Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Thank you to Cathy @ WhatCathyReadNext for submitting these theme! While my list of favourite books always evolves over time, these are titles that I enjoyed reading and still think about quite often.
Since TTT bloggers don’t always all share the same taste, I’ll briefly describe why I love all of these stories as well.
1. The Deep by Rivers Solomon
The world building in this novella was exquisite, but I can’t say much else about it without sharing spoilers. All you need to know going in is that mermaids exist in this universe and have very little in common with Ariel.
2.The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
There were so many fantastic subplots included here about topics like emotional abuse, the harm of strict gender roles, learning how to stand up for yourself, living with a chronic illness, etc. that this is something I tend to reread every year or two. I’d particularly recommend to people who are like me and generally don’t read much romance because while falling in love was part of the story, it was not at all the entirety of it.
3. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
Ms. Waters made her name writing lesbian romance novels, so some fans were disappointed to see her step away from that genre when The Little Stranger came out. I thought she did an excellent job of branching out and trying something new with this mystery that may or may not include paranormal elements depending on how you interpret certain scenes.
I love it when authors take risks with their work like this.
4.Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
This novella had excellent character development and would make an amazing film. Once again, I can’t share anything else for spoiler reasons or I’d be gushing with admiration for the protagonist.
5. Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
The mystery and science fiction genres meld together in this novel about a woman who is either time travelling to save the future or who is having strong hallucinations while being treated by doctors who may be subconsciously allowing their sexist and racist beliefs to cloud their judgement.
I’ve had pretty good experiences with the medical establishment for the most part, but there have been a few times when I wondered if my symptoms weren’t being taken seriously due to my sex, disability, and/or sexual orientation. It can be hard to tell what’s actually going on in certain situations, especially given how overworked doctors and nurses often are, and I thought it was interesting that this ambiguity was explored so thoroughly in this book.
6. A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1) by Becky Chambers
This is the epitome of a comfort read if you ask me. It’s such a peaceful and utopian setting.
7. A Thousand Mornings: Poems by Mary Oliver
Honestly, all of Ms. Oliver’s poetry is wonderful, especially for people who struggle to understand this genre. She had such a thoughtful and accessible writing style that anyone who has ever stepped foot into nature and liked it has a good chance of relating to something she wrote.
8.The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore
This is a sobering story about corporate greed, the abuse of low-income workers, and how a few brave young women spoke out to improve things for future generations.
9.The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
I adored the magical realism in this book as well as the 1920s retelling of an old Russian fairy tale. It was creative and bittersweet.
10.Foster by Claire Keegan
This reads like a story a grandmother might tell her grandchildren about what life was like generations ago. I desperately want a sequel for it.
Ahh, Becky Chambers! I need to continue in her Wayfarers series.
Hope you enjoy it!
Great list! I love Mary Oliver’s poetry. And I need to read The Blue Castle! It’s been on my TBR for far too long.
It was such a good read. Hope you like it.
Fab list!
Thank you.
Great list! People don’t mention Marge Piercy very often, but I loved this book and Gone to Soldiers. Blue Castle, Psalm, and Foster are also fantastic choices.
Thank you very much! Yeah, Marge Piercy isn’t talked about enough at all.
I love Blue Castle and The Deep! For Okarafor, my favorites are the Binti books, but I know I should read Remote Control too. My favorite Sara Waters is Fingersmith! And I love that you included a Marge Piercy book — what a great reminder of how amazing she is. I think my favorite of hers is Braided Lives (or He, She and It), but I loved Woman on the Edge of Time too. Great list!
I need to read the Binti series and Braided Lives for sure.
I loved Fingersmith!
And thank you.
I totally forgot about Becky Chambers!! I love Psalm so much. Nnedi Okorafor is a fabulous author, but I’ve only read Binti by her and loved it!
Chambers has a new book coming out this autumn. I’m super excited for it. 🙂
Kate Moore is a great pick, thanks for sharing your #TTT
You’re welcome.
I see SO many readers sharing love for The Blue Castle. 🙂 It’s always nice to see readers love a book so much. Thanks for visiting my list today!
It’s been everywhere this week! I love it. And you’re welcome.
I have loved everything I’ve read by Claire Keegan and Becky Chambers and Mary Oliver. I really want to read The Blue Castle again.
So glad to hear it. The Blue Castle is even better as a reread.
Radium Girls, Snow Child, Foster and the Blue Castle were all excellent. The others are new to me. Great job!
Thank you very much.
I enjoyed The Blue Castle as well. I appreciate you taking the time to say why you enjoyed these particular books as well. I actually remembered to do that this time, LOL!
Thank you. I’m glad you did it as well!
I love Mary Oliver’s work too — I need to read more of her collections. And someday I need to get round to The Blue Castle…
I think you’ll love them all. 🙂
I love the sound of The Blue Castle!
It’s delightful!
These sound good. I haven’t read any of them. Great choices.
I think it’s fun when that happens! There are so many different types of books out there. 🙂 And thanks.
The Little Stranger and The Blue Castle are both TBR for me!
May you enjoy them!
Radium Girls had me so emotional when I was reading it. I was glad I had followed other people’s suggestions and read it at home so I could cry and rage without getting strange looks from those around me.
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!
You’re welcome. I’m glad you also enjoyed that book.
I *almost added Sarah Waters to my list, too! I haven’t read this title yet but your description has me wanting to. Thanks for the inspo!
It was excellent. Enjoy!
I agree with you over Mary Oliver and I did enjoy The Blue Castle. I do like romance in my stories but can cope easily when its there in the background as well.
Cool. 🙂
I love how varied your list is this week. I haven’t read any of these books, but I do have The Radium Girls on hold at the library.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Thank you. Hope you like Radium Girls.
Great list! I really loved A Psalm for the Wild Built! That’s a great duology.
It sure is. 🙂
I also loved The Little Stranger, but I do need to read more of her work. Lovely list!
Thank you. 🙂
I already had two of these on TBR list, and now I’ve added four more. 😊
Excellent!
Lydia, I haven’t read any of these, however having loved the Anne of Green Gables books, I do want to read The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. I would also like to read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. 😊
May you enjoy them!
Seeing Becky Chambers on several lists. This might be a sign that I need to finally pick something up by her.
She’s such a great storyteller! I hope you do.
I liked Remote Control also! And of course there is a Monk & Robot book on your list. (Mine too, but I went with book 2.)
Book 2 in that series was just as good. 🙂
Great books. Lydia. I don’t think I’ve read Montgomery’s The Blue Castle, but I do own it. Thanks for sharing. Playing a bit of catch up.