book lists

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books I want to read this summer

/ Lisa R. Howeler / 25 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Today’s prompt is: Books on My Summer 2025 to-Read List

I have already posted about 15 books I hope to read this summer so I’ve narrowed it down to the top ten I hope to finish by the end of the summer. I’ve also swapped some books out after doing some research on them and deciding they most likely aren’t really my thang, ya’ know.

As always, these are subject to change, and other books may catch my attention and take precedence.

1. The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Woodhouse

I’ve already started this one and I am enjoying it, so I am sure I’ll finish it in the next couple of months at least.

2. The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie

I’ve also started this one, but just a few pages. I need a good mystery right now.

3. The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

I’ll probably read a couple Nancy Drews this summer. I usually do.

4. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Children’s books are apparently my thing this summer.

5. But First Murder by Bee Littlefield

Because I like Betti and want to see what’s going on with her. Plus…more mystery, which I like.

6.  Spill the Jackpot by Erle Stanley Gardner

Cool and Lamb. Yes. I need some more of their wicked bluntness and mystery.

7. The 100-Year-Old-Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonassen

I have no idea if I will like this or not, but I am going to give it a try anyhow.

8. The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley By Courtney Walsh

I swapped this one out with Summer of Yes because it has better ratings.

9. Dave Barry is Not Taking This Sitting Down by Dave Barry

I need some humor. Like bad. That is all.

10. The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon J. Mondragon

What books are you looking forward to this summer?

Lisa R. Howeler is a blogger, homeschool mom, and writes cozy mysteries.

You can find her Gladwynn Grant Mystery series HERE.

You can also find her on Instagram and YouTube.

Books I want to read for the 15 Books for Summer Challenge

/ Lisa R. Howeler / 26 Comments

The 20 Books of Summer Challenge is back this year with new hosts. This will be my first year participating and I can tell you I will most likely not read 20 books this summer. Much less than that.

So, I have a list of 15 books I plan to choose from, knowing full well I will get distracted a time or two or to read all of them. Count on me not reading all of them or even half. Ha.

For the challenge you can actually choose 10, 15, or 20 books.

A little housekeeping about the challenge first.

The challenge is being hosted by Emma of Words and Peace and AnnaBookbel .

Here are some details:

The #20BooksofSummer2025 challenge runs from Sunday, June 1st to Sunday, August 31st

  • The first rule of 20 Books is that there are no real rules, other than signing up for 10, 15 or 20 books and trying to read from your TBR.
  • Pick your list in advance, or nominate a bookcase to read from, or pick at whim from your TBR.
  • If you do pick a list, you can change it at any time – swap books in/out.
  • Don’t get panicked at not reaching your target.
  • Just enjoy a summer of great reading and make a bit of space on your shelves!

They will alo have monthly summary posts where you can add progress reports and recommendations. The final one at the at the beginning of September will stay open for a while to catch all the last reviews.

If you’re planning to join in please do add your blog / planning post link to the Mr Linky on the hosts blogs, and you can download the logos and bingo card now. You can also use the hashtag #20BooksofSummer2025 on your socials.

And now my list of 15 books I will be choosing from this summer. These books are a mix of mysteries, romances, thoughtful, fluffy, and all in between. And of course I’ll probably read more Nancy Drew than I have listed here. They’re fast reads.

Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh

Between Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

The Inimitable Jeeves by PG Woodhouse

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Spill the Jackpot by Erle Stanley Gardner

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara

Death In A Budapest Butterfly by Julia Buckley

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonassen

But First Murder by Bee Littlefield

The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie

Britt-Marie was Here by Fredrik Backman

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson

The Unlikely Yarn of The Dragon Lady by Sharon J. Mondragon

And bonus…my “take my time” read: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

I am a mood reader so I will not be reading this list in order and if my mood dictates I have to choose off the list, I certainly will. Reading is a leisure activity for me, and applying too much structure takes the joy out of it for me, but making lists is also fun for me so…this is why I make a list.

Do you have a list of books you like to choose from for each season or do you just grab whatever you feel like reading next?

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 books I planned to read in 2024 but didn’t get to

/ Lisa R. Howeler / 12 Comments

|| Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. ||

Today’s prompt is: 2024 Releases I Was Excited to Read but Still Haven’t Gotten To (will you be prioritizing these this year?)

I don’t really pay attention to new releases very well because I read all over the place and most of my reads are “old” — such as released many years ago.

I hope it is okay then today to share ten books I wanted to get to last year (that was on my planned reads list) but didn’t get to. Would I like to get to these books this year? Some, yes, and some I have lost interest in.

  1. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet (I do plan to read this one at some point, hopefully this year)

2. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (I’m part of the way done with this)

3. House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz (I really enjoyed Moriarty by Horowitz and would like to read this Sherlock Holmes book too)

4. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (this would be re-read but I haven’t read it since sixth grade)

5. Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie (still plan to read)

6. A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Loudon (still hope to read)

7. Ever Faithful by Karen Barnett (I started this one and couldn’t really get into it so I don’t know if I plan to read it or not this year)

8. Dandelion Cottage by Carol Watson Rankin (I do still plan to read this one)

9. Jayne Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (I don’t know if I will read this this year or not. Maybe)

10. The Bobbsey Twins on Blueberry Island (I do plan to read this one this year)

Are there books you missed reading last year that you still plan to read this year?