Pages & Paws

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is Recent Additions to My Book Collection. There’s a little bit of everything here: Fiction. Memoir/Biography. Young Adult. Fantasy. Historical fiction. And so on. (Several these titles can be found at Reedsy/Discovery.)

Think of it as a bookish smorgasborg. So grab the nearest knife and fork and dig in:

1. Sitting on Top of the World (December 2021)

By Cheryl King

Young Adult/Historical Fiction

A rich and robust read sure to warm your heart and brighten your winter – or any season.

Set in rural Tennessee in the 1930s, this is the powerful and poignant story of a close-knit family struggling to survive after the Stock Market crash.

With ailing parents and an injured big brother, fourteen year-old June Baker is a “girl with gumption.” She has to be when she decides to “ride the rails” in search of work to help keep the farm from going under. The outlook is grim. And the family has lost almost everything. Will they lose each other, too?

A thoroughly enjoyable read with a strong female protagonist.

2. Aslan: Running Joy

   (June 2021)

By Kristin Kaldahl

Christian Fiction/YA

Recovering from a kidney transplant, Krissy’s health is delicate. She’s always been about horses and dogs. The 14 year-old Oklahoman sold her mare cuz she’s afraid she’ll get hurt riding. But Krissy’s more afraid of dreaming and failing. Again.

Horseless, Krissy sets her sights on dog agility competition. Are Krissy and her “totally-wrong-for-agility runt,” Aslan the Shetland Shepherd dog (Sheltie), up to the challenge?

Clever, captivating, and 100% delightful!

3.The Whitney Chronicles, Book 4: No Greater Love (December 2021)

By Larry Lawrence

Christian Fiction

A heart-pumping plot, expert writing, and plenty of action tackle a potentially divisive topic without being divisive.

A deep dive into human trafficking and the criminal activity of those smuggling “unauthorized” people across the border and the plight of those caught between ruthless, rapacious “coyotes” and their longing for a better life in America.

4. Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good

   (August 2015)

By Jan Karon

Fiction

After five hectic years of retirement from Lord’s Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh returns with his wife, Cynthia, from the land of his Irish ancestors. While he’s glad to be at home in Mitford, something is definitely missing from his life: a pulpit. But when he’s offered one, he decides he doesn’t want it.

Uplifting. Delightful. A warm and wonderful read!

5. Fishing For More: A Memoir

   (January 2022)

By Brett Bloemendaal

Memoir/Biography

And a river runs through it…

Laced with gentle self-deprecating humor, keen insight, and skillfully painted word pictures of life both on and off the water, Fishing for More emerges as a Norman Mclean-ish account of how fishing can help heal body, mind, and soul. (That being said, it could use a Language Clean-up on Aisle All.)

6. Heartless Hette

   (2021)

By M.L. Farb

Fiction/Fantasy

An unlikely trio sets out on an epic quest to not only find and restore Princess Hette’s lost heart, but to also find the true meaning of friendship in this delightful blend of fairytale and fantasy.

7. Children of Little Might (December 2021)

By Peter D’Hollander

Young Adult/Fantasy

Action and intrigue abound in this nimble, eminently engaging fantasy with an unusual hero.

Fresh and original, this absorbing fantasy focuses on Montague “Monty” Glupie, an autistic sixteen year-old with a gift for translation and language.

With magic, an enchanted kingdom, “palace intrigue” and a kingdom under siege, there’s plenty of action in this quick-moving fantasy.

8. Mystery in the Hill

   (March 2021)

By Aaron Qualio

Mystery

A small Wisconsin town is shaken to its core when four high school boys make an unexpected discovery. As past and present secrets are exposed, more unsolved mysteries are revealed, leading to more danger than anyone could have ever imagined.

This one was a big surprise. Almost bailed during the first few chapters. Turned out to be quite the read.

9. From This Moment ( 2021)

By Kim Vogel Sawyer

Christian/Romance/Amish

Raised in the foster care system, Jase Edgar has recently moved to Kansas from San Antonio. But the newly minted youth pastor faces a crisis of faith related to the loss of his fiancé. Rachel’s life – and their plans to minister together as church planters – was cut short by a drunk driver. And Jase can’t make sense of something that doesn’t make sense.

Strong writing, rich, robust characters, and a lithe, agile plot undergird this highly engaging story. More than a few surprises and unexpected plot twists will keep you turning pages until the end. No ferhoodling!

If your hope tank is running on empty, From This Moment is for you!

10. A Breath of Fresh God (August 2021)

Charissa Fryberger

Non-Fiction

It is easy for us to “underlook” God, yet even when we forget to notice Him, He hasn’t turned His attention from us.

Charissa Fryberger finds wonder in the many ways God taps us on the shoulder, making us catch our breath in sudden remembrance that He is right here with us.

Beautifully written without being preachy. One of my top reads of 2021! Read my review here.

What’s your latest book add?

Kimber here. Nestled all snug in my bed,
While visions of bacon strips dance in my head;
And Mom in her …

Wait. What?

“Wake up, Kimster” chirps She Who Shall Remain Nameless.

Can’t she see I’ve just settled down for a long winter’s nap?

“C’mon! We need to come up with a snappy Top Ten Tuesday post. Today’s theme is Best Books I Read in 2021.”

That’s like asking me which puppy I like best. So Mom and I?  We’re doing Top 20 Literary Heroes and Heroines instead. (Well, it was mostly me. Mom helped. A little.)

To make the list, characters must be a cut above. As in, they’re memorable. Radiate personality like a neon sign. Have a splash of sass and spunk. They’re also fresh. As in, not recycled cardboard cut-outs. 

So here, in no particular order, are our Top 20 Literary Heroes & Heroines from 2021. (They may or may not be main characters. See above.) How many do you recognize?

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