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2025 Literary Escapes Challenge
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Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Top Ten Tuesday: The Most Memorable Places I've Visited
8:19 PM
Today's Top Ten Tuesday prompt is: Non-bookish Freebie. You can make a list about literally anything as long as it doesn't have to do with books (unless you really want it to be about books—that's okay, too). My mind always goes blank when confronted with freebie topics, especially if they're not about reading, so I did a slight twist on Jana's idea from the last time we did this prompt: Top Ten Most Memorable Places I've Visited. In the many years I've been doing TTT, this is a topic I've never done. Woo hoo!
As always, this fun weekly blogging event is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Most Memorable Places I've Visited
I'm not the most well-traveled person in the world, but I added it up and, not counting the United States where I live, I've visited nine countries (eleven if you add in airport layovers in Peru and Japan). I'll cross two more—Jordan and Israel—off in December, provided our tour doesn't get cancelled. In addition, I've been to 33 of the 50 U.S. states, plus Washington, D.C. In October, I'll be visiting three new-to-me Southern states, which will put me at 36. I've been around a little bit, so I thought it would be fun to share the ten most memorable places I've visited in my country and around the world. In no particular order, they are:
1. The Columbia River Gorge (southwestern Washington and northwestern Oregon, U.S.A.)—I'm a bit biased having been born and reared in this GORGEous National Scenic Area, but it really is a stunning place featuring majestic Mt. Hood, the glittering Columbia River, lush forests, gushing waterfalls, and more.
2. Basilique du Sacré-CÅ“ur de Montmarte (Paris, France)—This beautiful basilica sits atop a hill, giving it a sweeping view of Paris, especially if you climb up the steep, claustrophobic stairs to the dome. The view at the top is almost as breath-stealing as the hike to get there!
Runner-up in Paris: the Palace of Versailles
3. Boracay Island (the Philippines)—White sand beaches, crystal clear water, swaying palm trees...what could be more relaxing? Ahhh...take me back!
Runner-up in the Philippines: Camiguin Island
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)—My maternal grandmother's second husband (who also happened to by my grandfather's first cousin) was Canadian. They lived in the Vancouver area before he died in the early 1990s, so I visited them there many times as a kid. This suspension bridge and the park that surrounds it was one of my family's favorite attractions there.
Runner-up in Canada: beautiful Victoria, British Columbia
5. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Washington, D.C., U.S.A.)—Washington, D.C., is full of interesting, important sites, but the one that stands out to me is this one. My uncle was killed in the war when he was just 22 and seeing his name on that vast wall along with all the other fallen soldiers is just...sobering. I've been there twice and was equally moved by the experience both times.
Runner-up in Washington, D.C.: the gorgeous Library of Congress
6. Whitby (England, Yorkshire, U.K.)—My mother's maiden name is Whitby and, while none of us has ever been able to make a connection between the city and our family, she has always wanted to check it out. I have, too, so last year on a trip to the U.K., my husband and I made a point to stop there. We spent a fun day exploring the old town, strolling its cobblestone streets, shopping in cute boutiques, climbing the 199 steps to see the Abbey ruins and cemetery, and enjoying the stunning views from up high.
Runners-up in England: Chester, the Lake District, and the Dales
7. Dunn's River Falls (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)—This mighty waterfall is a big tourist attraction and, no wonder, it's awesome!
Runner-up in Jamaica: the beaches (I haven't seen much of Jamaica, honestly. Both times I've been there, I mostly stuck around the resort.)
8. Castell Conwy (Conwy, Wales, U.K.)—After a whirlwind two-week family trip to England, Scotland, Wales, and Paris in 2021, I asked my kids what their favorite part of our vacation was and they both said Castell Conwy. Conwy is a vibrant market town with a scenic riverside setting. My kids had a blast running all over the grounds of Castell Conwy, exploring the ruins. The views from the castle's towers are simply spectacular.
Runner-up in Wales: Snowdonia
9. Culzean Castle (Ayrshire, Scotland, U.K.)—My father's ancestors come from the proud Clan Kennedy of Ayrshire. Of all the clan's castles, Culzean is the grandest and most beautiful. Its clifftop setting is as picturesque as can be.
Runners-up in Ayrshire: Dunure Castle and Turnberry Lighthouse (even though its owned by He Who Shall Not Be Named, the grounds are open to the public and the views are stunning)
10. Salto del Laja/Laja Falls (south central Chile)—Although the most memorable site I visited in Chile was the El Chiflon del Diablo under-the-ocean mine in Lota, it was an uncomfortable and rather terrifying experience, so I'm going to highlight this lovely waterfall instead. It was much more pleasant.
Runner-up in Chile: the scenic Bio Bio River, which reminds me of the Columbia River (see #1)
There you go, ten of the most memorable places I've been. Have you traveled to any of them? Where are the most memorable spots you have visited? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Top Ten Tuesday: The Longest Books I've Read in 2025 (So Far)
6:18 PM
Today's TTT prompt—Top Ten Books With a High Page Count—is all about lengthy books. Are you a fan of thick, detailed door stoppers or do you avoid them like the plague? For me, it just depends. If a book is keeping me engaged and entertained, then I'll continue reading it no matter how many pages it has. If a book isn't holding my attention, then it doesn't matter if it's 50 pages or 5000, I'm going to DNF that sucker! I always read a mix of adult and children's books, most of which are mysteries/thrillers, historical fiction novels, or historical mysteries. Depending on which authors you read, these genres don't tend to produce the kind of epic tomes you see in the sci-fi and fantasy genres. I'd guess the page count of the books I read in any given year is around 200-250. Most years, I do take on a few thicker tomes, which for me usually means around 500 pages. This year, I've picked up more of them than I usually do, so for my list today, I'm going to share the ten longest books I've read in 2025 so far.
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Longest Books I've Read in 2025 (So Far)
- from longest to shortest (of the longest) -
1. The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7683524304
Genre: nonfiction/U.S. history/Black history
What it's about: the massive migration of Black people out of the American South to northern, western, and midwestern states, from about 1910 to the 1970s
Page count: 622
Read for: book club
Affect of page count on reading experience: This book is interesting, but it definitely feels overly long and tedious. Other than the woman who recommended it, I'm the only one in my book club who finished it. Everyone else got too bored with it to read to the end.
2. Shift by Hugh Howey (SILO trilogy #2)
My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7362810129
Genre: Dystopian/sci-fi
What it's about: With the world on the brink of certain destruction, select groups of people are invited underground to live in protected silos. Generations later, it's forbidden to even talk of the outside world, but there are always those whose curiosity and desperation get the better of them. What do they find beyond the silos? No one knows because those who leave never come back...
Page count: 579
Read for: I've been wanting to finish this series, which I started in 2018.
Affect of page count on reading experience: Although I really like the SILO books, there's no doubt that they get REALLY long. Longer than necessary. They don't have much plot to them, really, so the stories do get tedious and dull in places.
3. It Happened On the Lake by Lisa Jackson
My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7528355859
Genre: mystery/thriller
What it's about: Harper Reed Prescott owns a large Victorian home on a beautiful private island which is also hers. She has no interest in either. After the mysterious deaths and other happenings that have occured there, she just wants to sell the whole property and be done with it. Unfortunately, there is much in her past and that of her family that still needs to be reckoned with...
Page count: 586
Read for: NetGalley review
Affect of page count on reading experience: This book is overwritten in every possible way. It was a huge slog for me and I'm still not sure why I plowed through the whole thing!
4. The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking series #2)
My original blog review (2011): http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2011/01/i-mean-seriously-could-patrick-ness-get.html
My Goodreads review (2025): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7717949658
Genre: YA dystopian/sci-fi
What it's about: Todd Hewitt has grown up on a planet other than Earth. Viola has come to his planet because Earth is no longer habitable. Todd's world is at war. Can he and Viola stop the violence, save their civilization, and protect the refugees from Viola's spaceship who are hurtling toward them hoping for peace and safety?
Page count: 553
Read for: re-reading the series because I LOVE it
Affect of page count on reading experience: The tension and action in this book are so unrelenting that the pages fly by. You barely notice how long it is.
5. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking series #1)
My original blog review (2011): http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2011/01/knife-of-never-letting-go-leaves-me.html
My Goodreads review (2025): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/874857816
Genre: YA dystopian/sci-fi
What it's about: Todd Hewitt's parents came to a new planet to find refuge away from a dying Earth. Now an orphan, Todd has become disillusioned with the rules of his town. He is running away when he encounters Viola, whose scouting ship has just crashed nearby. Together, the parentless teens flee toward a city where they've heard they can find safety. The mayor of Todd's town, who isn't about to let them go, is in hot pursuit, determined to catch them no matter the cost.
Page count: 528
Read for: re-reading the series because I LOVE it
Affect of page count on reading experience: Ditto what I said above about The Ask and the Answer.
6. Wool by Hugh Howey (SILO trilogy #1)
My original blog review: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2018/01/subterranean-dystopian-trilogy-starts.html
Genre: Dystopian/sci-fi
What it's about: See summary for Shift above.
Page count: 509
Read for: I want to finish the SILO trilogy, which I started in 2018.
Affect of page count on reading experience: Wool moves at a faster pace than Shift, so it doesn't feel as long, but it does get slow in places.
7. The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan (available November 25, 2025)
My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7573787746
Genre: Mystery/thriller
What it's about: When Dr. Anya Brown publishes a translation of an ancient folio, she receives the attention of a secret women's organization that has been hunting for a certain book of power for over a century. A rival group also wants the tome. Caught in the middle of a deadly fight she doesn't understand, Anya has to figure out how to get herself out of it—before she's the next person to be mysteriously murdered.
Page count: 496
Read for: pleasure - Macmillan is one of my go-to mystery/thriller authors
Affect of page count on reading experience: Macmillan usually writes contemporary mysteries and thrillers that are quick-paced and engrossing. This book is a big departure from her norm. Unfortunately, I found The Burning Library overly long, tedious, confusing, and boring.
8. The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows
My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7843112501
Genre: historical fiction
What it's about: When her father cuts her off, insisting she become financially independent, Layla Beck is forced to take a job with the Federal Writers' Project. Tasked with writing a history of backwards Macedonia, West Virginia, she is unenthusiastic to say the least. As Layla gets to know the Romeyns, the quirky family with which she's boarding, her attitude slowly changes. She changes their lives as well, bringing unwanted tension, unwelcome questions, and unasked for observations that force the Romeyns to acknowledge some painful truths.
Page count: 486
Read for: pleasure and for the Literary Escapes Reading Challenge
Affect of page count on reading experience: Overall, this novel is quite charming and engaging. It is excessively long, though, and definitely would have benefitted from some serious trimming.
9. The Women by Kristin Hannah
My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5736912487
Genre: historical fiction
What it's about: The life of a privileged young nurse is changed irrevocably when she volunteers to serve in the Vietnam War. When she returns home to California after two tours expecting a hero's welcome, she's dismayed to find her family dismissive of her experiences and her countrymen critical. Dealing with PTSD and these issues takes her to the very edge of her sanity. Can anything bring her back?
Page count: 471
Read for: pleasure
Affect of page count on reading experience: This is another book that is way longer than it needs to be. There's no real plot, so it feels episodic, repetitious, and dull, especially in the latter half when the main character is back in the U.S.
10. The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes
My Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7136265693
Genre: historical fiction
What it's about: After being involved in a political scandal, a young writer is shipped off to Montana to work with a Works Progress Administration team to write a guide for the state. There, she encounters the intriguing mystery of a long-missing boxcar librarian. She's determined to find out what really happened.
Page count: 446
Read for: Goodreads review
Affect of page count on reading experience: This book kept my attention through all of its many pages. I enjoyed it.
I'd like to complete the Chaos Walking and SILO trilogies before the end of the year as well as a few more chunksters, so I've still got some hefty reading in front of me. What about you? What lengthy tomes have you read this year? Which door stoppers are your favorite? What's the longest book you've ever read? 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!
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Top Ten Tuesday (On a Wednesday): History + Mystery = A Delightful Combination
8:22 AM
I've been MIA for a few weeks and I've missed participating in my favorite meme! I'm a little bit late to the party, but, hey, better late than never, right? This week's prompt is: Top Ten Books Guaranteed to End Your Reading Slump. I've read voraciously since I was a kindergartner without ever experiencing a slump, so this topic isn't really relevant to me. Last week's was a Genre Freebie; I'm going to go that route this week instead. Freebies can be tough sometimes, but I decided to highlight a genre I love—historical mysteries—and chat about some of my favorite mystery series set in the past. This list should give you a good idea of the kind of historical mysteries I love. If you've got any suggestions for similar reads, please hit me with your best recs!
Edited to add: I didn't realize until I'd practically finished writing this post that I'd basically already written the same one two years ago. It did seem a *wee* bit familiar. Ha ha. At least I'm consistent?
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Historical Mystery Series I Am Loving Right Now
1. A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong—While on a visit to Edinburgh, a modern-day homicide detective is flung back in time to 1869, where she wakes up in the body of an uneducated chambermaid. As she tries to figure out what happened to her and how to get home, she subtley tries to help her boss—an undertaker who moonlights as a medical examiner—solve murders while keeping her real identity hidden.
Setting: Victorian Scotland, mostly Edinburgh
Books in series so far: 4
Books I've read: 4
Series opener: A Rip Through Time
2. Myrtle Hardcastle by Elizabeth C. Bunce—With the aid of her governess, a 12-year-old uses her keen observation skills to solve murders and other mysteries in her small English town.
Setting: Victorian England, 1890s
Books in series so far: 5
Books I've read: 5
Series opener: Premeditated Myrtle
3. Gilded Newport Mysteries by Alyssa Maxwell—Emma Cross is the poor relative of a Vanderbilt, which gives the 21-year-old gossip columnist access to both Newport's well-heeled and its downtrodden. Trying to prove herself as a serious journalist, she uses her unique social position to investigate crimes among both the upper and lower classes.
Setting: Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A., 1890s
Books in series so far: 13
Books I've read: 5
Series opener: Murder at the Breakers
4. Veronica Speedwell by Deanna Raybourn—Veronica, a plucky, independent lepidopterist, is pursuing a scientific inquiry when someone has the audacity to try to abduct her. An enigmatic German baron comes to her rescue and puts her under the protection of a gruff and mysterious gentleman. A natural historian, Stoker becomes her partner in cataloging the baron's massive collection of artifacts. The duo soon become known for their skill in sleuthing.
Setting: Victorian England, 1880s
Books in series so far: 10
Books I've read: 6
Series opener: A Curious Beginning
5. Below Stairs Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley—One of the most sought after cooks in London, Kat Holloway accepts a position at the luxurious Mayfair home of a respected, but eccentric family. Odd things are always happening in and around the household, causing Kat to become not just a chef but also an amateur sleuth.
Setting: Victorian London, England
Books in series so far: 8
Books I've read: 3
Series opener: Death Below Stairs
Setting: Gilded Age America, primarily New York City, New York
Books in series so far: 4 (the newest comes out in December)
Books I've read: 3
Series opener: Death on Millionaires' Row
7. Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer —Just as smart and observant as her older brother, Sherlock, Enola can't stand to miss out on all the fun of solving mysteries so she, too, uses her particular skills to detect and deduce her way to success.
Setting: Victorian England
Books in series so far: 9
Books I've read: 1
Series opener: The Case of the Missing Marquess
8. Kinship by Jess Montgomery—After her husband is killed in the line of duty, Lily Ross takes his place as sheriff of Kinship, Ohio. The widow has her work cut out for her fighting not just sexism, but also the corruption, greed, and crime that define life in the hardscrabble world of 20th Century Appalachia.
Setting: Ohio, U.S.A., 1920s
Books in series so far: 4
Books I've read: 4
Series opener: The Widows
9. Amelia Peabody by Elizabeth Peters—A wealthy English spinster, our archaeologist heroine loves spending her time in Egypt, where wonders and mysteries always abound.
Setting: Egypt, 1880s-1920s
Books in series: 20
Books I've read: 2
Series opener: Crocodile on the Sandbank
10. The Agency by Y.S. Lee—In this YA series, 17-year-old Mary Quinn is rescued from the gallows by a woman posing as a prison guard. Really, the imposter represents a secret school that trains female private investigators. As an "agent," Mary goes undercover to investigate nefarious activity and help solve crimes.
Setting: Victorian London, England
Books in series: 4
Books I've read: 3
Series opener: A Spy in the House
Wow, I somehow didn't realize that my favorite historical mystery series were so similar in setting and time period. I need to branch out a little bit! If you're familiar with these series, you can see that I like my historical mysteries peppered with strong heroines, humor, and clever writing. Which others would you recommend? Which historical mysteries/series are your favorite? I would truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Friday, August 01, 2025
The Bookish Books Reading Challenge: August Book Ideas and Link-Up For Reviews
10:50 PM
July was a crazy month for me, but I did manage to read four bookish books. Not too bad. I didn't love any of them, but I enjoyed all of them for the most part. Here's what I read:
Rabbit, Rabbit by Dori Hillestad Butler and Sunshine Bacon—This middle-grade book is about two cousins who barely know each other because their mothers have been estranged for years. When the girls are brought together for their grandparents' anniversary celebration, they become quick friends. Together, they vow to get to solve the mystery of why their mothers can't stand each other.
Bee is a voracious reader. Her cousin, Alice, isn't so hot on books, but her parents encourage their children to read by having a weekly family readathon. The girls talk books and swap their favorite reads.
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark—This mystery/thriller stars ghostwriter Olivia Dumont, whose been blacklisted after accusing a colleague of misogyny. Unable to get work, she reluctantly agrees to take a job working for a famous horror writer who happens to be her estranged father. The ailing man is finally ready to write a tell all about the mysterious deaths of two of his children decades earlier. He needs Olivia's help. For professional and personal reasons, she can't refuse.
You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego—In this And Then There Were None-ish mystery, a group of writers are invited to attend a themed house party on a remote island owned by a famous author, whose identity has remained hidden for decades. The writers are challenged with puzzles and games that quickly become sinister in nature. When guests begin dying, it becomes clear that there's much, much more to this party than meets the eye.
No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack—The second volume in an entertaining murder mystery series, this book also features a group of authors gathering for a special event—a wedding on California's Catalina Island. Things start going awry from the get-go and only get worse as a storm descends, trapping everyone on an island with a killer.
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt—Set in 1967-1968, this middle-grade historical novel is about a seventh grader who is convinced that his English teacher hates him. While all the other kids get to leave school for religious school, he is stuck with a woman who makes him do classroom chores and, even worse, read Shakespeare. To his surprise, Holling takes a shine to the Bard. As he finds wisdom in the poet's words, he also learns valuable lessons as he faces all the challenges of middle school and life in a turbulent time in history.
What bookish books did you read in July?
I'm not sure what I'm going to read in August, but I'm considering these:
The Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. Bell (available January 13, 2026)—In turn-of-the-century Oxford, Lily Delaney is frustrated by her stunted life. She's bound to her father's failing bookshop while not being able to progress in a male-dominated field. When she discovers a 50-year-old letter hidden in the binding of a burned book, her curiosity is piqued by its contents, which tell a tale of love and murder. As Lily looks for more letters, she finds herself embroiled in what soon becomes a very risky search for some dangerous answers.
I just received an ARC of The Bookbinder's Secret from the publisher and I'm eager to dig in!
The French Bookshop Murder by Greg Mosse (available September 18, 2025)—This upcoming cozy series debut sounds fun. It's about an Englishwoman who decides to open a bookstore in a village in the South of France. She's settling into her new town when a dead body is discovered in the local church. As a stranger and the last person to see the deceased alive, the Englishwoman becomes the prime suspect in the victim's murder. She didn't do it. Who did?
What bookish books are you planning to read in August?
If you are participating in the 2025 Bookish Books Reading Challenge, please use the widget below to link-up your August reviews. If you're not signed up for the challenge yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to join the party.
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Top Ten Tuesday: Yes, Ma'am, I've Got Books With Honorifics in the Title to Read!
10:42 PM
I'm a little bit late to the party today, but I didn't want to miss out on my favorite weekly blog event. This week's topic is a fun one, too: Top Ten Books With Honorifics in the Title (submitted by Joanne over at Portobello Book Blog). You don't find this trend much in my favorite genre (mystery/thriller), but it's more prevalent in my second fave (historical fiction). We'll see if I can come up with a list of ten. It's going to be a bit tough, methinks...
As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Top Ten Books On My TBR List With Honorifics in the Title
- in no particular order -
1. Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce—I've already read this delightful historical novel about an advice columnist dispensing wisdom during World War II, but there are now a few sequels, the newest of which comes out in August. I need to reread this first installment and then continue with the series.
2. A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant—The titular character of this mystery is a Jamaican nurse living in England who has many talents. She's working with a community of Black investors when a John Doe is discovered, a Bible verse the only clue as to what happened and whodunit. The discovery takes Miss Hortense back to her long-hidden past. It's up to her to solve the killing without destroying the life she's built in England in the process.
3. Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Ella MacNeal—The first in a historical mystery series, this novel introduces Maggie Hope, a brilliant young woman who's as smart and capable as anyone in British intelligence. Because of her gender, the only job she's qualified for at No. 10 Downing Street is a typist. It's not long before her superiors recognize her real abilities and start giving her assignments that will put her and everyone she loves in grave danger.
4. The Last Grand Duchess by Bryn Turnbull—In this historical novel, the heartbreaking story of Russia's royal Romanov family is told through the eyes of Olga, one of Anastasia's sisters.
5. Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd—Another series opener, this book features Lady Caroline, who's left penniless after her father's suspicious murder. She takes a position as a lady's maid in an odd household where suspicious things are happening, including the murder of a family member. Along with the lady of the house, Caroline investigates the murder.
6. The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé—As indicated by its title, this novel tells the story of Madeleine Talmage Force, the 17-year-old socialite who attracted the attention of 46-year-old, recently divorced John Jacob "Jack" Astor and married him in 1911. The scandal became the talk of the town. After honeymooning in Egypt, they boarded Titanic for their journey home, only to meet with disaster...
7. The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr—Screen legend Lena Browning is known for her glamorous Hollywood roles. No one knows the truth about her past as a Polish Jew who fought with the Resistance to take down the Nazis. When someone in her present threatens to expose her, everything—and everyone—she loves comes under threat. It's up to her to protect her family and her secrets.
8. The Lady and Her Quill by Ruth A. Casie—This historical mystery/romance features two feuding authors who are competing against each other in a challenge to determine who is the more talented writer and the more skilled detective.
9. Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin—The first in a new cozy series, this mystery introduces Kausar Khan who returns to Toronto after thirty years in order to help her daughter, who has been accused of murdering her hated landlord. Kausar soon discovers that the killing is only one of a number of crimes that have occurred lately in her old neighborhood. What is going on? She's determined to find out and clear her daughter's name in the process.
10. Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray—Frances Perkins was a formiddable woman who was determined to make a difference by enacting societal change. When she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a young lawyer with an outsized ego, she was not impressed. Unbeknownst to both of them, the two would form a powerful, unlikely partnership, one that would take them both to the White House. This novel tells Frances' story.
I had to repeat a few honorifics, but I made it to ten. Phew! Have you read any of these? Which titles with honorifics did you feature on your list today? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.
Happy TTT!
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No Roundup this month4 months ago
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Sunday Post #5684 months ago
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February 2025 Reading Wrap Up5 months ago
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One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery6 months ago
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I'm Still Reading - This Was My October9 months ago
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Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus1 year ago
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What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
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6/25/23 Extra Ezra2 years ago
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Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
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2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction

2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
