Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic from The Broke and the Bookish is 10 books people tell you that you simply MUST read. I had a hard time with this one because I'm not great at taking advice and I tend to set my heels and and NOT read something I'm told I really should. So here's the 10 books people have told me I absolutely MUST read and whether or not I actually read them!
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I have no logical reason for not reading this one except people kept telling me I had to. Haven't read it and really don't plan to though I don't know why I'm so set against it.
3. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - this is one that got a lot of hype and due to how plot driven it is all the reviews were very vague. I was able to get a copy from the library and I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it and it was a quick read that left me stunned. (review)
5. March by Geraldine Brooks - this is one that has been on my radar for years and my grandmother was singing it's praises as she handed me the book telling me that I MUST read it. However, this book from the viewpoint of the absent father in Little Women is still sitting untouched on my shelf. One day soon though!
6. Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn - I've heard raves about this book for years and finally broke down and bought it. I haven't read it yet but since I loved her most recent book (review)
8. At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald - Own it but have yet to read it. This was a favorite of my grandmother's when she was a child but even though I own at least 1 copy I've never picked it up. One day though!
9. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I resisted this one when it first came out. I ignored the raves and the discussions but ended up reading it shortly before the movie came out for Book Club. I ended up really enjoying it. That being said I have no desire to read the next books.
10. A Prayer for Owen Meaney by John Irving - I was out with a few friends and we were talking about books and at least 2 of them went on and on about how the rest of us MUST read Owen Meaney. Coinicdentally a few days later it was a Kindle Daily Deal That was last summer. It's still untouched.
Any of these that I must read? Any of these that you didn't like?
I'll bug you every day to read Outlander. :) Don't let the size through you off. It reads really fast. The first 100 pages or so are a little slow, but as long as you push through that you will be rewarded with Jamie. And seriously your life will than be complete. Lol. I don't even know how many times I've re-read it. It is my favourite book. And the show is freakin' brilliant. Just...I have no coherent thoughts beyond perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe Help is really really good. So was the movie actually. But the book, it's a really fast read. So there's that. :P
Enjoy Outlander! :D
Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
One of these days I'll give in and read it! I'm still thinking I'm going for the show first so I'll already be hooked before I pick up that behemoth of a book!
DeleteI loved The Help on audio and A Prayer for Owen Meany. The first Outlander book was just okay for me, so I never continued with the series. Doubt I'll ever read Hunger Games!
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoyed Hunger Games but I was happy to let it be a stand alone. I have A Prayer for Owen Meaney but I don't think I've actually ever opened it. One day though!
DeleteLoved Outlander and have followed the series. Read A Prayer for Owen Meany many years ago and as I recall, liked it. Loved The Help. But my advice: read what you want! Don't let others direct you - you have your own taste. I've taken advice before and hated the books. I generally do a little research before I commit, unless I'm reviewing..Then you can sing: I Did It My Way!
ReplyDeleteI do tend to read what I like (which is the reason for the occasional random reviews!). At this point I"m leaning towards Outlander and away from Owen Meaney and maybe one day I'll pick up the Help!
DeleteI went ahead and picked up Outlander because I found it at a used bookstore, but I'm not sure if that means I'm going to read it. Everyone says to be prepared to be shocked when reading We Were Liars and I got to say it is making me want to read it asap.
ReplyDeleteWe Were Liars was definitely different. I thought the way the narration was done really worked for the book. It's short so it won't take you long to read it. I'm thinking of getting Outlander on my Kindle since it's massive and maybe reading it at some point!
DeleteI've read a lot of those! I loved North Wind in college but it was sad. Didn't love or hate Owen Meany. Enjoyed Hunger Games but never read the rest.
ReplyDeleteI have North Wind and am planning on reading it fairly soon. I will be prepared for tears! I keep hearing eh reviews for Owen Meany which is making me not want to jump up and read it.
DeleteI never finished the first Outlander so I am no authority on it, but it made my list also of books everyone wants me to like it! I read all the Hunger Game trilogy because my eldest and I buddy read them together. The Storied Life.. on my wishlist.I have We Were Liars and will get to it soon I hope. All the hype was almost making me feel like I didn't want to read it if that makes sense. I liked the movie version of A Prayer for Owen Meany better than the book, I liked both The Help book and movie. Don't know if I helped, but as with my own list, just because *everyone* says to read something doesn't mean you should. I avoided reading Twilight series and Fifty Shades to name a couple and am doing fine :)
ReplyDeleteI always liked reading with my kids even though that is why I've read all 4 of the Twilight books! I may have to watch the movie (Simon Birch?) and go from there about reading the book. The Storied Life is sweet but I wasn't as head over heels about it as lots of people were. I did enjoy We Were Liars even though it's not my usual type of book. The first person narration really worked for the book.
DeleteI've had Outlander in my TBR for the longest time and even have it on my Kindle. Yet, I can't help but be intimidated by the size of the book. However, I am watching the TV series and I enjoyed the first two episodes. I might just crack and read the book despite the size.
ReplyDeleteThe size terrifies me! I'm so behind on books I have to read and adding one in that's a million pages gives me hives. I'm hoping to watch the show though. Glad to hear you enjoyed them!
DeleteYes, yes yes to Outlander.I still need to read the Help.
ReplyDeleteI know you're in the Outlander camp! One day maybe! The Help will probably stay on my not read pile. At this point if I haven't read it yet I probably won't.
DeleteI've gotten recs for We Were Liars, so I put it on hold at the library. I'm so curious about it!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it though it was a strange book. I could see exactly why some people didn't like it as I was reading it but it didn't make me enjoy it any less! The good thing is that it's a fast read so even if it doesn't work for you it won't be a big time investment.
DeleteThe only one I've read in this list is Outlander. I remember enjoying it, but I'm afraid it didn't leave a lasting impression. I watch the show and really like it - great landscapes... and great Jamie !
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Katherine! I still haven't read Help (maybe someday). Or March (probably not). Or The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry (hopefully someday). Or any of the books on your list with the exception of #9 and #10. I enjoyed the Hunger Games books and, well, you may remember I wasn't too thrilled with A Prayer for Owen Meany.
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