Monday, May 27, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday #10 - Freebie Week (Books That Have Been Recommended To Me)

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by the amazing The Broke And The Bookish
I've always been a big "recommended reader", meaning I'm always asking book friends for new titles to read. I've even gone as far as to say, "Name a book you think I should read and I'll buy it, no questions asked."  Occasionally I'm disappointed, but I've also found some of my very favorite books (like those on this list) through recommendations.  I also absolutely love recommending books to other readers.  So this week, I'm going to list the top ten books I've read directly due to either a recommendation, or a glowing review by a trusted blogger/reviewer.

Top Ten Books That Have Been Recommended To Me
 
  1. Daughter Of Smoke And Bone by Laini Taylor - Yes.  This book, the book that I have been pushing mercilessly into the hands of every semi-willing reader I can find, was recommended to me by two people; Pixie from The Bookaholic and Taylor from Thoughts Of An Endless Dreamer.  This was, in fact, the result of one of those "Name a title and I'll buy it" requests.  I paid full price for the hardback, which I never do for a first-in-the-series book, but my only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.
  2. Harry Potter by J.K Rowling - The series that opened the door into a whole new world of reading for me only ever found its way into my young hands because of a cousin of mine talking my ear off about it, and even sending me the copy.  Before Harry and Hogwarts, I was one of those *gasp*! non-readers who thought books were "boring".  Gah, I shudder just thinking about those dark days....
  3. The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning - I have never found myself more addicted to a series or its Alpha Male bad-guy romance than with this one, and I never would have picked it up if I hadn't been stalking one of my favorite GR reviewers' archives for her 5-star books.
  4. Everneath by Brodi Ashton - Debby from Snuggly Oranges reviewed this one a few months back.  I had never even heard of the book before, but after reading that review, I immediately rushed over to Amazon to order my very own copy.  I fell in love with it within the first few pages.
  5. Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - Another book recommended by The Bookaholic's Pixie.  To think, it took weeks of incessant nagging and more than one threat to get me to agree to read this one.  Oh, Etienne, I am so sorry I ever doubted you.
  6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Years ago, when this was just another new debut on the shelves, an old friend of mine told me I should check it out.  I had absolutely no idea that it would become the ginormous hype monster that it has at the time.  I even remember thinking the title sounded kind of stupid.  But I fell so completely in love with it that I finished it in one sleepless night.
  7. Stardust by Neil Gaiman - Another of Pixie's contributions to my bookshelf, Stardust made me realize that Gaiman is soooo much more than just the author of the Sandman graphic novels.
  8. City Of Thieves by David Benioff - The same friend who recommended The Hunger Games turned me on to this one, which is so far outside of my reading comfort zone that I was sure I'd be unable to connect with it.  Fastfoward to the end, with me turning the last pages with tears streaming down my face and a wad of used Kleenex by my side.
  9. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - Pixie is turning out to dominate this list, but TFiOS was yet another of her wonderful recommendations.  Another one that I doubt I'd have ever read without her invaluable nagging.  Now it's one of my absolute favorites.
  10. Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice - Nearly a decade ago, in my 9th grade English class, someone casually commented about how much she loves Anne Rice's vampires.  This was when I was in the thick of my vampire frenzy, so pretty much anything with the words "vampire book" and "good" equated to a recommendation I couldn't turn down in my mind.  This is one of the few that still sits on my Favorites list long after my vamp love died down.

Obviously, some of my favorite books have been recommended to me.  Do you have any you think I should read?  Leave it in the comments!  And as always, if you have a TTT this week, link to it so I can return the comment love!


14 comments:

  1. City of Thieves was amazing, definitely up there as one of my favourite books ever. I've been meaning to re-read it for some time, actually...

    My TTT

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    1. I actually just reread it early this year...or maybe late last? Anyway. It's just as powerful the second time around. It's definitely one I'm glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone for and picked up.

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  2. I win.
    That is all.
    You're welcome.

    Boom.

    <3

    Pixie

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    1. Haha humble as always, Pixie. Teeth also seriously almost made this list, which you recommended to me. And Ultraviolet.

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  3. Heeeeeeeeeeee I'm glad I'm on this list hahaha, but OF COURSE. Everneath is freaking awesome. Definitely one of my favorites too. (I must have Evertrue!!! GRRR.)

    I'm not much of a recommended reader, to be honest... I always weigh multiple opinions first. But it sounds like it could be really fun, haha.

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    1. Yes, Evertrue! I'm so happy I can stop calling it Everthird now haha, that stopped being clever around the sixth time I used it. :p But after Everbound's cliffy, I need that book. Like, yesterday.

      I notice I'm less of a major recommended reader now than I was before I started my blog, but I still make sure to ask trusted reviewers/readers for books to add to my TBR list. And yeah, sometimes just letting someone decide what you're going to read next can be fun. A gamble, but if it pays off, it can really pay off haha.

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  4. Stardust was recommended to me too and I am sooo grateful to the person to who introduced me to the book (I had only watched the movie before)! Love your list :)

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    1. Thanks! :D I still haven't seen Stardust the movie, which I'm kind of mad at myself about because I hear so many good things about it. This summer, definitely.

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  5. I don't know which ones you should read but I know which ones I should read. The whole series of #2. I'm not that ashamed I'm a "HPVirgin" but I feel like I can't miss out much longer.
    Stardust is another book to movie adaptation. I've seen it whereas all the HP films? Not really not sure I've watched them all & not as many times XD
    I'm awful but at least I've read all the Hunger Games trilogy & not just watched the film! I don't know why I'm talking so much about films but do you think you'll watch Catching Fire? I can't wait!
    While the wait for Catching Fire is on perhaps you'll stop by my TTT? I'm a first time TTTer but am glad to be part of it & not just reading lists this week! I already knew I’d only be able to list 3 so the second ‘T’ isn’t ten I’m afraid on the meaning of reviews ;) Well, some lists are small (and explained in much detail, that's me)! XD
    My TTT

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    1. Aw, this was your first TTT? I will definitely check that out! This meme is seriously addictive.

      Harry Potter needs to take priority over pretty much anything else in your life that isn't absolutely essential to, well, living. Call off work. Eat chips and stay near the bathroom for a week, and just marathon through them. You're missing out on one of the best things about being a bookworm! Haha.

      Omg, yes, I am soooo excited for Catching Fire! Finnick...I will squeal louder than the tweens in that theater when he first comes on screen and feel absolutely no shame about it. November still seems so far away.

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  6. So many books there that are on my wish list! I have greedy eyes, grabby hands but not enough time! Slowly getting through your recommendations though. And crossing a few off as well *cough* Shatter me *cough* :-)

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    1. Haha I know the feeling. I love these TTT memes, but they wreak havoc on my TBR list.

      Such a subtle way to end that comment! Lol. But yeah, Shatter Me is one I don't think you'd be missing out on by skipping. Not if you don't like whiny, emo, horny protagonists. Which sucks because I had so wanted to love it.

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  7. I am super eager to read Everneath - it's been all the rave with the people I work with so I finally broke down and bought a copy. Same goes with The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Great list!

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    1. Ooh, I'm almost jealous that you get to experience those two books for the first time. I adore Everneath, and am seriously, irrationally obsessed with DOS&B. You're going to love thim!

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As you may or may not know, life is eating up way too much of my spare time right now, so pretty please don't hate me if it takes me a few days to get back to your wonderful comments. I read each and every one from my phone, and they always make my day. <3