Category: book tag

top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Books With “Love” in the Title

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

The rules are simple:

  • Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want.
  • Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.
  • Add your name to the Linky widget on that day’s post so that everyone can check out other blogger’s lists.
  • Or if you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

This week on TTT is a Valentine’s/love themed freebie. I considered going with book covers or favourite rom-coms, but felt this one calling to me.

So I will be presenting a variety of books I have loved or am excited to read with the word “love” in its name. I feel these are a good selection of books from fictional, sweep-me-off-your-feet kind of love to the more grounded makings of love in a marriage.

As usual, in no particular order, here we go!

1. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

I read this book when it first came out, and I have always acknowledged that this was the book that prompted my first review because I loved it so much on so many levels. I love the Asian representation in Lara Jean and her discovery for balancing all that she was.

But since this is a love post, let me just make it simple. #TeamPeterK all the way 😉 Peter was like the book boyfriend in my teenage mind, and my more grown-up mind can’t find too many reasons to shoot it down now either. Also, that hot tub scene…phew, is all I can say. You can read my review HERE.

If you loved this series, be sure to check out the Netflix movies for each of these books. The movie based on book 3, Always and Forever, Lara Jean comes out THIS Friday, February 12!

2. How to Love by Katie Cotugno

This was a real treasure when I first read it. Down to earth, full of life’s big problems that “love” and all its connotations may not always be able to overcome so simply. I think as an adult now, re-reading this would bring to light things I possibly missed as a teenager, but either way this was a beautiful story about the messiness in life and how love is built on many little imperfect moments instead of one giant perfect thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a deeper read into love that isn’t just a foregone conclusion they’d get together or for simple fun. Definitely not a rom-com, but I would say showcases love in all its many facets.

You can check out my review HERE.

3. Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Talk about representation in mainstream YA love stories! This would’ve done wonders for me when I was growing up to have seen characters like me in the stories I read and found on bookstore shelves. While I have not gotten the chance to read this book in its entirety yet, I am excited about its whole premise centred on Asian children born in Western societies and the balance of figuring out who they are. It’s essentially a balance I find in myself too, and I’m stoked to see it explored in a book.

4. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

This is actually one of the few on the list I want to read! It has been on my TBR for years. I feel bad for saying that. But it sounds like a wonderful story of love and self-discovery, all under the beautiful Tuscany sun. Sometimes you just want that sweet, cute, heartwarming book where the characters just get together, you know?

If any of you HAVE read it, I would love to know what you thought on it!

5. To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

I haven’t read this one either but got to hop on that Bridgerton curiosity that took the show binging world by storm. While I don’t always read romances such at these (or even less, blog about them), I do have to say I love Regency-era books. So with slight trepidation, I may have to keep an eye out for these books once the craze has died down a little so it’s possible to get a copy from the library.

Also, I haven’t watched Bridgerton yet. I am still debating if it’s worth the hype. I would love some honest opinions though!

6. The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

I loved learning about my love language and my boyfriend’s love language. Thankfully we both feel loved through quality time, which is the one blessing of the pandemic to get more time with each other.

While I love romantic, fantastical love stories, when it comes to my own, I’ve learned the hard way that it isn’t necessarily like the kind of love portrayed in fictional stories. It takes work and communication after the initial butterflies die down (and they do at some point). This book is a winner in my eyes for any couple learning to communicate their need to be loved and how that looks like for one another in the long-term.

7. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

One of my very first contemporaries in YA I gravitated towards – I was very heavily a fantasy-only kind of preteen – I adored its concept and the execution of this fast-paced, 24-hour span romance on second chances and fateful connections. While the title suggests it’s on instant attraction alone, I do think it’s more nuanced than that as our two protagonists spend a flight across the ocean together. I love slow burn attraction but this was one story that did the chemistry and banter right. If you want to see more of my thoughts, my review is HERE.

8. Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

I’m a huuuuggge Sophie Kinsella fan ever since I picked up her first Shopaholic book in seventh grade (I’m not sure it was the most appropriate thing to read but oh well). I don’t find most rom-coms actually funny – maybe the protagonist’s sense of humour just isn’t for me – but I never lacked laughs when seeing Sophie’s heroines at their antics.

I will admit that I have yet to read this one but I’m super hopeful it’s like a lot of her other books that will give me a good laugh and lots of feels at the end of the day.

9. Love Her Wild by Atticus

Cannot do this list without a collection of poems. I’ve only in more recent years delved into poetry (thank you to working at a bookstore for 2 years), but I’m grateful I have entered this wonderful world of feelings and emotions. Atticus is one of the more popular poets, and he has such quotable phrases that are known to be used for permanent tattoos. I personally just love the style, and the added ambience of photography really enhances the setting, drawing the reader to look deep into themselves and embrace what resonates.

10. Love, Life and the List by Kasie West

Last, but never least, one of my all-time favourite contemporary romances featuring a friends-to-lovers trope is this beauty by Kasie West. There were so many things I loved about this one, from a checklist of self-discovery items that challenged our protagonist to FEEL, to the angst and all the feels in her crush on her best friend. It balances my love for rom-com and lighthearted romance with my deep appreciation for writing about what’s real regarding the emotions love invokes.

Its title couldn’t be more aptly named, and I think it’s one of Kasie’s best works. Check out my review HERE.

What do you think? Are there other books with “love” in its title you feel should be on here? Always happy to chat!

Until next time, friends!

musings, top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Written Before I Was Born

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

The rules are simple:

  • Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want.
  • Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.
  • Add your name to the Linky widget on that day’s post so that everyone can check out other blogger’s lists.
  • Or if you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

Whoever thinks that only new books are better for recommendations, I sorely think we need to have a good conversation. I grew up reading as a child (maybe that’s why I have glasses), and most of the books I had access to at that age were well-loved novels well beyond my years.

For today’s TTT, I will endeavour to share with you beloved series that made me fall in love with reading, and the heroines and heroes who ruled these pages. In no particular order, let’s dig in!

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1908)

I can’t be a proud Canadian girl if I didn’t grow up reading one of our most beloved stories preserved through time. While I haven’t grown up in the PEI, reading this series helped me almost imagine what it would’ve been like, especially in the early 1900s.

If you too love Anne, the spunkiest redhead of her time, then you should also definitely check out the TV series Anne with an E! I highly recommend it, and it’s not just because I absolutely ADORE this girl, but because this series actually did a good job bringing her to life while discussing some great modern issues.

2. Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene (The Secret of the Old Clock – 1930)

I can trace my love of mysteries as an adult to all the Nancy Drew books I read. I was obsessive in reading all 56 yellow-spined novels which I considered canon in my childhood years. You should’ve seen my surprise when I learned that Carolyn Keene was a pseudonym used by multiple writers. Young Andge was not the most impressed by that.

There is also a new Nancy Drew TV series out and I’m super hesitant to watch it. I thought the movie starring Emma Roberts some years ago was okay but I don’t have super high hopes for these modern adaptations. What do you think?

3. Redwall by Brian Jacques (1986)

Does anyone remember this series? I grew up watching the children’s television program and fell in love with the elaborate storytelling and world these talking creatures lived in. I wanted to be brave like Martin the Warrior, and go on adventures with the hares and badgers. It was one of the longer, tiny printed books I’ve read in my young life, and for sure affected my eyesight but I have absolutely no regrets.

4. Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell/Kathryn Kenny (The Secret of the Mansion – 1948)

While she may be the lesser known 20th century amateur sleuth, Trixie was brave, adventurous and everything I wished I could be like as a young girl. I loved the family dynamic with her older brothers and the new neighbours next door that eventually formed their Bobwhites crew on multiple adventures. She felt like someone I could actually be like whereas Nancy sometimes felt so much older and more worldly than I’d ever be.

Later books in the series were also written under a pseudonym, Kathryn Kenny, with different authors contributing to their adventures. At this point, young Andge was starting to think all amateur sleuth stories were written in such a fashion.

5. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865)

This post wouldn’t be great if I didn’t mention its name and inspiration. I loved reading this crazy, one-of-a-kind book and its sequel when I was little. While I read most of the classics, this one stuck out, especially the wacky nonsensical words Lewis Carroll created and was eventually added into the English dictionary (just take a look at the Jabberwocky poem). Are you much of a fan for this classic? (I won’t take offence if you don’t haha)

6. Night World by L.J. Smith (Secret Vampire – 1996)

I loved this series as a pre-teen heading into high school, especially in the wake of Twilight and the renewed interest in vampires, werewolves and other mystical creatures. While L.J. Smith is known for her Vampire Diaries series, I thought this lesser known series of hers was way better. Each story is contained within itself but the current 9 books all connect together, especially books 7-9.

The unfortunate matter is she never finished the series, but that’s something that would take a whole blog post to rant about so I will cut it there (though feel free to rant if you need to in the comments below).

7. The Chronicles of Narnia (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – 1950)

If you’ve watched the film, that’s great and all but the book is SUCH a classic that should be on any classic reader’s shelves. While some of the books are more hit or miss for people, C.S. Lewis’ first published book in these chronicles was full of adventure and a deep moral lesson of sacrifice and familial love. If you haven’t read it yet, I very much recommend at least The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to you.

8. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (The Fellowship of the Ring – 1954)

I’m sure Peter Jackson’s films in the last two decades have left very few people unfamiliar with the creations of Tolkien. I loved his work, but I also am a fan of the man himself. Both him and C.S. Lewis were brilliant creative minds and men of faith and I admire the balance they had as fictional fantasy writers. While these books are ridiculously long at times, it’s worth the read if you loved the world brought to life by the big screen.

9. Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard (Mandie and the Secret Tunnel – 1983)

The last of the young amateur sleuth series I read as a child – you can totally tell why I love mysteries as an adult – was this wholesome series following a girl named Mandie as she finds mysteries in her every day life. From boarding school to her travels in Europe to her life at home, I loved the lessons it taught on family, faith and love. It also spurred my love of historical fiction as it isn’t as boring as one may think. The last of the series ended with Mandie in college but unfortunately it is left open ended as Lois passed away after its release.

10. Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (A Study in Scarlet – 1887)

Last but not least, I devoured the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and other stories and it is no secret it is a standard for detective portrayals and crime solving, even in modern times. The legacy left behind by a fictional detective and his friend/sidekick from London has changed the world, and it definitely blessed me with the love of mysteries beyond young girl sleuths.

Wow, what a nostalgia trip! Some of these series I haven’t thought of in ages but they each shaped me in some way into the person I am and the books I look to read even now.

I hope you enjoyed some of these, and were maybe even introduced to a series or two. Let me know if you like these choices! See you next week for Top Ten Tuesday.

top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Me Authors I Read in 2020

Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

The rules are simple:

  • Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want.
  • Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.
  • Add your name to the Linky widget on that day’s post so that everyone can check out other blogger’s lists.
  • Or if you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

In no particular order, here are the top ten new authors I read last year and the books I was introduced to them. And in actuality, almost all the new authors I read last year since it oddly seems I read a lot of books by old and loved authors.

  1. Ben Philippe

Although this isn’t Ben’s debut, I yearned to diversify my reading selections and read more books by POC authors as a new ongoing goal. I loved the protagonists and the experience Ben brings to this particular story I read in 2020 (including a little trip across the border to good ol’ Canada!). I plan on checking out his debut at some point this year.

2. Jordyn Taylor

Jordyn’s debut novel was one of my absolute favourites of 2020, a book I raved about to many friends online and off. A mixture of history and contemporary storytelling, she’s become an author I look out for in future works.

As a matter of fact, keep an eye out for her second book, Don’t Breathe a Word, when it comes out in May! I will be posting an ARC review for it nearer to that date.

3. Cameron Lund

2020 was a year of good romantic contemporaries for me, and that brought Cameron’s book into my sphere. I love a good best-friends-to-lovers trope and this one didn’t disappoint, especially the second half! It was cute and didn’t judge whether one was a virgin or not because that’s not all there is to a person.

4. Emma Lord

Emma Lord is a sheer delight and her cute Twittersphere story was as fun and romantic as the title suggests. It also made its way to one of my favourite reads of 2020. Definitely churned out a lot of great debuts that hit all the right spots.

Her next book, You Have a Match, came out this month! Be sure to check back for a review on this novel soon! 🙂

5. Amelie Wen Zhao

I can’t be a champion of POC authors without supporting my fellow Asian writers. While there was a lot of controversy surrounding the debut release by Amelie, I personally enjoyed the book and didn’t understand some of the issues prompted by initial reviewers. Anyhoo, I’m glad she’s getting the happier recognition she deserves, and this fantasy reads like any other old-timer authors out there you may love and enjoy.

6. Suzanne Park

Another Asian writer! Both books featuring kinda nerdy and quirky characters, I absolutely adored the first premise while the second one fell flat for me. The Perfect Escape was her YA debut while Loathe at First Sight was technically classified in adult romance but it’s no simple rom-com as the description may mislead you to believe. I think I will stick to Suzanne’s zombie butt kicking, escape-room/escapist YA novels as it’s more up my alley. Also, representation!

7. Roseanne A. Brown

I loved the different fantasy take this debut brought! You can really see the African cultural influences throughout this crafted world, but it was explained in a way that helped us learn if we were not familiar with such mythologies. Either way, I look forward to book #2 when it releases later this year.

8. Jasmine Guillory

While Jasmine’s been around for a bit before 2020, I was really into rom-coms last year (see the majority of above list) and I just couldn’t stop reading all of hers. She’s one major romance author who stands for POC and I’m all for that. Definitely put a lot of her own experiences as a Black woman into each of her protagonists and I learned so much from just seeing the world through their eyes.

9. Jessica Goodman

The only debut that wasn’t a rom-com or fantasy, this book mostly lived up to its mysterious allure from its synopsis and gave me a harrowing experience as the protagonist solved the real mystery behind her former best friend’s death. Soon to be a TV series in the future named The Player’s Table, I’m looking forward to seeing this story brought to the (slightly bigger) screen!

10. Zoraida Cordova

Last but surely not least, Zoraida’s debut was, well, mostly on fire! (See what I did there?) While I struggled with its pacing a lot, the story set some good foundation in an Inquisition Spain-esque world and a protagonist that can steal people’s memories. I am excited to see what the sequel brings.

And that’s a wrap! Did you read any of these debuts? This Top Ten Tuesday should’ve been relabelled as top 10 debuts but I guess it makes sense most of my new authors would be those putting out new books last year.

See you next week on Top Ten Tuesday!