Tuesday, December 04, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: A Baker's Dozen of Anticipated Reads


It's been a bit since I did a Top Ten Tuesday, so I thought I'd chime in on this week's topic—although I'm going to add a little spin to it.  Before we get to that, though, I know you're going to want to join in the fun of my favorite weekly meme.  Here's how: (1) Go to That Artsy Reader Girl, (2) Read through a few instructions, (3) Make your own TTT list, (4) Click around the book blogosphere to read other people's lists, find new blogs, and fill your TBR mountain chain with reading recommendations.  It's fun, I promise!

This week's prompt is: Top Ten Cozy, Wintry Reads.  As much as I enjoy these types of books, especially now that there's FINALLY a nip in the air here in Arizona, I'm going to talk about the ten volumes I want to finish before the year's out.  I've fallen waaayyyy short of my goal to read 200 books in 2018, but I'd at least like to read 155, which mean I've got a baker's dozen left to go.  So, here are the Top Ten Thirteen Books I'm Hoping to Read Before the End of the Year:


1.  The Invited by Jennifer McMahon (available April 30, 2019)—Although it's more Halloween than Christmas, I'm in the middle of this shivery ghost story right now.  I've enjoyed other creepy reads by McMahon, and this one is no exception.  'Course, I can't read it too close to bedtime ...


2.  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens—I love this holiday classic and re-read it every Christmas.


3.  The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander—I enjoyed the first book in this cozy mystery series about a brewmistress in Leavenworth, Washington, where more than just beer is on tap.  I don't know the first thing about beer, but this is a fun series set in a town I hope to visit this month.


4.  Mortal Fall by Christine Carbo—For a few years now, I've been keeping track of the places—both within the U.S. and without—where the books I read are set.  It's been fun to do that as part of the Literary Escapes Challenge this year.  I still need to read a book set in Montana, so I decided on this one.  It's the second book in Carbo's mystery series starring a Special Agent for the Department of the Interior who works in Glacier National Park.


5.  This Fallen Prey by Kelley Armstrong—I've really enjoyed Armstrong's gritty Rockton series so far.  This is the third installment.


6.  The Shadow of Death by Jane WillanKay, my go-to blogger for everything mystery/thriller, recommended this cozy about a nun who's convinced that a sexton's death (by Heavenly Gouda, no less) is murder.  She's determined to find the killer.  It's the first in a series that sounds utterly delightful.


7.  The Long Way Home by Louise Penny—I love the Armand Gamache series and am reading it
slowly so I can savor it.  This is the tenth installment.


8.  The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo—This Legend of Sleepy Hollow tale is one I had planned to read at Halloween time.  That didn't happen, so we'll see if it happens before New Year.


9.  The Ocean Liner by Marius Gabriel—This historical novel about two Jewish cousins sailing to America on the S.S. Manhattan to escape WWII in their home country sounds excellent.


10.  Trouble the Water by Jacqueline Friedland—Another historical, this one is about a young British woman who's sent to America to live with a wealthy widower in order to ease her family's financial burden.  Although she initially finds her benefactor disagreeable, she sound discovers that he hides some tantalizing secrets.  Sounds good!


11.  The Good Neighbor by Maxwell King—Because I'm super old, I grew up watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.  Even as a kid, I found it trippy-weird.  However, after watching the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor? recently, I was really struck by the faith, sincerity, and devotion of Fred Rogers.  I definitely want to read more about him.


12.  The Library Book by Susan Orlean—I've seen nothing but glowing reviews for this book about a devastating library fire in California.  The author uses the event to talk about the history and continuing importance of libraries in our communities.  I'm in!


13.  The Book of Mormon—In his address at an October women's conference, Russell M. Nelson—prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—issued a challenge to the women of the Church to read The Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  I was in the middle of reading the New Testament for my nightly scripture study at the time, but I switched over and am now in the middle of Alma.  Happily, the New Testament is the subject of study for all members of the Church all over the globe in 2019.  I can't wait!

There you have it, thirteen books I'd really like to read in what's left of 2018.  Have you read any of them?  What did you think?  What wintry, cozy books are you planning to enjoy this season?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor.

Happy TTT!

33 comments:

  1. Oh I bought the library book for my secret santa! Thr design is pretty cool.

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    1. I think Santa is going to bring it to me this year, too :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. This Fallen Prey is soooo good! Love that series! The Invited looks good, I do love a creepy ghost story. Good luck on getting these read and in completing your GR challenge. You've already surpassed my goal of 150 books, so congratulations! :)

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    1. It's such a good series, isn't it? THE INVITED is also good. It's not out until April, but you can request it on Netgalley right now.

      Thanks for coming by!

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  3. Great list! A Christmas Carol is such a wonderful Christmas story and I've heard such good things about The Library Book. The Spellbook of Katrina van Tassell sounds right up my street so I'll have to check that one out. Good luck with your reading goal!

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    1. Thanks! I'm not going to get anywhere near 200 this year, sadly. Oh well. I'll just make it my goal again for 2019 or maybe I'll bite the bullet and lower my goal to something more attainable!

      Thanks for coming by!

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  4. Last night I watched the PBS show on Mr. Rogers and it was wonderful. What a feel-good show that did all the right things in terms of treating kids well, exposing them to good ideas, etc. Your list looks like it is filled with good books for year's end.

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    1. Right? He was so earnest in his desires to teach and reach children in a respectful and sincere way. He was a very inspiring man.

      Thanks, as always, for stopping by and commenting, Helen!

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  5. Oh I want to read the Good Neighbor and watch that documentary! Good luck getting to these!

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    1. The documentary is great -- very touching. I also felt like it was an honest look at Fred Rogers' life and work, as told by the people who knew him best.

      Thanks for coming by, Grace!

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  6. I always love your recommendations! Going to finish the book of Mormon soon so I can read some of your recommendations. I put a few of these on my list. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Aw, thanks! Funny enough, I've finished about ten novels since I started reading the BOM in October and yet, I'm still only in Alma. I wonder why! LOL.

      So good to hear from you! If you see this, PM me your mailing address -- I'm working on Christmas cards :)

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  7. I hope you get to read these soon! I wouldn't mind reading Mr. Roger's book. I think we all have childhood memories of him. Good luck!

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    1. I'm excited to read it. Fred Rogers was a fascinating man and I can't wait to learn more about him.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Looks like some great books to read before the end of the year! The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel and The Library Book are two that I've been particularly interested in as well. Best of luck finishing up all of these! :)

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    1. They both sound so good, don't they? I'm especially excited for THE LIBRARY BOOK. I'm going to make sure Santa knows it's what I'd like to find under my tree :)

      Thanks for coming by!

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  9. What a great list, Susan! There's about 6 books on it that I totally want to read. :)

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    1. Oh, good! I always get so many great recommendations from you -- I'm glad I could return the favor.

      Thanks, as always, for stopping by and commenting!

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  10. I will be a Fred Rogers fan for the rest of my life. I loved going to the land of Make-Believe with him, and as an adult, I realize what a beautiful person he was. I definitely need to read that book.

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    1. H really was one of of a kind! I'm excited to learn more about his life and his work.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by!

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  11. Great list! Hope you enjoy them. Happy reading!

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    1. Thank you! I'm really looking forward to reading them all.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  12. Louise Penny lives less than a couple hours away from me and I have yet to read any of her books! I need to remedy that. I hope you meet your goal.

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    1. Really? How cool! Louise Penny is a great author. You should definitely try out her Armand Gamache series. It's excellent.

      Thanks for coming by!

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  13. Great twist on the topic! I loved Mr Roger's Neighborhood as a kid and have been eyeing that biography. I'm excited to hear what you think! I'm hoping to finish The Book of Mormon by the end of the year as well. I am on track to finish and it's been an awesome experience. Good luck with your end of the year goals!

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    1. I'm not sure if I'll get to the Mr. Rogers biography, but I'm going to try!

      I'm a *little* behind on my BOM reading, but only by a few days so I'm on track to finish as well. It's been interesting to read it FAST, but I've still learned a lot. I'm glad I took the challenge :)

      Thanks for coming by!

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  14. I haven't read any of these. Oh my gosh!! I'll be picking some of these to add to my TBR! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I'm so glad you found some new-to-you titles. I hope you enjoy them if you read them.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. What a fantastic list. I have been on hold at the library forever for The Library Book. Thanks for the visit and sharing your list.
    Belinda's Book Nook

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    1. I bet! I don't want to wait -- I'm going to buy it for myself for Christmas :)

      Thanks for coming by!

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  16. I love A Christmas Carol! It's the ultimate holiday classic and it definitely gives me those cosy, wintry vibes! (Even in the height of summer!)

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    1. Right? There's a reason it's a classic!

      Thanks for coming by!

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  17. I read a lot of Dickens in my early teens, but for some reason I had not read A Christmas Carol, so I listened to an audiobook I had picked up for free three years ago and I have listened to it every December since. I have been looking for a pretty hardcover on Book Outlet and Better World Books, so I will have a physical copy to read from every year. 📚

    I need to read the Mr. Rogers book. I haven't seen the movie yet. I read another book about his activism a couple of years ago. I really enjoyed it. 🚞

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