Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.
The rules are simple:
Each Tuesday, Jana assigns a new topic. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post. Add your name to the Linky widget on that day’s post so that everyone can check out other bloggers’ lists. Or if you don’t have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.
This week is slightly different as we’re invited to celebrate the 10th birthday of Top Ten Tuesday by choosing a favourite past topic or one we missed. I only discovered Top Ten Tuesday once I started my book blog, so I’ve decided to highlight some of the lovely feedback I’ve received from authors that has made my experience such a positive one. It’s a variation on the previous Top Ten Tuesday topic, Thankful For…
Do check out my reviews of their brilliant books as well by following the link from the title. Hey, why not even put them on your shopping list for when you resume bookshop visits.
I Am Dust by Louise Beech
‘The tagline on Louise Beech’s website is ‘Making Magic With Words’ and there’s more than a touch of magic, including of a dark kind, woven into I Am Dust.’ Cathy! I LOVED this! Thank you! Pelvis Presley, hahaha! Made up! Sorry. Have the loveliest day! X @annecater #blogtour https://t.co/zwiVN9nA4d
— Louise Beech (@LouiseWriter) April 11, 2020
When We Fallby Carolyn Kirby
Goodness, Cathy, there are so many wonderful insights in your review – I’m blown away! I confess I hadn’t really clicked that Vee, like Ewa, has two names (although Vee is an anagram of Eve of course!) So grateful for your perceptiveness and your eloquence💗💗💗
— Carolyn Kirby (@novelcarolyn) May 21, 2020
What an excellent review! Thank you so much, Cathy. You capture the themes perfectly and it’s great to hear that you invested in the characters and their journeys. I really appreciate you making the time to share your responses. x
— Caroline (@CScottBooks) November 3, 2019
The Photographer of the Lost by Caroline Scott
The Mermaid’s Call by Katherine Stansfield
The best way to celebrate publication day is with a lovely review like this one from @Cathy_A_J: ‘The Mermaid’s Call (and indeed the whole ‘Cornish Mystery’ series) is highly recommended for fans of historical crime mysteries’ @AllisonandBusby https://t.co/Ouu5aiTpBI
— Katherine Stansfield (@K_Stansfield) September 19, 2019
Wicked By Design by Katy Moran
‘Wicked By Design races along like a golden Turkoman mare galloping across the steppes. Along the way there are twists and turns, vividly depicted action scenes and unexpected revelations. I loved every suspenseful, breathless minute of it’
And I love this review 💕 https://t.co/vZCkLHEkK7
— Katy Moran (@KatyjaMoran) September 13, 2019
Razia by Abda Khan
“Razia is a thought-provoking book…Its unexpectedly bittersweet and poignant ending shows an author with a deft touch for creating a satisfying reading experience” https://t.co/R1wwuQD0S1 Thanks @Cathy_A_J for reveiwing my @unbounders novel #Razia #BookReview #newbook pic.twitter.com/yrqtB8FRsp
— Abda Khan (@abdakhan5) July 18, 2019
Aurelia by Alison Morton
AURELIA: “I found the combination of alternate history, strong female characters and the pace of a thriller a compelling one.”
Thank you @Cathy_A_J for a terrific review!https://t.co/79yJvGrnJx #thriller #RomaNovaSeries #unique #books #review pic.twitter.com/4KU8wasOHY
— Alison Morton Roma Nova (@alison_morton) July 5, 2019
Beyond The Thirty-Nine Steps: A Life of John Buchan by Ursula Buchan
Thank you so much, Cathy, for such a detailed, empathetic and insightful review of my book. Very helpful to readers. And I’m thrilled to know about your Buchan of the Month blog, when you consider a #JohnBuchan novel each month in 2019.
— Ursula Buchan (@buchan_u) April 18, 2019
The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea
“A story of cruelty, forbidden love, madness born out of grief & unfulfilled desire, dark nights & even darker deeds…Atmospheric, intense and powerful.”
What a thoroughly lovely review of #TheGlassWoman, thank you @Cathy_A_J. Thrilled you liked it. 💙
https://t.co/B7Ee5lD09A— Caroline Lea (@CarolineleaLea) February 25, 2019
The Phoenix of Florence by Philip Kazan
This is an amazing review of The Phoenix of Florence – thank you so much, @Cathy_A_J! Wow!#ThePhoenixofFlorence https://t.co/JTy4HyzFEY
— pip kazan (@pipkazan) February 12, 2019
Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield
Oh,Cathy! Reviews like yours, that pay close attention to every word on every page, make all an author’s efforts worthwhile! Thank you, thank you, thank you. https://t.co/Ifo5nZn1EA
— Diane Setterfield (@DianeSetterfie1) December 3, 2018
Okay, I know there are eleven but who’s counting when you get such lovely comments.

Those are indeed wonderful.
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Yes, it makes it all worthwhile, doesn’t it? And counteracts the negativity that can sometimes dominate social media.
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These are so lovely – it’s always nice to get a positive response from authors! 😊
My TTT: https://lifewithallthebooks.com/2020/06/23/top-ten-tuesday-ten-more-thought-provoking-quotes-from-books/
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What a beautiful list. 🙂
My TTT .
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These are awesome! I’ve never gotten much more than a “thanks for the review” haha.
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I have been saving them up for a while so it was nice to finally come across a way to use them 😁 I get quite a few too that are just “Thanks” or even merely a like on Twitter. I’m sure authors appreciate your reviews just maybe haven’t got time to say so.
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I do get pretty excited with any like or comment from an author. But these responses you shared are definitely extra special. I would frame them or something.
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wow what a wonderful post Cathy!
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Thanks. As I just said to someone else, I’ve been saving them up for a while waiting for an occasion to use them.
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Great idea 😀
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How lovely that the authors took the trouble to respond to you
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Isn’t it? Makes all the effort we put into writing our reviews and sharing them worthwhile.
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What a lovely list! Here is my Top Ten Tuesday.
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How fun! It’s nice to have feedback from authors.
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I love this topic! You’ve gotten some wonderful feedback 🙂 I’ve gotten a few hate emails from authors over the years, but mostly I’ve gotten lots of love. I remember when I gave an author’s debut novel a rave review and she told me she printed it out and hung it on her fridge for all to see! Made me smile 🙂
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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Luckily I’ve never had any negative comments from authors but I’m glad you’ve received positive feedback as well. I think debut authors are particularly grateful for reviews.
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I’m not on Twitter much, but I’m on Instagram and it’s so fun to get a response from authors. Always a nice surprise! These are lovely. ❤
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I absolutely love when authors take time to comment on tweets and reviews. Great post Cathy.
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