I present to you this week’s Top Ten Tuesday. On a Thursday! Because I really wanted to participate, but I was bogged down in grading. So! Here are my favorite new reads so far this year. (I did reread some amazing books. It doesn’t seem fair to include them.)

1. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (review pending) – This book was like Rowell’s gift to me. Excellent characters, terrific parents, and a slow-building and engrossing love story.

2. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple – A fun and imaginative exploration of a nutty woman and her nutty family and nutty neighbors. Love the narrative style.

3. Junie B. Jones collection by Barbara Park – As established, I love Junie B. Jones. She is amazing. This audio collection is fun and funny just like she is. ❤

4. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson – The relationship between Tiger Lily and Tik Tok won this for me. Beautifully told. (Not sure if I’ll review this one since it has been so long since I’ve read it.)

5. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones – The story of two girls with the same father: one who knows they’re sisters; the other who doesn’t. A really interesting look at different types of family and privilege.

6. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot – I read this ages ago, so not sure if I will review (though I really should). A very well-researched and thoughtful examination of not only the origin of the HeLa cells so important to scientific discovery, but the implications of race and class in patient rights.

7. A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty – This story is just lovely. Jaclyn Moriarty blends realistic fiction and fantasy for a cross worlds tale about loneliness and family. Review pending.

8. Permission Slips by Sherri Shepherd – If you like funny women, memoirs, and/or self-help books, this one combines all three. This book was so fun to read.

9. The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding – I love lists. I LOVE THEM. So the title alone got me. Then, you add in the delightful characters and the vibrant setting (seriously, I felt like I was there), and you have this quiet gem.

10. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo – If anyone ever tries to dismiss children’s lit as being silly or frivolous or just for children, have them read this epic journey of a rabbit who learns to love by encountering people from all walks of life. I almost cried is what I’m saying.