Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books if You're in the Mood for ...

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic from The Broke and the Bookish is Ten Books to Read if You're in the Mood for x.  I couldn't think of 10 books that fell under a specific topic so I thought I'd break it up a bit!

Books to Read if You're in the Mood for a Creepy Story -

It's a dark and stormy night and you want a little spooky to throw into the mix?  Try some of these -

1.  In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware - I listened to the audio on this and it was fabulous!  The story itself was so good as well and it kept me guessing all through the book.  Throughout the whole story you know that something is very wrong but you just don't know what!

2.  Deadly Night by Heather Graham - Pretty much any book of Graham's is going to be chock full of creepy atmosphere but I really enjoyed this book which is the first of her Flynn brother trilogy.  It's got an old mansion outside of New Orleans, an old ghost story and a very real evil.  

3.  The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - I see this book classified as horror a pretty good bit and it makes me squirm a little.  If you're going into this one expecting outright terror and horror I think you're going to be disappointed.  This is suspense.  Things happening just in the corner of your eye, sounds you just can't quiet here and just a sense of something isn't right.  

Books to Read if You're in the Mood for a Strong and Quirky Community

I love a book where the community is so strong and well developed it might as well be a character!  It makes a series even more fun to go back to.

1.  Snow Angel Cove by RaeAnne Thayne - For starters I loved loved this story.  The characters were interesting and likable and you just had to root for this.  This is the book where we see the town Haven Point and it's very real problems.  I love getting to know more and more residents and seeing how the town grows and changes.

2.  Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander - Before this series I had never heard of Ashland, Oregon and the theater festivals.  I've really enjoyed getting to know the town a bit more through the books.  I also really enjoy that the book discusses problems that would really plague businesses in a small town with a seasonal tourist attraction.  I just wish Torte was a real place because I'd love to eat there!  

3.  Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis - I can't talk about books with a community and not mention Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series!  I like that Shalvis set this up as a series of trilogies so you don't have to keep up with a huge cast list and who is who in the little town.  Plus, Lucile is pretty entertaining.  I miss her!

Book to Read if You're in the Mood for a Good Love Story -

Because sometimes only a good love story will do!

1.  When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries - I love pretty much everything Sabrina Jeffries writes but this is a story that really stuck with me.  It's a bit different from the usual historical.  They main characters aren't high society and the heroine is Dutch and works in trade.  The plot does revolve around a Secret and some Misunderstandings but the circumstances were such that it made sense and really worked.

2.  And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke - This is historical romance but it's set late in the 1800s.  Society and roles for women are changing and the heroine is actually the secretary for the hero at one point and her discussions about "Girl Bachelors" and women in the work place is really interesting.  Plus I just love the story and the characters.

Books to Read if You Want a Little History and a Lot of Interesting -

These are books that have little snippets that I just had to read aloud while reading to those around me!

1. The Residence by Kate Andersen Brower - This is the book I've probably recommended more than any other this past year.  This was an absolutely fascinating look at what life in the White House is like as told by the non-administration staff.  There's stories about everyone from Kennedy to Obama and I found it so interesting.

2.  Secret Lives of the Tsars by Michael Farquhar - I was an expert in Russian history and the Romanov family for about a month during and after reading this. Each ruler gets a chapter and a quick overview of what was going at the time complete with wars, scandal and intrigue.  

So what would your recommendations be?