Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week there is a new topic for bloggers to choose and list their top ten. This week’s theme is Top Ten Books I Picked Up Due to Glowing Recommendations or Reviews.
Since I started blogging my to-read list has literally shot through the roof. Every time I see a review for a book that has five stars, describing how amazing the story, the characters, the world building is, I just have to add it to my to-read list. It’s got to the stage now where I wonder if I’m ever going to get to the bottom of it.
Top Five Books I’ve Read
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
This was actually a book that was recommended to me by a friend before I ever started blogging. She doesn’t tend to recommend too many books to me, our reading tastes are similar enough that we do read the same genres but different enough that the things I don’t like in books she does, so I knew Red Rising was going to be good.
I very nearly DNF this book at first, as is it took me ages to finally get through it because the beginning is so slow, but by the last page I was in love with the story and couldn’t wait to see where it went next.
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
There was a lot of hype surrounding this book in the run-up to its release. Everyone was so excited about it but for some reason that hype seemed to pass me by. Until I saw a pre-release review by Aentee at Read at Midnight. She made it sound amazing, something I just had to pick up, and as soon as I finished reading her review Nevernight went to the top of my to-read list.
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
Bone Gap is the book that introduced me to magical realism, the book that made me fall in love with the genre. However I know that if I’d have never spotted a review for it on WordPress, a glowing five star review which made it sound like an unforgettable magical read reminiscent of a modern fairytale, I would have never picked it up.
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
This is another all-time favourite series of mine and, like with Bone Gap, I do wonder if I would have picked it up if I hadn’t seen the five star review for the first book on WordPress that caught my eye. Either way it’s now one of my favourite series and I cannot wait for the third book to be released, and the fourth, and the fifth…
Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin
Earlier this year everyone seemed to be reading Wolf by Wolf, and everyone seemed to be loving it. There were so many five star, amazing, gushing reviews popping up that of course I added it to my to-read list. I don’t read too much historical fiction but all the books I have read from that genre I’ve loved and Wolf by Wolf was no exception.
Top Five Books Still on my TBR List
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
This was another one that I added to my to-read list because my friend read it first and loved it. She didn’t recommend it to me but when I saw she’d added this book on Goodreads and given it five stars I checked out the blurb, and it sounded like the kind of book I’d love as well. Bear in mind this was last year, but I’ve seen some amazing reviews in the meantime and I can’t wait to get started on it myself.
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
I’m not sure if this one is cheating a little considering it was already on my to-read list, but it was so low down it was practically falling off. However, and this is thanks to Marie at Drizzle and Hurricane Books and Stephanie at Teacher of YA’s Book Blog, the Mara Dyer trilogy has moved up my to-read list and now I am so so excited to get started on it.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres and although I don’t read as much as I would like from it I am trying to change that. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is another book I saw one amazing glowing review for and just had to add to my to-read list, although honestly the gorgeous cover didn’t hurt.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
I’ve never read a Colleen Hoover books, though other people seem to love her work and I’ve seen plenty raving about the Never Never trilogy. Recently there have been plenty of reviews for It Ends With Us around WordPress and, well, if I’m going to start a new author I may as well start with a book that has so many amazing reviews on WordPress already.
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova
This book was available on NetGalley and now, seeing all the amazing reviews it’s been getting, I’m gutted I didn’t request it as well. However it’s been released now and after seeing what everyone who’s read it has had to say about Labyrinth Lost I am definitely going to be buying y own copy to read as soon as possible.
The world building has been described as Alice in Wonderland meets Greek mythology, those are two things I love and that’s pretty much all I needed to know to know that this book is going to be a favourite of mine.
So what do you think? Did you take part in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, if so let me know what some of the books you picked up based on recommendations and reviews are.
I’m so glad I could get you interested in a series again! Makes me happy that I can help you find some books to love. You help me, too. I wish I had seen this theme…it took me this much time to get to this post! This would’ve been an awesome one to do, though I rarely do memes.
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You definitely did, I actually went out about brought the first book in the series the other day and now I can’t wait to get started on it. It’s going to be my Halloween read for this year! 😀
I do love TTT posts, you can check out what the future ones are if you don’t want to miss another interesting one, and it would be great to see what books you picked for each as well. 🙂
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Yeah, I’d like to do one…I think when school gets out I’ll be able to post more. ::sighs longingly::
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Do you have long before school’s out then? And in that case I’ll be on the lookout for your first TTT post! 😀
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I never thought you could add so many books to your TBR because of recommendations before I started blogging. Now I’m surrounded by titles I picked on different blogs! It’s a great thing, except for your bank account haha! Red Rising was everywhere, but I was convinced when I saw raving reviews on two of my most trusted bloggers’ blog. At least now I know the world building is heavy and I need to keep going even if it’s hard to digest!
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Oh I know that feeling, there is so much I want to start reading and every time I come on WordPress, which is a lot each day, I seem to find another book that I need to read! Yeah, my bank account screams at me at times when I go over my book buying budget, which is most months I’ll admit! Red Rising is an amazing series, and yeah slow going at first, there’s a lot of introduction to the characters and the world to get through, but trust me it’s addictive once it gets going! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love that there is Mara Dyer on that list. I know, I can’t shut up about these books ahah, I just hope you won’t be disappointed 🙂 Great list, you got some awesome recommendations! 🙂
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I felt I had to have it on my list, just because now I’ve read the Chaos Walking series it seems to be the next that everyone is raving about, and the next that is moving further and further up my to-read list! 😀
I hope so as well but I’m pretty sure I’ll love it, I trust your opinion on books. 🙂
Thanks Marie! 😀
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I’ve read two of the books on this list and the others are on my TBR. Great list.
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Thanks, I hope you enjoy the ones that are still on your to-read list! 😀
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Haha weirdly, I split my TTT up in exactly the same way – 5 I’ve read and 5 I haven’t yet. I’ve heard so many good things about Nevernight and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, so I’m hoping to get to both of those! Also really want to give Labyrinth Lost a whirl 🙂
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Ohh, I’ll be sure to check out your TTT post for this week then! 😀 And yeah I just thought of the books I was excited to get around to as well as the ones I already knew I loved.
Nevernight is amazing, and I’ve heard great things about The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet so I’m sure that one will be as well.
I’ve seen so many positive reviews for Labyrinth Lost, I can’t wait to get started on it! 😀
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Ah are you reading Nevernight right now? It sounds SO good. I hope I can get a copy soon!
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No I read it back when it was first released, I got an ARC for it. It is really good, a little slow to start but an amazing story. I hope you enjoy it! 😀
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Ah awesome! Who did you get the ARC off? Thanks, I’m sure I will when I eventually pick it up!
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I got it from NetGalley back in July/August I think.
It’s a brilliant book so I’m sure you will! 😀
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Ah nice! I tried to request it on Netgalley, but I’m still waiting for a reply 😛
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Well in that case I hope it gets approved for you soon! 🙂
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I still need to read Res Rising 🙈 I absolutely loved The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, it’s totally different from your normal YA read. It would be perfect for a Halloween read 😊
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I’d highly highly recommend Red Rising, yeah it starts off a little slow but it is addictive once it gets going. Yeah I was thinking Halloween read for Mara Dyer, and I’ve pretty much only heard good things about it so I’m excited to get started! 😀
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I have some of these on my TBR too 🙂 Labyrinth Lost was ok, but it took me a while to get into it! I also need to read the last book in the Mara Dyer trilogy… great list 🙂
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Thanks Lauren. I’m excited to start Labyrinth Lost, I’ve pretty much only heard good things about it, same with the Mara Dyer trilogy as well. I hope you enjoy the last book! 😀
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I will definitely have to get to the final Mara book soon! I hope anyway… 😂
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The trials of a never ending to-read list right? 🙂
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Yup… 🙂
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You already know what I think of It Ends With Us and TBS, both of those are fantastic! The only other book I’ve read on your list is The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I really enjoyed that series. It’s a very thrilling and very creepy series with incredibly flawed and interesting characters. I heard the author is actually doing a spin-off/sequel series, though I’m not sure if I’ll read it as I liked how she wrapped up the trilogy haha. As for the other’s you have on your list I need to read them all. Us bookworms and our never ending TBRs lol. Great picks, Beth! 😊
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Oh yes I definitely do, I hope I enjoy It Ends With Us as much as you did as well!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Mara Dyer trilogy, I’m not really sure why I haven’t picked it up before now, and I can’t wait to get started. I’m also thinking it may be the perfect read for Halloween! 😀
Ohh spin-off series could be interesting, obviously I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve read the original trilogy.
Oh I’d recommend the others on my list this week, and yeah but we’d complain if we had nothing to read wouldn’t we?
Thanks Melissa! 😀
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It’s definitely the perfect Halloween read! I actually scare way too easily but parts of it gave me nightmares and had me scared to be in the dark 😂. I enjoyed it though because it made the books that much more compelling.
True! And sometimes we even complain when we do have something to read but nothing we’re in the mood for lol.
You’re welcome, Beth! 😊
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OK, so it’s decided I am definitely going to read the first book on Halloween, and I definitely need to make sure the lights are on when I start it as well. I’m like you I can get scared way too easily as well!
Bookworms are never happy, kind of like English people in regards to the weather. As long as we have something to complain about we’re happy! 😀
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YAY! I hope you enjoy it. Definitely a read you don’t want to read in the dark haha. That’s my problem with scary things, I love them but I always end up really freaked out. 😂
That’s the truth. I think if we didn’t have anything to complain about life would be dull.
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Same here. Given that Halloween is on a Monday and I’ll be at work I’ll probably read most, if not all, of it on the train to and from work. That’ll help because it will be well lit and I’ll be surrounded by other people which should help it not freak me out as much! 😀
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Yay for reading time but boo that you have to work on Halloween. And that’ll definitely help haha. I can’t wait to hear what you end up thinking of it. 😊
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Well I have the weekend off so maybe that can be my Halloween! Either way I’ll be able to get the book read during my commute so that’s something. 🙂
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I hope you enjoy It Ends With Us. Such a good book.
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I hope so too, I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about it! 😀
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Bone Gap sounds so intriguing! I’m gonna have to check that out. I also love the cover for Uprooted – recently told a friend about this because the protagonist there has her name and she’s going to read it 🙂
Here’s my TTT
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Oh it’s an amazing book, and if you enjoy magical realism then it is definitely a must! There are a few editions of Uprooted but this is the one I have so it’s the cover I used. I’m currently reading it now and it is a really good book!
Thanks for the link, I’ll definitely check out your TTT. 🙂
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I’m really looking forward to Nevernight and Bone Gap.
Check out my TTT.
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Both are amazing books so I really hope you love them!
Thanks for the link, I’ll definitely check out your TTT. 🙂
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Red Rising, Uprooted, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, and Labyrinth Lost are all on my TBR because of booktube/blogosphere. I loved Nevernight and I really hope you do too. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on all these books because I love reading your reviews!
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Oh there are so many amazing books that I’ve discovered through the blogosphere. I’ve heard great things about all the ones still on my to-read list so I can’t wait to get started, I have high hopes.
I have already read Nevernight, and loved it so so much. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for the second book in the series! 😀
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I cannot wait for that one also! We will be reading that one as soon as it’s released I think =)
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I already have it pre-ordered and yeah, as soon as it arrives I will be starting it! 😀
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Ahhh I have Red Rising on my shelves so I’ve been planning to read it, but I keep making other books my priority! Good to know that the beginning is worth getting through.
Seconding those recommendations for you to read Uprooted and It Ends With Us – very different books, but they’re good in their own way. I love Uprooted quite a bit more, though, but it is more my genre (fantasy). 😛
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It’s one of those series I’d highly recommend so it’s well worth getting started on it soon. And yeah stick with it because honestly the books gets so much more fast paced, you won’t be able to put it down trust me! 🙂
I’m currently reading Uprooted, I’m really enjoying it but yeah it’s definitely more my genre and kind of fairytale-ish which is a major plus for me as well! Hopefully I’ll get around to It Ends With Us before the end of the year too! 😀
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That sounds promising! I’m in a bit of a contemporary mood lately so it’s been haaard to get in the mood for fantasy/sci-fi, but Red Rising is quite high on my TBR.
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying Uprooted! I loved it, and I can’t wait to see your review later on. 💕
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Yeah I had a bit of a contemporary mood last month, but now I’m back to fantasy and probably will be for at least the next couple of months!I’d leave Red Rising until you are in the mood for it, it’ll be better that way. ❤
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I’ll keep that in mind! I’ll need to read it by the end of the month because I’ll have to return it to the library. 😂
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Nothing like library deadlines to make you finally pick a book up off your to-read list right? 🙂
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So true. Well, unless the deadline creeps up quicker and you just end up not reading the book, that is. 😂
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Yeah, that’s happened to me a few times! 🙂
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I LOVED Labyrinth Lost and Wolf by Wolf. I definitely read those because I was part of the blogging world. I get so many rec’s that way.
-Lauren
http://letsgetbeyondtolerance.blogspot.com/2016/10/top-ten-tuesday-with-author-annabelle.html
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I should start a new to-read list that are just blogging recommendations, I certainly have enough books for it.
Wolf by Wolf is just amazing, and I hope I enjoy Labyrinth Lost as much as you did!
Thanks for the link, I’ll definitely check out your TTT. 😀
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You need to read the Unbecoming of Mara Dyer as soon as possible…I loved this series and pretty much devoured them over a couple of days. It is a bit dark and creepy and that’s what is awesome about it. Quite different as well 🙂
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I am definitely going to be picking up the series before the end of the year 🙂 maybe it can be my Halloween read given the books are quite dark and creepy! I’ve heard nothing but good things about this series so I’m excited to get started on it! 😀
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