It’s another edition of Top Ten Tuesday. I’m on a roll with these lately! Thanks again to The Broke and the Bookish for hosting this meme. This week it is Top Ten Favorite Books With X Setting (ie: futuristic world, set mostly in schools, during World War II, books set in California etc. etc. So many possibilities!)
I love all kinds of settings but one of my all-time favorites is the Victorian Era. I love the details of the dresses, the social norms, the gender/class issues and so much more. I’m partial to books set in England but mainly it’s the time frame that I’m interested in. So I didn’t actually choose any novels written during the Victorian era for this list but went with some modern books set in the time period. Here are my Top Ten:
- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
- Affinity by Sarah Waters
- Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
- The Dress Lodger by Sheri Holman
- The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
- The Observations by Jane Harris
- The Spiritualist by Megan Chance
- Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn (first in the Lady Julia mystery series)
- Murder on Bank Street by Victoria Thompson (first in the Gaslight mystery series)
- Let Loose the Dogs by Maureen Jennings (first in the Murdoch mystery series)
Making this list reminds me that it’s been a while since I’ve read a book set during this time. I think I need to remedy that. Anyway, what are some of your favorite settings?
Sarah Waters was the absolute first thing I thought of when you said Victorian. I have loved all of her books.
Great list. The Victorian Era is surely a fascinating time period. I’ve been meaning to read Sarah Waters. My fav settings are Dystopian, Tudor England and the Beach!
I’ve been on a Victorian reading tear this year. I still have Affinity, Tipping the Velvet, A Great and Terrible Beauty, and countless others on my TBR. So good!
I’ve wanted to read The Gaslight Mysteries for awhile; I have to get the back list and start from the first. Other titles you mention are new to me and worth a peek–thanks!
Ahh, I love A Great and Terrible Beauty, and it makes me so happy to see others love the books as well 🙂
Great list. I actually haven’t read any of these (yet).
My TTT.
Sandy – I know right? She’s so good!
Bookworm – I loved your list. Dystopians are such good settings.
Andi @ Estella’s Revenge – I still haven’t read The Crimson Petal and the White but it’s on my shelf!
Rita_H – I’m all caught up on the series and I admit I don’t read it for the mystery aspect. I just love the two main characters. I hope you read it but I definitely recommend starting from the beginning.
Lauren @ Books, Tea & Me – That was so good wasn’t it? I need to continue with the series. I love series books but so often fall behind.
Jillyn – Thanks! I’m enjoyed reading your list too!
Great list! I’ve read a few of them myself and have just started Tipping the Velvet!
Danielle – Oh I hope you enjoy it! Not my favorite of her books but still fantastic.
I love a good Victorian setting! You’ve given me some more titles for my TBR list.