I thought this week’s Top Ten Tuesday theme would be kinda fun, and maybe a good prompt to get round to reading some books I’ve been neglecting, so… here we go. The prompt is the ten books you find from randomly grabbing books from your shelves — let’s see what I find on my shelves!
- Love, Theoretically, by Ali Hazelwood. I haven’t read this one yet. I’ve enjoyed a couple of Hazelwood’s books/stories, so I’m looking forward to getting around to it, though I have to be in the right mood to pick something described as a romcom. I get embarrassment squick really easily!
- A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers. The second book in the Monk & Robot duology. I didn’t love these as much as Chambers’ other work, but there’s always something kind about her work that I’m drawn to.
- The Book Eaters, by Sunyi Dean. Ah, definitely one I’ve been neglecting. I passed it up for review because I wasn’t quite sure about it, but ended up buying it a couple of years ago in Topping & Company in Edinburgh (an excellent indie bookshop).
- A Mourning Wedding, by Carola Dunn. This is fairly deep into the Daisy Dalrymple series, and probably one of the furthest along I’ve read, though I haven’t got to it yet in my reread (preparatory to actually finishing the series). By this point things are a little repetitive, to be honest, and it’s possibly time for me to let go of this series.
- Merchants of Doubt, by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway. I’ve been meaning to read this for ages — it digs into what is an absolute scandal of scientists manipulating public opinion with unfounded claims. I think this one is only getting more relevant, not less, though the examples will be out of date.
- Hot Earl Summer, by Erica Ridley. This is in the Wild Wynchesters series, and I’m a liiiittle behind. I should really catch up, because I’ve absolutely loved the books. This one sounds a bit over the top and bonkers, but hopefully it’ll be fun anyway.
- Heaven Official’s Blessing, vol 8, by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. Ahhh, my beloved. This volume finishes off the story and contains the extras as well. There’s some really lovely stuff, though I can’t say it’s my favourite volume because it is a bit scattered, given it’s about a third of the main story plus disconnected extras. Still, a wonderful series.
- The Shards of Heaven, by Michael Livingston. Hm, I’ve forgotten everything I might have ever known about this one. Looking at the summary, I’m curious how it turns out, mixing magic and the fallout from the assassination of Julius Caesar. Might have to be in the right mood for it, though, since it’s a series and I can be quite slow with reading the next book sometimes.
- Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities, by Bettany Hughes. It’s… been a while since I picked this one up. I want to learn more about this part of the world, especially beyond just Byzantium (which I have read about in the past), but this book’s daunting me, I must admit.
- Archivist Wasp, by Nicole Kornher-Stace. I’d almost forgotten about this one, but I’ve been meaning to read it forever. The ghost-hunting, post-apocalyptic setup sounds fascinating.
And there we go! I almost wanted to keep going and pull a few more random choices…
I loved The Book Eaters! And I’ve heard nothing but good things about Archivist Wasp.
I really need to get round to both of them! It’s been literally years for Archivist Wasp, oops.
I’d be VERY interested in the book on Constantinople!
I really should get round to it, but it’s a bit of a chonker, haha.
I loved the Monk and Robot series but I have only read those by her. I should read more by her!
Her books are lovely, I do recommend.
The Shards of Heaven sounds interesting.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Yes, I should try to get round to it!
I don’t know any of these books by The Book Eaters does sound intriguing, just for the title!
Here’s a link to my TTT post
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/%f0%9f%93%9a-toptentuesday-10-books-on-my-bookshelf-tuesdaybookblog-booktwitter-bookx/
Yeah, it’s an intriguing concept too! I should try it soon.
“The Book Eaters” I found to be intense and so creative – I’ve always wanted to be able to put my hand on a book and absorb it, with all it’s nuances, into my mind. This is kind of like that with an undercurrent of misogyny, which isn’t harped on, but ooooooh it made me root for all the women book eaters!
Rebecca @ Top 100 Books recently posted…Top 10 Tuesday: The Random 10
Interesting! I want to get round to it soon.
The only one on here I’ve read is Love, Theoretically and I wasn’t a huge fan of it. I love Ali Hazelwood, just not that one.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Ash @ Essentially Ash
Want to follow me on Bookstagram, booktok, add my snapchat or check out my photography?
Ash recently posted…The Messy Mama Brain Dump: June School WEEK 1: November 3–7
Interesting. I’m not as enticed by the premise as some of her others, so I wonder if I’ll feel the same.
Hot Earl Summer looks like a good one. Here is my TTT. https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2025/11/04/top-ten-tuesday-8/comment-page-1/#comment-985
Danyelle H recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday #8
It does look like it’s going to be fun, though a bit OTT for my tastes. We’ll see how it turns out!
I’d like to try Heaven Official’s Blessing someday.
It’s a very lovely series, though heartrending along the way.
I’ve only heard of number 1 and number 3 but what a great selection of books! 🙂
Here’s my TTT – https://justreadjessie.blog/2025/11/04/top-ten-tuesday-the-first-10-books-i-randomly-grabbed-from-my-shelves/
Haha, it’s a pretty random collection!
I hope you enjoy reading those you haven’t read yet!
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/ten-books-i-own-randomly-selected-bygoodreads/
Thank you!
Oh, thanks for mentioning the book about Istanbul. We are going next year so I might take a look at that one. I do like Bettany Hughes’ TV series!
Marg @ The Intrepid Reader recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: What I am reading and have just read
I keep meaning to read it because she got an honorary degree from my first university in the same graduation ceremony I got my first degree, haha.
I love Becky Chambers style too.
Her books always feel so gentle, it’s really nice.
THE BOOK EATERS sounds strange and I’ve seen mixed reviews, but I still want to read it. I’m intrigued by the premise. I hope we both enjoy it when we get to it!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yeah, I wasn’t entirely sure about the premise, but I’m curious so I’ll give it a shot, haha.
There’s a lot of Kindness in Chambers work for sure.
100%. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but I always enjoy it.
Great list! I so need to read more by Chambers!
https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/11/04/top-ten-scifi-books-my-year-2025-in-science-fiction/
Emma @ Words And Peace recently posted…Novellas in November: My Year 2025 in Novellas
Her books are lovely!
I love the Monk & Robot books! I wish there were more coming, but I think she’s done (or at least done for now). I keep meaning to read Archivist Wasp too!
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Book Review: The Bone Key (Sarah Monette)
Yeah, I don’t think I’ve seen anything about more in that world!