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2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


0 / 30 bookish books. 0% done!

2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


4 / 50 books. 8% done!

2026 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois (1)
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
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- Michigan
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- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
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- New York (1)
- North Carolina
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- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
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- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*

International:

- England (1)

My Progress:


2 / 51 states. 4% done!

2026 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


1 / 25 books. 4% done!

2026 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge

My Progress:


2 / 50 books. 4% done!

Booklist Queen's 2026 Reading Challenge

My Progress:


4 / 52 books. 8% done!

2026 52 Club Reading Challenge

My Progress:


4 / 52 books. 8% done!

2026 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

My Progress:


4 / 40 books. 10% done!

2026 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

My Progress:


1 / 51 cozies. 2% done!

2026 Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge

2026 Mount TBR Reading Challenge

My Progress


1 / 24 books. 4% done!

2026 Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

My Progress


4 / 52 books. 8% done!

Shelf Reflection Candy Reading Challenge for Kids (and Adults)

My Progress:


3 / 65 books. 5% done!

2026 Countdown Reading Challenge

My Progress:


4 / 55 books. 7% done!

2026 Series Reading Challenge


0 / 36 books. 0% done!

2026 Southern Literary Reading Challenge

My Progress:


0 / 9 books. 0% done!

2026 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge

2026 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge

My Progress:


2 / 40 books. 5% done!

2026 Reading Challenge Addict Reading Challenge

The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

My Progress:


98 / 100 names. 98% done!

The Life Skills Reading Challenge

My Progress:


76 / 80 skills. 95% done!
Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten (More) Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book


There are lots of things that make me want to read a particular book. Perhaps it's written by a favorite author or it utilizes a trope I enjoy or the cover just screams, "Pick me up!" What attracts another reader to a certain volume might turn me off completely. Selecting the right book is a very objective process. Today's TTT prompt—Top Ten Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book—is all about those specific reasons you find certain books alluring. I created a list for this topic back in 2018 and nothing much has changed. I'm a creature of habit. Coming up with an additional ten for today's list was a bit of a struggle, but I managed it.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Click on over and give her some love!

Top Ten (More) Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book
- Covers indicate a book I have read and enjoyed that fits the category. - 


1. Family History/DNA—I'm a genealogist, so I'm naturally drawn to books about this hobby and industry. It's endlessly fascinating to me, whether it's being examined in a novel, memoir, or popsci volume.


2. Locked-Room Mysteries—My favorite kind of mysteries are those where the killers and victims are closeted together in an intimate, claustrophobic setting. Remote islands, Antarctic outposts, secret towns in the Yukon...I love them all. Even better if there's a vicious storm brewing to complicate things even more!




3. Depression/Dust Bowl—It's not a very uplifting subject, but lately I've been very intrigued by this era in American history.


4. Appalachia—I've never been to this area of the U.S., but I'm still fascinated by the region with its hills, hollers, and unique way of life.


5. Catchy Titles—If a book's title makes me smile, laugh, or wonder, I'll probably pick it up. I find cozy mystery titles involving cheese especially hilarious.


6. Moody, Broody Covers—Give me all the windswept old houses, angry seas, desolate landscapes, and stormy skies. Atmospheric covers always appeal to me. 


7. Based on a True Story Historical Fiction—I'm a big hist-fic fan, especially when a novel tells an obscure/untold tale that is based on real life.


8. Knives Out-ish—Ever since this popular movie came out, I've seen a bunch of mystery novels comparing themselves to Knives Out. Although none of the ones I've read so far have really charmed me as much as the film, I still rush to read them. 


9. One Thing Wrong Cover—Books about communities that seem placid and upstanding on the outside by harbor deep, dark secrets always appeal to me. I love covers that illustrate this subtly, with just one little thing out of place to show that not everything is what it seems.


10. Books—This one will shock exactly no one. If a cover features a stack of books, a bookstore or library, and/or a bookish title, I'm in.

There you go, ten more things that draw me to certain books. What subjects/tropes/cover images, etc. never fail to hook your interest as a reader? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here.

Happy TTT! 

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Reading

<i>Reading</i>
Murder at Ochre Court by Alyssa Maxwell

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<i>Listening</i>
Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins



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2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2026 Reading Challenge

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2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction

2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction

2023 - Middle Grade Fiction

2023 - Middle Grade Fiction

2022 - Middle Grade Fiction

2022 - Middle Grade Fiction

2021 - Middle Grade Fiction

2021 - Middle Grade Fiction

2020 - Middle Grade Fiction

2020 - Middle Grade Fiction