Tuesday, June 02, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: I Want to Go There, and There and There...



Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.


The theme this week is Books that Give Off Summer Vibes (or winter if you live in the southern hemisphere) but it's only the second day of winter and I've had enough already of being cold. I am therefore adapting the topic a bit to books about places that I either have or want to visit.




The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley
- Broome and Central Australia are both areas that have long been on my list of places to visit and this book, the fourth book in the Seven Sisters series, visits both. We have a weekend away booked for September to Uluru so we are crossing everything in the hope that we will get to go still. As for Broome, it's a long way to go to get there, and it is expensive but we will get there!

The Lighthouse Girl by Dianne Wolfer - At the end of last year we visited Albany in Western Australia. We visited the National Anzac Museum (I posted about the museum here) and I couldn't help but think about the premise of this book while I was there. The title character was the daughter of the lighthouse keeper in Albany and was for many of our diggers headed to Gallipoli, the last link with Australia. I haven't read this yet, but just hearing about the girl has stayed in my head.


The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - A couple of years ago we visited South Africa. Our initial plan was to spend a weekend in Cape Town, but at the time they were very close to running  out of water. We therefore had a plan B which was to drive up to Gaborone in Botswana, and I was going to do a tour related to the books. In the end, we ended up in Cape Town, which is an amazing place, but next time we go to South Africa we will be visiting Botswana.

Old New York series by Beverly Swerling - I read Beverly Swerling's Old New York series a number of years ago now and thoroughly enjoyed them. The books follow the early days of the city, right from the original Dutch settlement. We visited New York just under three years ago. There is so much history and culture. You can read about these books here.


Queen of Swords by Sara Donati - I very nearly mentioned Sara Donati for New York, but ended up deciding to use her book for New Orleans. We visited New Orleans last year where we caught up with about half the members of a group that evolved over the years from Sara Donati's web forums (remember them?). She also had given us some information around some of the research she  did so we were able to visit some of the same places.

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - I have long wanted to visit St Peterburg and this book is one of the reasons. I love the idea of visiting The Summer Garden and standing in the shadow of the statue of the bronze horseman, visiting The Hermitage and more.


Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - I know that I am not alone in dreaming about visiting Scotland. I mean, even before the TV series there were travel companies who specialised in Outlander tours. I did go to Scotland years ago, but I would love to spend some time in the Highlands, in the islands and looking for Nessie.

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley - I could have chosen a few Susanna Kearsley books and places, but I ended up going with this book which is set in Cornwall. I would love to spend some time in this area at some point.


The Lost Pearl by Emily Madden - Hawaii has been on my to visit list for a long time too, especially Pearl Harbor. The most recent book that I read that reminded me that I wanted to go is this one.

Virgin River series by Robyn Carr - I love the idea of the mountains and the forests that are in Oregon and I would be more than happy to do a driving holiday through this area (but not in winter!).

The eagle eyed among you may be wondering about the fact that there is not  as single book about Paris or France. I mean, I am normally pretty obsessed with all things French. Never fear! I have an entire Top Ten list ready to go for the end of July - yes already!

46 comments:

  1. I like your adjustment of the topic! I thought there was a book we'd have in common this week but to my surprise, we do not!

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    1. We nearly had two books the same but I used Winter Sea last week and I couldn't remember the name of Dash and Lily.

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  2. I like your twist on this week's top ten. I'm familiar with some of the books on your list, but I haven't yet read Outlander--which some people are ready to smack me for. :) Thanks for sharing.

    http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2020/06/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-from-my.html

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    1. Not having read it is less shocking than having read it and not liked it!

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  3. That is a lovely twist on the topic, and The Number One Ladies Detective Agency is great! Thanks for sharing!

    My TTT is here https://bookloverssanctuary.com/2020/06/02/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-have-a-summer-vibe/

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  4. There are so many places I'd love to visit in Australia- and Scotland as well!

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    1. I still have a lot of places to visit here in Australia Greg.

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  5. I need to go everywhere on this list :))

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    1. And a few places that aren't on the list too Nushu!

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  6. I was in Cape Town at the beginning of the year volunteering and it was AMAZING. Definitely want to go back when we're actually allowed to travel again, especially since my parents and sister were supposed to come out for a holiday and it had to be cancelled. I actually lived in Scotland whilst I was at Uni, and my mum's family is from there, so it's kind of like a second home for me and I love it there. I've never been to Australia, but always wanted to go!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/top-ten-tuesday-266/

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    1. Cape Town was an amazing place. I would like to go back one day.

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  7. I don't like winter either, but these books sound like marvellous escapes from the cold!

    My TTT .

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    1. Escape sounds good right now doesn't it!

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  8. I’ve always wanted to visit Russia. Reading The Bronze Horseman made me feel like I was there... just not at a time I would have enjoyed!

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    1. Well yes, there is always something about the when a book is set as well as the where!

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  9. Love the list. I would love to go to Hawaii someday.
    Here is my TTT.
    https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/top-ten-tuesday-4/

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  10. I LOVE No 1 Ladies series===listen to them on audio. They are so much more fun that way. Good post

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    1. I think I have listened to one of them Lisa!

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  11. Outlander sounds good.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks for stopping by earlier.

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  12. I think this is an excellent way to travel this summer. I'm a big fan of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. I hope you enjoy them all.

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    1. I am a few behind in the series at the moment Deb. Need to catch up!

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  13. Books are a great way to escape the winter! We were talking about the Outlander books in my Russian meetup group, and now I want to read them too.

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    1. The early Outlander books in particular are addictive Brooke.

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  14. I wish Virgin River was a real town. I would definitely move there :) I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where some of Carr's books are set, and it's a lovely place to visit.

    I visited NYC last year and it was a bit much for me. We saw a lot of the city and I really don't have a desire to go back. New Orleans, on the other hand, is a city I'd love to explore. My adopted daughter was born nearby, but since my husband and I were packing around a newborn, we didn't get to see much of the city :)

    I'd love visit Australia as well. It looks like a beautiful and diverse country.

    Happy TTT!

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    1. See I loved New York and found myself underwhelmed by New Orleans.

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  15. Lots of books to investigate as always. Plus... can't wait for your French books post at the end of July!

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    1. It seems a long way in advance to have a post ready for Cath!

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  16. I don't blame you for wanting to go to all of these places!

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  17. I want to visit all of these places! I had plans to go to Oregon on a hiking trip, but it’s looking like that won’t happen.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. We had to cancel a trip earlier this year too AJ

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  18. Scotland is wonderful. we really loved travelling thru it in our younger days. Loch ness was very special tho we didn't see nessie:-)

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    1. I enjoyed visiting Edinburgh and Glasgow a long time ago

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  19. I loved the Virgin River Netflix series--I should probably read the books!

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  20. I would love to go to Botswana too. I think I probably got that in my mind after reading some of those Lady Detective books. What a fun series right? Our summer travel plans are scrapped for sure but I'm already dreaming of places to visit once we are able to again. Loved this list!

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    1. Same Iliana - I think we are up to about plan D of where we might go and what we might do next year

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  21. Excellent list!

    Although I did read a few books in A.M. Smith's series, I grew to love Botswana from reading Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu mysteries. And as for Scotland-- I wanted to go there even before there was an Outlander. I've been there four times and spent almost all my time west of Inverness, even hunting for Nessie a couple of times. I LOVE the Highlands!

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    1. I've been to Edinburgh a couple of times, but never made it to the Highlands, Cathy! It is on my bucket list for sure.

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  22. Great covers. Happy weekend.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  23. Great twist to the topic! Outlander definitely made me want to visit Scotland as well :)

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    1. Scotland is definitely on my bucket list Lindsey!

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