Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish
Top Ten Favorite Books I Read Before I Was A Blogger
I've only been blogging for the past 8 months, and since that time I've exponentially increased the amount of books I've read in my life. Thankfully, though so many of my most favorite books of all time were read before then. Here are some of them.
Also, there are several of these that I have reviewed on my blog, but it was well after the first time I read them.
1) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - If you ask me what my favorite book is, this is the book I will tell you. I re-read it ever so often to reconfirm that fact, but I still LOVE this one so much. Scout and Jem and Atticus and Boo Radley steal my heart every time.
2) Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte - I really don't have much to say about this classic, except that if you've read it, you know what I mean, and if you haven't read it, you really should do that now.
3) Mara Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw - I love ancient Egypt and this story set during the reign of Hatshepsut and features an incredibly detailed setting that came to life for me. I loved exploring the landscape, all the intrigue and the romance of course. This one is fine for Middle Grade but I read and adored it as an adult.
4) Rebecca by Daphne DuMarier - A stunning and creepy gothic tale. I've read this one twice several years a part, and both times I was completely addicted and surprised by the events of the story. If you have yet to visit Manderlay, it's about time.
5) Can you Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella - Don't judge me for this book. I tried to put some on this list that I don't talk about all the time. I read this one at the beach a few years ago and LAUGHED so much. People thought I was crazy. I know Kinsella isn't for everyone, but she is perfect for pallet-cleansing. The heroines are all similar, but that's one of the reasons why I love them so. Thankfully, this one isn't quite as stressful as Shopaholic.
6) Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - This is another one that needs no explanation. It was my first Marchetta and I cannot say enough about how much I love this book. Her writing and characters speak to me.
7) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - This is actually the first book that I reviewed on my blog. BUT I first read it 9 months before I started blogging, so that totally counts. Definitely in my top five favorite of all time along with The Jellicoe Road.
8) Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - Something about Mafi's crazy writing style and her addicting characters, really grabbed me. This is one of the few books that I have actually pre-ordered, at least debut books. Also, TEAM ADAM.
9) The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - A truly magical tale of love and a circus of course!
10) Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - This is an incredible love story, a truly inspiring story of unconditional love and faith and healing. I cried buckets while reading this one - in a good way!
Oh yes, Shatter Me was a really good book!
ReplyDeleteAnd The Night Circus... I've seen it in a few lists; think it might be time for me to read it!
Thanks for the encouragement!
*sigh* I never get tired of To Kill a Mockingbird...
ReplyDeleteI only read The Scorpio Races after I started blogging, but Jellicoe Road, Jane Eyre, tKaM, Rebecca, and Can You Keep a Secret are all some of my favorites as well. It's crazy that most of my favorite books these days all came after blogging, though, so thank goodness for all the books it has led me to! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, see I knew we were friends for a reason. I totally agree on #1, 2, 3 and 6. Loved #7 and 8, but read those right around the time I started blogging. The only one I can't agree on is #9. I just couldn't get into that one. I tried the audiobook -- maybe I should try the print copy???
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
Whoops -- I mean 1,2,4, and 6. I have not read Mara of the Nile.
DeleteTo Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite books, and Sophie Kinsella's books are so cute and fun! :) My TTT list: http://aliceinreaderland.com/2013/04/08/beforeblogging/
ReplyDeleteAlice @ Alice in Readerland
To Kill a Mockingbird is such a classic, I had to read it for school but I've read it multiple times since then. Jellicoe road sounds amazing too! Also I've been meaning to read Rebecca. Happy Reading! I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten!
To Kill a Mockingbird. Excellent choice!
ReplyDeleteNice list! You have so many good ones on here that I love as well. I still really need to read REBECCA -- I've heard so many good things about it that I'm not sure why I haven't gotten around to it yet. Soon. Very soon.
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT!
I loved To Kill a Mockingbird growing up! Rebecca is a new favorite--finally read it this year! Nice list and Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteTKaM remains one of my favorites to this day & I'm still convinced Atticus Finch is one of (if not the) best literary figure period.
ReplyDeleteI have heard such wonderful things about Rebecca. It's definitely earned a spot on my To Read list, it's just a matter of finding the time to sit down with it. I'm positive that once I do, I'll be kicking myself for not reading it sooner. :) It sounds like a book I'd love.
Oh great list! I just read Unravel Me, finally. Geez, that book is going to be in my head FOREVER! Such gorgeous writing. Such a fan of Mafi.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about Sophie Kinsella. She is definitely the perfect palate cleanser. I actually have a shopaholic book I've been meaning to read for ages. I haven't read any of her other books though.
I just read To Kill A Mockingbird and now I've started Jane Eyre - I must have been channelling your top 10 list without even knowing it!
ReplyDeleteThe Shopaholic books are SO stressful, I completely agree! But they are very fun reads. :) I think it's nearing time for me to reread Jane Eyre and To Kill a Mockingbird and Rebecca. I loved them all, but it's been a while. I love how eclectic your list is, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteI think I might be the only person that couldn't get into The Night Circus. Maybe I'll try it again someday. Yes to the Mafi, the Steifvater and the Marchetta--OF COURSE.
ReplyDeleteAnd a resounding yes to Ms. Harper Lee's classic! Do you know I only live a couple of hours from Monroeville, AL, where Harper Lee grew up and was the basis for the town of Maycomb in To Kill a Mockingbird? Every April the town puts on a live stage performance of the book, this years performance is next week. I've never been but vow to make it one day:)
I know that I read Redeeming Love before I was a blogger and of course To Kill a Mockingbird, but I can't remember if I read The Night Circus before blogging or not. I've read it a couple of times. At any rate, they're all great, as are some of the others on this list. You have some on here that I haven't heard of and that I haven't read. I was just thinking to myself yesterday, actually, about asking you which Kinsella is your favorite. Ha!
ReplyDelete