Today's TTT prompt is: Top Ten Oldest (earliest published) Books On My TBR List, but I don't have many older titles on mine, so I went rogue. Since we're getting to the end of the year (2024 has whizzed by!), I thought I'd look at my favorite reads of the year. So far, I've read 195 books. I marked about 35 of them as favorites. Because there are so many, I'm going to make two lists, actually. This week, I'll look at adult titles; next week I'll talk about children's books. (To keep things simple, I'm not going to include rereads on either list.)

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. 

1. We Solve Murders by Richard Osman—I loved this hilarious murder mystery, the first in a planned series. It's funny, energetic, engrossing, and all sorts of entertaining. 

2. I Know Who You Are: How An Amateur DNA Sleuth Unmasked the Golden State Killer and Changed Crime Fighting Forever by Barbara Rae-Venter—I'm a genealogist, so these types of books always appeal to me. In it, Rae-Venter discusses how she went from digging into her own family history to taking down a notorious serial killer with her mad research and analytical skills.

3. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose—I adored The Maid and I really enjoyed this sequel as well. It's not quite as good as its predecessor, but it's still a fun mystery starring a quirky, lovable heroine with a unique view on life. Its bookish themes make it even more appealing.

4. The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King—This is a warm, uplifting biography of a wonderful man. I enjoyed learning about his life, his career, his philosophy, and especially the kind, compassionate way he treated everyone around him. Very inspiring.

5. Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson—Another quirky murder mystery, this series opener is clever, funny, and twisty. It's also got a surprising amount of depth and poignancy.

6. Silence for the Dead by Simone St. James—Historical mysteries with gothic undertones are my jam, so I enjoyed this older novel by one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors. It's about a young woman in need of a fresh start who poses as a nurse to get a job at a remote asylum for World War I veterans dealing with shell shock. It's a strange place where eerie things happen and secrets abound... 

7. Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda—After being disappointed by Miranda's last book (The Only Survivors), I was thrilled by her newest which is tense, twisty, and compelling. It's about a woman who returns to her hometown when she inherits her childhood home after her father's death. A drought has dried up the area, exposing secrets about the town and her family that refuse to stay hidden.

8. A Stranger in the Family by Jane Casey—I love the Maeve Kerrigan series, which just keeps getting better. This newest book is the 11th in the series. It has DS Kerrigan and her partner (and almost lover) DI Josh Derwent investigating the murders of a couple whose young daughter disappeared from her bedroom sixteen years ago. Are the two cases linked? As the duo work the case, they're also forced to confront their complicated feelings for one another. 

9. Homecoming by Kate Morton—Morton is one of my favorite all-time authors, so it's no surprise that her newest is one of my favorite reads of the year (although I actually didn't love her last book, The Clockmaker's Daughter). This one features a London journalist who returns to her native Australia after her beloved grandmother falls down her attic steps. The tumble leaves the elderly woman confused. Her granddaughter is likewise puzzled. What was her frail grandmother doing in the forbidden attic? When the reporter discovers a true crime book in her grandmother's bedroom, it leads her on a journey into the depths of her own family history.

10.  Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong—Armstrong writes some great mystery/thriller books. I especially enjoy her Rip Through Time series, which stars Mallory Atkinson, a modern-day homicide detective who wakes up in Victorian Edinburgh after she is assaulted in her own time. Although she remembers everything about herself, Mallory is now inhabiting the body of a scrappy young housemaid who works in the home of a handsome surgeon who moonlights as a medical examiner. While Mallory tries to figure out how to get home, she can't keep herself from using her knowledge and expertise to help her employer solve the murder cases that come into his home. By this third book, Dr. Gray knows who Mallory really is. Together, they look into a murder that occurred during the unwrapping of an ancient Egyptian mummy.

There you go, ten of my favorite books of 2024. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What are the books you've most enjoyed this year? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours. I also try to reply to comments left here (although I'm failing miserably at the moment).

As a private bodyguard working for a company that protects only high-profile clients, Amy Wheeler has a pretty cushy job. Case in point: she's currently guarding a famous, best-selling mystery/thriller writer at the author's glittering mansion on her own private island. Although the novelist is being targeted by a Russian mobster after she mocked him in one of her books, no one is actively shooting at them while they lounge beside the pool. Not a bad gig if you can get it. 

When a social media influencer dies in a strange way, oddly close to the South Carolina site where Amy is working, she starts to become suspicious. This isn't the first time it's happened. Clearly, someone is trying to set Amy up for the murders of a string of dead influencers. Unwilling to trust anyone but her most reliable associates, she calls up the one person she knows will always have her back—her father-in-law, a retired British police detective. Although Steve Wheeler is a lonely widower who would be content never to leave his quiet life at home again (save for his weekly pub trivia night), he will do anything for Amy. Soon, he finds himself jet setting all over the world with his adrenaline-junkie daughter-in-law and a zany mystery author in a wild, chaotic search for the murderous criminal mastermind who's intent on taking Amy down. The unlikely trio of investigators isn't about to let that happen. They'll bring the killer to justice or die trying. Which is seeming more likely by the minute).

I quite enjoyed Richard Osman's debut novel, The Thursday Murder Club (although I've yet to read any of the sequels), but I adored his newest, We Solve Murders. It's the first installment in a new series starring Amy and Steve Wheeler, a detective duo with a unique relationship. I've never seen a daughter-in-law/father-in-law pairing like this in all the mystery/thriller books I've consumed and I am here for it. They're both likable protagonists, with distinct personalities, strengths, and flaws. Their relationship is sweet, wholesome. Then there's our irrepressible novelist, Rosie D'Antonio. She's an ageless spitfire with a contagious zest for life. Her exuberance makes her colorful, fun, and unforgettable. Together, they make a very appealing team, with a group dynamic that naturally leads to some hilarious exploits. Their globe-trotting capers are frenzied and madcap, but they're also exciting and endlessly entertaining. I couldn't stop laughing or turning the pages of this completely enchanting mystery. The ending left me satisfied and wanting more, more, more. I can't wait to see what Amy, Steve, and Rosie get up to next!

(Readalikes: Other than The Thursday Murder Club and the Only Murders in the Building television show, I really can't think of anything. You?)

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of We Solve Murders from the generous folks at Penguin  via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

To no one's surprise, I'm late again with my monthly post for the Bookish Books Reading Challenge! Sigh. One of these days I'll get on the ball with my host-ly duties. Until then, here's a recap of my bookish reading in August:

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett—I don't know if I read this classic as a child or not, but I enjoyed it as an adult. It's about a young girl who experiences a total reversal of fortune after her father's death. Stuck at an English boarding school, she must make the best of her new life as a cast down servant instead of a pampered pupil. She finds solace where she always has—in reading and making up stories.

I don't know how you feel about it, but I adore reading books in a series. Something about sinking into a setting and really getting to know a cast of characters over time really appeals to me. Since I'm in the middle of so many of them, I started keeping track of my series reading on a spreadsheet. According to its very scientific data, I'm in the middle of about FORTY series. Clearly, I have a problem and yet, according to the same spreadsheet, there are at least TWENTY new ones I want to start! It's an addiction, what can I say? I know not everyone likes to read books in a series, but I also know I'm not alone in loving them. Because I'm such a fan, I love this week's prompt—Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start/Catch Up On/Finish. Last year at this time, I made a list of Top Ten Series I Want to Start in 2022 (I even started two of them!) and in January of 2021, I crafted one about the Top Ten Mystery Series I Want to Finish/Catch Up On Before the End of the Year. (Spoiler alert: I failed miserably, so you'll see a lot of crossover with today's list). This time around, I'm going to highlight series in all genres (although they're still mostly mysteries) that I want to catch up on/finish.

Before we get to that, though, be sure to click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl and give our gracious hostess, Jana, some love. If you want to talk series-ly, make your own list and join in the fun. If you're not feeling the prompt, change it up to something more appealing. Then, click around the book blogosphere and enjoy the party that is TTT. It's a good ole time, I promise!

(Book covers show the first installment in each series. "Books in Series" includes only full-length books that have already been published or have announced publication dates.)

1. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny

Books in Series: 18 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 13

Next Up: Kingdom of the Blind

This is my favorite mystery series of all time and I don't ever want it to end! I've been reading the books slowly in order to savor them. The series features one of the most likable and admirable detectives I've ever encountered. If you love mysteries, definitely give this series a go.

2. Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower

Books in Series: 8 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 5

Next Up: Lemon Drop Dead

This is a fun cozy mystery series set in Amish country. The main character leaves her career as a chocolatier in New York City to help her Amish grandmother run a candy store in rural Ohio. Murder and mayhem ensue, even among the peace-loving Amish.

3. Ruth Galloway Mystery series by Elly Griffiths

Books in Series: 15 (I believe the 15th installment will be the last book in the series, but don't quote me on that!)

Books I've Read: 4

Next Up: A Dying Fall

Featuring an intrepid British forensic archaeologist, this mystery series is always good for an interesting, engrossing read.

4. Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer

Books in Series: 12 (complete)

Books I've read: 10

Next Up: Boston Jacky

A swashbuckling YA pirate adventure series, this one is just all-around entertaining. I've especially enjoyed listening to the books on audio, with the wonderful Katherine Kellgren narrating. Unfortunately, Meyer died in 2014. Kellgren passed four years later. I hope they're collaborating in heaven to create amazing new series!

5. Casey Duncan/Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong

Books in Series: 8 (I think the series was actually complete at seven books and the 8th is, technically, a spin-off.)

Books I've Read: 2

Next Up: This Fallen Prey

Set in a secret, off-the-grid town hidden deep in the Yukon that has been set up especially for people who need to disappear from their lives, this series has a unique set-up. The star of the show is Casey Duncan, a talented young police detective, who's tasked with keeping the peace in this very unique village full of intriguing people. 

6. The American Wonders Collection by Regina Scott

Books in Series: 3 (complete)

Books I've Read: 2

Next Up: A View Most Glorious

This trilogy of historical romances (with a Christian bent) set in famous American locales is clean, uplifting and enjoyable.

7. Eleanor Wilde Mystery series by Tamara Berry

Books in Series: 4 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 1

Next Up: Potions Are For Pushovers

Featuring a fake psychic who solves mysteries, this cozy series is just a whole bunch of fun.

8. Amelia Peabody Mystery series by Elizabeth Peters

Books in Series: 20 (complete)

Books I've Read: 2 (I'm re-reading the series since I never finished it years ago when I started reading it.)

Next Up: The Mummy Case

Amelia Peabody is a no-nonsense British archaeologist who's happy to be a wealthy spinster with the freedom to explore ancient civilizations at her leisure. She never expects to find love or a string of shocking mysteries, but that's exactly what happens in this humorous cozy series.

9. Gilded Newport mystery series by Alyssa Maxwell

Books in Series: 10 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 3 

Next Up: Murder at Rough Point

Despite being only a poor relation of the Vanderbilt Family, Emma Cross is invited to all the best parties in Newport, which makes her perfectly positioned to write juicy stories for the society pages. When she is instrumental in solving a puzzling mystery, she becomes known for her skills as a successful amateur sleuth.

10. Thursday Murder Club Mystery series by Richard Osman

Books in Series: 4 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 1

Next Up: The Man Who Died Twice

A group of senior citizens in a British retirement home solve mysteries in this entertaining series of whodunits.

There you go, ten series I would like to catch up on/finish at some point. Who knows how long it will actually take me! Ha ha. How do you feel about reading books in a series? Love them? Hate them? Which ones are your favorites? Have you read any from my list? Based on this list, do you know of any others I would like? 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 your comments here).

So, it's summer and it is HOT.  Not just in Arizona for once, but everywhere.  How are you all doing?  Are you dying?  Are you lucky enough to have air conditioning or a pool or at least access to some cool water somewhere to keep you from melting?  I hope you're all doing okay.  I'm keeping cool with a/c and swimming while praying for rain to soak the drought- and wildfire-plagued American Southwest.  

I'm heading to Utah this week to celebrate the Fourth of July with my husband's side of the family.  I won't be back for next week's Top Ten Tuesday, so let me wish you an early Happy Fourth as well as a Happy TTT for July 6th.  Despite all of the problems and division that exist in the U.S. right now, I love my country and am grateful for the freedoms I enjoy here.  My ancestors came to this country centuries ago in search of religious freedom, better opportunities, fertile land, and the chance to pursue a grand new life.  I'm proud to be a descendant of these hopeful, hard-working immigrants.  My family's sacrifices, including military service in nearly every war, made it possible for me to be living the American Dream now.  For all that and more, I'm very grateful.  Happy Birthday, America!  Whatever you're doing to celebrate, have a safe, happy Fourth of July.

Enough chit chat, on to the books!  I feel like I've talked about nothing else lately but upcoming books that I'm excited to read.  Luckily, there are lots of them because today's TTT topic is:  Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2021.  Since I've already chatted about those I'm most excited about, I'm going to highlight some lesser-known titles that may not be widely known.  Do you have new releases you want to talk about?  Join the TTT fun by clicking on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

1.  Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson (available December 1, 2021)—Honestly, I've been sort of avoiding World War II books lately.  Still, it's a topic I'll always be interested in reading about.  This novel, about a woman who joins a special branch of the Coast Guard for single women and ends up helping to protect the First Lady from a nefarious plot against her, sounds compelling. 

2.  Orphans of the Storm by Celia Imrie (available December 14, 2021)—No matter how many Titanic books I read, I'll always want more!  The subject is just endlessly fascinating.  This novel concerns two women with big secrets whose lives will change forever because of the tragedy.

3.  Her Perfect Life by Hank Philippi Ryan (available September 14, 2021)—Television reporter Lily Atwood has such an enviable existence that her fans have gifted her with the hashtag #PerfectLily.  Her flawless image depends on concealing the devastating secret that only she knows.  When the anonymous source that feeds her tips hints that she knows what Lily's hiding, it turns Lily's perfect world completely upside-down.  She'll do anything to keep her secret hidden.  Anything.

4.  A View Most Glorious by Regina Scott (available October 5, 2021)—Lark highly recommends Scott's American Wonders series and I agree.  I'm halfway through the first installment, A Distance Too Grand, which I'm really enjoying.  I've got the second volume ready to go on my Kindle, so I'll be more than ready for this third book when it comes out in October.

5.  Where I Left Her by Amber Garza (available August 24, 2021)—This domestic drama has a simple, but chilling premise.  A mother drops her teenage daughter off for a sleepover with a friend whose parents she's never met before.  When Mom returns the next day, an elderly couple answers the door, insisting there are no teenage girls at their house and never have been.  Where are the girls?  As the frantic mom searches for her missing daughter, she uncovers a trail of lies left in the teenager's wake...Wow, I can't wait for this one!

6.  The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman (available September 28, 2021)—After enjoying The Thursday Murder Club, I'm excited for this sequel which has the retirement home gang solving more murders.  

7.  My Sweet Girl by Amanda Jayatissa (available September 14, 2021)—Ever since her adoption from a Sri Lankan orphanage, Paloma has led a very privileged life.  When she's cut off from her parents, however, she decides to sublet a room in her apartment in order to make money.  Arun, a recent immigrant from India, moves in.  He discovers a devastating secret about Paloma, but before she has a chance to confront him, she finds his dead body in the complex swimming pool.  When the police arrive, the body is gone, along with all evidence that Arun ever existed.  Is Paloma going crazy?  What is happening and does it tie back to her past in Sri Lanka?

8.  Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce (available August 10, 2021)—Dear Mrs. Bird is a rarity: a funny novel about World War II.  I enjoyed it immensely and am excited for this sequel, which concerns the challenges faced by female war workers. 

9.  Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day (available October 12, 2021)—I've enjoyed Rader-Day's thrillers, so I'm looking forward to this one, her first historical.  Another World War II novel, this one focuses on a disgraced nurse whose only chance at redemption is helping to care for British children who have been evacuated to Greenway, Agatha Christie's summer home.  Between the strange house, a mysterious co-worker, and rising war tensions, the last thing the nurse needs is a murdered corpse on her doorstep, but that's just what she's got.  Who killed the victim?  And why?  She needs to find answers in order to protect the children and herself.

10.  The Hidden Child by Louise Fein (available October 19, 2021)—Another historical, this one takes place in 1929 and revolves around Eleanor, a woman whose husband is heavily involved in the eugenics movement.  When their young daughter is diagnosed with a shameful disease—epilepsy—the couple vows to tell no one.  Then, Eleanor discovers the secrets her husband has been keeping, secrets that throw everything she thought she knew about him and his work into question.      

There you go, ten more upcoming releases I'm excited to read.  What do you think of my choices?  Which up-and-comers are you chomping at the bit to get your hands on?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. 

A luxury retirement home in Kent, Coopers Chase offers endless amenities to its residents.  Besides enjoying the lush, pastoral grounds, you can swim in the pool, read in the library, Zumba in the gym, and solve murders in the Jigsaw Room.  While the Thursday Murder Club isn't exactly the kind of thing Coopers Chase advertises in its glossy brochures, it's an entertaining diversion that helps four septuagenarians wile away empty hours while keeping their minds sharp.  

The club's focus has always been cold cases, but when a local land developer is killed, they jump at the chance to involve themselves in a real, live murder investigation.  After some top secret finagling, the club members manage to snag themselves a police liaison in the form of a young constable named Donna De Freitas.  Before she knows what's happening, the bewildered policewoman is a full-fledged member of the club, swapping clues and theories with her new Thursday Murder Club BFF's.  Together, they have to ask some tough questions—Why was Tony Curran murdered?  What was meant by the photo left next to the corpse, which features the son of one of the club members?  Will the killer strike again?—and together, they just might solve a puzzling murder.

A debut novel and the first in a planned series, The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is just as charming as it sounds.  It's a fun read, with plenty of humor to keep it entertaining, although it also has some poignant moments.  The characters are colorful, creating an appealing cast.  Although The Thursday Murder Club isn't exactly a serious murder mystery, it's still twistier than I expected it to be.  I really thought I had the killer pegged, only to find out I was wrong.  A surprise ending (as long as it's also a logical one) is my favorite kind when it comes to mystery/thrillers.  While the novel does get chatty, making it a bit slow in places, I still very much enjoyed this engaging romp.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the next installment in this delightful new series.

(Readalikes:  Reminds me of The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths)

To the FTC, with love:  Another library fine find

I don't know about you, but there are a lot of books I meant to get to in 2020 but didn't.  Like a lot.  Some of them didn't happen because I lost interest, others got pushed aside for more pressing reads, and still others just didn't make the cut when my mood caused me to reach for one genre over another.  For whatever reason, there are hundreds of titles I meant to read in 2020 and didn't.  This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic is just that:  Top Ten Books I Meant to Read in 2020 But Didn't Get To.  Since I don't want to list four hundred forgotten books, I'm going to take one of the prompt's suggestions and look back at the seasonal TBR lists I created in 2020 and see how many of those books I actually read.

First, though, I want to encourage you to participate in the TTT fun by hopping over to That Artsy Reader Girl, where you can find all the info on how to join up with this diverting weekly meme.

Because I did not do a Fall list, but created two lists each for Spring and Summer, I had a total of 50 books on last year's seasonal TBR lists.  How many of them did I actually read?  Drumroll, please ... 19!  Not too shabby, really.  Let's break it down by season and see which titles I still most want to read:

TBR List, Part one—read 6/10

Books on list I still want to read most:

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore

A Good Neighborhood by Therese Ann Fowler

TBR List, Part Two—read 3/10

Books on list I still want to read most:

All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White

Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn

Summer: 

TBR List, Part One—read 2/10

Books on list I still want to read most:

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

The Answer Is: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek

TBR List, Part Two—read 7/10

Books on list I want to read most:

All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker

Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy

TBR List—read 1/10

Books on list I want to read most:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Death in the Family by Tessa Wegert

There you go, ten books from my 2020 seasonal TBR lists that I still want to read.  Have you read any of them?  What did you think?  Which books are you rolling over from your 2020 lists?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will return the favor on your blog.