Top Ten Books I HAD to have But Still Haven’t Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

If you are new to my blog, I just wanted to share with you that I co-host a monthly bookish link party called A Good Book and A Cup of Tea (no, you don’t have to drink tea to participate) with Erin (Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs) and Cat (Cat’s Wire). You can find a link to it at the top of the page. The link party is for all book-related posts from reviews and recommendations to …well, anything related to books at all. Including Top Ten Tuesday, if you want to link your top ten there too!


Today’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is:  Books I HAD to Have Immediately but Still Haven’t Read (this is a throwback topic from 2022)

Note: I read a lot of older books, so I don’t necessarily yearn to have new release books. That’s why this list will include older books, which will probably confuse some of you. Yes, I desperately want older books and then don’t read them when I get them, which my son scolds me about.

So here are ten books I wanted and bought (used of course) but still have not read.

A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain

I was very excited for this one and planned to read it this summer. I’m not so sure that is going to happen.

Bombs on Aunt Dainty by Judith Kerr

I read Judith’s first book in this series, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, and was excited to find this one on Thriftbooks. I also planned to read this one this summer. It’s also not happened yet. Just distracted by mysteries.

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

I know this one is going to be hard to read so I want to read it but I’ve put it off a bit.

Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie

I’ve been so busy reading her mysteries, I haven’t gotten to this one yet.

Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death by James Runcie

This is the first book in the series that the show Grantchester is based on. I was excited to get in great shape at a used book sale but still have not read it.

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

I read this one in sixth or seventh grade and have wanted to reread it the last few years but just keep getting distracted by lighter reads. I hope to read it this autumn or winter.

Winter Cottage by Carol Ryrie Brink

This one cost a bit because apparently no old copies exist anywhere and the estate re-released it themselves. I broke down and bought it new and am excited to read it but am holding on to it for winter to read with my daughter.

The Black Dudley Murder by Margery Allingham

I actually have this on Kindle but really wanted to hold an actual paperback copy because I just like reading the Golden Age Mystery writers’ books. It feels like the best way to read them. So now I finally have a copy of it and I haven’t read it yet. In my defense, I did just get it a week or so ago.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

I’ve had this book on my list to read probably since high school but never seem to get around to it because I got distracted by mystery books and gentle fiction. I think this year might be the year for it!

Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery

I keep saying I am going to read this one, but I’ve also heard it is a little depressing so I’ve been avoiding it. I’ll probably read it this fall or winter.


On Thursdays, I am part of the Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot blog link party. You can find the latest one in the sidebar to the right under recent posts.


Hello! Welcome to my blog. I am a blogger, homeschool mom, and I write cozy mysteries.

You can find my Gladwynn Grant Mystery series HERE.

You can also find me on Instagram and YouTube.

If you would like to be the first to get news about my books or just have access to special posts for supporters, you can do so here for $2.99 a month : https://lisahoweler.com/support-my-writing/

Ten books I want to read by New To Me Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

If you are new to my blog, I just wanted to share with you that I co-host a monthly bookish link party called A Good Book and A Cup of Tea (no, you don’t have to drink tea to participate) with Erin (Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs) and Cat (Cat’s Wire). You can find a link to it at the top of the page. The link party is for all book-related posts from reviews and recommendations to …well, anything related to books at all. Including Top Ten Tuesday, if you want to link your top ten there too!


Today’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is: Books I Want to Read by New to Me Authors (Share books from your to-read list that are written by authors you’ve never read before.)

A couple of months ago, I could have written this list with a bit more ease, but I have since read at least one book by many of the “new-to-me” authors on the suggested author’s list I’ve made in my reading journal.

I had to dig a little bit to pull out these ten books by authors I haven’t read, yet, but it was worth it because it reminded me of the books I want to read.

Also, when I write “new-to-me” authors, it doesn’t mean I have never heard of these authors. It simply means I have yet to read a book by them.

Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher

I follow a Booktuber who often talks about Rosamund Pilcher and her books do sound good (maybe a bit depressing) so I am going to eventually get to her books.

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

That’s right. I have never read a Heyer book. Keep in mind that the main genre I read from is mystery.

Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart

I started this, I did not like it. I think it was the mood I was in. I’m going to try again.

Give Me One Summer by Emilie Loring

This one just looked good to me.

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

I’ve been wanting to read her for awhile, but not sure her “regency” genre is really my thing.

A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh

This is a Golden Age mystery author that I have not yet read anything from, but want to.

Foster by Claire Keegan

This one just popped up on a Booktuber’s video and I though it sounded good. I don’t know anything about it or the author.

Lending A Paw by Laurie Cass

Laurie is a cozy mystery writer and I keep saying I am going to read the book by her that my husband purchased for me a few years ago, but I want to read the first book in the series, this one, first.

The Queen and I by Susan Townsend

This book about an alternative reality where the monarch from England is forced to leave the palace and become like common people.

The Corner Shop by Elizabeth Cadell

I just heard about this one today as I was writing this and trying to jog my memory of authors I want to read and this one popped up. I’ve heard of her before and the books sound good.

Have you read any of these books or authors? What did you think of them?


On Thursdays, I am part of the Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot blog link party. You can find the latest one in the sidebar to the right under recent posts.


Hello! Welcome to my blog. I am a blogger, homeschool mom, and I write cozy mysteries.

You can find my Gladwynn Grant Mystery series HERE.

You can also find me on Instagram and YouTube.

If you would like to be the first to get news about my books or just have access to special posts for supporters, you can do so here for $2.99 a month : https://lisahoweler.com/support-my-writing/