozy lol.

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  23. Snow Struck looks like a lot of fun. But then I love survival/disaster books, too. And I really want to read The Library of Lost Things, too. Great TTT list, Susan. :D

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  24. A great looking list. I love a Christmas Carol and will also aim to try and read it this year. We shall see...

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog

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  25. I like how you gave this a different kind of twist. I hope you enjoy all of these! :)

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  26. I hope you enjoy reading each of these when you get the opportunity!

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!

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  27. I had hoped to read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks this year, but it didn't happen. There's still time, I know, but it likely won't happen even so. A Christmas Carol is so good! Definitely worth re-reading again and again this time of year! These all sound good and I hope you enjoy them!

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  28. This is an excellent list. The Calculating Stars sounds like a great read! I look forward to reading your thoughts on it!

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  29. I've only read A Christmas Carol which is a wonderful book to cozy up with! The Library of Lost Things is on my TBR. I'm with you on not getting much winter weather but what we get is cold enough for me! I don't do well with cold!

    ReplyDelete
  30. This looks like a really nice list of books. Hope you'll enjoy all of these!

    ReplyDelete

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