Books with Occupations in the Title

  

  Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. 

Books with Occupations in the Title

Most of the books in this list are not normally ones I would talk much about on this blog. These are all works which I have highly enjoyed reading over the years. 

1. The Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy compiled and edited by Leonard S. Marcus

    - The authors in this anthology are: Lloyd Alexander, Franny Billingsley, Susan Cooper, Nancy Farmer, Brian Jacques, Diana Wynne Jones, Ursula K. Le Guin, Madeleine L. Engle, Garth Nix, Tamora Pierce, Terry Pratchett, Phillip Pullman, and Jane Yolen

    -  A collection of interviews from many of the great fantasy writers. This book gives a look into the pasts of these writers and also what got them into writing. It has three of my favorite writers Terry Pratchett, Diana Wynne Jones, and Lloyd Alexander and so many others whose works I have enjoyed. 

2. Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six- Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure edited by Larry Smith  

- I started loving six-word memoirs in tenth grade, about fifteen years ago. My English teacher had us read Ernest Hemingway's famous six-word story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn" and then had us come up with our own. I got this book a few years later. It has always interested me to see what some authors can do with such a little amount of words and this is a prime example of that. 

 

3. An Author's Odyssey (The Land of Stories #5) by Chris Colfer

-  The fifth novel in The Land of Stories series. This is one of my favorite middle grade series and I love the adventure Conner and Alex go on throughout this book. It's literally every author's dream, well at least for many of us. 

4. What it Means to Be a Teacher: A Celebration of the Humor, Heart, and Hero in Every Classroom by Jenn Larson 

- A great inspiration and funny little book filled with many great quotations that I highly enjoyed and related to as a teacher. 

5. Teachers: There is No Such Thing as a Hot Coffee & Other Teacher Truths edited by Bored Teachers

- Another funny little book that I had me laughing out loud while reading. Definitely, a perfect book for teachers. 

 

6. What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World by Taylor Mali

- One of the most powerful videos I ever watched in my education classes in college was the one I have posted below showing Taylor Mali's slam poem "What Teachers Make." This book is based on his original poem. I highly recommend watching this video. Even after all these years, I still vividly remember watching this for the first time. 

7. The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

-  A great graphic novel I read last year and highly enjoyed. It is a magical story set in the New York Public Library. I love when books show the power of reading to younger readers. Also, how they make the library seem like a magical place, even when magical events are not occurring. I'll also always be a sucker for a story where characters go in and out of books. 

8. A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire #1) by J. Penner

-  As an avid watcher of cooking and baking shows for most of my life, I had to read this cozy fantasy version of one. This was highly enjoyable. I especially love how descriptive J. Penner was with the "magical bakes." She had me wanting to eat all of them so much while reading. 

9. Doctor Who: Rose by Russel T. Davies

-  A wonderful novelization of the first episode of the 9th Doctor's arc, Rose. I really enjoy how Russel T. Davies expanded upon the original episode. Also, the references to other characters and Doctors were great. I hope they decide to release more illustrated adaptations like this, because I know I would love to pick them up. 

 

10. Wizard for Hire (Wizard for Hire #1) by Obert Skye

- As a fantasy lover, I wanted to at least have one fantasy profession on this list. The Wizard for Hire series is one of my absolute favorite middle grade series. 

 

September TBR 2025

 

August Reads 2025

  🏖️ August Reviews 🌴

August 1st-31st

August was another great reading month for me, even though I didn't start reading any of these books until the 7th. I read seventeen books with a total of  3805 pages. 

Book 120: Caught Running

By Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

Read August 7th-8th

Pages: 229

Release Year: 2007

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August 2025 reread: 

I absolutely adore this story and these characters. Jack and Brandon's romance is one which always brings me joy when I pick it up again. I love this book so much. 

September 2020 reread:
One of my all-time favorites! Loved reading this for the third time. It's just so great.

Book 121: Bloom

By N. R. Walker

Read August 8th

Pages: 205

Release Year: 2024

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It has been too long since I read an N. R. Walker book. This absolutely adorable and hilarious. I had such a great time reading Linden and Keats story. I've been obsessed with Floriography since I read a story about it two years ago, so this was literally perfect for me.

 

Book 122: Love by Night: A Book of Poetry 

By S. K. Williams

Read August 9th

Pages: 192

Release Year: 2021

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A collection of poems which gives an intimate story of a relationship. I like how this was written by a couple and that we got both sides of their romance as it built throughout the book. It was such an interesting way of writing. Many of the poems definitely stand out. I'd like to read more of their collections together.

 

Book 123: Open Road

By M. J. O'Shea

Read August 9th

Pages: 200

Release Year: 2016

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I love a road trip book but this one wasn't as great as I wanted it to be. The whole story I just couldn't believe that Angus was with Brad as long as he was. It took me out of the story but I did enjoy the relationship between Angus and Reece and seeing how that was built over the novel.

Book 124: His Coffee Shop Crush

(Rosedale Seasons #1) 

By Elle Waters

Read August 10th

Pages: 176

Release Year: 2023

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A cute romance that I highly enjoyed. I like when we know something before the characters in a book do. I'll definitely look into the other books in this series because I really like this town.

Book 125: The Cranberry Hush

By Ben Monopoli

Read August 10th-11th

Pages: 262

Release Year: 2011

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Vince and Griffin's story went in a direction I never would have expected and I love that. I had this bittersweet feeling throughout the entire book, but it was worth every minute. This is a story about "what-ifs" and being stuck in the past. As someone who heavily relates to the topic of this book, it was hard to read at times. 

I highly recommend reading it.

 

Book 126: Don't Leave Me Alone

(Unlikely Heroes #1) 

By Jenny Wood

Read August 11th

Pages: 187

Release Year: 2016

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It wasn't quite the best idea to read this book yesterday but I did highly enjoy it. This was quite an emotional story which had my heart the entire time.

 

Book 127: XOXO: A Bundle of Cozy Novellas

By Elle Keaton

Read August 14th-15th

Pages: 421

Release Year: 2024

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Every year in the summer, I read at least one Christmas/winter themed book. I enjoyed each of the stories in this volume and like how most of them are set in the same town. I'll always like these romance series where they are companions of each other. It helps you not only get connected with the main characters but also with the secondary ones.

 

Book 128: The House with Chicken Legs

By Sophie Anderson

Read August 16th-18th

Pages: 337

Release Year: 2018

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I've been wanting to read this book for years, especially to see a different depiction of Baba Yaga. Marinka was an interesting main character for this story. She is oftentimes not the most likeable but she was so realistic as a character her age. Her journey of self-discovery is filled with her learning from her mistakes. She's a twelve-year-old girl and she acts like it. 

What drew me to this book were the aspects of the Russian folklore throughout. Every time I read one of Sophie's books, I want to then pick up more Russian stories. They are so intriguing. I particularly loved the sentient house with chicken legs.

Book 129: Mismatched: 

A Modern Graphic Retelling of Emma

By Anne Camlin

Read August 19th

Pages: 264

Release Year: 2024

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The illustrations in this book were stunning and I loved how each of the pages was designed. So many fit Evan's personality perfectly. This is a familiar story to me and I enjoyed this take on it, but I feel like this was rushed too much in places. I love how many classic books are getting queer retellings.

Book 130: Bookends of Life

By Sonja Koch and Dalys Finzgar

Read August 19th-20th

Pages: 180

Release Year: 2025

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I was drawn into this book by the synopsis and thought it was going to be a new favorite poetry collection. Most of the poems felt like affirmations you would find on the wall in a classroom. They're ones meant to motivate you. These types of poems are fine but they were not something I wanted an entire book of. 

There were a few poems I highly enjoyed from the collection that stood out from the others. They were the ones where the poets spoke on their lives. I wish more of the poems were like those. 

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.*

Book 131: Brigg's Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts and Other Folklore Creatures

By Katherine Briggs

Read August 20th

Pages: 192

Release Year: 2025

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Brigg's Dictionary of Fairies is a delightful collection of entries on all sorts of creatures from folklore. I love how so many of the creatures also had short stories to go along with them. This is perfect for fans of folklore who want to learn more about the creatures they know or want to learn about so many others. I know I learned about a lot that I had never even heard before. 

This will be a beautiful book to add to any collection, especially with the stunning illustrations from Fee Greening. It would be a great companion piece when you are reading a fantasy book with creatures that you don't know. My only complaint is that I wish this was not an abridged version of the text.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

 

Book 132: Anywhere with You

By Margo Glynn

Read August 22nd-23rd

Pages: 240 

Release Year: 2025

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I went into this book thinking that it would be much more on the somber side with the topics of infidelity and divorce, but was pleasantly surprised by the humor. This book had me laughing out loud multiple times. It did have multiple scenes with both Honey and Cara dealing with all the emotions of having cheating spouses. Margo Glynn did a great job of balancing both throughout the book. 

Road trip books are favorites of mine. This was a great example of one where the characters grew closer over their adventures. I love the escapism of reading a road trip book and getting to experience the places the characters go to along with them. 

Honey and Cara's bond was beautiful and I really enjoyed following them on their road trip. I liked the aspect of the vlogging of their trip, especially how that was used later in the plot. If Margo Glynn writes more books, I'll definitely pick them up. I highly enjoyed Honey and Cara's story. 

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

 

Book 133: The Book of Doors

By Gareth Brown

Read August 23rd-24th

Pages: 416

Release Year: 2024

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The Book of Doors is such an intriguing book. It took me about 150 pages to get hooked in, but I didn't want to stop reading once I did. The time travel aspects throughout this are great. An enchanting read for book lovers who like a story with magical books.

 

Book 134: I Hate Fairyland,

Volume 8: Happy End Game 

By Skottie Young

Read August 26th

Pages: 128

Release Year: 2025

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Another great volume in Gert's adventures through Fairyland. Loved the special guest characters!

 

Book 135: Daedalus is Dead

By Seamus Sullivan

Read August 27th

Pages: 176

Release Year: 2025

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The myth of Icarus and Daedalus has always been one of my favorites from Greek Mythology. I like how this book focuses on the aftermath of Icarus's tragic demise and what this does to his father. We see a very different side of the greatest architect in the world. 

This is  a tragic tale of a father's journey through the Underworld to be reunited with his son after death. It is told through poetic prose and not only focuses on Daedalus's afterlife, but also gives his version of the events which occurred before he died. The labyrinth, Minotaur, Theseus, King Minos, Ariadne, and many others all play important roles. But the most important aspect of the story is Daedalus dealing with the death of his son and the constant question of why he flew too close to the sun. 

Along with getting to know Daedalus, we watch Icarus grow up. I enjoyed the many scenes from his childhood. Icarus is often depicted as foolish in retellings of his myth, if he is given any personality at all. It was refreshing to see a different side of him throughout this novella. 

Also, we get to see a different depiction of the Underworld than I have seen before. I was surprised by how much Seamus Sullivan was able to put into the novella. I enjoyed how the narrative goes back and forth through time. We see Daedalus's journey and scenes from the past.

One of my favorite parts of a retelling is seeing the directions a writer chooses to take such a well-known story. Seamus Sullivan did a wonderful job breathing new life into a myth I have loved for most of my life. Daedalus is Dead is definitely a new favorite of mine and I highly recommend it for Greek Mythology fans. 

*Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*

Artistic Projects I have Made

 

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. 

Artistic Products I have Made

For this week's Top Ten Tuesday, we were meant to pick any topic which isn't bookish. I decided to pick art that I have made. Here are ten of the art projects I have done over the years that I loved making. These are many of my other hobbies which I like to do other than reading. Though, many times I will do each of these while listening to an audiobook. 

1. Paint By Number Painting for my Dad 

- I used to make artwork for my father for his birthday, Father's day, and Christmas. I miss making them for him so much. This is one of my favorite pieces I ever did for him. Loved watching him closely examine it and look for all the small details. 

2. Star Wars Paint By Number Painting for my Brother

- Definitely the most challenging one I have done because of all the small details. Love how it turned out.  

3. Rose drawing on a Painted Background

- This is the first rose I ever drew. I used a video I watched on Youtube teaching me how to draw one. The background was one I painted on a canvas, then I copied the rose and background onto a flashdrive so I could digitally combine them. I am using this as a background for one of my poems. 

 

4. Summer Diamond Painting

- I absolutely love this diamond art painting I made from Michaels. It is on a wooden backing and looks beautiful up on the wall. If anyone is into diamond art, I highly recommend checking out Michaels because they have so many like this and they are decently priced.

5. Barnegat Lighthouse Model I made for my Mom 

- Mom's a big fan of lighthouses, especially the New Jersey Barnegat Lighthouse which is around where she grew up. So for her birthday this year, I decided to make her a lighthouse in a bottle modeled off of Barnegat. I have also placed a picture of Old Barney beside it for comparison. I took this picture when we went there on her birthday this year. 

6. Dragon coloring pages from Worlds within Worlds: Color New Realms Coloring Book by Kerby Rosanes 

- I love coloring in adult coloring books while listening to audiobooks. This is from my favorite coloring book. There are so many great images throughout the entire book. I have to get back into doing them again. It's been too long. 

7. Night Sky Paint By Number for my Dad

- I love how this painting turned out especially with the colors.  

8. Hummingbird Diamond Painting for my Mom

- Another diamond painting I made, this time for my mother.  

 

9. Sand Art 

- One of my favorite pieces of shelf decor. I made this a few years ago and love how it looks on the shelf along with my books. 

10. Turtle Crystal Puzzle 

- I love the crystal puzzles from BePuzzled. I have done both this one and also one of the Snoopy ones. Turtles are my favorite animal and they look great with my books. 

Books with a High Page Count

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. 

Books with a High Page Count

I am a big fan of tomes (books that are 500 pages or more). There were so many books I could have put on this list, so I had a very hard time just picking out ten. These are all favorite books which I have given five stars to. 

1. Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive #2) by Brandon Sanderson

    - Page count for edition read: 1088 pages

    - I started reading The Stormlight Archive last year and absolutely adore it. Each of the books in the series is over a thousand pages and they just keep getting bigger by the book. Next month, I'm going to pick up the fourth which is called Rhythm of War. I cannot wait to see what will happen next.  

2. A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3) by George R. R. Martin 

    - Page count for edition read: 1136 pages

    - My favorite of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.  

3. Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures (Zamonia, #3) by Walter Moers

    - Page count for edition read: 688 pages

    - The Zamonia series is such a fun and hilarious series. I definitely have to pick up more of the books sometime soon.  

 

4. The Marvels by Brian Selznick 

    - Page count for edition read: 664 pages

    - I used to say this was my favorite book by Brian Selznick but after reading Run Away with Me this year, I think they might be equal to each other. This book has been a favorite of mine ever since 2017. I love how Brian uses both prose and his stunning illustrations to tell his stories. They are always stunning pieces of art. I hope he writes more soon. 

5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

    - Page count for edition read: 650 pages

    - Jane Eyre is the most recent book I read on this list and I absolutely adored it. Definitely would not be for everyone, but it was perfect for me.  

 

6. The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan

    - Page count for edition read: 597 pages

    - I love Rick Riordan's books especially The Camp Half-Blood books. This is my favorite besides The Sun and the Star. The House of Hades is a very emotional novel and I enjoyed following Percy and Annabeth on their journey.  

 

7. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

    - Page count for edition read: 589 pages

    - Little Women was one of the books that I owned for the longest time before I ever picked it up. I read it for the first time in 2022 and fell in love with the story so much. It's incredible and I highly recommend it to everyone. 

8. Holy Terrors (Little Thieves #3) by Margaret Owen 

    - Page count for edition read: 560 pages

    - The third and final book from one of my top favorite trilogies. I have loved following Vanja and Emeric's story over the years. This was the perfect ending. 

9. Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

    - Page count for edition read: 551 pages

    - I had first heard about this book when it came out  in 2015 and I was not very interested in it because it was described as a Romeo and Juliet story set in the world of Star Wars. I am not a fan of Romeo and Juliet. Then, I  watched a video where this guy was recommending his favorite Star Wars books. Most of the books were ones from the 80s and 90s and then he said that his favorite book from the newer Disney Canon books was this one. He was surprised by how well it was written. 

    - I'm so glad I took the chance with this book because it definitely one of my top ten favorite books of the year so far. It was so great. I especially loved the audiobook which has sound effects and music. 

10. Inkheart (Inkworld #1) by Cornelia Funke

    - Page count for edition read: 536 pages 

    - I grew up loving this book with all my heart. Meggie and Mo's story is one I connected to quite a lot when I first read this over fifteen years ago. This and the rest of the books in the original trilogy are some of my favorite books that I have ever read.