As much as I love talking about books, I often blank when someone in my real life asks for reading recommendations. I usually just refer them to my blog, which is much better organized and oodles more reliable than my aging brain! I'm having the same reaction to today's TTT prompt—Top Ten Books I Would Hand to Someone Who Claims to Not Like Reading. Nothing's coming readily to mind, so I'm going to go rogue once again. 

Since 99.9% of my reading attention will be focused on Cybils Awards nominees until the end of the year, I've been thinking ahead to which books I want to enjoy next year. While updating the spreadsheet I keep of book series I'm reading, my mind turned to which series I want to start in 2022. It goes without saying that I really should not be beginning any new ones when I'm already in the middle of so many, but I've never been much for limiting myself when it comes to books...hence, the following list.

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1. Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas—This popular series stars Charlotte, an inquisitive Victorian woman, who solves crimes under the assumed name of Sherlock Holmes.

2. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson—I've actually read the first book in this YA mystery series, but it's been so long that I can't remember who's who or what's what. I'm planning to re-read the series opener, then move on from there.

3. Donut Shop Mystery series by Jessica Beck—Cozy mysteries can be super fun, especially when they star my favorite pastry! This series features a coffee/donut shop owner turned amateur sleuth.

4. Cuba Saga by Chanel Cleeton—This dual-timeline novel features a woman who travels to Havana, her grandmother's birthplace, to spread the dead woman's ashes. As she learns more about her grandmother's past, she learns more about herself and her own history.

5. Gilded Age Mystery series by Rosemary Simpson—It's 1888 when this series opens and a New York City society woman is faced with finding the truth behind her fiancé's suspicious death during a treacherous snowstorm.  

6. Highland Bookshop Mystery series by Molly MacRae—Another cozy series, this one revolves around four joint owners of a bookshop in the Scottish Highlands who play detective in their spare time.

7. Loyal League by Alyssa Cole—This historical series set during the American Civil War sounds intriguing.

8. Sweeney St. George series by Sarah Stewart Taylor—I'm enjoying Taylor's Maggy D'Arcy mysteries, so I'm interested in this series about a Boston art historian who investigates curious deaths.

9. Connie Childs series by Sarah Ward—This police procedural series set in England looks promising.

10. Charlotte Holmes by Brittany Cavallaro—Another Sherlock Holmes-inspired series, this one features two modern-day descendants of Holmes and Watson who solve mysteries at their boarding school in Connecticut. 

There you have it, ten series I'm hoping to start in 2022. Have you read any of them? What series are you reading? Which are your favorite? Do you have any series recs for me in the cozy mystery, historical mystery, crime (not too graphic/gory), family saga, or history genres? I'd love to hear them. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

 

How do you feel about series books?  Love them?  Hate them?  I happen to delight in delving deeply into a place and its people, so I adore them.  Naturally, then, I'm excited to jump into today's Top Ten Tuesday topic.  

If you want to join in the fun, all you have to do is hop on over to The Broke and the Bookish, read the rules, make a list of your own, and start clicking around the blogosphere.  It's a good time, I promise!

So, back to the topic du jour.  Because I love series so much, I'm in the middle of about a million of them.  Today, we're supposed to list series we've been meaning to start but haven't.  I don't even want to think about that when I've got so many I need to finish.  So, here's a mix of series I want to re-read, start, and finish:

1.  Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (status: complete)—I read the Harry Potter books as they came out and have been meaning to re-read the entire series ever since.  I've started this goal in the last six months or so and it's been fun to revisit the HP world we all know and love!

 2.  The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (status: 1/7)—I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe back in elementary school.  Although the book totally captured my imagination, I don't think I ever continued with the series.  Methinks I need to remedy that.

 

3.  The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (status: complete)—When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the Little House world—the books, the t.v. show, everything.  I've been meaning to re-read this whole series for a long time, just haven't done it yet.

 4.  Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (status: 1/8)—I read Outlander a number of years ago.  Although I loved the book, I never continued with the series.  Not sure why.  I want to finish it, but the idea of re-reading Outlander, plus seven more very lengthy tomes is a little daunting.  One of these days ...

5.  Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer (status: 5/12)—This is such a delightful series.  It's got it all—adventure, romance, humor, sass, etc.  Fortunately, Meyer finished the Bloody Jack books prior to his death in 2014.  Unfortunately, he will never pen another series.  Bummer, because this one is a real treasure.

6.  Ruth Galloway by Elly Griffiths (status: 4/10+)—I've enjoyed this series about a quirky British forensic archeologist who helps the police solve mysteries.  More books are being added every year, so I need to catch up quick!

7.  Amelia Peabody by Elizabeth Peters (status: 7?/20+)—An oldie but goodie, this series made its entrance into the world in 1975, just like Yours Truly!  I'm not sure where I am in the series as I've been reading it for a long time.  I'd like to go back and re-read the early books, then continue on.  Someday.

8.  Lady Julia Grey by Deanna Raybourn (status: 0/5+)—I've enjoyed Raybourn's newest series, so I'm interested in checking out this older one as well.  

9.  Study/Chronicles of Ixia by Maria V. Snyder (status: 0/6+)—I've been meaning to read this YA series about a royal food taster ever since it began back in 2005.  One of these days ...

10.  Lady Darby by Anna Lee Huber (status: 0/6+)—Lark got me interested in this historical mystery series about a widow who shares her anatomist husband's "unnatural" interest.  

So, there you go, ten series I want to re-read, start, and finish.  What series are you interested in starting?  Have you read any of the ones I mentioned?  Which other series should I be starting?  Leave me a comment and I'll gladly return the favor!

Happy TTT!