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2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


24 / 30 books. 80% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama (1)
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International:
- Australia (2)
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My Progress:


47 / 51 states. 92% done!

2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


39 / 50 books. 78% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


33 / 50 books. 66% done!

Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

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52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

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49 / 52 books. 94% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

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35 / 40 books. 88% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


16 / 40 books. 40% done!

2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

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18 / 25 books. 72% done!

2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

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10 / 26.2 miles (3rd lap). 38% done!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

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34 / 100 books. 34% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

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87 / 104 books. 84% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

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52 / 52 books. 100% done!

Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

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115 / 165 books. 70% done!

The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

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66 / 100 names. 66% done!
Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Top Ten Tuesday: We Are Family


Today's TTT prompt is: Relationship Freebie (Pick a relationship type and choose characters who fit that relationship as it relates to you. So, characters you'd like to date, be friends with, be enemies with, etc. Bookish families you'd like to be a part of, characters you'd want as your siblings, pets you'd like to take for yourself, etc.) I'm going to take a different, simpler tack and look at books on my TBR list that include a family relationship as part of their title. I like stories about families, so this should be easy peasy. I may even be able to get away with not repeating any. We'll see how I do...

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Books On My TBR List With Family Relationships in Their Title

- in no particular order - 


1. When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards—Raised in the same foster home, Cecilia and Robin became sisters, forming an unbreakable bond. Now a famous musician, Cecilia asks Robin, a photojournalist, to help her make a documentary about foster care. Knowing its time to tell the truth about the sisters' experiences, whatever the cost, Robin agrees. As the filming proceeds, the two find new meaning in their sisterhood and familial bonds.


2. The Kelloggs: The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek by Howard Markel—This non-fiction book tells the fascinating story of the bitter rivalry between brothers John Harvey and Will Kellogg. The former was a beloved physician who championed good health. The latter founded a famous breakfast cereal company. How did their varying pursuits affect their relationship? How did it change health and eating practices in the United States?


3. The Ringmaster's Wife by Kristy Cambron—As the daughter of an English earl, Rosamund Easling knows what is expected of her, even if it's not the life she wants for herself. When her family loses its fortune, however, and her father sells her beloved horse to an American circus owner named John Ringling, Rosamund follows. When she agrees to become a bareback rider/performer, she believes she's finally found her real purpose in life.


4. Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom by Ilyon WooHelen recently reviewed this non-fiction title on her blog, piquing my interest in a book I'd never previously heard of. It tells the incredible true story of an enslaved married couple who escaped bondage by posing as master and slave. Their intrepid journey and incredible bravery made them celebrities, but it didn't free them from being hunted again when the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was passed... 


5. The Naturalist's Daughter by Tea Cooper—This dual-timeline novel concerns a young Australian woman who loves to work at the side of her famous naturalist father. When he is unable to travel to England to present his incredible findings to the Royal Society, she goes in his stead. There, she makes a discovery that will change the lives of future generations. A century later, another woman is sent to retrieve an old sketchbook from a recluse. The odd assignment unearths a mystery that more than one person is keen to solve.


6. Our Auntie Rosa: The Family of Rosa Parks Remembers Her Life and Lessons by Sheila McCauley Keys and Eddie B. Allen, Jr.—Sadly, I don't know much about Parks' life. I'd love to learn more and this sounds like an intimate, inspiring biography of a remarkable woman.


7. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman—I've loved the two books I've read by this author, so I'm definitely in for reading more! This novel is about 7-year-old Elsa and her grandmother, who is her best and only friend. Both of them are odd ducks who find understanding with each other. When Elsa's grandma dies, leaving behind a collection of letters apologizing to a wide range of people that need to be delivered, it propels Elsa on a life-changing journey. 


8. The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth—Lucy has never had a close relationship with her husband's mother, Diane, and not for lack of trying. Diane obviously feels that Lucy is not good enough for her son. When the older woman is found dead, with a letter nearby saying she couldn't bear to die from the cancer in her body, it's assumed to be a suicide. Until it's discovered that she did not have cancer. In fact, she was murdered. Who—besides Lucy—had a reason to kill this pillar of her community?


9. Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman—So many people have recommended the Maus series to me that it's amazing I haven't read it yet. It's a series of graphic novels about the experience of the author's father during the Holocaust.


10. The Cousins by Karen M. McManus—This YA mystery is about a group of cousins who are invited by the rich and reclusive grandmother they've never met to work on her island resort for the summer. Everyone wants her money, so the teens are not allowed to decline. When they arrive, they discover there are more secrets in their family than any of them could have imagined—and all is about to be revealed.

There you are, ten "relationship" books that I want to read. Have you read any of them? What did you think? How did you choose to fulfill today's prompt? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here, although I am a week behind at the moment.

Happy TTT!
 

58 comments:

  1. When We Were Sisters sounds really good.

    Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always up for a book about sisters. I've also always been intrigued by books about foster care/adoption/orphans, even before I became an adoptive mom myself! This book sounds right up my alley.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

      Delete
  2. That's a good twist on the topic! I blanked so hard on what to do this week 😂 thanks for dropping by my post! (OneReadingNurse)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same. That's why I went with something very straightforward! No thinking required :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Athena!

      Delete
  3. Look at you! You managed not to repeat a relationship! I'm impressed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could have done a whole list of "sister" books and probably "mother" books too. Those are popular relationships in titles.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jen!

      Delete
  4. Great list. I love Backman and always get excited to see any of his books on the list! I have also read and enjoyed The Cousins.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know why I haven't read more of his books already since I loved the two I've read. I need to get on that!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leslie!

      Delete
  5. I did families too, but didn't think of doing it this way! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did the simplest thing I could think of! Ha ha.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Alex!

      Delete
    2. P.S. I've tried to comment on your TTT post several times over the last week and I keep getting a 405 "Forbidden" error...

      Delete
  6. I'm not usually big on nonfiction, but The Kelloggs actually sounds really interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm all about narrative non-fiction. I like my NF to be just as interesting and engaging as fiction. Sounds like the Kelloggs book fits that bill.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Louise!

      Delete
  7. They all look interesting, I hope you can read them soon and enjoy them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Vero!

      Delete
  8. I think I've read The Ringmaster's Wife a long time ago AND Tea's books do look really interesting. I read about one of hers a while back and remember being intrigued. Seeing one on your list reminds me to look into that one again! :) Thanks for visiting my list today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read a couple books by Cooper and enjoyed both of them, so I'm definitely in for more!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rissi!

      Delete
  9. How brilliant that you found ten different relationships!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was tough not to repeat any!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Joanne!

      Delete
  10. Great take on the topic! I'm not much of a non-fiction reader but Master Slave Husband Wife sounds so interesting! Might have to check that one out. 👀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been trying to read more non-fiction, but I still want it to read like fiction, you know? MASTER SLAVE HUSBAND WIFE sounds like narrative non-fiction done well. I'm excited to read it.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Dini!

      Delete
  11. I’m so curious about The Kelloggs.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I knew nothing at all about the family before reading the book's summary and now I'm so interested to read about them.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Astilbe!

      Delete
  12. Great list, Susan! Love love love Fredrik Backman! Anxious People is one of my favorite books. Happy Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ANXIOUS PEOPLE and A MAN CALLED OVE are the two I've read. I loved them both! I definitely need to read more by Backman.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Stephanie!

      Delete
  13. Maus is a very powerful book. I've read it multiple times, and always get something new from it. I hope you—well, "enjoy" is a weird word to use here, but I hope you get something out of the experience of reading Maus when you get to it!

    Here's my TTT this week (though I accidentally went rogue).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I always feel weird when I say that I enjoy books about World War II and the Holocaust. "Enjoy" isn't quite the right word. I just find them enriching and inspiring. I meant to grab MAUS last time I was at the library, but I totally spaced it. Next time...

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

      Delete
  14. Oh no, so many of these books sound so interesting I've added almost all of them to my TBR! Bookworm problems! Your list is just too good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? The best/worst part of TTT is all the books that end up getting added to our TBR lists.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Haze!

      Delete
  15. I love this topic twist! And you have such a great selection of varied titles. Some I've never heard of, but a couple are on my TBR - The Mother-In-Law and My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry (which I have started and know I'm going to enjoy when I finally finish it!). Wonderful post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really need to read more Backman. His books just make me happy!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, M!

      Delete
  16. You did it! No repeating familial relationships. I don't know if I could do that. I haven't read any of these, but several are on my TBR. Good twist on the topic!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like books where sibling, parents, cousins, etc. have strong bonds. Good choice for today!

    ReplyDelete
  18. A great collection of titles.
    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
    https://readbakecreate.com/characters-with-jobs-i-would-love-to-have/

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's an appealing list, one with lots of tempting possibilities. I'm a big Fredrik Backman fan (even his personal story is amazing), and his "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" is one of my favorites. The relationship between that little girl and her grandmother is a really touching one. And getting inside the kid's head for a while was kind of a hoot.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fun twist on this week's TTT! I love how all the different books have a different familial relationship in the title. :D

    ReplyDelete
  21. OOh nice picks! I totally goofed on my dates when I wrote my post! Guess I'll do this one next week! Lol.


    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great twist! That Backman title is really long. I think that every time I see it. The Cousins was good. I always enjoy McManus's books.

    ReplyDelete
  23. The Mother in Law sounds like a good mystery, i don't know if its horrible to say but there is something ominous in the title 'mother in law'...i don't have one, but i hear things.
    https://getlostinlit.blogspot.com/2024/08/top-ten-literary-animal-friends.html

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great collection of mixed genres. The Hepworth book caught my eye.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gotta read that Backman. I've loved everything I've read by him. The "Sisters" book also sounds very interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  26. The Naturalist's Daughter was really good, I'm a fan of Tea` Cooper. Master Slave Husband Wife looks like it might be worth a look as does My Grandmother asked me to tell you she's sorry, I'm off to check the library catalogue.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Nice selection of titles! ~ Carol @ ReadingLadies

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great list! I've been wanting to read Master Slave Husband Wife, and have to remember to look for it on my next library trip. I've read Maus and The Mother-in-Law. Maus is a classic and a must-read, and the Mother-in-Law was a really good read (I tend to enjoy all of the author's books!)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Lots of new-to-me books here! My Grandmother and Maus are the only ones I've read. Thanks for visiting my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh, I like the angle you took for your post, that's clever :)
    The Naturalist's Daughter caught my eye, I've added it to my TBR and I need to read more books set in Australia!
    Also, Maus is an excellent graphic novel!

    ReplyDelete
  31. An interesting list. I don't read many family based books.

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love your take on this topic! I haven't read any of them but there are several you listed that I should read and My Grandmother ... is on my TBR.

    ReplyDelete
  33. It may have been Helen who led me to Master Slave Husband Wife, too. I'd like to read that one.

    ReplyDelete
  34. You have really great books on your list. Tea Cooper is a favorite author!!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I’d love to read The Kelloggs.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like your take on the topic! I've wanted to read Master Slave Husband Wife.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow, you found ten different relationships. Well done, Sarah. Mine are all about sisters, but that was intentional.

    Thank you for visiting my post.
    https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2024/08/top-ten-tuesday-sisters.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sorry, Susan. I'm so much behind with my posts that I can't even think properly.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I like this take on the subject! I've read and enjoyed Sally Hepworth in the past, so I'd have this one on my TBR too.

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a great list! So sorry for the delayed response, but better late than never, right? I loved the Sally Hepworth books i've read in the past, so I had to add this one to my TBR. And Maus is so powerful - I was nervous since my father was a Holocaust survivor, but it resonated so deeply with me.

    ReplyDelete
  41. This is a good take on the topic! It's always fun seeing what people do for "freebie" prompts.

    ReplyDelete
  42. My Grandmother Asked Me to ... was my first Backman book and I enjoyed it, although it is different from his others. I also enjoyed Mother-in-Law. Cousins was an okay read for me. I love your list Susan. Several are already on my TBR, but I will be adding, The Kelloggs. I hope you are doing well.

    ReplyDelete

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