(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish. Want to make your own list? Clicking the image will take you to this week’s post. Happy listing!)
Although I’m hesitant to give book recommendations (for fear of being totally off base), I love getting them. There have been a couple of doozies, where I absolutely hated the book my friend said I’d love, but those instances are few and far between. And I’ve found even more books that I love since I started blogging, and reading others’ blogs; there have been many times when a blog review convinces me to try a book I might not have thought of in the past.
Today’s list is a tribute to the books I’m glad were recommended to me.
1. Graceling – I first heard about Graceling from Love YA Lit, although I read the original review at Em & Lo, a site run by the same ladies (although it’s dedicated to love and sex advice, so it’s possibly NSFW). Graceling is a kick-ass feminist book, packed with action and romance. It was one of my favorite books of 2010, and I’m so glad it was recommended to me.
2. Study series – I couldn’t have avoided Maria V. Snyder’s series if I wanted to; the book blogging community (especially the YA and fantasy lovers among us) just would not shut up about it, and I took the first chance I could to sell out and buy an ebook copy of the first in the series, Poison Study. I love the fantasy and the action and the mystery and the magic. Great recommendation.
3. Xanth trilogy – Best Friend got me a copy of the first in the series, A Spell for Chameleon, soon after we started dating. He knew that I would enjoy the clever wordplay and silly puns, and he was right. I’ve read the first ten books in the series (the term “trilogy” is used rather loosely in this case), and they’ve all been awesome.
4. The Elvenbane – This is the first book in The Halfblood Chronicles, by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey. Elvenbane was my first real introduction to the fantasy genre, and is responsible for my love of all things draconic and elvish. Strong female characters, shapeshifting, action, all kinds of great stuff.
5. The World According to Garp – A friend of mine from college recommended this book to me solely because of Jenny Fields, one of the central characters. She’s an extremely strong lady who decides that she wants a child, and sets about having one. Later in life, Jenny stands up for and helps abused women by providing them a safe place to stay. She kicks ass and takes names, and all with a sense of humor and unwillingness to back down. Garp is by no means a comedic, simple, or easy read, but I’m glad it was recommended to me.
6. Forever… – Judy Blume’s powerful 1975 novel about a young woman’s first sexual experiences. Blume’s books often come under fire for being “inappropriate,” and Forever… in particular has been challenged or banned from many school libraries. I first saw it on a list of banned books when I was celebrating Banned Books Week last year, and it’s a great read that had a greater impact on me than I thought it would. Definitely glad I read it.
7. Lucy – I actually first saw this book cycling though the rotator on the Barnes and Noble website homepage, and was intrigued by the cover image. The blurb on the back jacket called it a “modern day Frankenstein,” and I was hooked. Lucy is such a strong, smart character, and I enjoyed reading her story, even though it’s extremely dark.
What books have been recommended to you? Did you love them or hate them? What’s your book recommendation policy?
Great list! I haven’t heard of some of these but they sound great, especially Lucy. Thanks for stopping by my list! 🙂
Lucy was a great read, even though parts were tough to stomach. It’s as close to dystopian literature as I can get, and it’s wonderfully written. Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!
You’re kind of making me want to read some fantasy – Gracelings. Also, Lucy looks like something I would enjoy. Great list.
Belle
Oh, I’d recommend Graceling to just about anyone, especially if they’re sick of typical YA love triangles and helpless females whose only goal is to snag a man. 🙂
It is a fantasy-heavy list, isn’t it? I hadn’t really noticed. But it’s one of my favorite genres, because it’s got a little of everything. Definitely check out Lucy as well, if you get a chance. It’s dark, but very good. Thank you for visiting!