Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Books by My Favorite Authors

May 26, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

My Favorite Books by My Favorite Authors


There are so many books I like, but I had to think about the books and the authors combined. It was hard to narrow this down. Some of these books are older and I read as a teenager, so I haven't read it recently, but I still think of it as my favorite. It has stuck with me. 

Each story is unique in it's own way. Some are humorous, while others are historical, dystopian, middle grade, romance. These authors to me hooked me with their stories and I can't wait for their new books to come out and enjoy. Some won't have any new books out, but I can savor what is already out. 


Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano
Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund


The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews
Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta
A Veiled Reflection by Tracie Peterson


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Kill Fee of Cindy LaCoste by Stephen Bly



Falling for You by Becky Wade


Who are your favorite authors and what book of theirs is your favorite?


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Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Secondary Characters

May 19, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

Favorite Secondary Characters


This prompt, right off the bat was tricky. I had to do a lot of thinking for this one. There are so many books I've enjoyed. I had to make sure I kept the main characters and the secondary characters straight, since there are times I look forward more to some secondary characters then the main character. Then it was also needing pick certain characters from one book or series over another. So many choices.

Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs
Falen. Such a fantastic character. You get to know him in this story, but you get to really see who he is in book two. 
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
I really like a lot of the secondary characters in this series, Luna, Neville, Peeves, the list can go on. They each bring something special to the story. 
The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
Story book characters for one, a wyvern with a spunky attitude for another. 
The Looking Glass Illusions by Sara Ella
Chess Shire and Knave. Lots of story building and figuring out.
The Senator's Other Daughter by Stephen Bly
Paco, a little boy, wise beyond his years, but sweet and kind.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Finnick, he made the book and was a fun addition to the story.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Marme, her calm and collected way she handles all of her daughters, her perseverance and love.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
The whole of the Night Court. The group of them really brought this story to a new level and brough the humor into it. 
Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano
Jen Turano's secondary characters are fantastic and they usually end up getting their own book. So even though I'm featuring one book, it's really all of her stories and their secondary stars. 


Which characters stand out for you?
What was on your list today?


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Top Ten Tuesday: May...The Unofficial Start of Summer

May 12, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

May...The Unofficial Start of Summer


This weeks prompt was supposed to be May Flowers, however I featured that in April, because I love books with flowers on them. Now, here in Texas, May is the unofficial start of Summer. 

April and May are a little drunk. 

April can be cold, rainy, full of tornados, but the flowers are blooming beautifully.

 May, it can be rainy, hailing, or sun shinning and creeping up to the mid 90's. Swim lessons are going, school is letting out, and we know that Summer will be here and bearing down on us in all of it's hundred degree heat misery in a matter of minutes. 

But there are a few moments where you hope this summer might be nice (for a brief two second window, not going to lie). There is that amazing summer golden glow happening, baseball is in full swing, time out by the pool is nice (slathered in SPF 50, because the sun is not kind), and the grass isn't dead yet from the heat. 

So, without further ado, here are the covers that make me think of that sweet spot for the  start of Summer.
Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes
The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel
If For Any Reason by Courtney Walsh
Hurricane Season by Lauren K. Denton
The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh
Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham
Love & Baseball by Jaime Jo Wright w/ Chloe JoAnne
The Marriage Bargain by Stephanie Dees
Light My Fire by Susan May Warren


What books were on your list today?
Are there many books that make you go, Yes! This one here is a perfect summer read?


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Top Ten Tuesday: Author's I Wish We Had New Books From

May 5, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

Author's I Wish We Had New Books From

This is a topic I think about regularly. There have been so many amazing authors and not having new works from them can be a little sad sometimes. But I do cherish the books that they have graced us with and hold on to them tightly and enjoy rereading them. 

Today I will be featuring authors who have retired or have passed away. Either way, new books from them are missed. I will say though, I do wonder, if we did get one more book from them, what would it be about. 

Jessica Dotta - 
 I really hope she writes some new stories. Her one and only series was phenomenal and I still recommended it whenever I can. 

C.S. Lewis - 
Childhood in a nutshell. 

J.R.R Tolkien - 
You can't have C.S. Lewis without J.R.R. Tolkien in my experience. 


Louisa May Alcott - 
Read all of her books, I would have loved to read another "new" book by her. These books hold a fond memory for me. 

Stephen Bly - 
Such a fantastic western author. He wrote strong women leads and some fun stories to follow. 

Lori Wick - 
She wrote some sweet romances. The Princess and her California series have always been top in my book. 

Gilbert Morris - 
Discovered him through my mom. His historical fiction books kept me entertained in high school. 

Catherine Palmer - 
She is another author's historical books I devoured in high school. Prairie romance to regency, they were a lot of fun to read. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder - 
I wish she had written more. I know that the First Four Years was a little different style then the rest of the series, but it would have been interesting for the series to continue on with her time in Missouri. Her writing was fun and engaging as a kid. 


What authors do you wish you could still read a new book from?


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Spurs & Sparks by Jody Hedlund

April 29, 2026






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Top Ten Tuesday: My Bookish History (Freebie)

April 28, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

My Bookish History

Ok, so this freebie week lined up almost perfectly for my birthday, so I thought, self, why not do a reflection on reading history. 

How it all started and what shaped into what it is today. Because, lets be honest, nothing is linear in life. There are so many twisty paths to go down and and having made another journey around the sun, it was a good time to look back. 

Books leave a lasting impression on your life. There are stories that stick with you for certain reasons, and they will hold a special place in your heart for that reason. 

Lets take a journey down my reading history. 









 

I know today was a little out of the ordinary for a top ten, but it was something fun to think about. 

What topic did you decide to feature for this freebie week?



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Top Ten Tuesday: April Showers....

April 21, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

April Showers Bring....May Flowers

I know the May Flowers is a prompt for next month, but I didn't have a whole lot of rain based books to pull from, but I do have an crazy amount of flower books and they were just too pretty not to share now. Besides, here the flowers are blooming beautifully and it's going to be getting quite warm in May.

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar
Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund
The Tomb by Stephanie Landsem


Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron
Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh
The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd


Shiloh by Lori Benton
Ten Thousand Charms by Allison Pittman
Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant


What books did you feature with this prompt?

What books would you suggest for a rainy mood?



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Top Ten Tuesday: Book Titles that Describe Me

April 14, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

Book Titles That Describe Me

I won’t lie—this one was tough. That’s why my list is short. I’m not usually one to open up about my personal life, but I managed to find a few books that I think capture who I am pretty well.

Each of these titles, in its own way, reflects a piece of me—my thoughts, my quirks, or the way I see the world. Here are the ones that resonated most:


The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin




Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh -  Still on my TBR



Winter's Chill by Morgan L. Busse



The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck - Still on my TBR




How was this weeks book challenge for you? 

What books do you think best describe you?


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Daughter of Cana by Angela Hunt

April 8, 2026









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Top Ten Tuesday: Places On My Bucket List to Travel To

April 7, 2026

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:

Places On My Bucket List to Travel To

I love to travel—but if I’m being honest, I love bookish travel even more.

Give me a charming little bookstore tucked into a side street, a cozy café where I can read for hours, or a destination that feels like it’s been pulled straight from the pages of a novel, and I’m instantly sold. Add in good food, new sights, and time with my family, and that’s pretty much my perfect trip.

I’ve been fortunate enough to explore a good portion of the United States, but there are still so many places I want to visit—especially the ones with stories woven into their streets. The kind of places where you can wander through historic neighborhoods, stumble across an indie bookstore, and feel like you’re living inside a chapter of a favorite book.

And then there’s the rest of the world.

The more I read, the more my bucket list grows. A setting in a novel, a passing mention of a dreamy bookshop, or even an author describing their hometown—it doesn’t take much for me to think, I need to go there. My TBR may be out of control, but my travel list? It’s right there with it.

So this list isn’t just about places—it’s about stories, atmospheres, and the feeling of stepping into something magical. These are the destinations that have captured my imagination… and that I hope to visit one day, book in hand.



Outlander by Diana Gabaldon -  Scotland
The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz - Virginia
Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano -  Newport, Rhode Island


Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren -  Rome
The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews -  Egypt
Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta -  England


Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren - Italy
Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden -  Chicago
Kings Shadow by Angela Hunt - Israel



What is on your list this week? 
Where would you like your wanderlust to lead you to? 
Which books have expanded your ideas on travel?




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