Top Ten Tuesday: Books I read in August over the last 11 years

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Books Guaranteed to Put an End to Your Book Slump (Which books would you recommend to someone (it’s Jana) dealing with the dreaded book slump? No book is grabbing their attention or making them excited to sit down and read and they are suffering for it.) 

I have been there. Back in 2016 and 2017 I had a massive slump. I only read 16 books in 2016 and 11 books in 2017. Given in the past I had been reading 200+ a year it was a big change. The only recommendations I would have is to try reading authors your know you love or rereading favourite books to try and kickstart your reading again. The only other piece of advice I would have is to be kind to yourself. There might be a reason why you just can't at the moment. And your reading will come back in due course. It might look different than it used to, but it will come back.

Rather than do the theme today, I am instead going to share ten books I have read in August over the last eleven years. Why eleven years? You might notice that there is no book for August 2017 which is when I was in my big slump. The year is the year I read them in, not when they were published. 

Funny Story by Emily Henry - 2024 - I would have listened to this on audio!

The Little Paris Toy Shop by Lauren Westwood - 2023 - Man I loved this book so much! (my review)

Elodie's Library of Second Chances by Rebecca Raisin - 2022 - Rebecca Raisin is now an auto-read author for me. (my review)

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber - 2021 - This was my first book by Heather Webb and I loved it to so much. (my review)

The Switch by Beth O'Leary - 2020 - I liked this one, and yet I still haven't read any more of her books. I do own some of them so I will get to them one day. Maybe. (my review)

The Place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta - 2019 - What can I say about Melina Marchetta that I haven't said before. Not much really. 

The Desert Nurse by Pamela Hart - 2018 - I really liked this book. 

The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman 2016 - When I went to get the cover image for this book I saw that this author is expected to have a new book out next year called A Far Flung Life. I'm excited for it!

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - 2015 - I just inhaled Sarah Addison Allen's first few books.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - 2014 - What a fun read this was!

If I was to hit a slump again, I think the book that I would try rereading first from this list would be The Little Paris Toy Shop, closely followed by Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe and a couple of Rebecca Raisin's books.

I am pleased to see that half of these books are by Aussie authors too. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2025

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2025, I have tried not to cross over too much with my previous lists of books that I am planning to read over the summer, although it probably would have been smarter not to add another 10 books to my TBR right?

The Lucky Sisters by Rachael Johns (October)- What can I say. Rachael Johns is always an autobuy author for me!

In the Paris Fashion by Sophie Beaumont (November) - I have loved both of the Sophie Beaumont books I have read so far! I am looking forward to seeing the final cover too!

Last Stop on the Winter Wonderland Express by Rebecca Raisin (August)- Super excited about this one!

Daughters of the Batavia by Stefanie Koens (July) - I have long been fascinated by the wreck of the Batavia and we also saw the replica when we went to The Netherlands a while ago, so keen to read this one. 

Best Wishes from the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki (October) -  This is the follow up to The Full Moon Coffee Shop which I enjoyed a lot. 

The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin (August) - I am late to the party for Madeline Martin's historical fiction novels, but having read one recently, I am determined to not get further behind!

The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer (July) - Kelly Rimmer has moved away from her excellent WWII novels, so it will be interesting to read this one!

The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber (November) - I really enjoy Heather Webber's books, although I think I am a couple of books behind!

The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts (November) - This is the final book in the Lost Brides trilogy. I have listened to the previous two so I imagine this will be another audiobook for me!

A Woman's Voice by Alli Sinclair (July) - I loved The Codebreakers so I am looking forward to this one!

Do you have any of the same books on your list this week:?

SIx Degrees of Separaton: Rapture to The Swan Maiden

 Welcome to this month's edition of Six Degrees of Separation, which is a monthly meme hosted by Kate from Books Are My Favourite and Best. The idea is to start with a specific book and make a series of links from one book to the next using whatever link you can find and see where you end up after six links. I am also linking this post up with The Sunday Salon, hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

The starting point this month is an historical novel longlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize, Rapture by Emily Maguire. I actually had a couple of goes at this one this month. In the other attempt I ended up with a lot of chocolate and jam related books, despite starting with two very serious books! In the end I decided to keep this option which has a decidedly avian feel to it!

Using the name Emily as my link, the first connection is to Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett. This is the third book in the Emily Wilde series. I haven't actually read this series although I do own them. The covers do have a similar feel to them too!

Another book by an author with the first name of Heather is Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber. (my review)

The most recent birdy book I read (and loved) was Claire van Ryn's latest book Where The Birds Call Her Name.  I just reviewed this book a few days ago and I loved it!

Both Where the Birds Call Her Name and Sunbirds by Mirandi Riwoe have in common other than a bird related title is that they both have a connection to Broome in Western Australia. (my review)

The setting for Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson is in Nigeria but the word Sunbirds does connect them nicely. (my review)

My final choice uses the surname Watson as the connection. The Swan Maiden is by Jules Watson who is an Australian author who had a few books out about 15 years ago but I haven't seen anything new from her for years. I also reviewed these books about a week apart back in 2011. 

Next month, the starting point is nominee for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction, All Fours by Miranda July.

Will you be joining us?

Top Ten Tuesday: 2024 Releases I Was Excited to Read but Still Haven’t Gotten To

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is 2024 Releases I Was Excited to Read but Still Haven’t Gotten To (will you be prioritizing these this year?)

So the hardest thing about this topic is limiting the list to just ten, but I have somehow managed it.

The Mirror by Nora Roberts - I listened to the first book in this trilogy so my intention is to listen to them all. I do, however, have several audiobooks on the go so not sure when I will get to this one!

A Secret Garden in Paris by Sophie Beaumont - I really want to read this. If nothing else, I will definitely get it read before this years Paris in July event.

The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland - I loved this authors last book so I really want to read this one too.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach - I didn't know I was excited to read this one until the very end of this year. I have started this one, and so far, so good!

Dirrayawadha by Anita Heiss - Such a bad reader. Anita Heiss was at the reader retreat I went to last year, she was on our table for dinner, she was great company..... and yet I still haven't managed to read this one!

The Kings Messenger by Susanna Kearsley - This is one of my favourite authors ever and yet I still haven't read her latest release

A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber - I intended to read this one before now. I honestly did!

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan - I have only read one Jennifer Ryan book but I liked it a lot so I requested it for review....and still haven't read it!

At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer - I did read the first page of this one, and then realised I had some deadlines and haven't gone back to it yet. I will though...at some point.

The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn - This sounds so good!

Which one of these books should I move up the priority list?

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the Second Half of 2024

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the Second Half of 2024


Let's get started!

Dirrayawadha by Anita Heiss (July) - I really enjoyed this authors last book, and after meeting her in person last weekend, I am definitely even more keen to read this one.

There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (August) - I only heard about this last week but I immediately added this to my list. I loved her last book and this one sounds just as good!

A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin (July) - I have this book to read in the next couple of weeks, perfect for a post for Paris in July!

The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley (August) - OMG! A new Susanna Kearsley book. I am ready!

Tonight by Nagi Maehashi (October) - Nagi's first cookbook, Dinner, was my cookbook of the year for 2023 and we still cook at least one thing from it every week, if not more. I am already saying that I expect this new cookbook to take that honour this year! 

Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (September) - I went and listened to Toshikazu Kawaguchi speak at Melbourne Writers Festival last month. He announced that this book was coming so I immediately pre-ordered the audiobook. I have listened to the previous books in the series on audio so there was no reason to do otherwise with this new book.

What I Ate in One Year by Stanley Tucci (October) - Remember last February when I went a bit crazy over Stanley Tucci? Of course I have pre-ordered the audio of this book! When I listened to Taste, it was almost like he was whispering in my year!

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes by Hisashi Kashiwai (October) - I really enjoyed the first book in this series and can't wait to read this one!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T J Klune (September) - I suspect that this book might appear on a few lists this week!

A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber (July) - I really enjoy Heather Webber's books so I am hoping to get to this book soon!

Are any of these books on your list this week?

Top Ten Tuesday - Water, water everywhere!

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Water (This can be covers with water on them, books with bodies of water in them, titles with bodies of water in them, etc.)

I did a water themed TTT post a couple of years ago, but it turns out I have read ten more books with water related titles since them so there is no duplication.

Second Chances in Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen - To be fair I could have had 7 books just from this series as the word Bay is in every title. (review)

Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash -  With a bonus lighthouse playing a key role in the story. (review)

An Island in the Sun by Kate Frost - Islands are surrounded by water so they totally count. This one is set on the Portuguese island of Madeira. (review)

Far Across the Ocean by Suzie Hull - A part of this book was set in Madagascar which is quite an unusual setting. (review)

The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - Loved this book!

An Island Wedding by Jenny Colgan - This is set in the very far north of Scotland

The Custard Tart Cafe by the Sea by Isabella May - I promise you the words by the Sea are really on the cover! You just have to look closely! (review)

Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak - This is set in the Mediterranean island of Cyprus

A Granite Springs Christmas by Maggie Christensen - Another big series by Maggie Christensen which is set in the fictional town of Granite Springs

The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber - I like a book with a touch of magical realism! (review)

Maybe I will have another set of watery books in a couple of years time. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the Second Half of 2023

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Most Anticipated Books Releasing During the Second Half of 2023.  Normally I have to go looking for books for this prompt but there are so many good books coming out over the next few months!

Codenamed Charming by Lucy Parker - I read the first book in this series a couple of years ago and have been waiting for this ever since.


Daisy and Kate by Meredith Appleyard - This author was at the retreat I went to last month and the book sounds good. It doesn't hurt that the cover is gorgeous.

The Girl from Portofino by Siobhan Daiko - I read The Girl from Venice a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it so I am on the lookout for this one.

Back on Track by Tricia Stringer - Another author who was at the retreat, this book is primarily set on the train that goes from Adelaide to Darwin,  The Ghan, which is a trip I would love to do at some point.

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo - This is this author's first adult book. I loved the YA book I have read by her so hopefuly that this would be good.

 

At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber - I have enjoyed this authors previous books!

Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See - So looking forward to this one. I really enjoyed her last book.

System Collapse by Martha Wells - The fact that I still haven't read the last book in the series doesn't mean that I can't be excited about this one!

The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang - Kate Quinn. Need I say more!


The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer - Very excited about this one!

Do you have any of these books on your list this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Cheep, cheep!

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Titles with Animals In Them and/or Covers with Animals On Them (submitted by Rachel @ Sunny Side). I've decided to focus on just one type of animal - birds!

The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner - I had forgotten about this book until I consulted my handy-dandy spreadsheet!

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare -  This is something of an American classic but I only read it 10 years or so ago after hearing about it on a historical fiction forum. Remember when they were a thing!

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson - What a lovely book this was!

Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson - There was a time when I was an absolute sucker for any books set in Africa and this was a good one.

Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear - The second book  in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series. There are now 17 books in the series.

Liar Bird by Lisa Walker - Another book I had forgotten about!

The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley - Never miss an opportunity to share a Susanna Kearsley book

The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen - I still love this cover!

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber - This book was so good!

The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea - I remember really enjoying this book when I read it years ago!

I did have a few more books that I could have used for this list as well. Pretty sure I couldn't do that with any other type of animal!

Top Ten Tuesday: A visit to the cafe

 

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is  indie self published books. I feel a bit bad but as usual I am going off script and doing a different theme.

A couple of weeks I posted something and in the comments someone said they would have plenty of cafe books, and i do too. So here are ten books with the work cafe in the title.

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe by Alexander McCall Smith - This is book number 15 in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

The Cafe by the Bridge by Lily Malone - This is the second book in the Chalk Hill series which I really enjoyed. (Review)

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber - Another really enjoyable read (review)

Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - This is the second book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series.

The Custard Tart Cafe by Isabella May - Just thinking about this title makes me want to eat a custard tart. (review)

The Cafe at Seashell Cafe by Karen Clarke - This cover just looks feel good to me! 

The Little Cafe in Copenhagen by Julie Caplin - I have another Julie Caplin book to read at some point

Wind Chime Cafe by Sophie Moss - This is on my Kindle to read at some point.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - Couldn't have a list of cafe books without this one.

Cafe La Femme series by Livia Day- Whilst this book is A Trifle Dead, it is part of the Cafe La Femme series, set in Hobart. (review)

Cup of tea anyone?