I began reading Anne Bishop's Vision in Silver this weekend, unable to stop myself. It is the third book in the Others series. In this book (no spoilers--this could describe the first book too), the heroine Meg Corbyn continues to adjust to life outside the compound in which she was raised and imprisoned by making her home in the Courtyard in Lakeside. A war between the humans and the terra indigene is coming and the blood prophets are at even greater risk. I just love this series and the world Anne Bishop has created.
What are you reading right now? Is it anything you would recommend?
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.
This weeks' Top Ten Tuesday theme is Top Ten Books You Would Classify As ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS from the past three years. Oh goodness. My list of all time favorite books is probably longer than it should be, and so it's nice that this month's topic is narrowed down to just the past three years. I am interpreting that to mean books I have read in the last three years, regardless of the year the books were published (otherwise I am not sure I could come up with ten). I talk about each of these books so much, I do not think any on the list will come as a surprise (I did not include any books I have read yet this year). The list is in no particular order.
3. The House At the End of Hope Street by Menna van Praag ~ This book was magic for me. I smile just thinking about it.
4. The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy ~ This book spoke to me on a very personal level, not to mention I was drawn to both the story threads, the historical and contemporary.
5. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters ~ Because. Beautifully written. Full of bittersweet moments. A modern classic to be sure.
6. The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark ~ This is the first in a trilogy. I found it to be beautifully written and a quite intense read. From the world building to the characters to the story . . . I was completely and utterly smitten from the first page.
7. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver ~ I experienced this book in audio format and am so glad I did. This was such an emotional story, heartbreaking and thought provoking.
8. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman ~ This is a book I wanted to jump right into the pages of and experience first hand. I loved CeeCee and Aunt Tootie and all the other characters in the book.
9. Losing Touch by Sandra Hunter ~ I still cannot think of this one without tearing up. Often the books that speak to me the loudest and stay with me forever are the ones that touch a personal chord in my own life, and this was one such book.
10. The Last Policeman Trilogy by Ben H. Winters ~ I cannot think of these books separately. The trilogy is more complete taken as a whole. It's dark and gritty and such an amazing story.
Of the books you have read in the last 3 years, did any make your all time favorite book list? If so, which ones?
Blurb from Goodreads:
1. Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern ~ I feel nothing but love for this book. I listened to the audio version and it was enchanting and beautiful and it completely swept me off my feet.
2. The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan ~ A beautiful love story set in Niagara Falls during the early 1900's. I have so much love for this book.
2. The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan ~ A beautiful love story set in Niagara Falls during the early 1900's. I have so much love for this book.
4. The Baker's Daughter by Sarah McCoy ~ This book spoke to me on a very personal level, not to mention I was drawn to both the story threads, the historical and contemporary.
5. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters ~ Because. Beautifully written. Full of bittersweet moments. A modern classic to be sure.
6. The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark ~ This is the first in a trilogy. I found it to be beautifully written and a quite intense read. From the world building to the characters to the story . . . I was completely and utterly smitten from the first page.
7. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver ~ I experienced this book in audio format and am so glad I did. This was such an emotional story, heartbreaking and thought provoking.
8. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman ~ This is a book I wanted to jump right into the pages of and experience first hand. I loved CeeCee and Aunt Tootie and all the other characters in the book.
9. Losing Touch by Sandra Hunter ~ I still cannot think of this one without tearing up. Often the books that speak to me the loudest and stay with me forever are the ones that touch a personal chord in my own life, and this was one such book.
10. The Last Policeman Trilogy by Ben H. Winters ~ I cannot think of these books separately. The trilogy is more complete taken as a whole. It's dark and gritty and such an amazing story.
Of the books you have read in the last 3 years, did any make your all time favorite book list? If so, which ones?
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea hosts
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where
participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a
book they are reading or thinking about reading soon.
In line with the theme of all time favorite books, I thought I would share the first paragraph of one of my favorite books since my childhood. I have re-read very few books over my lifetime and this is one of them:
"Elnora Comstock, have you lost your senses? demanded the angry voice of Katherine Comstock while she glared at her daughter.
"Why, Mother!" faltered the girl.
"Don't you 'why, Mother' me!" cried Mrs. Comstock. "You know very well what I mean. You've given me no peace until you've had your way about this going to school business. I've fixed you good enough, and you're ready to start. But no child of mine walks the streets of Onabasha looking like a play-actress woman. You wet your hair and comb it down modest and decent and then be off, or you'll have no time to find where you belong."It has been years since I last read Gene Stratton Porter's A Girl of the Limberlost (1909), but I still remember how absorbed I would become each time I read it. Oh, how I loved the time Elnora and I spent in Limberlost! I am looking forward to one day sharing the book with my daughter. I hope she loves it as much as I do.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Set amid Indiana's vast Limberlost Swamp, this treasured children's classic mixes astute observations on nature with the struggles of growing up in the early 20th century. Harassed by her mother and scorned by her peers, Elnora Comstock finds solace in natural beauty — along with friendship, independence, and romance.Would you continue reading?
© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Wow, I hadn't thought of A Girl of the Limberlost in ages, but I loved that book! Thanks for the reminder...now I want to find it!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain - I had left my Kindle downstairs and was too lazy to retrieve it when I was doing today's post. I came across A Girl of the Limberlost and decided it would be a great one to feature today. :-) Of course, now I want to read it again.
DeleteWe Need To Talk About Kevin is such a powerful read! Great list. :-) My TTT
ReplyDeleteChrissi - It really is! Lionel Shriver captured the voice of Eva so well.
DeleteGreat list! I've not read any of your list except Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and The Last Policeman trilogy. I know I've said this many time but I'm saying it again, that I hope to read Fingersmith this year! ;)
ReplyDeleteMelody - I hope you get to read Fingersmith, Melody. It took me years to read anything by Sarah Waters, so I know just what you mean. I think I said I was going to read something by her each year for the last several years. LOL Hopefully it won't take me so long to read my next book by her.
DeleteI have never read A Girl of the Limberlost but from the intro I can see exactly why you're entranced by this book. I also love your top ten favourite books of all time, especially Fingersmith and We Need to Talk about Kevin.
ReplyDeleteCleo - Both Fingersmith and We Need to Talk About Keven are heartwrenching books, aren't they? Oh, how I love them!
DeleteI am really curious as to what I would think of A Girl of the Limberlost now that I am much older than when I last read it . . .
I have two books by Gene Stratton-Porter on my Kindle (one of them is Limberlost) but I haven't gotten to them yet. Maybe now is the right time.
ReplyDeleteSusan - I am trying to remember if I have ever read Freckles. If I did, it didn't make a huge impression on me. When I think of how long ago A Girl of the Limberlost was written and how many years later it spoke to me--it really goes to show how powerful books can be in our lives, doesn't it? I hope you do get a chance to give A Girl of the Limberlost a try!
DeleteSaving CeeCee Honeycut is such a strange (but interesting) title for a book! Definitely sounds interesting :)
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
Sas - It's a really good book. I highly recommend it!
DeleteWow, I cannot wait to see pictures of your daughter's birthday party!
ReplyDeleteLove your list of favorite books. I've read some of those titles but would love to read The Day the Falls Stood Still. It sounds amazing!
Athira - We will be making puppets for her party, and Mouse is a little disappointed we won't actually be making Lalaloopsy dolls. It's hard to explain to a nearly 4 year old that we have to keep the crafts simple because of the ages of all the kids. LOL It will be fun though.
DeleteDo read The Day the Falls Stood Still if you get the chance!
The only one of your list that I've read is CEECEE HONEYCUTT and I loved that one. Well, I've listened to THE LAST POLICEMAN and will get to the other 2 this spring. We're discussing TLP at my book group tomorrow night. I have several others either on my Kindle or in my Audible library, waiting, waiting, waiting for me. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've not ever read the Limberlost book, but yours is not the first recommendation to read it that I've heard. Maybe one day.
Good luck with the birthday party! Ah, memories. Little girl birthday parties. :-)
Kay - I hope you are enjoying The Last Policeman Trilogy! I'll be curious to know what your book group thinks.
DeleteThank you for the good luck wishes! Mouse is looking forward to it, counting down the days.:-)
Great list! I had meant to add The House at the End of Hope Street to my TBR on goodreads but had forgotten. The Night Circus is one on my TBR and I'm hoping to listen to it at some point. I need to go through a reading flurry. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed bookwise! Hope the Mouse has a fantastic birthday party!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Thank you! I still haven't gotten to van Praag's other book, which I really want to read. I hope you like The Nigh Circus when you listen to it. I know it's gotten mixed reviews from some, but I just loved it. The narrator did such a good job.
DeleteThank you for the positive thoughts about the party. I think she'll have a great time. :-)
Hey, visiting from the TTT link-up.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, "The House at the End of Hope Street"? That sounds like such a beautiful read. I think I'll have to look it up. :)
Aidly - It is a beautiful read! I hope you will give it a try!
DeleteI loved "Girl of the Limberlost". It's been a long time since I read it. That's a great list of books to read, and re-read. Kelley at the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley - It's been a long time since I last read it too. I should revisit it--maybe before my daughter is old enough for it even. It'll be awhile before she's ready for it.
DeleteFingersmith is such a great one. I love how you've explained it with "because." :) And I need to get back to The Baker's Daughter! I started it but had to put it down and never picked it back up again. Not sure why I do that.
ReplyDeleteTrish - I really liked Fingersmith. Obviously. :-) I hope you like The Baker's Daughter if you do decide to give it another try. Reba isn't the kind of character that begs you to love her right off the bat. She holds herself at a distance, even from the reader, to some degree. Oh, how I identified with her though . . . Maybe too much. LOL
DeleteThis is just too hard! I don't like having to think too much and making decisions is even worse. Yet I love reading other people's choices!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - It is hard, isn't it? I basically just went from my top 10 lists for the past three years and tried to narrow it down. :-)
DeleteI've only read 2 of your recent favorites but I loved both of them so I'm making note of the others. I'm sure Mouse's party will be a blast!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I know you probably won't like the fantasy one, but I do hope you'll try the others!
DeleteMouse was complaining yesterday that she NEVER gets any packages in the mail. I told her to just wait. She'll have plenty of packages (ie presents) on her birthday. :-)
Like you, I want to read so many new books and right now. My piles are totally unmanageable and are growing exponentially. I am in big trouble because I'm going to a publisher's preview on Friday where there will be more new books. Never mind, it's a really good problem to have.
ReplyDeleteNice list of all time favorites too. Enjoy Mouse's birthday and party. Happy birthday to her!
Catherine - We need more time to read! And still get everything else we need--and want-- to do done. My piles are unmanageable too, I'm afraid. Enjoy the publisher's preview! That sounds like it will be fun. I hope you are able to come home with some good finds!
DeleteThank you for the birthday wishes. :-) Mouse says, thank you too.
I read Fingersmith last year and agree it's a brilliant read, nice to see it on your list here. I really want to read Beth Hoffman's book, I might try and include that one this month even. To my shame I still haven't read the Night Circus...I don't know why because I want to. I hope you have a good week :)
ReplyDeleteLindsay - I am glad I finally read Fingersmith last year too. Now to read Waters' other books . . . Hoffman's book is worth reading if you can. I think, anyway. :-)
DeleteNight Circus was all the rage for awhile there. I was among those who loved it, but I know not everyone did. If you do read it, I hope you love it too.
Have a good week as well!
We Need to Talk About Kevin was on my list, too! Such a powerful, disturbing read.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing The Night Circus on so many lists, I really should bump it up on my TBR list. :)
Shaina - I am glad Shriver's book made both our list. As you said, it was such a powerful book.
DeleteI hope you give The Night Circus a try!
Wendy I have only read The Last Policeman from your Top Ten list but I have a bunch of those of mention on my wishlist. Oh so many books! I bet Mouse is so excited for her big day. Can't wait to hear how it goes!
ReplyDeleteIliana - I hope you like the ones on your wish list!
DeleteMouse is over the moon excited about her birthday. It's contagious. :-)
I loved Saving Cee Cee Honeycut. I've had Night Circus on my stacks and will get to it one of these days.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Saving CeeCee Honeycutt was so good! I hope you like Night Circus if you read it. I know not everyone loved it as much as I did, but I hope you will!
DeleteYou got some good ones on your list. I really enjoyed The Baker's Daughter and Losing Touch. I'm on of those who couldn't finish We Need To Talk About Kevin, though. Thanks for sharing. I may just have to make my own list of 'favorites'!
ReplyDeleteKim - Thank you! We Need to Talk About Kevin was disturbing, and Eva, well, she doesn't make the reader love her, does she? I listened to the audio version so am not sure how I would have taken to the print copy.
DeleteThat is a great list Wendy. I've read several of those myself and Beth Hoffman always tops my lists as well. I still haven't listened to The Night Circus but I still want to.
ReplyDeleteI'm listening to The Midwife of Hope River right now and it's really quite good. Hope Mouse's party goes well!
Darlene - Thank you! I really want to read Beth Hoffman's latest book. I hear that one is good too.
DeleteI have heard great things about The Midwife of Hope River. I am glad to hear you are enjoying it!
I grabbed Written in Red at the library this weekend thanks to you! I am so excited to read it now after seeing how much you have been enjoying this series. I was just commenting on another blog that I have that want to read EVERYTHING now feeling and really because of it I'm not reading much at all. I hate when that happens but I'm sure I will settle soon. I hope that you had a great week this past one!
ReplyDeleteSamantha - I hope you like Written in Red, Sam! I loved it. I also really liked the next two in the series. My advice though is to read them more slowly than I did. The fourth book probably won't be out for another year and I hate that I have to wait. :-(
DeleteYes! I hate that feeling. It's overwhelming sometimes and it hinders my reading as a result. I hope you settle into a book soon!
Great post. I listened to half of and then read the rest of The Night Circus because I really wanted to give it a chance, but I just did not enjoy that book.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read and watch We Need to Talk About Kevin. I also want to read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, I've only heard great things.
Vision in Silver sounds good, I have seen that series around blogland. Enjoy!
And Happy Birthday to your little one!
Naida - Thank you. :-) It makes me sad when I read someone didn't enjoy The Night Circus, but you are definitely not alone. The book hit the right spot for me in the right moment. I do want to go back and read the print version at some point.
DeleteHopefully you will like Saving CeeCee Honeycutt and We Need to Talk About Kevin. Shriver's book is a difficult one, I know.
Thank you for the birthday wishes!
Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt would be on my list too!
ReplyDelete