It’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the wonderful blog at The Broke and the Bookish!
This Week’s Topic is: Top Ten Books That Make You Think (About The World, People, Life, etc.)
Ooh thought-provoking… Well, I do have to say that I’ve been going for quite a few not-so-serious books within the past few months because well, I’ve just been having fun with reading! Although I do like to read a good, meaningful book every once in a while.
And before we even start, I’m not putting The Fault In Our Stars on my list. Even though I mentioned it. And therefore probably negated leaving it off the list.
Life Issues:
1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett – This one was an easy choice for me! Sometimes I just can’t believe how different things were back then, and at the same time, how it still hasn’t changed in some places. I really loved this story and although it was hard for me to get into at first, I really enjoyed it a lot!
2. The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel – I actually wasn’t as impressed with this book as I had hoped, but I really did like the overall message and the way everything wrapped up. I also thought it was pretty thought-provoking (for me at least) at how we define eating disorders and how much we may not realize what’s going on with the people around us.
The “Real” World:
3. The Giver by Lois Lowry – I’ll promote it forever. The Giver is still one of my favorite books of all time. It’s the book that made me question the future, society, the people around us, and so much more at a young age. And of course what fueled my current love for dystopians, but that’s another topic…
4. Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix – Similar to The Giver, this was another book from my childhood that really got me thinking. Things are not always as they seem! What else don’t I know about the world around me?
Loss:
5. The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson – Oh boy. This book made me cry a little. How would I feel if I was Lennie? If my best friend – my older sister – died out of nowhere? Gosh, it’s just a scary, scary thought!
6. If I Stay by Gayle Forman – Same as The Sky Is Everywhere. It’s an intense story and really made me look at my family and realize you have to make the most of your relationships because you never know when they’re going to get swept away from you.
7. One Moment by Kristina McBride – Same as above!
What if I had powers…?
8. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling – Let’s face it. Ever since reading Harry Potter, being a witch has had a way more positive connotation. And honestly, who DOESN’T want magical powers?? If only I weren’t a Muggle… Sigh.
9. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo – How sweet would that be? I would love to be a Grisha! Wielding all sorts of powers…
Without Love…
10. Delirium by Lauren Oliver – Still one of my favorite books, and how creepy at the same time. I think I’d be with Lena!
25 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday – September 11, 2012: Top Ten Books That Make You Think”
I am so close to picking up Delirium – glad to know it was amazing! Great list. I need to reread The Giver!
If I Stay was a beautiful book, but I spent the whole time thinking “what teenager thinks their parents are that cool?” It made me laugh that Mia’s parents were undeniably cool. Cooler than her, even. Not sure I’ve ever met a family like that and I think I’d like to!
The Giver is a great choice, too. I really wish I’d read it as a kid because I’m pretty sure it would have had a bigger impact on me. But as an adult it made me think about the power of choice and difference, so I guess it still worked its magic!
Haha for some reason I never questioned it about Mia’s parents!! I guess they had me convinced 🙂
I love seeing The Giver on so many peoples lists. It truly is a remarkable book. I really need to go re-read it one of these days!
~Allison @ Good Books and Good Wine
I just reread it a few months ago and it still had the same magic for me 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my TTT!
If I Stay and The Help were so good! Great top 10 Brittany 🙂
Thank you!! 🙂
I read a lot of Lois Lowrey growing up, but I never read The Giver. There must be something wrong with me, and I need to rectify that ASAP!
Ohhh The Giver is one of my favorite ones! Go read it!!! lol
I really don’t know why I haven’t!!!
Great Top Ten! I agree with If I Stay. I totally would have put it up there. In fact I’ve seen it on other Top Ten’s. It’s such a great book.
Great list! I have read a few of these, and the others I really want to. Delirium really was a great book and I could never imagine a life where love wasn’t allowed!
Thanks!! I know, that was a scary, scary world! I always get a little creeped out by dystopians… lol
The Harry Potter series is in my list too! Still not read Delirium though…
Check out my list here
Harry Potter has been on a couple list. Delirium as well. Great list!
TTT
So many beautiful books on your list! Ten was not enough for all the beautiful I’ve read that made me think!
My TTT
Great twists on the prompt. Hoping to fall in love with The Giver, Shadow & Bone & If I Stay very soon.
A World Without Love…how very tragic.
Well of course I love your list! I really want to read Shadow and Bone, it’s on my TBR list. ~M
Yay!! I really enjoyed it. I thought it could have been just a smidge better but overall, really great 🙂
I’ve only read HP of all the books on your list. HP is wonderful, though, and it definitely made it onto mine. 🙂
I just saw that and commented on yours lol – They’re just so great.
I’ve read Delirium, however, even though I like the concept and the idea, the writing and the plot just didn’t do it for me. HP is one of the most influential pieces of literature in my entire life and I think it’s one of the reasons why our generation is so interested in books. Haven’t read One Moment, If I Stay or The Sky Is Everywhere, but they’re all waiting for their turn on my TBR list so thanks for sharing your thoughts and for recommending 🙂
My TTT.
Siiri
Oh I love what you did here! Clever you! I really couldn’t get into The Help; not that it wasn’t good, but just wasn’t my thing I guess. Although, living in the middle of all that (you know, the South) it sort of hit close to home and wasn’t that thought provoking because you’re right… it still goes on. I mentioned on my own list a book (The List) that made me think about eating disorders and the issues we go through w/out others knowing. It’s definitely a cause I can get behind! Great list; and yeah… who HASN’T thought about having magical powers?! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to say “accio coffee!” because I’m too lazy to get it myself. 🙂
Great list. I too often wished I wasn’t a muggle after reading Harry Potter. 🙂
The only one I’ve read on your list is Delirium, and some of the Harry Potter ones, but I don’t doubt the others are great for the topics you chose. 🙂