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2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


29 / 30 books. 97% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (7)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (1)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (3)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (2)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (7)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota
- Ohio (2)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (2)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (2)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.* (2)

International:
- Australia (2)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (1)
- England (19)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (1)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)

My Progress:


51 / 51 states. 100% done!

2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


41 / 50 books. 82% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


35 / 50 books. 70% done!

Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

My Progress:


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

My Progress:


50 / 52 books. 96% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

My Progress:


35 / 40 books. 88% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


16 / 40 books. 40% done!

2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

My Progress:


21 / 25 books. 84% done!

2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

My Progress


16 / 26.2 miles (3rd lap). 61% done!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

My Progress


35 / 100 books. 35% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

My Progress:


90 / 104 books. 87% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

My Progress


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

My Progress


123 / 165 books. 75% done!

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

My Progress:


73 / 100 names. 73% done!
Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read in 2023 But Didn't Get To


We all have books we planned to read in 2023 that are still sitting on our shelves or Kindles still unopened. Today's TTT prompt is all about those poor, neglected babies: Top Ten Books I Meant to Read in 2023 But Didn't Get To. To avoid making this a Top 500 list, I went through the seasonal TBR lists I posted for TTT last year and assembled today's list from those that I have still not yet read. Shockingly, there were only 16. (It helps that I didn't make a list for winter, although I did make two-parters for both summer and fall!) Of the 16 left over, I DNF'd one and there are five that I was really only reading to fulfill prompts from challenges I was trying to finish before the end of the year. Since I don't need them now and none of them were super calling to me anyway, I deleted them from my TBR list. After subtracting those titles, I had exactly ten books left that I still want to read. Perfect!

Before I get to that, though, be sure to head on over to That Artsy Reader Girl and give our TTT hostess with the mostest some love.

Top Ten Books I Meant to Read in 2023 But Didn't Get To 
(selected from my 2023 TTT seasonal TBR lists and in no particular order)


1. Homecoming by Kate Morton—Morton is one of my favorite all-time authors, so this book was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023. It's a chunkster, though, so the beginning of a new year really is the perfect time to finally read it. 

The story concerns Jess, an out-of-work London journalist who is called home to Australia after her beloved grandmother suffers a debilitating fall. Jess is surprised to learn that her grandma took a tumble after being in her attic, a place that has always been forbidden. As the journalist starts digging into the secrets the attic holds, she makes some shocking discoveries about her family's involvement in a 60-year-old crime.  


2. The Little Wartime Library by Kate ThompsonThis historical novel is based on a real librarian who risked her own safety to run a library inside London's Bethnal Green tube station during World War II. 


3. We Love to Entertain by Sarah StrohmeyerThis thriller revolves around a married couple, real estate investors who are involved in a tense competition sponsored by a popular real estate app. Winning could mean big bucks in endorsements as well as a league of new followers. The couple is in the middle of remodeling a home in Vermont when they both disappear, leaving a bloody trail in their wake. What happened to the dynamic duo?


4. Dust by Dusti Bowling—I love Bowling's books. I've had this one out from the library for months, so I need to read it already! I'm pretty sure it's overdue by now.

The story is about Avalyn, a girl with asthma whose parents relocate to a cleaner town in order to help her breathe better. It's working—until a strange new boy comes to town. Adam's dirty, unkempt appearance makes him a target for bullies. Although Avalyn wants to befriend him, the grit that always surrounds him is dangerous for her lungs. Besides, there's something decidedly odd about the way unlikely dust storms seem to rise up when he experiences strong emotions...

5. It Ends at Midnight by Harriet TyceThere's been a rash of thrillers lately that involve a group of old friends reconvening, only to have the secrets and misdeeds of their pasts come back to haunt them. It's one of my favorite tropes—as long as it's done well. This thriller brings old friends back together for a glitzy party in Edinburgh, Scotland. The party, naturally, does not go quite as planned.

6. Crow Mary by Kathleen GrissomThis historical novel features a 16-year-old Crow Native woman who marries a white fur trader in 1872. On their travels together, they witness a mob of drunk white traders murder a group of Nakota men in Montana and take half a dozen of their women captive. Although Mary Crow begs her husband to save the captives, he refuses. Arming herself with two guns, Mary rushes in to do the job herself, setting off a string of events that forces a bloody clash between two already warring cultures. The story is inspired by a real woman, making it all the more intriguing.

7. Artifice by Sharon CameronI adore Cameron's books, so I'm excited to read her newest. It concerns Isa de Smit, a young woman who grew up in Amsterdam's colorful art world. As the Nazis invade her hometown, her friends are disappearing and valuable paintings are being confiscated. Desperate for money to help the Resistance, Isa starts selling forgeries of famous artwork to the Nazis. Her scheme goes off perfectly until someone finds out what she's doing. Can Isa save herself and her friends from a ruthless enemy that has no problem killing everyone in their path?


8. Hour Glass by Michelle ReneThis western is set in the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota, where two orphaned children find a collection of colorful individuals who unexpectedly become family.

9. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidWhen reclusive Evelyn Hugo, an aging Hollywood actress, finally decides to tell her life story to the press, she chooses an obscure reporter named Monique Grant. A shocked Monique listens in fascination as Evelyn reveals her incredible tale, one that—shockingly—intersects with Monique's own.

10. Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine SchellmanThe first installment in a historical mystery series, this novel features a Prohibition-era seamstress who's desperate to escape her tedious, poverty-stricken life. She finds freedom and escape at a secret dance hall where anything goes. When she discovers a dead body behind the club, she becomes embroiled in a dangerous murder investigation.

There you go, ten books I meant to read in 2023 but didn't quite get to. I don't know how many of them I'll get to in 2024, but they're at least all still on my TBR list somewhere. How about you? Which books from last year's TBR list are you rolling over to this year? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT! 

76 comments:

  1. Ohhh-- I had not heard of DUST before, but it sounds really good. I'm adding that one to my TBR. I've heard really mixed things about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but it seems like a ton of people LOVED it. I hope you enjoy it when you read it. Here is my list: https://thestorysanctuary.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-still-on-my-tbr-after-2023/

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I still haven't read DUST, but I've liked all of the books I've read by the author so far, so I'm guessing I'll enjoy it as well. Everyone seems to love EVELYN HUGO. I need to read it already and see what I think!

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

      Delete
  2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has been on my TBR for a couple of years. I want to read it so much. I hope you'll be able to get to these this year.

    https://jennielyse.com/top-ten-tuesday-44/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same! I even bought a copy of it last year and there it sits, gathering dust on my bookshelf...Maybe we'll get to it this year? I hope we both love it when we do.

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

      Delete
  3. I don't have any of the books you mention on my list but I do have another book by Harriet Tyce - Blood Orange. I'm sure I have a Kate Morton in my TBR pile somewhere too. As you say, she writes chunksters.

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    1. I really need to read Harriet Tyce already. Her books sound like they're right up my alley. I hope we both enjoy reading her book!

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

      Delete
  4. It's funny how many books about libraries and librarians in WW2 there've been recently. Is it a new trend or something? I'm all for it because I've totally been in the mood for them, and I'm adding this one to my TBR too. I hope you enjoy them all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's definitely a new trend! I'm here for it, as long as the books aren't just copycats of each other. Hopefully, they will all have distinct characters, plots, etc. and just be similar in theme. We'll see.

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

      Delete
  5. I've only read one from your list - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - and it was a true favorite. It definitely stayed with me. It's been almost six years since I read it, and I still find myself thinking about it now and then.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems like most people love EVELYN HUGO. After everyone's comments, I REALLY need to read it now. I feel like I'm definitely missing something good!

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

      Delete
  6. Last Call at the Nightingale sounds like the kind of historical I might enjoy. Thanks for including it! I had forgotten to add it to my TBR when you mentioned it before, but I'm off to add it now!

    Here's my TTT this week. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same. I'm all about historical mysteries, and LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTINGALE sounds especially intriguing. I hope we both love it!

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

      Delete
  7. 16 isn't too bad out of all the lists we do. I hope you enjoy Evelyn Hugo when you get to it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I was surprised at how many I did read from my seasonal TBR lists because I usually do so poorly with them!

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

      Delete
  8. I just finished Homecoming and totally loved it. I read it as a slow and steady, so mostly about 25 min a day, well until near the end and I just read and read!!

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    Replies
    1. That's a smart way to do it. Morton's books are always on the lengthy side, but HOMECOMING really is a door stopper. It sounds SO good, though! I'm glad you loved it.

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

      Delete
  9. Hope you'll love all of these when you get to them! I really enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everyone seems to love EVELYN HUGO! I really, REALLY need to read it now after everyone's positive comments :)

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

      Delete
  10. HOMECOMING is on my list of 'didn't get to in 2023' as well. It was on Katherine's list today and I said in the comments that I think I'm going to make it my next read. My sister-in-law was asking me if I had read it because she has and wanted to talk about it. Sorry, I told her. I think I have a couple of others on your on my Kindle, but HOMECOMING is in the #1 slot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice! Are you reading it now? I definitely want to know what you think of it. I adore Kate Morton and there's only been one book of hers that I didn't LOVE, so I'm confident I'll enjoy HOMECOMING.

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

      Delete
  11. I struggled to trim down answers for this week’s topic, too! If only we all had endless time to read. :)

    Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.

    Lydia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I already spend A LOT of time reading, but I still wish I had more hours in the day to fill with books. If only real life didn't get in the way of my reading so often!

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

      Delete
  12. Great list. I haven't read The Little Wartime Library yet, but I hope to this year. Hope you get a chance to read all of these in 2024.

    https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2024/01/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-i-meant.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope we both enjoy THE LITTLE WARTIME LIBRARY when we get to it, even if it's not this year! Ha ha.

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

      Delete
  13. Nice list. I have been meaning to read one of Dusti Bowling's books. Maybe 2024 will be the year to do so!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so! Bowling's books are fun. I've enjoyed all the ones I've read so far.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Captivated Reader!

      Delete
  14. I considered adding the Seven Husbands of... to my list too. Let's both get to it in 2024!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, definitely! I bought a copy of the book last year, so I really have no excuses for not reading it. I hope we both enjoy it when we get to it.

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

      Delete
  15. Dust looks like something I would pick up. I hope you enjoy all these!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds intriguing, doesn't it? I STILL haven't read it. One of these days...

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

      Delete
  16. I read Homecoming and really loved it. I also want to read The Little Wartime Library after seeing it on your list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed HOMECOMING. I've loved all the books I've read by Morton, except one that was just okay, so I'm sure I'll love HOMECOMING when I finally get to it. I hope you enjoy THE LITTLE WARTIME LIBRARY!

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

      Delete
  17. Last Call at the Nightingale sounds interesting. I'm hoping to make time for Spare by Prince Harry (among others) but I'm a bit of a mood reader so no amount of list making will guarantee i read everything on my list.

    Idea-ist@GetLostInLit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not much for celebrities or royals, but I have heard good things about SPARE. I hope you enjoy it if/when you get to it.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Idea-ist!

      Delete
  18. These poor, neglected babies need love! I'm going to be honest, I'm pretty sure I've been intending to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo since it came out and still haven't, so you're not alone. xD I've also heard that Homecoming is a fantastic read! Hope you're able to get to these in 2024 (and that you love them all).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I feel so bad for all those dusty, lonely books on my shelf! I really do have good intentions of reading ALL of them. It's just going to take some time...

      It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one who hasn't yet read EVELYN HUGO :) I hope we both love it when we get to it.

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

      Delete
  19. I love love love Evelyn Hugo so much. SO SO MUCH. Malibu Rising is also a must-read. It's not a sequel really, but is about the kids of one of her husbands. And there are mentions of characters from other books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I didn't realize EVELYN HUGO and MALIBU RISING were about the same characters. Good to know!

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

      Delete
  20. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of my absolute favourites, I hope you enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EVELYN HUGO really is a popular book. I'm even more excited to read it now.

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

      Delete
  21. An interesting list. I want to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo!

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't read EVELYN HUGO yet! I really thought it was only me :) LOL.

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

      Delete
  22. I think you’ll enjoy Homecoming. I liked it better than her previous one. ~Carol @ ReadingLadies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER is the only Morton book that I've been disappointed in and I've read them all (except HOMECOMING). I'm confident I'll enjoy HOMECOMING when I get to it. I'm glad you loved it!

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

      Delete
  23. That's a great way to narrow it down to ten and clean up that TBR! I hope you enjoy all of these when you get an opportunity to read them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really am going to try to clean up my TBR this year, with a special focus on physical books. My shelves are literally bowing under the weight of all my unread books!

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

      Delete
  24. I loved The Little Wartime Library on audio, it was one of favourites last year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thanks for the tip! I'm always on the lookout for great audiobooks.

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

      Delete
  25. Those are all new to me ones! I hope you're able to read them all this year though!

    Thanks for visiting my TTT!

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    Replies
    1. I hope so too. They're all books I'm looking forward to reading. Hopefully, they're as good as they sound.

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

      Delete
  26. If I had tried to do this TTT mind would have been at least 100 books long, if not longer. ;D There are so many books I wanted to read last year that I didn't get to...though I did try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? No matter how many books I read in a year, there are always a *few* I don't get to! LOL.

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

      Delete
  27. Ahh, looks like a good list! The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo really had me riveted; it's one of those things I read a bit randomly, not really my genre, but I found it really compulsive -- hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

    ReplyDelete
  28. These books look very interesting. I hope you're able to get to some of them sometime soon. 🙂

    ReplyDelete
  29. The Little Wartime Library looks like it would be good. I would like to read this myself. Have a wonderful day, Susan ☕📚🪱☔💜

    ReplyDelete
  30. Dust was good. I didn't love It Happens At Midnight. And everyone loves Evelyn Hugo! (it was a like for me).

    ReplyDelete
  31. Homecoming has been on my radar since it came out last year - it looks really good. I haven't read that author yet, but I have heard lots of people talk about her. Hope you enjoy all of your reads!

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  32. The only one that I've read is Evelyn Hugo and it was amazing!! I hope you can get to that one and you enjoy it, if you do! :)

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  33. If this had been a Top 11 list, mine would have included The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It sounds fascinating; I'm not quite sure why I haven't managed to get to it.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I laughed at the Top 500 comment. Lol. I can so relate to that. I hope you enjoy whatever you read this year. Looks like a great list to catch up on when you have the time. :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love Evelyn Hugo ! Hope you get to it this year. :) Crow Mary sounds great, and I've read an earlier book by the same author and really enjoyed it. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm pretty sure I would like Dust. I hope that you will read it soon and share your thoughts about it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I have Homecoming somewhere in my TBR pile and I really enjoyed the Eveyn Hughes book. Happy reading when you get round to them.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Homecoming is excellent. You will devour it in no time, chunkster or not. It flows, like all her books basically, right?
    I chose it as my favorite fiction in print for 2023:
    https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/01/01/year-of-reading-2023-part-1-my-top-26-books/

    ReplyDelete
  39. I haven't read that one from Bowling, but I really love her books. Never a mistake picking one of them up

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  40. I would love to read the Kate Morton book too:-)

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  41. I’ve heard excellent things about The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Hope you enjoy it and all the others!

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  42. These all look so good. I especially want to read the Kate Morton book.

    ReplyDelete
  43. The Little Wartime Library is on my TBR as well. I hope you enjoy these books when you get to them!

    Thanks for stopping by my Top Ten Tuesday

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  44. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of my favorites, hope you love it too

    ReplyDelete
  45. "The Little Wartime Library" looks good! That's not one that I've seen making the book list rounds, but I am curious! Hope you enjoy all of these when you read them, and as always, thank you so much for visiting my website!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Kate Morton's book looks and sounds very interesting! I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a copy. The only one I've read is Evelyn Hugo and it's one of my favourites! I hope you enjoy all of these whenever you read them :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. How did I miss that Dusti Bowling has a new book out? Also, I have been meaning to try Kate Morton for what feels like forever, but I never have. Any recommendations for which Kate Morton read should be my first?

    Jessica
    Storytime in the Stacks

    ReplyDelete
  48. You always have such great lists! I've already got Homecoming on my own TBR, but Crow Mary had to get added too. I hope that you really enjoy all of these when you get to them!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Looks like you have some great reads ahead of you. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of my all time favorites. Evelyn is a pretty unforgettable character.

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  50. I've only read Evelyn Hugo from your list, but it wasn't one of my favorites of TJR. I know I'm in the minority, though. ;) Happy reading in 2024!

    ReplyDelete

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