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

On July 28, 2026July 27, 2026 By Lisa R. HowelerIn books and reading, top-ten-tuesday10 Comments

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

On July 14, 2026 By Lisa R. HowelerIn books and reading, top-ten-tuesday12 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

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/

What I read in June

On July 3, 2026July 2, 2026 By Lisa R. HowelerIn books and reading13 Comments

I have been averaging about four books a month this entire year, except for March, when I somehow read seven, but I think that was because I finished up a book I’d been reading with my daughter and also finished (finally) Return of the King.

In June I read the following books:

The Ivory Dagger by Patricia Wentworth

Description: When Lila Dryden is discovered standing over her fiancé’s body with dagger in hand, Miss Silver is called in to investigate, only to discover Lila’s sleepwalking patterns, the return of her former lover, and the victim’s circle of acquaintances–all of whom occasionally wished him dead.

Brief thoughts: I enjoyed this one. It was my first by Wentworth, so it was also my first Miss Silver book. I think it was number 18 but I didn’t have any problems following the characters or figuring out their past interactions with each other. I loved Miss Silver and her interaction with the investigator in the case, who she had worked with before.

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Description: Eustace and Jill escape from the bullies at school through a strange door in the wall, which, for once, is unlocked. It leads to the open moor…or does it? Once again Aslan has a task for the children, and Narnia needs them. Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, they pursue the quest that brings them face to face with the evil Witch. She must be defeated if Prince Rillian is to be saved.

Brief thoughts: I’ve been making my way through The Chronicles of Narnia this year and this was the next one. I was in a reading slump when I started it and it pulled me out because I couldn’t put it down. I was immediately caught up in the story. It wasn’t my favorite of the series, but I love how Lewis writes so I still really liked it. This is a children’s book but I truly believe even adults should read this series. It’s so magical and fun. And, yes, there are elements to the stories that are allegories for Christianity but even if a person isn’t a Christian, the stories are just so good.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Description: The peaceful English village of King’s Abbot is stunned. The widow Ferrars dies from an overdose of Veronal. Not twenty-four hours later, Roger Ackroyd—the man she had planned to marry—is murdered. It is a baffling case involving blackmail and death that taxes Hercule Poirot’s “little grey cells” before he reaches one of the most startling conclusions of his career.

Brief thoughts: I wrote a review for this one, but the bottom line is that I enjoyed it. I read this one as part of the Agatha Christie Reading Challenge.

Book recommendation: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Stolen Past by Tara Randel

Description: Pleasant Creek, Indiana, loves its history. Each summer the town sponsors Heritage Day, a festival commemorating the signing of the original town charter. Liz Eckardt couldn’t be happier to participate in the star-spangled celebration.

But someone else isn’t happy. Antique items related to the historic event are being stolen from Pleasant Creek’s people and businesses, including Liz herself. Does the culprit merely want to torch the celebration or is there more to his sinister plot?

Brief Thoughts. I also wrote a review on this one and posted it here on the blog. I enjoyed this one. It was a very light mystery, not dark, not overly depressing. I love the characters in this series (The Amish Inn Mysteries) so it felt like visiting old friends when I read it.

Book recommendation: Amish Inn Mystery, Stolen Past by Tara Randel

What did you read in June? Have you ever read any of these?

If you write book reviews or book-related blog posts, don’t forget that Erin, Cat, and I host the A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Monthly Bookish Blog Party. You can learn more about it here.

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.

Notice: This post may contain affiiate links. If you purchase the product from these links I will receive a small compensation at no extra charge to you.

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 and Facebook.

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/

A Good Book and A Cup of Tea April Link Up and some Highlights from March

On April 1, 2026March 31, 2026 By Lisa R. HowelerIn A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Link Party15 Comments

Wow! March seemed to fly by and here we are in April already, preparing for another A Good Book & A Cup of Tea link party.

This link-up is for book and reading posts or anything related to books and reading (even movies based on books!).

I’ll get to all the details/rules of the party but first I want to highlight a few posts from March:

|| A Curated Reading List To Savor in 2026 from Between The Bookends ||

|| This Week by The Intrepid Reader ||

|| Forever Borrowed by Cat’s Wire ||

|| My Latest Fave Reads/What’s On Your Bookshelf by Deb’s World ||

Thank you to everyone who participated last month! Be sure to tell your followers about the link-up so we can all get more recommendations for our bookshelves.

Now some tips and guidelines about the link party:

Each link party will be open for a month.

My co-host for this event is Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs! You can link up with either of us!

1. For Bloggers, you can link unlimited posts related to books and reading. They can be older posts or newer posts. These can be posts about what you’re reading, book reviews, books you’ve added to your shelf, reading habits, what you’ve been reading, about trips to the bookstore, etc. You get the drift.

2. Link to a specific blog post (URL of a specific post, not just your website). Feel free to link up any older posts that may need some love and attention, too.

3. Please visit at least two other bloggers on this list and comment on their posts. Have fun! Interact! Get some book recommendations.

4. Readers can click the blue button below to visit blog posts.

5. If you add a link you are giving me permission to share and link back to your post(s).

Have fun everyone and I hope you find some wonderful book recs by visiting the links throughout the month!

22 Books I Recommend for Middle Grade March

On March 9, 2026March 8, 2026 By Lisa R. HowelerIn book reviews, books and reading11 Comments

This is the month when adults read chapter books that were actually written for children. Middle Grade March. Sometimes, they are so good that we don’t even realize they were written for children.I read a lot of middle-grade books throughout the year because I have a middle-grade child. She and I have already read many of the books other readers have on their lists each year.

If you participate or want to participate in Middle Grade March, I have a few suggestions of books you can choose from to read. Many of these are “lesser known” middle-grade books that don’t always get a lot of attention in bookish circles.

Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright

Return to Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

The Green Ember by S.D. Smith

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Children of the Longhouse by Joseph Bruchac

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

The Good Master by Kate Seredy

Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin by Marguerite Henry

Children of the Longhouse by Joseph Bruchac

Freedom Crossing by Margaret Groff Clark

Miracle on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorenson

The Moffatts by Eleanor Estes

The Middle Moffatt by Eleanor Estes

The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Spear

The Cabin Faced West by Jean Fritz

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain.

King of the Wind by Marquerite Henry

Do you participate in Middle Grade March, or have you?

If you have, what did you read or if you are this month, what are you reading?

If you write book reviews or book-related blog posts, don’t forget that Erin and I host the A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Monthly Bookish Blog Party. You can learn more about it here.

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.

A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Bookish Link Up For December

On December 2, 2025December 1, 2025 By Lisa R. HowelerIn A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Link Party8 Comments

Welcome to the A Good Book & A Cup of Tea (A Monthly Bookish Link Party)!! This link-up is for book and reading posts or anything related to books and reading (even movies based on books!).

Each link party will be open for a month.

My co-host for this event is Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs! You can link up with either of us!

Some guidelines.

2. Link to a specific blog post (URL of a specific post, not just your website). Feel free to link up any older posts that may need some love and attention, too.

3. Please visit at least two other bloggers on this list and comment on their posts. Have fun! Interact! Get some book recommendations.

4. Readers can click the blue button below to visit blog posts.

5. If you add a link, you are giving me permission to share and link back to your post(s).

Thank you to those who linked up last month. Here are some highlights from that link party:

|| My October Books by Cat’s Wire ||

|| Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set During or After World War II by The Intrepid Reader ||

|| I’m Spoiling You With These Books by Is This Mutton ||

|| Top Ten Tuesday: Books Outside My Comfort Zone by Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs ||

A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Bookish Link Up For November

On November 3, 2025November 4, 2025 By Lisa R. HowelerIn A Good Book and A Cup of Tea Link Party9 Comments

Welcome to the A Good Book & A Cup of Tea (A Monthly Bookish Link Party)!! This link-up is for book and reading posts or anything related to books and reading (even movies based on books!).

Each link party will be open for a month.

My co-host for this event is Erin from Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs! You can link up with either of us!

Some guidelines.

2. Link to a specific blog post (URL of a specific post, not just your website). Feel free to link up any older posts that may need some love and attention, too.

3. Please visit at least two other bloggers on this list and comment on their posts. Have fun! Interact! Get some book recommendations.

4. Readers can click the blue button below to visit blog posts.

5. If you add a link you are giving me permission to share and link back to your post(s).

Thank you to those who linked up last month. Here are some highlights from that link party:

|| Books I Read in September by Slices of Life ||

|| Six Degrees of Separation: I Want Everything to Dear Mrs Bird by The Intrepid Reader ||

|| More Than One Copy? by Cat’s Wire ||

Summer Reading Challenge Wrap Up

On September 3, 2025September 4, 2025 By Lisa R. HowelerIn books and reading8 Comments

This summer I participated in the Summer Reading Challenge hosted by Emma at Words and Peace and Annabel @ AnnaBookBel.

In the beginning I decided I would read 15 and then I decided on my own that I’d just read 10. I knew I had a lot going on this summer with health and stuff (not like I actually had a life and traveled. Har. Har.) and was also trying to finish the fourth book in my mystery series (which, sadly, is not finished) so I figured I might not even read that many.

In the end, though, I did manage to read 15 books.

First, my original list of planned 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 Politano

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

Now my final list of books read this summer:

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

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

But First Murder by Bee Littlefield

The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie

The Inimitable Jeeves by PG Woodhouse

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Spill the Jackpot by Erle Stanley Gardner

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot

The Wishing Well by Mildred Wirt

Killer in the Kitchen (A Murder, She Wrote book) by Donald Bain

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

Dave Barry is Not Taking This Sitting Down by Dave Barry

Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

The Password to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene

Here are a few follow up questions suggested by Emma:

Did you manage to finish all 10/15/20 books? If not, what kept you from completing the challenge? I finished 15 books when I actually thought I’d only get 10 done!

Of all the books you read this summer, which one(s) was/were your favorite and why? The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Inimitable Jeeves were my favorites. The Scarlet Pimpernel kept me turning the pages with its adventure and The Inimitable Jeeves was hilarous and fun.

Did you DNF any? Why? I did not finish the Courtney Walsh books. I just couldn’t get into them.

Which book surprised you the most, either by being better or worse than you expected? I expected Spill the Jackpot to be so much better than it was. I read another book in the series and really enjoyed it but this one was just not good at all.

Did you notice any patterns in the genres you chose or enjoyed this summer? As usual I read more mysteries than anything else.

Which one had the best cover? Some of my books had different covers than what I showed above. If the photo I used for The Scarlet Pimpernel on my graphic had been the cover I had had on my book, I would say that one, but, alas, I did not have that cover. So for me I think A Midnight Dance had the best cover but the Dave Barry book had the funniest.

Which one was the longest? And the shortest? All Things Wise and Wonderful was the longest and Prince Caspian was the shortest (I think)..

Did you read them mostly in print? ebook? audio? I mostly read my books via ebooks.

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.

15 Books of Summer Reading Challenge Update

On August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 By Lisa R. HowelerIn books and reading13 Comments

Today I’m giving an update on my 15 Books of Summer Reading Challenge that I am participating in with Emma at Words and Peace and Annabel @ AnnaBookBel.

I originally made a list of 15 books I planned to read this summer, but later dropped that down to 10.

After I posted the blog post I decided to drop the list down to 10 because my summer was looking busy with some health things going on with myself, my husband, and my elderly parents.

At this point though, it looks like I should squeak out 12 books and one audiobook before all is said and done on August 28.

I made some substitutions and tossed some books from this list altogether, not because they were bad (in most cases), but because I am a mood reader and they didn’t fit my mood this summer.

First, my original list:

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 Politano

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

Now what I have read so far this summer:

All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot

The Wishing Well by Mildred Wirt

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie

The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene

The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

Spill the Jackpot by Erle Stanley Gardner

Killer in the Kitchen (A Murder She Wrote book) by Donald Bain

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

I am almost done with Dave Barry is Not Taking This Sitting Down by Dave Barry and will probably finish Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse before the end of the month. I’d love to say I’ll also finish The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson but. . .. oh gosh this book is so boring. Gah! I don’t know if I can get through it. I’m trying because my husband liked it and told me to read it. God bless, him for liking it, but I am seriously struggling.

I also plan to finish The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon J. Mondragon on audiobook before the end of the month.

What I will have to decide at the end of the month is if I am going to move the books I didn’t read to my Autumn TBR, and I might do that for a couple of them. As for the others, I might not read them at all because a couple of them I tried and could not get into (The Summer of Yes being one of them).

There is a questionairre on the host blogs about what we read so far so . . .

Which book surprised you the most this month? The Scarlet Pimpernel suprised me the most because I thought it was going to be written in very old language and just not be very good. It was much better than I expected!
If your July reading experience was a weather forecast,
what would it be and why?
My July reading experience was a mix of sunny days and dark confusing nights (looking at you for that last one, Spill the Jackpot!)
Name a setting from your July books where you’d love (or hate)
to take a summer vacation. I hated the inn in The Pale Horse. It was creepy and I didn’t enjoy the occult stuff the women did there.
If you could turn one book into a summer festival,
I would turn The Scarlet Pimpernel into masquarade ball where everyone has to guess who the real Scarlet Pimpernel is.

If you do reading challenges, how are you doing this summer on your challenges? If you don’t do challenges, have you read anything interesting lately?

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