top ten tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the broke and the bookish! you can find more information about it here.
this week’s top ten tuesday was challenging, but so much fun to compose. at first i wanted to make a class for contemporary 101 since it’s become one of my favorite genres. buuuut i also know a lot of great dystopian books, as well as fantasy. choosing which class was a struggle, but then i thought back to which books made me a reader, and which books i wished everyone is required to read. hence this intro to reading (book pushing) class. creating this list was certainly very hard, but here’s what i got:
charlotte’s web, by e.b. white
the first book that i remember made me a reader was CHARLOTTE’S WEB. the story engaged me and it made me want to READ.
percy jackson and the olympians series, by rick riordan
the PERCY JACKSON SERIES is like my version of the HARRY POTTER SERIES. it was the first series i picked up and was like “i’m not going to sleep tonight hah.” it has the perfect combination of action, education (i’m a master at greek mythology because of these books), friendship, and romance.
since you’ve been gone, by morgan matson
i only read this book recently, but it reminded me why i enjoy reading so much. this is a contemporary novel filled with friendship, adventures, self-discovery, and romance. everything in this is book makes me feel so content.
the lunar chronicles, by marissa meyer
this is a WONDERFUL book for those trying to get into reading. the stories are based on fairytales so you already know what’s going to happen, but at the same time you don’t. there’s a twist to things, which makes you curious to read more. it’s also cool because the books/different fairytales connect together. there’s also a mix of fantasy, dystopian, and sci-fi. THESE ARE GREAT.
simon vs. the homo sapiens agenda, by becky albertalli
this was my favorite read this year because it had me grinning from ear to ear. SIMON was so so so good. things you should know: 1/ it’s a gay book so if you’re uncomfortable with that, i’d suggest reading it once you love reading, 2/ it’s a contemporary romance, 3/ if you DO decide to pick this up, PREPARE TO BE OVERJOYED. seriously, i felt like i was floating on a cloud while reading this novel.
the gallagher girls series, by ally carter
this is another book that is action packed and has romance. first of all, you should know that this follows A SPY SCHOOL. everything about this ambiance is super cool because SPIES OHMYGOD. the first book is kinda strange (entitled: I’D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I’D HAVE TO KILL YOU) but i promise it gets better. *whispers* spiiiiiies.
legend, by marie lu
LEGEND is a very well put together dystopian. it’s a bit scary because i can actually imagine that happening in the future. i really love the characters of this novel as they’re very distinct and their voices are very clear. the plot is also interesting and moving. it’s short and easy to get into which is GREAT.
divergent, by veronica roth
i’d say DIVERGENT is a fairly easy dystopian (sorry, another dystopian hah) to get into. veronica roth’s writing is very straightforward in a sense that you know what each faction does right off the bat. it’s not something you figure out along the way. divergent was the novel that got me into YA and dystopian novels in general. it also helps that there’s a movie, so lots of hype and popularity around the book!
the raven boys series, by maggie stiefvater
i wouldn’t exactly say THE RAVEN BOYS is easy to read, but how can i NOT push towards you? it’s a fantasy novel, but not SUPER fantasy?? there are psychics and strange magic and a group of prep school boys and IT’S JUST FANTASTIC. what i specifically love about this novel is the dynamic characters. they’re all so so unique. it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but i really like this series.
matilda, by roald dahl
last, but certainly not least, MATILDA. congrats! hopefully, you’re now an avid reader. matilda will relate to you in no ways you can imagine. (reading and knowledge leads to magic and powers?? literally???)
CHARLOTTE’S WEB YESS. i loved charlotte’s web + would definitely recommend all of eb white’s books for beginning readers. same with roald dahl’s books. they’re imaginative and funny and perfect for children who want to get into reading.
right right right?! although i remember witches (by roald dahl) SCARING ME SO MUCH.
Such a great list. There’s a book out there for hooking anyone and everyone. I think the Boxcar Children was probably mine; I devoured those as a kid!
ooo i actually haven’t read those! i remember reading the magic tree house series and geronimo stilton before my YA days.
LOVE YOUR LIST! 😀 Ahh, love anything Marie Lu, and I seriously need to read Since You’ve Been Gone, it has been on my TBR for ageess! Love you blog by the way, it’s super pretty! 🙂
thank you! seriously, marie lu is one of my favorite authors <33 and yes! please read since you've been gone. it's definitely one of my favorites i read this year 🙂
This is a great subject! I have read almost every book on your list, but I still need to read Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda, I have heard great things about it! Great picks this week!
thank you! simon is such a spectacular book; i sincerely hope you pick it up soon! <3
I love this list!! Unfortunately, I haven’t read everything on here 🙁 I embarrassingly have never read anything by Ally Carter – idk, they just always seem juvenile to me? I have no idea. Maybe I’ll give them a try someday. AND YES TO CHARLOTTE’S WEB. The only instance ever were I will like spiders, lol. Thanks for sharing your syllabus! 😉
I don’t remember what book got me into reading because I’ve been reading since I can remember. I’m so glad you featured Simon, fantastic pick! It’s my fave read of the year, too! Oh, and I’d also force Jellicoe Road, Friday Brown (Friday Never Leaving in the US) and The Last Leaves Falling. Just not all in the one go, unless you want a broken heart beyond belief and eyes glued together from all the crying… What can I say? My favourites tend to make me cry – lots.
i’ve added all of those onto my tbr list! i heard many great things about jellicoe road, so i know i’ve got to pick that one up soon. my favorites tend to make me emotional, albeit happiness or sadness haha.
Awesome list!! 🙂 I love so many of these books. I really want to read The Raven Boys. It sounds so amazing! 🙂
awesome list, alex! i’m not surprised that most of these books would be on my list too as we have the same taste in books 🙂 i have the raven cycle books but i have yet to read them and i promise i’ll read them soon ah…..
i think the books that first got me into reading was the twilight saga! i was in 5th grade so please don’t judge lol
xx, isha
i actually never read the twilight saga so i feel like i have no right to judge it ahah. and although i know many people bash on it, the series actually got a bunch of people into reading so yay for twilight? :-))
Most of these books are my favorites! Thu Hunger Games really interested me when I read it 6 years ago (I think it’s 6 or almost 7) but the first book I read was Lois Lowry’s The Giver and I liked it. Then I kind of took a break from reading books. But in 2013, I bought Divergent during a book fair and I read it and Iiked it so much that I joined bookstagram and made my own bookish blog. 😉 I’d also recommend Graceling by Kristin Cashore! That book is phenomenal! 🙂
I love your blog, it’s definitely very beautiful and classy!
I really adored The Raven Cycles! Lovely to see the inclusion of Matilda, and I need to get my hands on Simon VS…
I’VE FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE HERE WHO HAS READ AND LOVED GALLAGHER GIRLS. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. ZACH. CAMMIE. GBRBSFADJWNGIEBUFWAD OH MY GOD. THIS IS SO EXCITING. I LOVE GALLAGHER GIRLS. I’VE READ THEM ALL ABOUT 6 TIMES. THE THIRD BOOK EVEN MORE THAN THAT. I THINK WE JUST BONDED.
Honestly, Simon left me grinning ear-to-ear for three hours. I just couldn’t stop smiling. AHHHH. I want to re-read it even though I read it like two months ago because I just want to be that happy again. SIMON <333333
MATILDA!! *throws confetti and clever magic everywhere*
SO that would definitely be on my list, and… hmmm. Harry Potter (I hate be a cliché but) was a series that first got be into well, series, and longer books. Then there’s also Malory Towers and The Fantastic Five 🙂
Great list. I think I really have to read The Raven Boys series and Legend. 😉