Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Book Settings

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

 

Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday!  This week’s topic is favorite book settings.  I wasn’t quite sure how to approach this week’s topic.  I debated between specific places/time periods in books I’ve read versus general settings.  In the end I did a little of both.  Let’s get to the list!

Middle Earth-There is so much to explore in the world J.R.R Tolkien created.  How wonderful to be able to visit places like Rivendell, Rohan, and The Shire all in one series!

Victorian England-I find this time period intriguing.  I’ve read many stories as well as a few really good non-fiction books about this period.  How to Be Victorian by Ruth Goodman is excellent.

Colonial American/American Revolution-Another time period I find especially interesting.  Toliver’s Secret by Ester Wood Brady is one I’ve just recently read with my children.

American Civil War-Little Women is the first example that comes to mind for this time period.

England in the late 9th and early 10th century-I’m about half way through The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell and it quickly become a favorite.  When I finish it, I’ll be on the lookout for more series set in this time period!

Fragile flowers put inside open book

The Past-While I’ve picked out a few specific time periods, I have been captivated by historical fiction in general ever since I read Little House in the Big Woods, Anne of Green Gables, and the American Girl series as a child.  I generally prefer historical fiction set before the twentieth century or at least from World War II or earlier.

Small Towns/Rural Areas-I’ve spent most of my life living in small towns and seen their beauty as well as their flaws.  I can easily relate to characters living in that kind of world.

Urban Fantasy-I suppose this is technically a genre rather than a setting, but there is just something about mixing the paranormal with an urban setting.  Of course the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs comes to mind.

I also enjoy stories set in bookstores and bakeries though no specific examples are coming to mind.  If you have any recommendations, let me know!

Do you enjoy these settings?  What sort of settings do you enjoy?

Comments

  1. Middle Earth! Now, how come I completely forgot about that? Such a unique and memorable world. I’m a bit of an old English history fan myself, so I’m noting down the Bernard Cornwell rec — haven’t read that series yet. And Urban Fantasy, Small Towns… well, I pretty much agree with everything on your list.

    • Poinsettia says

      I’m so glad you enjoyed my list! Let me know what you think about The Last Kingdom series if you get a chance to read it!

      Thank you for visiting and commenting. 🙂

  2. Mercy Thompson is amazing. Love Patricia Briggs so much.

    Lori
    https://fiftytwo.blog/2021/10/11/ttt-favorite-book-settings/

  3. Middle Eart is one of my favorite book settings for sure! Also gotta love urban fantasy and small towns.

  4. I love books set in small towns! Having never lived in a small town, there’s just something about the dynamic of small town life that I love reading about. Great list!

  5. I’m glad to see that someone listed bakeries as a place they enjoy reading about. The only one I can think of is The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox.

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
    https://readbakecreate.com/autumn-vibes-books-whos-cover-has-autumn-feels/

  6. Ooh Middle- earth and Victorian England are favorites. I’d love to spend some time in rivendell. 🙂 I always enjoyed the Little House books as a kid.

    I love paranormal mixed in with realty as well.

    • Poinsettia says

      Spending time in Rivendell would be amazing, wouldn’t it?!

      Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. 🙂

  7. I love books set in bookstores and bakeries as well. I’m also a fan of small town settings because they remind me of my hometown.

    • Poinsettia says

      Yes, bookstores, bakeries and small towns make great settings. I’m glad you enjoyed my list.

      Thank you for stopping by and commenting! 🙂

  8. I think the topic is intended that we interpret it our way and that’s good because that way we get so many different views. You picked a good mixture.

    My TTT took me around the world to thirteen countries.

    • Poinsettia says

      Yes! It was a lot of fun to visit all the posts and see how everyone interpreted it.

      Thanks for visiting and commenting! 🙂

  9. I really like seeing how authors combine the mundane real world with fantasy elements in UF too. Its great when you know the city and can imagine all these magical things happening in the shadows.

    • Poinsettia says

      Yes, it is fun to imagine magical things happening in the “real” world!

      Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! 🙂

  10. I am intrigued by England in the 9-10th century as well, although I haven’t read many books with that setting. I tried Cornwell’s The Winter King a few years ago, but didn’t have time to finish it before I had to return it to the library.

    • Poinsettia says

      I just picked up The Winter King recently! I haven’t read it, but I saw it while I was browsing through the shelves on a used bookstore and since I love Cornwell’s Last Kingdom series, I decided to pick it up.

      Did you enjoy what you read of it?

      Thank you for visiting and commenting! 🙂

  11. I also really enjoy books set in Victorian England and in small/rural towns as well.

    • Poinsettia says

      Yes, both make great settings. It just depends on what I’m in the mood for!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting! 🙂

  12. We have so many of the same favorite settings. How fun is that? Colonial America and the Civil War topped my list. Small towns are also great. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.

    • Poinsettia says

      You’re welcome, and I’m so glad you enjoyed my list! I had a lot of fun making it and visiting all the other posts this week.

      Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. 🙂

  13. So many books set in bakeries/restaurants, and I love them too!

    • Poinsettia says

      Do you have a favorite book set in a bakery or restaurant to recommend?

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting! 🙂

  14. Cool places, Im from a big city and love to visit and read about small villages. I love nature settings, like middle earth

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