Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's theme is...

Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

For people who like dystopians:

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

Goodreads

The Hunger Games is probably my #1 most recommended book in recent years, due to the popularity of the movie. Because of this, it is also my #1 most lent out book from my personal library. Can't even remember at this point how many of my family/friends/coworkers have read my copies of The Hunger Games Trilogy! It's a sure crowd pleaser, too - they've all loved it! At this point though, pretty much everyone I know has read it, so it's not one I get to recommend to new readers very often anymore.

Divergent
by Veronica Roth

Goodreads | My Review

If The Hunger Games is the top book that I recommend to people who haven't read any dystopian fiction before, then Divergent is my top recommendation to those who've read and loved The Hunger Games. I'm not sure I liked it as much as The Hunger Games, but Divergent is still a pretty dang amazing read - endlessly fascinating world building that I could delve into forever and a thrilling plot make for an addicting, unputdownable book.

Across the Universe
by Beth Revis

Goodreads | My Review

Across the Universe is one that I recommend to people who are either turned off by sci fi or are curious about trying it out, but are afraid it won't be their thing (The Host by Stephenie Meyer is another good one). Because let me tell you, I didn't think I would be into sci fi before I read Across the Universe. Beth Revis is the master of world building and surprise twists that will leave you gasping! Short chapters that end in mini cliffhangers will ensure you will fly through this one. It is just plain FUN.


Blood Red Road
by Moira Young

Goodreads | My Review

I was completely blown away by this debut and was completely floored by the sheer talent of its author, Moira Young. Some people may be turned off by the stream of consciousness writing style with no quotation marks, but I recommend Blood Red Road to people who are willing to take a chance on an unconventional writing style and are rewarded handsomely for their efforts. The bull-headed and fiercely loyal heroine and the SWOONY romance is absolutely NOT to be missed.

For people who like paranormal:

Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare

Goodreads | My Review

Now, I am a big fan of Cassandra Clare's original series, The Mortal Instruments, but it was the prequel series, The Infernal Devices, that REALLY blew me away. It had everything I loved about The Mortal Instruments - namely, a wonderful cast of characters and fantastic humour - with the added benefit of the inclusion of steampunk and a Victorian London setting!
(side note: I haven't read Clockwork Princess as I am still waiting impatiently for it to arrive in the mail so PLEASE no spoilers!)


Daughter of Smoke and Bone
by Laini Taylor

Goodreads | My Review

Having never been particularly impressed with any angel books, it was with some trepidation that I entered into Daughter of Smoke and Bone. As it turns out, my fears were completely unfounded - Laini Taylor has crafted entirely original and INSANELY creative angel/demon mythology in Daughter of Smoke and Bone that left me breathless and utterly MESMERIZED. This, combined with her stellar writing skills, means that Daughter of Smoke and Bone is not one you want to pass up.

For people who like contemporary:

Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

Goodreads | My Review

So I don't read a lot of contemporary so Anna and the French Kiss is my go to recommendation for anyone looking for a cute, contemporary romance. I mean, even I loved it and I don't even do contemporary or romance, and certainly NOT contemporary romance. But I can almost guarantee that you will be swept up in the lives of these loveable characters and fun dialogue! Also, I feel like I need to stress that you should NOT judge this one by its terrible cover, title, and blurb.

For people who like GOOD writing:

The Monstrumologist
by Rick Yancey

Goodreads | My Review

Never have you come across a book that has a combination of terrifying monsters and absolutely exquisite writing quite like The Monstrumologist. Rick Yancey is a literary genius. Certain passages left me awed and breathless, they were so well written and horribly horrifying. I'm not going to lie though, The Monstrumologist challenged me: I read it with a dictionary at the ready. But for me, it was worth it.


The Knife of Never Letting Go
by Patrick Ness

Goodreads | My Review

The Knife of Never Letting Go is the best book I have ever read, after Harry Potter. Patrick Ness proves to be a true master of writing, with a boundless imagination and the capacity to break your heart with a few well written sentences. He is an incredibly emotional writer. One scene in particular truly hit me hard: I had to stop reading and did not continue, nor read anything else, for several days before I had calmed down. Still, I could not recommend this one more.

And finally:

Harry Potter

by J.K. Rowling

Goodreads

Well, obviously.