Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Reads of 2020

While I haven't posted here on the blog since January, I have enjoyed some great reads this year, and I would love to share about them with you! This week's Top Ten Tuesday* topic is "Favorite Books of 2020," so I'm joining in now to share my picks. I would love to hear about your favorites of the year in the comments section!

*Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. The image above is from Jana's blog.

10 Favorite New-to-Me Reads

The Printed Letter Bookshop

by Katherine Reay

This was a lovely, moving read! I really appreciated the emphasis on truth and forgiveness and living in the present. The way the narration alternates between characters is so creative, and the ending is very satisfying. I teared up a few times.

Heidi 

by Johanna Spyri

This is a very sweet classic! It was great to feature this one for a read-along earlier this year, between the lovely setting and the great characters and the faith elements. 

Once Upon a Short Story (Volume One)

by A.G. Marshall

I snatched this up when it was available as a free Kindle ebook, and I'm so glad I did! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed these little fairy-tale retellings. They're familiar but unique, clever and quite sweet. My favorite short stories in the volume might be "The Bruised Princess" and "The Curse of Gold," but it's hard to pick because the others were creative and entertaining too! There was either a sweet romance or the hint/possibility of one in each story, which I appreciated.

Whose Waves These Are 

by Amanda Dykes

I loved the fictional Maine setting and the beautiful heart of this book, full of hope and light. The poetic wording and imagery and themes are lovely, as well as the way the story is puzzled together over the decades and generations. 

Little Women

by Louisa May Alcott

While I wish there were more emphasis on grace in this overall lovely saga, perhaps more of a biblical balance in the portrayal of faith, I really loved the lessons for daughters, wives, and mothers in this classic. Lots of great lines and reminders, and an enjoyable story! 

Wings of a Dream 

by Anne Mateer

This book set during the Spanish flu pandemic totally and surprisingly captured me. The heroine is imperfect but still loving and relatable. I loved experiencing her viewpoint and seeing all the twists and turns of her story as she learned to release her dreams and plans to God. Such a great read, and I'm so glad I finally read it (as it's been on my shelf for a long time!).

Jane of Austin

by Hillary Manton Lodge

I really enjoyed this modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility! This author does a great job with food references; I loved all the talk of tea and baked goods. It's also a neat twist to have the "Marianne" character (Jane) be the main character, providing an interesting take on the plot. This story is sweet, creative, and full of great descriptions, and I appreciated how it pulled me in despite my familiarity with the general plot line.

The Faithful Spy

by John Hendrix

This book provides a very compelling presentation of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's story and the historical context of Germany and World War II. The content and illustrations are understandably intense but make for a readable and immersive experience. There's a sequence at the end that is especially beautiful in how it's portrayed. A powerful book!

Book of a Thousand Days

by Shannon Hale

Such an intense and intriguing fairy-tale retelling! I really like the diary format of this book and the ingenuity of the main character, Dashti. It's awesome how she holds on to hope and life through severe trials. Also, the romance in this story is just too sweet! 

In Pursuit of a Gentleman

by Arlem Hawks

Such a fun and clever little fairy-tale retelling! Who would think you could have such a cute Regency romance based on "The Gingerbread Man"? I love the way this story is told, including all the delicious gingerbread and bakery descriptions. A sweet wintertime read to savor!

Bonus: Favorite Children's Book

Hello Lighthouse

by Sophie Blackall

I fell in love with this children's book when reading it to my daughter. I borrowed it from the library a couple times, and I just recently ordered a copy to have in our home. It shares such a sweet portrayal of family and the time of lighthouse keepers...and the ending is full of nostalgia. 

Bonus: Favorite Audiobook 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I've read this story before, but I loved hearing it performed as an audiobook with a group of narrators! They do such a great job, and the letters come to life through their accents and emotions. I was glad to revisit the story and characters in this way! 

Top Ten Tuesday: Extraordinary Book Titles

As I checked out a few bloggers' posts for this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic (a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl), I felt the urge to go check my shelves and see if I could pick out 10 standout titles. And here they are! :) I picked five fiction and five nonfiction from my shelves of favorites, but I did limit myself to physical books that I've kept (rather than ebooks, audiobooks, or books I've read but no longer have).

Five Fave Fiction Titles

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch {Goodreads}

Haunting Joy by Lena Goldfinch {Goodreads}

Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson {my review}

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers {Goodreads}

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner {Goodreads}

Five Fave Nonfiction Titles 

We Stood Upon Stars by Roger W. Thompson {my review}

A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman {Goodreads}

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller {Goodreads}

The Happiness Dare by Jennifer Dukes Lee {Goodreads}

Love Does by Bob Goff {Goodreads}

* * * * *

Check out a round-up of other bloggers' picks HERE! 

Which of these titles most appeals to you?

What are some of your favorite book titles?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Loved That Should Get More Love ♥

Top Ten Tuesday is such a fun blog series that's currently being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl! This week's topic is "Books I LOVED with Fewer than 2,000 Ratings on Goodreads." For the month of Valentine's, I think it's a great idea to spread the love for some amazing books that could be considered "hidden gems." Here are ten books I greatly enjoyed...

Windchaser 
by Krissi Dallas
Goodreads stats: 4.27 stars, 144 ratings

This is such a fun and epic YA fantasy series (perfect for summer vacation)! There are four books out so far, with a fifth in the works. :)

Recalled 
by Cambria Hebert
Goodreads stats: 3.66 stars, 745 ratings

The ratings show that readers have mixed feelings on this contemporary fantasy... But it's a total FAVE for me! The premise is different and rather dark, but it's hard not to fall in love with the hero (and the butler). 

The Pursuit of Tamen Littlejohn 
by Lori Benton

Goodreads stats: 4.31 stars, 938 ratings

 I so need to reread this! In my review, I said this book is "the epitome of what I long for in historical romance." Such a lovely read! Burning Sky (the author's debut) is also powerful and beautifully written, and I have another book of hers on my TBR I'm looking forward to reading.

Ain't We Got Fun 
by Emily Chapman & Emily Ann Putzke

Goodreads stats: 4.19 stars, 42 ratings

This is such a charming epistolary story! In my review, I said, "The characters are all such dears! *Hugs them close*" Looking for a heartwarming little historical? Here you go!

Unlucky in Love & Lyrics 
by Tracy Joy Jones

Goodreads stats: 4.75 stars, 4 ratings

You might have seen me mention this on the blog before, back when it was available to the author's newsletter subscribers. Well, great news! This delightful contemporary romance novella is now available on Amazon for only $.99, and you can read it in time for St. Patrick's Day!

Undercurrent 
by Michelle Griep

Goodreads stats: 4.02 stars, 82 ratings

I also have to mention Gallimore; both books are such awesome time-travel romances that were published a while back. The author has become well-known in the realm of inspirational fiction for her great historical novels, but if you enjoy the concept of time travel, I highly recommend these engaging stories. :)

The Electrical Menagerie 
by Mollie E. Reeder

Goodreads stats: 4.64 stars, 88 ratings

Say hello to a super fun steampunk novel with such endearing characters! This author has a great writing style. As you can see by the star rating, readers love this book. :) Now we just need more readers to discover its awesomeness!

The Rose and the Briar 
by J.M. Stengl

Goodreads stats: 4.47 stars, 110 ratings

Any fairy-tale fans? This is such a fun reimagining of Sleeping Beauty! I still need to read the first two books in the series (!), but I loved this one, especially the garden setting.

Ten Thousand Thorns 
by Suzannah Rowntree

Goodreads stats: 4.37 stars, 41 ratings

Another Sleeping Beauty reimagining...but in a very different genre! I've read a couple other unique retellings by this author, but this one is my favorite so far. It's exciting and thought-provoking, with a great hero!

Dancing & Doughnuts 
by Rachel Kovaciny

Goodreads stats: 4.29 stars, 21 ratings

Another fairy-tale reimagining, this one in the Wild West. :) If you're looking for something intriguing but utterly light and sweet, this is a tasty choice! 

* * *

What are some of your favorite hidden gems?
Which books should get more love?

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I Read in 2018

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Happy New Year, friends! I'm writing this a few days before 2019 arrives, and I'm so excited to share some of my favorite reads from this past year before diving into the new one. :)

Compared to the last two years, I read and blogged quite a bit more in 2018, which has been fun! In 2019, I hope to go a little deeper in my blog posts. Not necessarily longer posts—just maybe a bit more personal and creative. Like more devotions or inspirational thoughts on what I've read (instead of standard reviews). We shall see! I also hope to continue reading more of the books I already have, which are many!

Anyway, in 2018 I read more than 75 books. (As compared to about 27 in 2017 and 44 in 2016.) Yay! I met two of my bookish resolutions: reading Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility, and reading more than 50 books. I didn't finish going through my stack of older review books, but I did make progress. And 2019 awaits!

Now, of the books I marked as "read" on Goodreads (at least one of which I started before 2018, but still finished this past year), here are my top 10 first-time reads in no particular order...

East by Edith Pattou

This was a gift from a friend that I finally read, and it's epic! Beautiful writing, a fascinating fairy tale, and a vast adventure. 

Burning Sky by Lori Benton

It took a while for me to get into this one, and it's sometimes a slower read, but it truly is wonderful, especially when it comes to the main characters and the wild frontier setting. And that ending!

{Read my review}

Born of Persuasion and Mark of Distinction by Jessica Dotta

Can you believe I've taken so long to start this trilogy? Friends, it's so unique and intense! I'm sure I'll include Price of Privilege (book 3) among my favorites too, but I've just started it. I can't wait to see how the series ends!

{Read my reviews of book 1 and book 2}

Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

I absolutely loved this historical novel! The research, the photographs and illustrations, the relationship between the hero and heroine, the charm of it all...so lovely. (And I adore that cover too!)

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

A young-adult romance set (in part) in a cemetery in Italy. This one won me over with its relationships and setting!

The Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Another sometimes-slow historical novel, but with interesting characters, echoes of Christy by Catherine Marshall, and some thoughts to ponder. A lovely read!

{Read my review}

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

I listened to more audiobooks this year, and it's hard to pick a favorite! There were a lot of great ones. (You'll find another in my bonus 5-star list below.) This one is a bit odd and bizarre, but the audiobook experience is just so much fun! The narrator went wild with the characters and accents, and I greatly enjoyed it. Also, G and Jane are the cutest. ♥

Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson

I'm so glad I finished this before the end of the year; it's definitely worth adding to my top-ten list! It's a beautifully written story (alternating between contemporary and historical) that depicts such powerful hope in tragic and dark circumstances.

{Read my review}

The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder

Okay, the characters in this steampunk story are just so good! Totally the stars of the show. But the descriptions and the fun fantasy adventure are great too. ;)

{Read my review}

The Rose and the Briar by J.M. Stengl

It was hard to narrow down this list; some of the 5-star reads mentioned below are definitely deserving too! But I loved the uniqueness and fun of the stories like My Lady Jane, The Electrical Menagerie, and this one, so I had to pick them. The Rose and the Briar has such delightful descriptions of gardens and magical topiaries, plus a cute Sleeping Beauty romance.

{Read my review}

Other 5-Star Reads...

• Full by Asheritah Ciuciu {nonfiction}
• Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen {steampunk fairy tale}
• A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier {fantasy fairy tale; audiobook}
• Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof {historical romance}
• Dancing and Doughnuts by Rachel Kovaciny {historical fairy tale}
• Unlucky in Love & Lyrics by Tracy Joy Jones {contemporary romance novella}

Thank you for checking out my favorite reads of the year! I'd love to hear which books stole your heart in 2018. :) 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Fall 2018 TBR

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Happy (almost) autumn! You know I love the change of seasons around here. :) And you know I love talking about books! So, I'm diving into today's topic for Top Ten Tuesday: the books I want to read this fall.

I confess I'm not always the best about setting TBR (to be read) lists that I actually stick with. I'm hoping I've chosen well this time (and there are a couple I need to read for tours), but we'll see what happens. ;) 

For Review

A Southern Season (novella collection)

I'm on the JustRead Tours blog tour for this book, and the seasonal theme should be fun to feature here. One of the stories is fall-themed (Through an Autumn Window). Looks like a good group of authors! Be looking for my review in early November. :)

Enchanting Nicholette by Dawn Crandall

I've read several books by Dawn Crandall and was excited for an opportunity to review and share about her new novella. (My reviews of earlier books: The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart, The Captive Imposter.) I'll be featuring this book on Twitter through a JustRead takeover tour in October and here on the blog in early November. Looking forward to it!

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear

I've read a couple books so far in the Daughters of the Mayflower series (The Mayflower Bride and The Captured Bride). It's been fun to follow this series, and through NetGalley I have the opportunity to review the two latest additions as ebooks: The Cumberland Bride and The Liberty Bride. 

The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall

I'm particularly excited about this one because I love MaryLu Tyndall's books. :) (I also just bought her latest pirate book, The Reckless, in Kindle format. Woohoo!)

Audiobooks

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast 

by Nancy Campbell Allen

I read and loved Kiss of the Spindle (the second book in this steampunk romance series) this summer, and I'm eager to listen to the first book in the series!

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Everyone has been reading and talking about the first book in this series...including me! ;) (You can find my review of the audiobook here: To All the Boys I've Loved Before.) I enjoyed the Netflix adaptation too. And since I like the narrator and characters...I'd like to continue the series with book two!

Paperbacks

Burning Sky by Lori Benton

This book has been on my TBR for a long time, and I really want to finish it this fall! I adored The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn, and I think this style/genre (like Laura Frantz's books) are perfect for this time of year. 

Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

Another long-time TBR resident...and doesn't this look like a delightful autumn read? I really loved Melissa Tagg's first book (Made to Last), and I look forward to reading this one (hopefully this season!). 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I sadly did not end up reading this last fall, but everyone seems to love the writing in this book, and based on the author's note in my Target edition, it truly is the quintessential autumn read! So...here's hoping for this year. :)  

Mark of Distinction and Price of Privilege 

by Jessica Dotta

I finally read the first book in this series this past spring (Born of Persuasion), and it was really good! The darker, mysterious tone of these books would be great to finally enjoy this season.

What are you most excited to read this fall?

Any new releases? Or long-time TBR titles? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Novellas and Short Stories

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

I'm really excited about today's Top Ten Tuesday topic! Novellas and short stories are some of my favorites to write; even my two "novels" aren't really that long. ;) (You can see a list of the books I've written HERE.) I love when a story you can read in an evening or two has a much bigger impact than its small length would suggest. So, here's a list of some novellas/short stories I greatly enjoyed...

This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof

Sarah and Tucker's story floats through the heart with all the tender poignancy of a falling autumn leaf. Their friendship blooms sweetly, brightly. Grows into something as passionate and brilliant as the summer sun. And culminates in a season where beauty coexists with that which fades, causing bittersweet thoughts of that which lasts.
(Read more of my review HERE.)

Unlucky in Love & Lyrics by Tracy Joy Jones

This one was a newsletter freebie in honor of St. Patrick's Day, and what a fun, touching story! I'm not sure when/if the author will be offering this particular novella again, but you can currently grab her Fourth of July freebie novella (When Fireworks Fly) by signing up for her e-newsletter HERE. I haven't read it yet, but I really enjoyed How Gretchen Stole Christmas and Unlucky in Love & Lyrics, and I can't wait for the next novella to arrive in my inbox this fall. :)

Seaglass by Kara Swanson

Here's another newsletter freebie! (You can find it HERE.) This one is a short story by Kara Swanson, and here's my super short review from last December: A bit of fantasy churns through the pages of this simple little story, but the message shimmers bright for real-world readers. I love the imagery and what the two main characters come to see about living life.

The Little Siren by J.M. Stengl

All right...one more newsletter freebie. ;) The Little Siren is such a cute and sweetly romantic introduction to the Faraway Castle series, and you can grab a copy when you sign up for the author's e-newsletter HERE. I've also started the other series novella, Cinder Ellie (available for purchase), and I'm having a blast revisiting the setting and reading about a heroine with a summer job, as I have one too (just as a breakfast server instead of a maid). 

The Language of Souls by Lena Goldfinch

This is the little story that introduced me to Lena Goldfinch's writing...and now I'm so blessed to call her a dear friend, mentor, encourager, and editing/marketing client. :) As I said in this post back in 2013, The Language of Souls is "a sweet, romantic, lovely fantasy novella."

Ten Thousand Thorns by Suzannah Rowntree

This story is beautiful... Epic, yet sweet. Profound, yet fun. Challenging, yet comforting. Ten Thousand Thorns is a version of Sleeping Beauty that has a life, message, and style all its own. I loved it!

(Read more of my review HERE.)

Bespoke by Amanda Dykes

All the rumors you might have heard are true...this is a lovely little tale! Only a few characters are featured, and yet the author weaves their lives into a braid of tender emotion, loss, and hope.
(Read more of my review HERE.)

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg

Christmas in July, anyone? :) Here's another Christmas novella, and this one made my favorites list from 2015. (See the list HERE.)

Dash and Cinder by Bridget Ladd

Another novella that made a favorites list! (See the list HERE.) I do so love fairy-tale retellings. ♥

For Elise by Hayden Wand

This novelette is sweet, tender, and quirky.
(Read more of my review HERE.)

BONUS (Novella Collections I Love)

Five Glass Slippers
(Favorite novella: Broken Glass by Emma Clifton)

Five Enchanted Roses
(Favorite novella: Wither by Savannah Jezowski)

Once
(Favorite novella: Rumpled by J. Grace Pennington)

With This Ring?
(Favorite novella: The Husband Manuever by Karen Witemeyer)