Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This week our list (brought to you by Becky!) is Top Ten favorite books you've read during the lifespan of your blog.
This is a difficult week because our blog is rather new. I've decided to select my top eight books and Randi will select her top two. You will probably notice that the majority of my picks are YA contemporary realism. That seems to be a side affect of blogging with Randi and is actually atypical of my normal reading habits. I didn't conform entirely, however. I still prefer the crushingly depressing reads to the happy romance novels.
1. The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green
This contemporary realism follows a girl with terminal cancer who meets a boy and shares a book. There are elements of romance, but for me it was more of a story of connection. It was deeply touching and made me consider the meaning of life and how we live it.
This contemporary realism follows a girl with terminal cancer who meets a boy and shares a book. There are elements of romance, but for me it was more of a story of connection. It was deeply touching and made me consider the meaning of life and how we live it.
2. Looking for Alaska, by John Green
Another John Green contemporary realism with complex, intelligent characters, tragedy, and interesting connections between characters. While there is romance, the focus is more on how the characters draw meaning from it and life in general.
Another John Green contemporary realism with complex, intelligent characters, tragedy, and interesting connections between characters. While there is romance, the focus is more on how the characters draw meaning from it and life in general.
3. Jellicoe Road, by Melina Marchetta
My first novel from Melina Marchetta! This book was a puzzle, and I was on the fence until about 200 pages in when I suddenly fell in love with the characters and the story within a story. This was a contemporary realism about a girl in boarding school and her discovery of who she is and who her parents were.
My first novel from Melina Marchetta! This book was a puzzle, and I was on the fence until about 200 pages in when I suddenly fell in love with the characters and the story within a story. This was a contemporary realism about a girl in boarding school and her discovery of who she is and who her parents were.
4. The Amulet of Samarkand, by Jonathan Stroud
Ah at last, a fantasy novel. This middle grade wonder has an insanely rich alternate reality where magicians control London using demons. Where this story really shines is in the quirky anti-heroes and the unique voice of the characters.
Ah at last, a fantasy novel. This middle grade wonder has an insanely rich alternate reality where magicians control London using demons. Where this story really shines is in the quirky anti-heroes and the unique voice of the characters.
5. Zombies vs. Unicorns
What an anthology! This collection of zombie and unicorn stories from popular authors will blow your socks off. They are gritty, terrifying, and nightmarish...and the zombie stories are intense too!
What an anthology! This collection of zombie and unicorn stories from popular authors will blow your socks off. They are gritty, terrifying, and nightmarish...and the zombie stories are intense too!
6. 13 Reasons Why
This contemporary realism issue-novel is about a girl who kills herself and the 13 reasons why she does it. For me, it was a really deep and realistic portrayal of how people can effect those around them
This contemporary realism issue-novel is about a girl who kills herself and the 13 reasons why she does it. For me, it was a really deep and realistic portrayal of how people can effect those around them
7. Sisters Red
Fantasy again! This adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood is a gritty, sultry mix of fairytale and horror. I loved the character of Scarlett and how badass she was!
Fantasy again! This adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood is a gritty, sultry mix of fairytale and horror. I loved the character of Scarlett and how badass she was!
8.The Magicians
This is cheating. I'm still reading this one, but I can already tell I will love it from the curiously unlikeable main character and the blend of our everyday world with magic.
9. The Lock Artist (This week's bake!)
The link for this will be up Thursday. This is a magnificent thriller, which is not a genre I'm usually interested in. The bizarre characters, menacing undercurrent, and romantic element were unexpectedly awesome.
This is cheating. I'm still reading this one, but I can already tell I will love it from the curiously unlikeable main character and the blend of our everyday world with magic.
9. The Lock Artist (This week's bake!)
The link for this will be up Thursday. This is a magnificent thriller, which is not a genre I'm usually interested in. The bizarre characters, menacing undercurrent, and romantic element were unexpectedly awesome.
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Although it is technically my week for this post, I wanted to include my co-blogger in this list as well. Here are Randi's top two books she's read during our Blog!
2. And the tortured fantasy romance! Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I need to read Jellicoe Road! I keep hearing great things about it. Sisters Red was awesome and I am looking forward to My Life Next Door. Great picks! Here are mine http://wp.me/pzUn5-1a1
ReplyDeleteOhmygoodness, definitely read My Life Next Door ASAP! ;)
DeleteThanks for the comment and follow! While I haven't read any of these, there are several that I want to: Sisters Red, The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Thirteen Reasons Why, and Daughters of Smoke Bone.
ReplyDeleteYou should totally check out Anna Dressed in Blood; it's spooky, but not too spooky. And if you read Chasing Brooklyn, check out Lisa Schroeder's other novels. They're kind of similar, but in a good way. And they're great reads. (:
Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf
I was so relieved that Becky loved The Fault in Our Stars (I'm starting it this weekend for a reread). And Daughter of Smoke and Bone is ah-maaaazing of course. ;)
DeleteI've heard great things about Jellicoe Road! And just seeing the comment above.. You should join me and Lost in a Great Book for our readalong in September for Anna Dressed in Blood! :) (Details on my sidebar button) but it'll be fun!
ReplyDeleteGreat list and thanks for stopping by!
Michele | Top 10
Thanks, Michele! :)
DeleteGreat list! I can't remember if I've reviewed Grossman's The Magicians but it was quite an interesting book =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blog earlier =)
- Li @ rulethewaves.net
Thanks, Li! :)
DeleteSuch a lovely list! I definitely agree with Jellicoe Road and My Life Next Door, fantastic books. :)
ReplyDeleteJase totally stole my heart!
DeleteZombies vs. Unicorns? WHY HAVE I NOT HEARD OF THIS??!! *Sprints to bookstore*
ReplyDeleterofl. This is a common reaction for me. :)
DeleteCan I just say that I loved all the books on your list?! They're fantastic! OH how I miss the Bartimaeus trilogy! I'll have to read the companion novel soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog :)
YAY! :) Thanks, Joie!
DeleteI loved The Lock Artist, and Jellicoe Road. Quite a few of the titles on your list are books I want to read, so I'm excited to see that you liked them.
ReplyDeleteTanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
We just posted our joint review of The Lock Artist yesterday! :D And we both really really liked it. :) Thanks, Tanya!
DeleteI enjoyed The Amulet of Samarkand too, but haven't had a chance to read the other books yet. :)
ReplyDeleteYay for John Green. I loved Looking for Alaska and Fault in Our Stars, but included Will Grayson Will Grayson on my list. I also enjoyed Sisters Red. I listened to it on audio, which was good.
ReplyDelete