Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.
I can never, ever remember quotes from books. It’s like that part of my brain has just been powered down or something, but I love reading all the quotes that people have found meaningful. Instead, I’m going to go in a completely different direction, I know, try to hold back your surprise.
I’d like to say a big thanks to Emily Jane for sharing her original prompt idea with me, so if you haven’t visited her blog at Budget Tales Book Blog, check her out—she’s such a nice person, and her blog is great. The topic that she let me use is top ten favorite books of 2024 so far, and I really love this because it lets me highlight some of the really great books that I’ve read, and share them with others. Here’s my top ten of the year thus far, in no particular order:
- Labyrinth’s Heart by M.A. Carrick. I enjoyed reading the first two books in this series in 2023, so I obviously ran to read this in 2024. The complexity of the heist, magic, and political maneuverings kept me rapt.
- The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. This story was a wonderfully twisty mystery told through two timelines plus some letters and media clippings to fill in the blanks.
- What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher. As if I need to explain why any Kingfisher book is ever on a favorite books of the year list, but let’s just say that the plot and the characters made this a great read.
- The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. I’m a sucker for historical fiction, and this one was one of the best that I’ve read, incorporating a mystery, a feminist healer, and the kind of story that I just couldn’t put down. The audiobook is also a great choice.
- That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming. Let’s see, how many lists can I possibly put this list on? 🤣 But seriously, this was definitely a favorite, and I like the idea of cozy smut.
- Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano. Book four and Finlay and crew haven’t lost it. They’re just as funny as ever, in Atlantic City this time, and the stakes are just as high.
- Lilith by Eric Rickstad. Although this was a really powerful and moving book about some deep issues, Rickstad created a sensitive and well-done story involving a school shooting without involving gratuitous violence or trauma porn, and made me think about what any of us could be capable of doing if we were pushed too far.
- The Boy with the Star Tattoo by Talia Carner. Another historical fiction that told a story in dual timelines, effectively teaching me about two periods in Jewish history that I didn’t know about—the Youth Aliyah movement during and after the Holocaust, where Jewish agents would work to get Jewish children out of Nazi Europe and Israeli agents took over after the war to find Jewish orphans and reclaim them to be raised with Jewish families, as well as the daring rescue of boats that Israel paid for but France was withholding delivery of in 1968-1969.
- Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack. This was the start to a really fun, new cozy mystery series. I found myself laughing out loud so many times, and really enjoyed this book!
- The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert. The dark, creepy, and supernatural vibes of this story remind me of Our Crooked Hearts, combining paranormal elements with the mystery of several people going missing without a trace and no clues, all disappearing on the same night. I was hooked.
Have you read any of these? What did you think? What are some of your favorite reads of 2024 so far?
Categories: Top Ten Tuesday
Leah's Books 
I’ve heard of Rachel’s books and seen them making the list rounds, but I haven’t read any by her. The Finlay Donovan books continue to look fun to me but I haven’t read them yet. They’re still on my list though. 🙂
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Rachel Hawkins also writes as Erin Sterling – I actually read both before realizing they were written by the same person, and both genres were done so well! And I’d have to say, the Finlay Donovan and the Stephanie Plum books are probably the most fun books I’ve read. I hope that you give both a try!
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It looks like you’ve found some fun reads so far in 2024! There are a couple of titles that were enough to make me laugh. I may have to add That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf and Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies to my TBR just because of their titles!
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-es-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-e/
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I really did find some fun reads so far, and I’m hoping this trend keeps up! Those two were added to my TBR specifically because of the names, but luckily they wound up being really good books. I hope you do read them and turn out to enjoy them as much as I did.
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Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you 🥰
I like Rachel Hawkins’ books except for one thing. The swearing 😂 for some reason it gets to me. I decided therefore to read her YA stuff 😂 I love that.
I am behind on Finlay Donovan. I’ve read the first one and got the second one on my bookshelf. I’ve seen there is yet another one out so I need to get my read on!!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
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Ahhh, yeah. Rachel Hawkins books do tend to get a little sweary, so sticking to her YA is a good choice!
The fourth Finley Donovan book book came out recently and I am thrilled to be able to say that the series hasn’t lost any of its original steam. They’re so funny that they fly by for me. I hope you’re enjoying them, and have a great week!
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I don’t mind if it’s necessary and rare but to just swear in general conversation. I don’t need that 😂 it’s funny really because it’s not like I don’t swear 😂
Excellent. I really need to get to them. I say that about all my books though and instead all I do is sign up for Blog Tours and borrow library books!
Have a great week too!
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The werewolf one sounds…er, interesting. XD I went with Kindle highlights. If you’re interested in keeping book quotes, what I do for physical books is keep a Word/Docs file open and type in things that are especially poignant. I love quotes!
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That’s such a smart idea! Either that or maybe put them in notes on my phone – you’re brilliant! And the werewolf book sounds weird, but the book is actually a good one, so don’t knock it just for the silly sounding title 🤣
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Thanks! In a pinch I’ve also taken pictures of passages with my phone when I’m reading outside or somewhere and am not near a computer.
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That’s another good idea!
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Kudos to Emily Jane for coming up with this idea!
Here is my <a href=”https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-quotes-about-science/“>Top Ten Tuesday.</a>
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Yes! I loved this idea and couldn’t wait for a chance to use it. Today was the perfect chance since I’m the worst with recalling quotes.
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I’m very curious about the Finlay Donovan books.
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Oh they’re amazing! I love that series so much.
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Emily is lovely, isn’t she? She always leaves the nicest comments 🙂
THE FROZEN RIVER is the only book on your list that I’ve read. As I’ve mentioned before, I was a tad disappointed in it because I expected to LOVE it and I just liked it. The Finley Donovan series is one I want to try. It looks so fun!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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She really does! Her comments always brighten my day.
Yes, I remember being so sad that you didn’t love The Frozen River as much as I did. I have my fingers crossed that you enjoy the Finley Donovan books as much, at least!
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I’ve heard about M.A. Carrick’s Rook & Rose series from others and keep meaning to read them!
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They’re really so good! I highly suggest them.
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I need to read Kimberly Lemming, her books seems hilarious
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They really are – you absolutely need to read them. I can’t classify them as anything other than cozy smut and once you read them, you’ll completely understand 🤣
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Great list! My favorite read so far this year is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Happy Tuesday!
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Thank you! Demon Copperhead is such a great read – one of my favorites for sure. Enjoy your week!
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Yes, The Bad Ones was awesome!
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It really was! It brought back vibes from Our Crooked Hearts and I was loving every minute of it. I’ve still got to read The Hazel Wood though.
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I just finished The Heiress last week and really enjoyed it. I need more of her books!
Here is our <a href=”https://www.longandshortreviews.com/miscellaneous-musings/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-book-quotes/“>Top Ten Tuesday</a>. Thank you!
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Yes! I loved finding out that she also writes as Erin Sterling. Even though the books are in a different genre, they’re still really good to read!
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Looks like you’ve read a lot of great books!
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I have! 2024 has been good to me so far, I’m hoping it continues on through the rest of the year. I hope you’ve also read a lot of great books this year too.
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