Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic.  Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by  The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here.  This week’s topic :

Books I Loved so much that I wanted more of the same thing:

This is a list that could become very long quite easily so instead of delving into the books from my way in the distance past I’m going to focus on books from my very near past.  Here are ten books that I really enjoyed and wish that I could read more (this could have so easily been a lot longer list in fact I’m so pleased at the restraint I exercised).  All the books are linked to reviews and they are all standalone novels or first in series:

1. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
2. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
3. A Boy and His dog at the End of the World by CA Fletcher
4. A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
5. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
6. The Bone Ships by RJ Barker
7. The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar 
8. The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
9. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
10. Later by Stephen King

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic.  Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by  The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here.  This week’s topic :

My Ten Most Recent Reads 

This list is literally the last ten books that I’ve read.  Some of them I loved, some I liked.  I’ve given a brief intro, linked to my reviews and highlighted my rating.

The Drowned City by KJ Maitland – historical fiction set just after the Gunpowder Plot was discovered and political unrest and uncertainty run rife.  A natural disaster strikes Bristol leading to talk of witchcraft and an investigator is sent to dispel such rumours before they lead to further uprisings. I’m hopeful that this is a start to series as I would certainly pick up more books with this MC.  4 of 5 stars

Black Stone Heart by Michael R Fletcher – a man awakens with no memories at all and embarks on a voyage of self  discovery.  A very grimdark read indeed that questions identity.  I enjoyed this one but would say this won’t be to everyone’s taste due to the brutality and harshness that takes place.  I have the next instalment which I will hopefully be picking up very soon. I gave this 8.5 of 10 so just over 4 of 5 stars 

Such Pretty Things by Lisa Heathfield – psychological horror whereby overwhelming grief drives strong emotions and even stronger actions.  I didn’t love this one as much as I’d hoped, maybe it was a touch too horror filled for my taste.  3 of 5 stars

Last Memoria by Rachel Emma Shaw.  This is a very intriguing concept revolving around the ability to take memories.  This is another dark read where flawed characters make difficult decisions in a struggle to recover who they really are.  I gave this one 6.5 out of 10 which is just over 3 of 5 stars

The Two-Faced Queen by Nick Martell (The Legacy of the Mercenary Kings #2) – The Two-Faced Queen is everything that I hope for in a second book and then some. This is one crazy ride of a story, full of yet more intrigue and deceit involving immortals, serial killers and a continuing fight for the throne. 4.5 of 5 stars

Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone –  I did enjoy this. It was a quick read, it was gripping and original and undeniably twisted.  A strange read that takes a little time to reveal its secrets.  3.5 of 5 stars

The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin – In a world where single combat determines the fate of nations, the Grievar fight so that the rest can remain at peace. I really enjoyed this one. 4 of 5 stars

The Lost War by Justin Lee Anderson.  This is the winner of the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off competition.  Great fantasy with a twisted conclusion. I gave this 8.5 out of 10 so just over 4 of 5 stars.

The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett.  The introduction to the madcap world created by Pratchett. A good start to the craziness.  3.5 of 5 stars.

The Girl and the Mountain by Mark Lawrence.  A great second in series.  Wonderful writing, great characters and an intriguing long picture that makes me want the third book right away.  4.5 of 5 stars