Top Ten Tuesday/Top Five Wednesday Combo post

I usually participate in two weekly memes: Top Ten Tuesday from Artsy Reader Girl and Top 5 Wednesday from Goodreads. Since they have similar topics close together, I decided to do something different and make a Top 15 list. I used random.org to select 15 books from all the books on my goodreads shelf (I alphabatized the list than generated fifteen numbers). So, it’s a mix of books I’ve read and want to read all the way from my childhood to the present. Overall, it’s a good mix of books to represent what I read, most of which I haven’t talked about on here before.

April 26th: Blindfold Pick

Since we all had a blast with one of our recent prompts of having a friend or family member pick our featured titles, how about we try doing “blind” picks this week? Either blindfold/close your eyes and randomly pick titles off your shelves or if you have a list of books in your collection, use a random generator to pick titles from your list to feature!

May 2: The First 10 Books I Randomly Grabbed from My Shelf (close your eyes and touch/grab/point to 10 random titles and tell us what they are! And tell us what you thought if you’ve read them!)

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.17

Publication: 10/16/16 by Icon Publishing

I finished this book on July 27, 2018 which is around the time I went to New Zealand, so I was reading it more for the setting than the romance.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.13

Publication: 7/9/19 by St Martin’s Press

I have not read this one yet, but a Nora Roberts suspense is always a winner.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.20

Publication: 2/6/18 by Berkely Books

I finished this on March 31, 2020 which makes it one of the first books I read in quarantine. This is book five in Second Chance Cat Mysteries. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I think this is my favorite because we get to find out more about the history of one of my favorite characters, Mac.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.15

Publication: 6/22/04 by St. Martin’s Press

I finished this on August 7, 2012. This is one of my favorites in the series, as we get to see Ranger’s batcave.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.68

Publication: 4/4/07 by Sourcebooks Landmark

I finished this book on September 6, 2016. This is my favorite Jane Austen spinoff series.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.97

Publication: 10/8/69 by Harper Collins

I read this in elementary school. I remember it as good, but very sad.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.98

Publication: 1/1/09 by Penguin Books

I haven’t read this one yet, but Jojo Moyes is one of my favorite authors. I love how she can make you laugh and cry.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.20

Publication: 1/1/32 by Harper Trophy

I’ve written so much about Laura Ingalls Wilder, that I really need to say anything about this one.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.82

Publication: 4/25/85 by Harper & Row

This is a classic I read after becoming a teacher and watching the TV movie staring Glenn Close. The book is only 58 pages. So, it’s a beginning chapter book. There are very few classics for kids at this level, the focus tends to be picture books and YA.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.72

Publication: 5/19/15 by Ember

I finished this book on October 10, 2018. This is a great book for booklovers. Who wouldn’t want their favorite book characters to come to life or to be able to live in a book?

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.13

Publication: 1/3/12 by Feiwel & Friends

I finished this book on August 10, 2016. It introduced me to Marissa Meyer who is now one of my favorite YA authors.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.45

Publication: 10/1/10 by Sourcebooks Landmark

I finished this December 22, 2016. I read it closer to Christmas. This is a collection of holiday themed books featuring Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice. They were sweet stories, but I’ve enjoyed other retellings more.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.66

Publication: 11/28/06 by Avon

I finished this on December 30, 2016 (ironically, right after Darcy Christmas). If you love Hallmark movies, this very follows that formula, with a little more steam.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.14

Publication: 1/1/01 by Berkley Publishing

I finished this on December 22, 2012. This is a collection of the companion novellas that go with the Macleod and Piaget series by Lynn Kurland. You don’t get to know the characters as well as you do in a full novel, but it has the series trademark romance and humor.

Goodreads Description

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.18

Publication: 11/25/08 by Jove Books

I finished this on February 13, 2010. This was final book in the Signs of Seven paranormal romance series. It’s been a long time since I read it, but this series still stands out to me because it’s different from the typical romances I read. It also delves into Gage’s abusive childhood.

April 26, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: favorite travel destinations

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week’s Topic: April 18: Non-book Freebie (choose your own topic that’s not related to books! This could be hobbies, TV shows/movies, bands/singers, food items/recipes, top ten things about you, your top ten favorite things, places you’ve visited, favorite fashion designers, etc. Take this time to let your readers get to know you a little!)

I decided to rank the top ten places I’ve traveled.

Greece

This was my first major international trip, so it will always have a special place in my heart. That aside, I still think it would be my favorite travel location. It is the perfect blend of cultural expericences and relaxation. It’s like walking in a post card.

Scotland

If I were to move to another country, Scotland is the one that feels the most like home.

New Zealand

Such a beautiful, peaceful country.

Ireland

I highly recommend the Giant’s Causeway and the Titanic Museum

Australia

The Land Down Under is unlike anywhere else in the world.

San Diego, CA

The city just has a really cool vibe.

Bahamas

Beautiful location for fun in the sun.

Niagara Falls, Canada

This is so close to home, that I almost didn’t think of it as a travel location, but it’s a natural wonder everyone should see at least once.

Nashville, TN

A pilgrimage for any country music fan.

Siesta Key, Florida

Not to be confused with the Florida Keys, which are islands, Siesta Key Beach is a beautiful location on the Gulf coast of Florida.

April 18, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday 4/11/23: Books with animals

April 11: Titles with Animals In Them and/or Covers with Animals On Them (submitted by Rachel @ Sunny Side)

These books are in no particular order. It’s such a diverse mix that it was impossible to compare them.

One of my favorite middle grade books. The One and Only Ivan tells the story of a group of animals living at a mall and the gorilla who finds a way to bring public attention to their plight.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a favorite from my childhood.

The Art of Racing in the Rain is narrated by Enzo, a dog who belongs to a race car driver. As Enzo tells of the heartbreaks his owner faces, it’s clear he is wiser than most humans.

The Whole Cat and Caboodle kicks off the Second Chance Cat Mystery series, a fun cozy mystery series.

I had to include Harry the Dirty Dog, my favorite picture book from childhood.

Charlotte’s Web is another children’s classic that has to be included on the list.

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? is a funny look at the realities of death.

How the Penguins Saved Veronica is one of my favorite recent reads.

My Fair Lily is a cute romance and Jasper the sheepdog adds a lot of humor.

Okay, this is technically a stuffed mouse, but I don’t talk about Let’s Pretend This Never Happened nearly enough. This is a hysterical memoir.

April 10, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday 4/4/23

April 4: Indie/Self-Published Books (submitted by Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits)

I don’t read a lot of indie books, so I don’t have ten, but I wanted to highlight some local authors who I know personally.

Barbar Helene Smith uses her background working for the FDA to create the believable Connie Murphy mysteries staring FDA investigator.

Rick Iekel combines the history of aviation, the story of the Rochester airport, and personal stories from his years as the director of the airport. The Roc Journey thru the 20th Century

Andrea Page is a former co-worker and friend. After learning of her great-uncle’s role in WWII, she spent years researching the Sioux Code Talkers of World War II.

I can’t share too much about The Divine Meddler without spoilers. I will just say it’s a great concept that combines mystery and redemption.

April 4, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday 3/28/23: Kristin Hannah read alikes

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week’s topic:

March 28: Books for People Who Liked Author X

I chose one of my favorite bestselling authors, Kristin Hannah. I love her books because they are filled with strong female relationships, history and dark family secrets. Although some of these are different cultures and time periods, they still have the same feeling.

Three women, from very different backgrounds are recruited as secret code crackers during WWII.

A WWII nurse stationed in Bora Bora falls in love with a soldier. Seventy years later she searches to find answers to what really happened.

WWII has ended and all the Australian war brides who have married American soldiers have boarded a ship to America to meet their husbands.

Mi-ja and Young-sook are divers on the Korean island of Jeju. Despite their backgrounds, they are closer than sisters until tragedy strikes.

Elise and Mariko are put in an American internment camp due to their racial backgrounds. When their families are sent to Germany and Japan they lose contact, but the bond remains.

After the Civil War former slaves advertise to find the family members they were separated from, and go on a mission to find them. Fast forward to 1987 and a young teacher find their story.

As a child, Laurel witnesses an unexplained encounter with her mother and a stranger. Fifty years later she is compeled to find answers. The search begins in pre-WWII England.

Eleanor carries guilt over an accident with her sister. Then she takes a part time job helping an elderly woman, Helena, and learns of her complicated relationship with her sister in Hungary during WWII. This helps her come to terms with her own complex dynamic of all sisters.

Winnie and Helen have kept each other’s secrets for years, but as they face their mortality it’s time to tell their truth. So, Winnie begins telling her daughter, Pearl, a story that begins in 1920s Shanghai and ends in immigrated to the US in 1949.

Virginia pulls her three estranged daughters together to help settle her estate. They finally learn the secrets of her past that answer questions from their childhood.

March 28, 2023

My 2022 Reading Stats

This is a little delayed because I had some issues with exporting my goodreads information to storygraph:

Read

72 books, 25,073 pages

This is typical of my reading since I read a lot of romance and women’s fiction, which qualifies as emotional and lighthearted.

I’m not really sure how they determine pace, but comparing this to my all-time stats, I usually read more fast-paced books.

This one surprised me a little. I always read a lot more fiction, but it felt like I was reading more nonfiction this year. My percentage was actually lower though (overall is 7%).

No surprise that romance is number one. I was surprised that fantasy was so low on the list and contemporary was much higher than expected.

January 11, 2023

I’m beginning to read a lot like Christmas

When people ask me my favorite season, like any teacher, my response is summer. I do love summer for many reasons beyond time off work. However, if you were to tweak this question and ask for my favorite time of year, the response would be Christmas. I have strict rules for myself about decorating and watching Hallmark Christmas movies prior to Thanksgiving. But as soon as Thanksgiving’s over, I’m all Christmas.

Last year, I posted my Top Ten Features of Christmas Books . This year, I thought I’d write more about why I think those books are so appealing.

bokeh photography of lights — Photo by Tim Mossholder on Pexels.com

Most Christmas stories have an inherantly wholesome feel. You know everyone’s Christmas wish will come true. Even if it’s a story solving a crime involving “death by candy cane”, there’s bound to be some sort of festive party and you know the crime will be solved. There’s also a very good change that a grumpy character is going to see the light and embrace the Christmas spirit.

close up photography of snowman — Photo by Adriaan Greyling on Pexels.com

There’s also the familiarity of traditions magnified. It’s not just a person who loves Christmas, but an entire town with Christmas fanatics. It’s not just picking out a Christmas tree, it’s going out in the woods and finding the perfect tree which you chop down yourself. It’s not just baking cut outs, it’s every cookie imaginable. If you’re lucky they also include recipes. There’s also usually traditions from different cultures that may not be familiar to you.

What do you love about Christmas books?

November 26, 2022

Six for Sunday- 3/20/22: Books to get you out of a reading slump

#SixforSunday is a meme hosted by A Little But A Lot. This week’s topic is books to get people out of reading slumps. I tried to think of a different reasons someone might be in a reading slump when choosing my recommendations. Some of them are just really fun and that’s what we need when we’re in a slump. Others appeal to a range of readers or depart from what is expected in their genre.

Recursion was a departure from my usual reading habits that turned out to be one of my favorite reads last year. It’s filled with twists and turns that make the reader think.

Silent in the Grave is the first book in the Lady Julia Grey series. This book is a perfect blend of mystery, historical fiction and romance. The quirky members of the Grey family add plenty of comic relief as well.

The Bookshop on the Corner is a book about matching people to books, that will make you laugh out loud. What better way to get out of reading slump?

The Last Train to Key West was my favorite read of 2021. This follows the formula of a lot of contemporary fiction, with multiple stories that are interconnected. It just does it better than most of them.

My (not so) Perfect Life is one of the funniest books I’ve read. But, it also makes a statement on the affect social media has on all of our perceptions of those around us.

Let’s Pretend this Never Happened was recommended to me on goodreads. At the time I wasn’t familiar with Jenny Lawson’s blog. I’ve since become a follower. You’re so busy laughing that you don’t even realize that your reading about serious problems.

March 20, 2022

Goodreads Monday 11/29/21

Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme that was started by @Lauren’s Page Turners. and is now sponsored by @budgettalesbookblog This meme is quite easy to follow – just randomly pick a book from your to-be-read list and give the reasons why you want to read it. It is that simple.

Murder in a Mill Town (Nell Sweeney Mysteries, #2) — Murder in a Mill Town

Goodreads description:

Boston governess Nell Sweeney and her employer’s morphine-addicted son, Dr. Will Hewitt, investigate a young woman’s disappearance in Book #2 of P.B. Ryan’s acclaimed historical mystery series, Murder in a Mill Town.

Former pickpocket Nell Sweeney reinvented herself and found a position as governess to wealthy Viola Hewitt’s daughter Grace. When Viola needs help locating two missing people, she turns to Nell. Working with Viola’s son Will, an opium addict who knows his way around the back alleys and gambling dens, Nell finds the two murdered, and all evidence points to Will’s brother Harry as the killer. While attempting to clear Harry’s name, Nell and Will walk straight into the villain’s lair. Ryan creates characters you care about and a plot that holds your interest as you try to unmask the killer. Lively and intriguing, this is a fast-paced, wonderful read. -Romantic Times Book Reviews

Why I want to read this book: This one has been on my tbr pile for a long time. I loved the first book in the series, Still Life with Murder, but just haven’t gotten around to reading this one. Will and Nell are intriguing characters and I’m interested to see how the relationship evolves.

What books are you excited to read?

November 29, 2021

Goodreads Monday

Goodreads Monday is hosted by Lauren’s Page Turners. To participate, choose a random book from your TBR and show it off.

About the book

Title: George Washington’s Secret Spy War: The Making of America’s First Spymaster

Author: John A. Nagy

Genre: Nonfiction- History

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Goodreads Description

George Washington was America’s first spymaster, and his skill as a spymaster won the war for independence.

George Washington’s Secret Spy War is the untold story of how George Washington took a disorderly, ill-equipped rabble and defeated the best trained and best equipped army of its day. Author John A. Nagy has become the nation’s leading expert on the subject, discovering hundreds of spies who went behind enemy lines to gather intelligence during the American Revolution, many of whom are completely unknown to most historians.

Using George Washington’s diary as the primary source, Nagy tells the story of Washington’s experiences during the French and Indian War and his first steps in the field of espionage. Despite what many believe, Washington did not come to the American Revolution completely unskilled in this area of warfare. Espionage was a skill he honed during the French and Indian war and upon which he heavily depended during the Revolutionary War. He used espionage to level the playing field and then exploited it on to final victory.

Filled with thrilling and never-before-told stories from the battlefield and behind enemy lines, this is the story of how Washington out-spied the British. For the first time, readers will discover how espionage played a major part in the American Revolution and why Washington was a master at orchestrating it.

The majority of my reading for pleasure is fictional. But, I am making an effort to read more nonfiction. I like reading about behind the scenes stories of historical events that we might not know about. This sounded fascinating. Has anyone read it? What did you think?

November 16, 2021