My Top 10 Favorite Books From Last Year’s Reading List
Last year, I visited my local library more days than in previous years. The allure was just as much about rediscovering my love of reading as saving money by revisiting my love of borrowing library books while also avoiding book clutter piling up in my house.
As a result, I not only pursued my first book reading challenge in years but also discovered some unexpected new favorite books that I am excited to share with you from last year’s reading list.
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I started a reading list goal for the first time in years!
I have had a love of books since childhood and spent hours in my local library and the school library growing up. As an adult, reading a good book in the quiet comfort of a library is one of life’s simple pleasures.
My first goal in visiting the library last year was to reread a previously read and loved book series by Jude Deveraux—my all-time favorite author. To prepare for the release of a long-awaited sequel, I borrowed each book in the series one by one again so I could fully appreciate and mentally participate in the character’s stories all over again.
It was a great way to get through the long winter months.
Sometimes, the next book in the series wouldn’t be available yet; I wasn’t the only avid reader following the same thought process. Already rehooked on having not only a non-fiction book in process through my Bible study group and devouring a fiction book at the same time, there was only one thing I knew to do during the waiting gaps while reading the series I started.
I needed to find other fiction books to enjoy.
Visiting the library every week led to random wandering down the book aisles and an unexpected discovery of new authors I would have never purchased in a bookstore.
Am I the only one who struggles with spending money on a book from an unknown author with the hopes that you will love it enough to justify the cost? Just being honest.
So, today, I am so excited to share with you those little treasure nugget books that were not on my reading radar at all last year but surprisingly became some of my favorite books.
Of course, at the top of my list is the series that I not only reread but finished the latest installation by Jude Deveraux, The Medlar Mysteries Series.
Filled with three charming main characters, this series follows how a recluse but wealthy writer, her niece, and a handsome contractor unexpectedly find two bodies long buried and forgotten at an abandoned property. Trying to solve the murder leads them to unexpected discoveries about members of their quiet, sleepy town and gains them the reputation of a crime-solving trio.
Now that you have some idea that I enjoy a good light-hearted murder mystery mixed with a touch of romance, are you wondering what unexpected reads I enjoyed last year?
Up next is one that took me by surprise.
One of the librarians is this wonderful lady, and even though I hadn’t frequented the library much in a few years, she quickly relearned my name and started making suggestions for the best fiction to read. This next one was one she suggested, and I mostly accepted it not to be rude. Because honestly, based on the title and description, although very intriguing, I was a little apprehensive about the storyline of this book.
Lesson learned. Never judge a book by the description and cover alone. This book was definitely a great book, and since then, I have purchased a copy as a gift for a close friend and made it a top book recommendation to different people.
My best friend is a fellow book lover.
For the past few Christmases, my best friend and I have swapped books as gifts. The idea is that we will challenge each other to read a book or a new author that was individually enjoyed that the other hasn’t taken the opportunity to read yet.
Swapping books as gifts gets both of us out of our comfort zone during our reading journey.
However, for nearly 30 years, we have read nearly the same type and genre of books, often at the same time.
So purchasing a book by an author the other one hasn’t already read can be a challenge.
I can admit that she probably doubles the number of books I actually get through in any given year so the challenge is more on my side of the gift exchange. This year, though, I was able to send her the above-featured book as an unexpected surprise. I am looking forward to her reaction.
And what did she surprise me with?
It was an unexpected and fun read, and I am excited to continue the series. She even mailed me the second book in the series for my birthday so I have a head start on this year’s reading list.
Book 7 – Elvis Purrsley Has Left The Building by C. Love
I am looking forward to reading book 2 of this series in the next few weeks and book 3 when it comes out later this year.
For book 8, the title is what made me pick it out.
Filled with delightfully colorful characters, I laughed throughout the book as these misfit friends tried to figure out who could be next on the kill list.
Book 8 – Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
The next book in the series will be released on May 13th, 2025. It is definitely on my list for this year.
Book 9 – The Star-Crossed Sisters Of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
Filled with family drama and a two hundred-year-old curse on the second daughters of the family, this book is a heartwarming story filled with enchanting adventures as two of the second daughters take off on a Tuscan adventure to break the curse. I found this one very relaxing and enjoyable to read.
So, which book do you think took me on an unexpected journey? Book 10 was quite a surprise read.
My final book suggestion to you took me completely and utterly by surprise. I randomly found it on display in the new arrivals sections of the library stacks on a book stand. The famous actor on the cover is what caught my eye, and being a huge fan of the movies, I picked it up and decided to give it a try.
Book 10 – Beyond The Wand: The Magic and Mayhem Of Growing Up A Wizard by Tom Felton
If his acting portrayal of Draco Malfour has tucked him into a dark corner of your mind, then you need to read his book. It is filled with hilarious stories from the set of the movies, his unusual upbringing, and honest truths about his life. In its pages, I discovered a mischief-minded child, a troubled youth, and an inspiring adult with unexpected deep insights.
I will never watch the movies with the same mindset again. Or re-read the Harry Potter books the same way, I’m sure.
Speaking of those beloved books.
My original set, purchased one by one as they were released, is ragged and worn from several readings.
One of them is even missing the hard cover because my dog decided it made for a good chew toy. For several years, I have been considering replacing my old set with a much more book-shelf display quality set. Imagine my surprise when I came across this fantastic edition with art covers by Juniper Books.
Their book jackets are equivalent to art prints wrapped around books
These are beautiful covers and something to add to my wish list.
Thank you for taking the time to browse my nerdy reader thoughts about some excellent, unexpected books I had the adventure of reading last year. I am again challenging myself to read another long list of books this year, so if you have any recommended books, I would love to hear them.
Hugs,
Romans 12: 2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
