Reflecting on a Decade of Reading: Top Ten Tuesday's Best Picks from August 11th

Hello everyone! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful couple of weeks since my last update. I didn't anticipate such a long gap, as my holiday was followed by a particularly busy week filled with numerous shows. Instead of cramming all my experiences into one post, I decided to jump back in when I had more time, which brings us to today! I won’t dive into exhaustive detail, but I can say last week was exciting, featuring multiple performances of Operation Mincemeat with new cast combinations, a cabaret event, and a return visit to Moulin Rouge.

As I write this on an actual Tuesday, it’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday, courtesy of Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic invites us to look back on the books I was reading on this day over the past decade. Thankfully, my Goodreads tracking makes this exercise a lot simpler than if I had to rely purely on memory. Here’s a nostalgic glance at my reading life on August 11th over the last ten years:

1. 2025: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Last year on this date, I finished Not Quite Dead Yet, a delightful read that reminded me why I adore Holly Jackson’s writing. Given that I often finish audiobooks on Mondays—thanks to my regular commute—it made sense that this one concluded my week perfectly. Since then, I’ve also tackled the sequel to AGGGTM, though I haven’t quite made it to the third installment yet!

2. 2024: The Briar Club (Sort Of) by Kate Quinn

I should clarify the “sort of” for The Briar Club. I’d started it towards the end of July, but my Audible app malfunctioned completely at the beginning of August. As a result, I couldn’t enjoy the book actively and didn’t return to it until mid-September when the app was finally fixed. Regretfully, I must say this novel has been my least favorite of Kate Quinn's works thus far.

3. 2023: Killers of A Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

This book was an absolute joy! Killers of A Certain Age was packed with action and humor, showcasing brilliant characters and fun plot twists. It left me wondering why stories featuring women in their 50s or 60s aren’t more prevalent—this book was a breath of fresh air!

4. 2022: Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham

As an avid fan of *Gilmore Girls*, I was naturally excited to read Lauren Graham’s memoir. While it delved into her experiences during and after the series—especially in the years leading to the Netflix revival—it was rich with stories beyond just the show. Among the many memoirs I’ve read, I feel another Gillmore-inspired exploration might be on my horizon with Kelly Bishop's memoir.

5. 2021: The Last Bookshop In London by Madeline Martin

This book captivated me and introduced me to Madeline Martin’s writing. The narrative, centered around community and optimism amidst war, struck a chord with me. I love stories that blend the hardships of history with a sense of hope and connection; it’s even more special when books themselves take center stage, making them irresistible.

6. 2020: The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin

On August 11th that year, I finished The Dead Queens Club, a fun retelling of the life of Henry VIII through a high school setting. Though it leaned heavily into YA tropes, it was a blast at the time, proving to be an enjoyable read amidst a bustling schedule of both physical and digital titles.

7. 2019: Vengeful by V.E. Schwab

Another title wrapped up on August 11th—what is it about this day and me finishing books? I remember absolutely racing through Vengeful and feeling captivated by the evolving story and character arcs. While I loved *Vicious*, this sequel escalated the stakes, particularly with a focus on strong female characters. I can’t wait to experience how the Villains trilogy culminates with the upcoming release of *Victorious*.

8. 2018: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Unfortunately, this book didn’t resonate with me. I initially found the pacing slow and cumbersome, and a troubling plot device left a bad impression that soured my experience of the series overall. This has prompted me to abandon the trilogy, though I’m grateful for the first book, *Daughter of Smoke and Bone*, which I truly enjoyed.

9. 2017: Resurrection by Derek Landy

Before the Skulduggery Pleasant series veered off track, I was excited about new entries and delighted in the joy of reuniting with characters from my past reading adventures. While the excitement faded after several books, I’ll always cherish the fond memories I have from the earlier installments that captured my imagination.

10. 2016: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

Interestingly, I finished another book on August 11th—The Hidden Oracle. This work marked a pivotal moment as I realized I was outgrowing Riordan’s writing. While I relished the storytelling and the return to the Percy Jackson universe, I’ve come to terms with having aged out of these series. I enjoyed revisiting them during my adolescence but feel ready to embrace different reading pursuits now.

Those are the notable books I was immersed in on August 11th over the last ten years. Have you read any of these? What were your thoughts? I’d love to hear about your own reading reflections. Please share in the comments!

I’ll aim to return next week with another Top Ten Tuesday, focusing on the book series I want to catch up on—an area where I have plenty of unfinished business!