Tuesday, September 25, 2018

TTT: The Ones That Got Away

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time picking favorites.  Of almost anything.  Naturally, then, I have a lot of favorite authors.  A lot.  Between these many writers and my lengthy TBR pile mountain mountain chain, I don't get through as many books as I'd like to, even those penned by my most-loved authors.  This includes tons of series, which I love but tend to get stuck in the middle of. Today's Top Ten Tuesday is all about the ones that have gotten away, at least temporarily.

Before we get to that, though, I want to encourage you to join in the TTT fun.  It's easy peasey.  All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read few a few guidelines, make a list of your own, share it, then start visiting other blogs.  It's a great way to find new blogs, add great-looking reads to your own TBR mountain chain, and just spread the love around Ye Ole Book Blogosphere.  It's a good time, I promise!

Okay, here we go with Top Ten Books By My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven't Read (not including books in series—mostly):


1.  J.K. RowlingHarry Potter is one of my all-time favorite series, but I've never read any of the books by Rowling's alter ego, Robert Galbraith.  I've seen mixed reviews, so I haven't rushed to check them out.  I will though.  Eventually.


2.  Maeve BinchyI adore this Irish author who died in 2012.  I thought I'd read all her books except the last three:  Minding Frankie (2010), A Week in Winter (2012), and Chestnut Street (2014).  Turns out, she's also written a half dozen non-fiction books.  Who knew?


3.  Liane MoriartyWith the exception of Truly Madly Guilty, I've loved everything I've ever read by Moriarty.  There are a few on her backlist that I still need to get to: Three Wishes (2013), The Last Anniversary (2005), and The Hypnotist's Love Story (2012). She also has a children's series, but I'm not sure it's really my cup of tea, so I'll probably skip it.


4.  Jodi PicoultI've long been a Picoult fan, but I haven't read all her books yet.  What's missing?  Sing You Home (2011) and The Storyteller (2013), plus the two she wrote with her daughter, Samantha van Leer: Between the Lines (2012) and Off the Page (2015).


5.  Jacqueline Woodson—I love Woodson's books, but there are plenty I have yet to read by the newly-crowned National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.  I'm especially interested in Harbor Me (2018).  I also heard her read her newest picture book, The Day You Begin (2018), at the National Book Festival earlier this month and I'd love to re-read it.


6.  Rae CarsonI adore Carson's Gold Seer trilogy, but I have yet to give her Fire & Thorns series a go.


7.  Neal ShustermanWith the exception of Scythe, I've loved everything I've read by this prolific author.  He's tough to keep up with, though, so I have lots of catching up to do with him.  I'm not even sure where to start.  What's your favorite of his?


8.  Julia KellerI read every Bell Elkins book as soon as I can get my hands on it, but I haven't given Keller's newest series a try yet.  The Dark Intercept series has a futuristic/sci fi setup, which isn't my usual thing.  Still, I'm going to give it a whirl one of these days.


9.  Susan MeissnerMeissner's gentle dual-timeline novels are right up my alley.  I've read all of them from 2011 on.  The author's got a fairly extensive backlist, though, and I'm definitely planning to check it out.  I'm especially interested in The Shape of Mercy (2008), a novel about a college student whose studies of the Salem Witch Trials go a little too deep ...


10.  Emily CarpenterI just discovered this author and while I'm not sure I can call her a favorite yet, I have been enjoying her twisted psychological thrillers.  Her newest (which sounds amazing) doesn't come out until March 2019, so I have plenty of time to read the only one of hers I haven't delved into yet—Burying the Honeysuckle Girls (2016).  It's sitting on my Kindle, just waiting for me to open it up.

There you go, all (well, some) of the books I still need to read from some of my favorite authors.  Have you read any of them?  Where should I start?  How about you—which books are you missing from your favorite authors?  I'd love to know.  Leave me a comment and I'll gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy Top Ten Tuesday!

56 comments:

  1. I started Scythe - it's free to read right now on Riveted Lit - but I'm not really feeling it. Kinda relieved to see I'm not the only one!

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    1. Phew! Glad I'm not the only one. I feel like people either love it or hate it. I just happen to be in the latter camp, which is sad because I really like Shusterman usually.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. I'm with you on Rowling. I tried Casual Vacancy and started the first of the Galbraith's and they just didn't super work for me. But, I also carried my love and expectations of Potter in with me, so that could be my fault.
    I love Shusterman - the next one I have up on deck is Challenger Deep.
    Dani @ The Restricted Section

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    1. Yeah, I feel like people either love or hate the Galbraith books. I'm just scared to try them! Poor Rowling. Anything she does will be compared to HP!

      I haven't read CHALLENGER DEEP yet either, but I definitely want to. I hope we both love it :)

      Thanks for coming by!

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  3. I have so many books I haven’t read by great authors. Partly because there’s just too many books in the world and partly because if I read them they’ll be read and I’ll have nothing to look forward to. Liane Moriarty is one of those author’s for me. I’m shocked you've read most of Picoult’s books. There’s so many! I’m impressed.

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    1. True. Some books I purposely don't rush into because I don't want them to be over too fast. I do feel that way a little bit about Moriarty, but I also want to read the books I'm missing.

      Yeah, I mostly read Picoult's books as they come out, but I've gotten a little behind.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting. I always enjoy reading what you have to say :)

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  4. I haven't read any of Rowling-as-Galbraith's books either! I know I should see them as separate entities but I'm afraid that they'll tarnish my impression of the Harry Potter series. But—someday—I will read The Casual Vacancy.

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    1. I figure I need to at least TRY them. If I hate them, well ... at least I know, right?

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  5. I haven't read any of Rowling's Galbraith novels either. I just think I'd be disappointed. And besides, there's no magic or Hogwarts in them. ;D

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    1. Right? They sound TOTALLY different from HP. I keep wishing Rowling would write a good spinoff HP series or at least something in the same genre.

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  6. OK, I'll step in to say 'try the Galbraith books'! I love Cormoran and Robin. You know, what those books have said to me - J.K. Rowling can really write - regardless of whether she's writing a fantasy series aimed at kids/adults or a crime series definitely aimed at adults. She is great with characters. I'm listening to the 4th book right now - Lethal White. The audios are great and I'm really liking it. So, at least try them.

    I want to try Julia Keller's newest fantasy series too. And I like Emily Carpenter and Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult and...I also have a book mountain chain! I confess!

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    1. Versatility is definitely one of the signs of a good writer. I'm going to read at least the first Galbraith book and see what I think. I trust your opinion, Kay, so if you liked them there's a strong possibility I will too!

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  7. Oh, man, that would just suck to hear that your favorite author died. I'd be crying for days over that... and probably sometimes when it came to my mind as well. It'd be like losing a family member. I was reading this book once and the author died while I was reading it. He had to have been 100 years old at the time, so it wasn't like he hadn't lived a full life, but it was kinda sad too.

    I read Harbor Me, and I thought it was just okay, but I haven't read any of the other authors on your list yet.

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    1. It is sad. I actually got a little weepy when I heard that L.A. Meyer, the author of one of my favorite YA series, had died. He was in his 70s, but it still makes me sad that he'll never write another book or series :(

      Thanks for dropping by, Brooke!

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  8. I hear the same about Robert Galbraith books. I enjoyed them, but I know quite a few who didn't. One of the things that I like about them is that Rowling's prose is both new and familiar. I think it all will boil down to if you like the central mysteries, and the characters.

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    1. Makes sense. It is good to know she can write more than HP, even if more HP is all I want!

      Thanks for coming by!

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  9. Oh my goodness, so much to comment on. I also haven't read Rowling's alter ego books; I think I am a little afraid of being let down after loving the HP books so much. I definitely need to read more Picoult and Woodson. I really liked Shusterman's Unwind series and need to read the latest in the Scythe series.

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    1. I LOVE the Unwind series, but I just can't stomach SCYTHE. The premise makes no sense to me. Plus, the book is long and boring, so yeah, not my cup of tea. I'll be interested to see what you think of it.

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  10. Rae Carson is so fabulous. I read and loved both her series. I am trash for Moriarty too. Can't wait for the new one to be released. I read a few Binchy books when I was younger (in the 90s). They were good. I should read more.

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    1. Fantasy isn't really my thing. I think that's why I'm hesitating on Fire & Thorns. Silly, when I've heard such good things about it!

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  11. Nice list of books!! Time for me to explore new titles.

    Here's a link to my TTT post for this week:
    https://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2018/09/top-ten-tuesday-books-by-my-favorite.html

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    1. That's my favorite thing about TTT -- finding new books to read! Even though a lot of the same books appear on different lists, I still find ones that are new to me.

      Thanks for coming by!

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  12. I’m the same with Rowling - when Casual Vacancy came out everyone was so excited but my mum actually DNF’d it, so I lost all motivation to try her other books 😂

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    1. Yeah, it's definitely a love/hate kind of series! Now I really need to try it for myself and see what I think.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. The Fire and Thorns trilogy is one of my favorite fantasies. I hope you get a chance to read it soon.

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    1. I definitely need to! I'm sure I'll love it. The Gold Seer trilogy is one of my favorite YA series ever, so I'm definitely a Carson fan!

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  14. I'd definitely recommend The Shape of Mercy. It was the first Susan Meissner book I read and it's still one of my favorites.

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    1. Good to know! It's been on my radar for a long time, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I even checked it out from the library a few months ago and didn't get to it before it came due. Gah!

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  15. I was unsure about Galbraith's books too so I was totally surprised at how hooked I got! I hope you have a chance to give it a go!

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    1. Really? That gives me hope :) After all these comments, I feel like I REALLY need to read them now!

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  16. I still have a lot of Jodi Picoult's back catalogue to catch up on and Neal Shusterman's as well. I haven't tried the Galbraith books, I worry about reading anything else by JK Rowling after Harry Potter.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/25/top-ten-tuesday-178/

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    1. Picoult and Shusterman are so prolific that it's tough to keep up with them! At least we still have lots of books to enjoy by both :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. I didn't know Rae Carson had another series, I'll have to check it out! The Gold Seer trilogy is one of my favorites.

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    1. I love the Gold Seer trilogy! It's got everything -- adventure, romance, magic, humor, etc. Such a great series. I hope her other one is as good. I checked the first book out from the library yesterday, so keeping my fingers crossed!

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  18. Ahhh Neal Shusterman, so many I still need to read from him. 'Unwind' and Challenger Deep blew me away, can't wait to get to more.

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    1. I LOVE the Unwind series, but I haven't read CHALLENGER DEEP yet. I've heard great things, so it's definitely on my list. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

      Thanks for dropping by!

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  19. I am eagerly anticipating reading the Scythe series by Shusterman! I haven't read anything by him and I'm so excited for that series. I own the books but I'm waiting for the third to release to binge them.

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    1. That's a smart way to handle series reading. I'm usually so impatient that I read series books as they come out and then have to go re-read the last book before reading the new book because I forgot what happened in the last book! Agh. When will I ever learn??

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  20. Great list! I loved Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns series. Still need to read the Gold Seer Trilogy, so I guess we're opposites on this, LOL! Happy reading! :)

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    1. Ha ha. Well, I love the Gold Seer trilogy and I hope you do, too! I checked out the first book in the Fire and Thorns series yesterday -- I'm excited to read it!

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  21. Actually, I've read Shape of Mercy! I liked it. It was really different, and I enjoyed the blending of the two time periods. I liked Off the Page, too - it was cute. Just a fun read. Great list! Thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. Have you? It sounds really good. I might just buy it so I can read it at my leisure instead of worrying about library fines :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. J.K. Rowling and Jodi Picoult are two of my favorites and too and they need to stop writing so many things so I can catch up!! 😂 I haven't read anything from Rowling's alter ego either, but I really want to! We'll make it happen one day!!

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    1. Right? I love it when my favorite authors have so many books out, but I also hate it because I feel like I will NEVER catch up!

      Thanks for coming by, Loretta!

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    1. Isn't it? I also love how diverse her work is -- she writes picture books, YA, poetry, memoir, etc. She really is amazing.

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  24. I also love Harry Potter but have yet to read any J K 's other books too!

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    1. Seems like there are a lot of us out there who are afraid to try anything by Rowling but HP! I'm going to try to be braver :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  25. Yes I have Liane Moriarty book to get to and am hoping her new book is better than her last. I really like Robert Galbraith books. They have gotten better as they go on.

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    1. Me, too! TRULY MADLY GUILTY was such a disappointment for me.

      I'm glad you liked the Galbraith books and that they get better and better. I'm definitely going to give them a go.

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  26. I read The Cuckoo's Calling in the Galbraith series and liked it. It was a little too long (I did audio so I could speed it up which helped) and I can see a couple of ways the series could go off the rails which makes me nervous but overall I enjoyed it. I'd recommend trying it in audio if you can go that route. I read A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchey last year and LOVED it but I haven't read anything else by her. I've heard it's a little less deep or nuanced than her usual books but since I went in with no real expectations I thought it was great. There are so many authors on your list that I haven't read anything by but really want to! We all really need ore reading time.

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    1. Interesting. I love Binchy's older books and would really recommend them. I haven't liked her newer ones as well, but I also haven't read A WEEK IN WINTER yet. I need to.

      Yes, I agree, we all need more time to read!

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  27. Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty have been on my TBR for such a long time! I just watched Big Little Lies over the summer and it made me want to read Liane Moriarty's books even more. I also just pre-ordered Jodi Picoult's new books so fingers crossed I love it so I can then read some of her more famous books!

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    1. They're both great authors! Other than TRULY MADLY GUILTY, I've loved everything I've read by Moriarty. Same with Picoult. Some of hers are better than others, but I've enjoyed all the ones I've read.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  28. I still have yet to read Carson's Gold Seer trilogy! I read her Fire & Thorns trilogy a few years ago and remember adoring it!
    Happy reading! :)

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    1. Oh, you need to read it! Seriously, it's a great series. One of my favorites. I hope Carson's other series is as good or better!

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