Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read. I seem to remember doing this topic years ago for Top Ten Tuesday but I was honestly too lazy to go back and find it today, lol. 

I probably have books that keep appearing on this list and then that made me think....Shellie, when are you FINALLY going to read them?  Sigh...it's just my typical book loving self I guess who keeps getting distracted by shiny new ones! Many are classics that I have wanted to buckle down and read for years. 

So here is my list and I guess I really, really need to get going! 

Happy reading y'all!!

**Click on the book title to go to Goodreads.

1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas- 

I just finished watching the PBS mini series and it's made me want to finally get started reading this....but it's soooooo long! Kind of intimidating

2. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy- This book just seems like the kind you have to read to be educated. It's a true classic. Again, so incredibly long though.

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte- 

I loved Jane Eyre but somehow never got around to reading the sister's book.

4. Emma by Jane Austen- I have started this book twice. I was enjoying it and so I think I just stopped because it requires so much focus and concentration which I really need to work on!

5. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen- Some people say this is better than Emma so it's one I can't believe I haven't started.

6. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy- The premise of this book doesn't truly interest me but my father even loved it (I get the feeling it's a romance driven novel) so maybe I need to give it a try.

7. My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier- Rebecca will always be my favorite by this author but I love the old black and white movie of this book so I'm surprised I've never read it.

8. The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick- This is about a subject I love, William Marshal and a period I love, the 1100's.....I need to get going on this one!

9.The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George- This has been in my Kindle forever. I know nothing about Cleopatra outside of the movie with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. It's one I keep forgetting about.

10.The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough- This seems to be a classic and well researched book about Julius Caesar and I'm sure the whole series is amazing. It's another book I've had in my Kindle forever but just haven't started.

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Books By My Favorite Authors

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is My Favorite Books By My Favorite Authors. This is a fun topic and easy to answer. Choosing only ten will be the problem! And trying to just pick one book as my favorite is hard. 

I am someone who loves series books so I have lots of authors to choose from who've written several books. I'm sure if you've read my blog for long the ones I choose won't surprise you but I'm trying to find some I haven't mentioned as often too. Here is my list!

Happy reading y'all!

*Click on the book to go to Goodreads for more information.

*Click on the book title for my review (if I have one).

1. Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman- The first three books in this series are amazing. And if I hadn't read the last two I'd have definitely said no way could book four be my choice for the best. And then I read Lionheart. It was indescribably good and it is one of those books that I'll never get to re-read in quite the same way again. The Land Beyond the Sea rivals this one but you just can't top the way Penman re-creates the time, place, battles, and bravery of King Richard I. It is a masterpiece. 

2. The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry- I am currently reading book 18 in this series, William Monk, and although they are all excellent, the first book is the classic for me. It introduces us to Inspector Monk, struggling with amnesia and having absolutely no recollection of his past life. I found this along with the mystery intriguing and I was completely hooked ever since. I haven't reviewed it because I read it long before I had my blog but maybe I will do a re-read when I finish the series one day. 

3. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon- I know, I know, this ends up on every favorite list of mine but, well, it IS my favorite! I have read this book three times and I could read it again tomorrow. It starts in Scotland with the battle of Culloden, takes you through time to an ocean voyage, Jamaica, voodoo, plantations....it is the most unique of all the Outlander books I think. It just never gets old for me.

4. Murder In An Irish Castle by Verity Bright- This is my favorite historical, cozy mystery series and the one I've kept up with in order. It always appears on my list of favorites due to the fun characters, great locations, and clever writing. Lady Eleanor, her butler Clifford, dog Gladstone, and beau Hugh are darling. I love to start a new one every few months. My favorite so far is this one set in Ireland. The author does a great job with the setting and it has that Christmas vibe too. 

5. Balian d'Ibelin by Helena Schrader- This author is so unique. I would never have heard of her if I hadn't gotten so interested in the history of the crusades during Covid. I started listening to a podcast and at some point her stories were mentioned. She is considered an expert on the crusader period and specifically on the d'Ibelin family who were influential during that time. She has written these books, which are fiction, and also some non-fiction books. 

Her website, helenapschrader.com has lots of interesting information for those interested in the crusader era. In addition, she has won awards for her books set during the Spartan period and WWII. I loved this first book in this trilogy and want to continue with the other two eventually. 

6. A Morbid Taste For Bones by Ellis Peters- I was surprised to find that I haven't reviewed this book. It introduces us to the beloved Brother Cadfael, the former crusader, turned monk who solves crimes within his Shrewsbury town. I am up to book seven and love Peters writing. She has introduced me to some great vocabulary and has a wonderful way of making you feel you are living in the 1100's. 

7. The Conscience of a King by David Field- He has become one of my favorite authors the last few years. Field is a retired lawyer who writes books that are meant to educate people on British history in an entertaining way. This book is my favorite and is about Simon de Montfort and his attempt to institute the first beginnings of democracy in England. I knew nothing about him until I read it and it was a great introduction without being bombarded with too many details. All of his books are amazing!

8. The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall by Benedict Brown- I am really enjoying these books and the Christmas ones are so cozy and atmospheric. The main characters are Lord Edgington and his grandson Christopher who share a bond inside of a somewhat obnoxious family and work together to solve the mysteries they just keep stumbling into. The author has a great way of using witty dialogue and unique circumstances to create one of a kind stories that are a dime a dozen in the 1920's cozy mystery world. 

9. The Courts of Love by Jean Plaidy- This is another book I really need to re-read and do a review on. I read it years ago and it absolutely hooked me on learning everything about Eleanor of Aquitaine. Plaidy has a way of telling all the stories about a person in an easy to read yet very informative way. 

This book is one of her longer ones and is really detailed with Eleanor's life story, but It covers it in a way so the reader who is new to the period can keep up. Plaidy will always appear on my favorites lists....she's just a part of my life and childhood and got me interested in historical fiction. 

10. Fall of Giants by Ken Follett- I have yet to finish this trilogy. I started book two years ago and really need to finish it! I wasn't much of a fan of his Kingsbridge series but this book detailing the end of most of the monarchies of Europe and WWI is one of my all time favorite novels. It is such a great way to learn history through epic entertainment and is the kind of book I'd read over and over again. 

This is one that needs to be re-read and reviewed eventually. Although the next two books in the series interest me, this one in particular is special because it is hard to find good novels about WWI specifically. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Secondary or Minor Characters

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is favorite secondary or minor characters. I really like this topic as I think it's fun to focus on those characters that aren't the spotlight of the book but often become special as the story unfolds. Many times in movie and tv shows these characters if well liked, get their own spin off shows. And they make for great reads as spin offs as well. So here is my list of secondary characters and I'm sure I'll find it hard to narrow it down to ten!

Happy reading y'all!

1. Lord John Grey- Outlander Novels- he has always been a favorite of mine. I love the whole British officer thing, his secret hidden life, and his relationship with Jamie, Claire, and William. Also, I absolutely love the actor who plays him in the show and hope he gets his own soon!

2. Charlotte Pitt- Thomas Pitt Novels- I guess you could make both of these characters "secondary" at various times but since the books are titled "Pitt" I kind of lean toward the wife being the minor character. I love how she is portrayed as a typical, realistic Victorian housewife but always manages to assert herself and help Thomas with his cases. She is fun to watch as she moves throughout proper society looking for clues.

3. Clifford the butler- Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries- without Clifford I doubt I'd read these books. He is so much fun, reminding me of Carson from Downton Abbey. He knows and anticipates everything and has a dry humor and wit that are adorable. In many ways he isn't the true secondary character but rather a protective companion to Lady Eleanor. 

4. Mrs. Bennett- Pride and Prejudice- Who doesn't love this woman's addition to the story? I find her drama hilarious and especially the interaction between her and Mr. Bennett, who is often exasperated by her hysterics. 

5. Hastings- Poirot mysteries- I adore this character as he is so endearing but lacks the common sense that Poirot has. My favorite books are the ones with him in them though as he adds a light touch to the story and he clearly adores Poirot. 

6. Christopher- Lord Edgington Investigates- The grandson who is always along for the ride and though he is the narrator he always feels like the secondary character in a way to me. His grandfather, Lord Edgington is, after all, the one the stories are named after. Christopher is his apprentice in solving the mystery and I love their relationship. 

7. Melanie- Gone With the Wind- The long suffering wife of Ashley who loves Scarlet no matter how many times she betrays her. I used to find her boring and mousey but over the years she's grown on me for being the loyal friend and wife who wins Scarlet over in the end with her love.

8. Hester- William Monk Mysteries- Anne Perry is always going to be on my book lists. Here she is mentioned twice! I consider Hester to be the more minor character since, like the Pitt novels, these are titled "Monk." Hester is the headstrong wife who is always up for investigating for herself and is not afraid to speak her thoughts. I love Perry's ability to keep her grounded in Victorian reality but also give her a stubborn, independent streak.

9. Mr. Rochester- Jane Eyre- The brooding, secretive romantic interest may not be lovable at first but he grows on you and the story is nothing without him. 

10. Redvers- Jane Wunderley Mysteries- First off, his last name is cool. I just like the sound of it. I also like how he loves Jane but doesn't cater to her either. Some of the other mysteries like this have male characters that come off as weak and following the little lady around. Not Redvers. He's a great mix of kind and loving but independent. I just like him. 

Top Ten Tuesday: May Flower Themed Books

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is May flower themed books. This could be interpreted so many ways but I thought I'd list ten books with flowers in the title.  If you are interested in the book click on the link to view it in Goodreads. The only one of these I've reviewed is number 3 but I might need to add some of these to my tbr pile. I found it so interesting how many books have "rose" in the title. I'd never noticed.

Happy reading y'all!

1. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

2. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

3. The Thistle and the Rose by Jean Plaidy

4. The Rose Apple Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu

5. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz

6. The Wars of the Roses by Dan Jones

7.  Red Rose of Anjou by Jean Plaidy

8. Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick

9. The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss

10. Tudor Roses: From Margaret Beaufort to Elizabeth I by Amy Licence

Top Ten Tuesday: Buzzwords or phrases that make me want to read (or avoid) a book

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is "Buzzwords or phrases that make me want to read or avoid a book." I thought I'd list them in one list because I couldn't think of ten each. So here they are, want to read and/or avoid! I know if I see this in the tagline I will either love it or lump it, lol. 

Happy reading y'all!

1. Cozy- Read- I love anything listed as cozy, especially mysteries.

2. Pirates or the Caribbean- Read- Anything with these vibes or just the beach in general will get me every time.

3. Baking or cooking- Avoid- It isn't that I don't like recipes or baking or cooking per se but not in the book I'm reading. It just isn't how I want to spend my reading time.

4. Fantasy- Avoid-  I do not like anything fantasy based including Harry Potter books. Even as a child, I preferred stories that really happened or could have.

5. Egypt and the pyramids- Read- I am such a sucker for this location that I have read some truly awful books because I was hoping for that Egyptian feel.

6. Mysteries, clues- Read- you almost don't have to say anything else to get me to at least check out the book. I love all things mysteries.

7. Dogs- Avoid- okay dog lovers don't kill me! I am just not a dog person so any story with this as the focus is not going to be on my list.

8. Cats- Read- hence the reason I love any book with cats as the focus. I have three at home that I love dearly.

9. Enemies to lovers- Avoid- I don't like romance books in general but this particular trope annoys me. I think because most of the time you see it coming a mile away.

10. Based on a true story- Read- whether it's history or mystery based I love books that include characters who were real or could have been. I also love knowing the setting is realistic.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books For Armchair Travelers

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is "Books For Armchair Travelers." I love this topic! Nearly all of my favorite fiction revolves around books set in special locations, usually places I haven't visited yet. It was hard to choose my favorites but I've tried to list ones that do a good job of really making you feel like you are there. 

I don't read much in the way of modern fiction so these stories are historical. But they still do a great job of describing culture and atmosphere of the setting. Here is my list...happy reading y'all!

The link will take you to Goodreads if you want to know more about the book.

1. Crocodile On the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

 

2. Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie

3. Gracelin O'Malley by Ann Moore

4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

5. Trouble in Nuala by Harriet Steel

6. Murder in an Irish Castle by Verity Bright

7. A Fatal Encounter in Tuscany by Vivian Conroy

8. The Land Beyond the Sea by Sharon Kay Penman

9. Of Lands High and Low by Martha Keyes

10. Poldark by Winston Graham

Top Ten Tuesday: New Authors I Discovered in 2025

 

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is "Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025." I am going to list 10 authors that I hadn't heard of before or ones I now know about that would be added to my TBR pile. I have either read one of their books or own one to read this year. The link will take you to their Goodreads page if you want to see a full book list and bio. Happy reading!

1. Michael Jecks- Focusing on the first crusade, historical fiction on a subject that is hard to find

2. Abigail Keam- She runs a Facebook cozy mystery page I love and has written some cute cozies herself. 

3. Vanessa Kelly- Her cozy country house mysteries have a Jane Austen feel to them and look cute.

4. Michael Livingston- Non-fiction author focusing on medieval history...my favorite!

5. C.W. Gortner- His novels about more obscure queens intrigue me enough to start collecting them...Juana of Castile and Isabella of Castile are two that I want to read more about.

6. Raymond Wemmlinger- His novels also feature historical subjects less known....Queen Anne of Scotland is one I'd like to read about.

7. Beth Cowan-Erskine- she writes 1930's country house murder mysteries set in Scotland....and there are only two books so far so this might be a series I can actually stay caught up with.

8. Katherine Kurtz- She has written several novels about The Knights Templar and their origins. These books were written in the 1990's so they are becoming classics.

9. Jenny Telfer Chaplain- She writes "sweeping, historical family sagas" and the box set I have is set in Ireland and Scotland around the late Victorian era. 

10. Myra Hargrave McIlvain- Her novels and specialty is Texas historical fiction set in the mid-1800's.  I am from Texas so they looked intriguing. 

Do you know any of these great authors? Which of their books are you familiar with and would you recommend them?