10 Favorite “Books About Books” #toptentuesday

March 24, 2020

Top Ten Favorite “Books About Books”

Before we get to the book talk, I’m curious if you are in isolation at home due to Covid 19 or are you an essential worker? Most of my family and I are at home. We do have three essential workers in our family that we cover in prayer. God Bless the medical staff and grocery store workers!

Honestly, it’s been a little difficult to read with an anxious mind. Have you been finding it difficult to focus on reading? How are you practicing self-care? I discovered that I need lighter reads right now which will likely play havoc with my Spring TBR. This Top Ten topic involving a favorite genre is timely because most of the titles in this post could be considered lighter reads.

A Favorite Genre

Do you love the “book about books” sub-genre? If you are a bookworm like me, one of your favorite genres might be “books about books.” Here are a few of my favorites! Do we share any favorites?

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for TTT: Favorite Genre.

Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my reviews are linked.

(listed in order of favorites)

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

Genre: Histfic (Kentucky) 5 Stars
What I Love: the fearless, feisty, determined, compassionate main character

Full Review Here

(more…)

Spring 2020 TBR

March 17, 2020

Spring Reading Season TBR (2020)

Open book with a spray of lilacs as a bookmark; Words: Spring TBR

Image Source: Canva

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

For spring, these are the ten books prioritized on my TBR Mountain. They are a mix of genres, include three ARCs (advance reader copies), and most have been reviewed highly by others. I’m hoping for some winners here. Have you read any of these or is one on your TBR?

I never plan more than ten titles for my quarterly TBR lists because I need to leave time for mood reading and review commitments. These ten books (in no particular order) are a priority on a much longer general TBR.

What is your most anticipated read this spring?

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Spring 2020 To Be Read List.

Spring 2019 TBR

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir

(more…)

The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover

February 18, 2020

The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover

Have you ever experienced a book hangover?

Have you ever had difficulty getting up in the morning because you stayed up too late reading an unputdownable book?

Have you had difficulty starting a new book after finishing an especially great book?

Have you wanted to tell everyone you know about a certain book?

I think my very first real book hangover occurred when I read Gone With the Wind in high school! That was when I fell in love with histfic, compelling and unputdownable stories, and independent and strong female characters.

Book Hangovers are wonderful! They occur after I’ve read an engaging, compelling, unputdownable book with likable characters and substantial content and themes that I can’t stop thinking about for days and weeks. These books leave an emotional impact and years later I can remember how I felt reading them. They are the 4.5-5 star range and appear on my “best of the year” and “lifetime favorites” lists.

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for TTT: The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover.

Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my reviews are linked.
(listed in no particular order although all are recent reads)

The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

A love letter of hope and encouragement to girls worldwide who are dreaming and striving to use their own Louding Voices. 5+ Stars

Full Review Here

The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

A compelling refugee story of love, loss, hope, and compassion. 5 stars

Full Review Here

The Girl With Seven Names: Escape From North Korea by Hyeonseo Lee

A compelling memoir of escape, determination, survival, family, and kindness. 4.5 Stars (4 Stars for the writing; 5 Stars for compelling content)

Full Review Here

Finding Chika by Mitch Albom

“Families are like pieces of art. You can make them from almost anything. The only ingredient you need to make a family is unconditional love.” 5 Stars

Full Review Here

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

An inspirational and unforgettable character. 5 Stars

Full Review Here

(more…)

Celebrate Friendship With Books on Galentine’s Day

February 12, 2020

Books Recommendations With Strong Friendship Themes For Galentine’s Day

If you need a thoughtful, bookish gift for a Galentine, here are ten books with strong friendship themes (all written by women) that I can confidently and wholeheartedly recommend for an enjoyable and appreciated reading experience for most bookworms.

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for TTT: Valentine Freebie.

Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my reviews are linked.
(in no particular order)

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

My new favorite book about books! Strong and heartfelt themes of friendship and forgiveness. 4.5 stars (5 rounded up)

Full Review Here

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

A strong community of women working together in dangerous conditions to support their families. 4 Stars

Full Review Here

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey

Three best friends join the war effort (some profanity). 4.5 Stars

Full Review Here

The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Friends and found family. 4 Stars

Full Review Here

The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan

Women in the community join together during wartime. 4 stars

Full Review Here

Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly

A compelling story of friendship and survival. 5 stars

Full Review Here

Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott

One of my favorite WW11 histfic stories (free verse, YA). 5 Stars

Full Review Here

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Finding friendship while working on Queen Elizabeth’s gown (histfic). 4.5 Stars

Full Review Here

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan

Poignant reflections on life and a deep friendship (nonfiction, memoir). 4 stars

Full Review Here

The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff

A harrowing tale of friendship and survival as the circus meets WW11. 4 Stars

Full Review Here

More Valentine/Galentine Gifting Ideas

TTT: Book Gifts For a Galentine or Valentine

Last year’s Galentine Post for more book ideas.

The Caffeinated Bibliophile also has a list of Christian romantic reads in her post Ten Christian Romance Books to Read for Valentine’s Day.

QOTD:

Are you buying a gift for Galentine’s or Valentine’s this year?

If you have questions about any of the recommendations, or if you’d like a recommendation for a different genre, I’d be happy to answer in the comments or in email.

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

ICYMI:

Black History Month: 10 Memorable Reads

Why getting lost in a book is so good for you according to science!

Winter TBR (update)

In Movie News….

I just read about a Netflix remake of the classic Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Let’s Get Social!

Thank you for visiting and reading today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along (see subscribe or follow option), promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

Find me at:
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads
Pinterest

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

Book Gifts For A Galentine (or Valentine)

February 11, 2020

Books are wonderful last minute, thoughtful gifts for Galentines or Valentines!

If you need a bookish gift for a Galentine/Valentine or for yourself this week, here are ten of my most recent, favorite fiction reads (all by women authors) that I can confidently and wholeheartedly recommend for an enjoyable and appreciated reading experience for most readers. In fact, you could print out this list or send it to your significant other and say “surprise me!”

(no particular order, reviews linked)

Today I’m linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Valentine Freebie.

Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my reviews are linked.
(in no particular order)

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

My new favorite book about books! Strong and heartfelt themes of friendship and forgiveness. 4.5 stars (5 rounded up)

Full Review Here

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

Heartfelt love story (diverse read). 4 Stars

Full Review Here

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

A poignant granddaughter/grandmother story and search for family history and lost love (WW11 histfic). 4.5 Stars

Full Review Here

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

Engaging light histfic and a little mystery. 4 Stars

Full Review Here

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke

An unputdownable story of survival and sacrifice (WW11 histfic). 4 stars

Full Review Here

Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

A compelling story of friendship and faith. 5 stars (a favorite of 2019)

Full Review Here

If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais

An unputdownable story of three strong women living in post-Apartheid South Africa (diverse read). 4 Stars

Full Review Here

Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Perfume, romance, and celebrity sightings. 4 Stars

Full Review Here

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Engaging stories involving therapy experiences (nonfiction, memoir). 5 stars

Full Review Here

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

My favorite histfic of 2019 (the heaviest of all the titles on this list). 5 Stars

Full Review Here

More Valentine/Galentine Gift Reading Ideas

Last year’s Galentine Post for more book ideas.

The Caffeinated Bibliophile also has a list of Christian romantic reads in her post Ten Christian Romance Books to Read for Valentine’s Day.

QOTD:

Are you buying a gift for Galentine’s or Valentine’s this year?

If you have questions about any of the recommendations, or if you’d like a recommendation for a different genre, I’d be happy to answer in the comments or in email.

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

Most Memorable Reads of 2019

December 31, 2019

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books Read in 2020 and Girlxoxo and Traveling With T for Month of Faves: Favorite Books Read This Year.

Image Source: Esther Hanten on Unsplash

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

For winter, I have four out of ten nonfiction titles on my TBR because of the wonderful recommendations I noted during Nonfiction November! I’m not a seasonal reader, but I’m eager to hunker down with some great nonfiction selections this winter!

I never plan more than ten titles for my quarterly TBR lists because I need to leave time for mood reading and review commitments. These ten books are a priority on a much longer general TBR.

What is your most anticipated read this winter?

I’m linking up today with Girlxoxo and Traveling With T for Month of Faves: Winter Reading, and also with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Winter To Read List.

Winter 2019 TBR

Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga

***UPDATE: I’m DNFing this at 30%. Child abuse is too sad for me.

(more…)

Gift Ideas: Everyone Gets a Book!

December 11, 2019

Give a Book as a Holiday Gift!

Background Image Source: Canva; Center Image Source: Andreea Radu on Unsplash

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for a December Freebie. I decided to dedicate my Top Ten Tuesday Freebie to books you might give as GIFTS! And….ahem…there are a few more than ten! (You’ve been warned!)

As you plan your holiday gift giving, you might be looking for book recommendations. Check out a few of my FAVORITE suggestions below!

Some of these are fairly new releases while others are a few years older. All titles are Amazon affiliate links. Many of these books have been reviewed on the blog and my available reviews are linked.

Books Men Might Enjoy

(I’ve also read most of these!)

The River by Peter Heller (wilderness survival, thriller) My review.

The Boys in the Boat:Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

Wait Till Next Year by Doris Kearns Goodwin (baseball memoir, Boston Red Sox fan) My review.

Grant; Washington: A Life; or Alexander Hamilton (all) by Ron Chernow (narrative nonfiction biographies) My husband recommends these.

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson (social justice) My review.

News of the World by Paulette Jiles (histfic, western, movie coming in 2020) My brief review.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman (sports, hockey, intense issues, competition, community, family) My brief review.

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman (poignant, reflective, meaning of life, novella) My review.

Books Women Might Enjoy

(my husband has enjoyed a few of these!)

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (marriage and family, *a favorite of the year*) My review.

(more…)

TTT: Ten Reasons I’m Thankful For a Favorite Author

November 26, 2019

Thankful For a Favorite Author

Image Source: Canva

***Book titles are Amazon affiliate links; my reviews are linked as available

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Thanksgiving Freebie.

Do you have a favorite auto-buy or auto-read author?

Do you need an auto-buy or auto-read author?!

Who is your favorite auto-buy or auto-read author?

What qualities are important to consider when deciding on an auto-buy or auto-read author?

Books from auto-buy or auto-read authors are ones I’m likely to preorder or request from the library before publication day. They are books that don’t require a great deal of research or contemplation. I know I’m going to want to read the new release to see for myself. These are authors that I’ve grown to trust. I have a mental list of several auto-buy or auto-read authors including Fredrik Backman, Kate Quinn, Ruta Sepetys, Stephanie Dray/Laura Kamoie, Louise Penney, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Mitch Albom, etc. etc.

This is not the only way I choose a book, but certain authors are irresistible! In today’s Thanksgiving-focused post, I’m listing 10 reasons I’m thankful for Fredrik Backman and his work.

Ten Reasons I’m Thankful For a Favorite Author, Fredrik Backman:

He is…..

Creative
Thoughtful
Humorous
Honest, Authentic, Truthful
Poignant
Risktaker (in content and genre)
Masterful Story Teller
Exquisite Writer
Creator of Memorable and Often Quirky Characters
Committed to Substantial Themes

Fredrik Backman Titles

*** My favorites are starred

(titles are Amazon affiliate links or links to my reviews if available)

*** A Man Called Ove

*** Beartown

*** And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer (novella)

*** The Deal of a Lifetime (novella)

*** Britt Marie Was Here

*** Things My Son Needs to Know About the World (NF)

Us Against You (sequel to Beartown)

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry

New fiction release coming in 2020 inspired by Backman”s real-life experience as a victim of a robbery in which he was shot in the leg and suffered resulting anxiety.

QOTD!

Have you read a Fredrik Backman title? Do you have a favorite?

Do you have an auto-buy author?

Happy Thanksgiving if you are celebrating this week! I’m so thankful for all my followers and fellow readers and for each comment, like, and share! Book people are the best people!

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Sharing is Caring

Find me at:
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads
Pinterest

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

Top Ten Favorite “Books About Books”

A Favorite Genre

Share this:

Like this:

Spring Reading Season TBR (2020)

Spring 2019 TBR

Share this:

Like this:

The Last Ten Books That Gave Me a Book Hangover

Share this:

Like this:

Books Recommendations With Strong Friendship Themes For Galentine’s Day

More Valentine/Galentine Gifting Ideas

QOTD:

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

ICYMI:

In Movie News….

Let’s Get Social!

Share this:

Like this:

Books are wonderful last minute, thoughtful gifts for Galentines or Valentines!

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke

Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais

Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

More Valentine/Galentine Gift Reading Ideas

QOTD:

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

ICYMI:

In Movie News….

Let’s Get Social!

Share this:

Like this:

Top Ten Memorable Reads: The List and The Categories

Top Ten Memorable Fiction Reads of 2019: The List

Most Memorable Nonfiction

Share this:

Like this:

Ten Favorite Historical Fiction Reads of the Decade

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon and We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

Share this:

Like this:

Winter Reading Season TBR (2019)

Winter 2019 TBR

Share this:

Like this:

Give a Book as a Holiday Gift!

Books Men Might Enjoy

Books Women Might Enjoy

Share this:

Like this:

Thankful For a Favorite Author

Do you have a favorite auto-buy or auto-read author?

Ten Reasons I’m Thankful For a Favorite Author, Fredrik Backman:

Fredrik Backman Titles

QOTD!

Happy Thanksgiving if you are celebrating this week! I’m so thankful for all my followers and fellow readers and for each comment, like, and share! Book people are the best people!

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

Sharing is Caring

Share this:

Like this:

Top Ten Memorable Reads:
The List and The Categories

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
and We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter