Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I’m Thankful For

~ Beth (Reading Every Night)

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’m Thankful For.

When it comes down to it there are plenty of books I’m thankful for, in fact you could say I’m thankful for every book out there because I love reading, but the ones below are the ones that have the most fond memories attached to them. Some of them are likely cliché picks for this topic, and most of them are books I haven’t stopped talking about since I started blogging, but I feel that’s almost expected.

Top Ten Tuesday #84

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

…because it’s the first book I can remember reading, part of the first series I fell in love with, and even today I am still a huge fan of the Harry Potter series.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

…because although Harry Potter was the first series I loved, and looking back I’m now very aware Twilight is kind of problematic, this was the book that kicked started my reading obsession.

The Archived by V.E. Schwab

…because if I can only pick one I’d say V.E. Schwab is my favourite author, and The Archived was the first book of hers I read. Without it I don’t know when, or even if, I would have read the Shades of Magic series.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

…because while this wasn’t the book that led to me discovering the contemporary genre it was the first contemporary book I read, and it’s still an all-time favourite of mine today.

Love You to Death by Meg Cabot

…because my love for this book is something I shared with my friends, and I have so many happy memories of us fangirling over the series during our high school classes.

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

…because thanks to an incredible review I saw on WordPress this was the very first magical realism book I picked up, and it led to me discovering what would become one of my favourite genres.

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

…because like how Bone Gap led me to the magical realism genre These Broken Stars is the book that led me to the sci-fi genre.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

…because I travelled to Prague, and had an incredible time exploring a beautiful city, because of Laini Taylor’s magical way of writing.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

…because this is my favourite everything. It’s the first book I remember reading with my parents, the reason I love fairytale retellings, and likely the reason I love plenty of fantasy and magic in my stories.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

…because if the Shades of Magic books are my all-time favourite series then The Night Circus is my all-time favourite standalone book. I love stories set in circuses because of how breathtaking this book was.

So what do you think? Did you take part in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, if so let me know what books you’re thankful for.

61 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I’m Thankful For”

  1. Just out of interest what do you enjoy about Twilight when you first read it ? I found it really boring when I first read it and hated bella she is so whiny and I never understood what was so attractive about her. She is so passive and always whining.

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  2. Twilight was what got me back into reading as well – so it still holds a special place in my heart… even though it’s terrible compared to other books 😅 HP Is one of my faves as well! I can’t wait for my son to be old enough to read this series! I would love to go to Prague one day 😍 I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone – I’m hope to re read some time soon!

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    1. Yeah looking back I think Twilight is definitely a problematic book, and there are so many better reads out there, but at the same time part of me loves it because of what it opened up for me (the whole of the YA genre).
      Oh I bet it’s going to be incredible reading the series with your son Lauren, and I really hope you make it to Prague one day. It’s such a gorgeous city. 😀

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  3. Great post, Beth! I, too, am very thankful for Twilight! I think without it, I wouldn’t have been as invested in YA as I am now. Because of the hype it provided, I became more immersed in the YA community! DOSAB encouraged me to travel, as well, and Alice in Wonderland is just fantastic. I was first introduced to the film, and loved it for it’s odd magic and fantastical upside-downess, but the book will always remain a favorite. And of course, can’t forget about The Night Circus!

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    1. Thanks so much Azia. 🙂 ❤ Yeah looking back I am aware of how problematic Twilight actually is, and that there are so many better YA books out there, but it was the first book I picked up so I'm always going to be grateful it exists. 🙂
      Daughter of Smoke and Bone is an incredible story for inspiring wanderlust, and I guess looking back you could maybe say Alice in Wonderland is what got us into fantasy right? At least I think that's definitely the case for me.
      Oh we can never forget The Night Circus! 😀

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      1. I feel like “problematic” is an understatement, but Twilight holds a special place in my heart and despite its many flaws, I don’t think that will ever change LOL
        And I’d agree with you about Wonderland 😀 That’s as fantasy as fantasy can get hahaha

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      2. I guess given we know it’s problematic then it’s probably not as bad to say we love it right? At least that’s what I’m telling myself. 🙂
        Ha, yeah Wonderland was the first fantasy world I wanted to visit and I still want to visit there TBH! 😀 ❤

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  5. Love your list! HP kind of has to be on every list 😉 (at least for our generation 😉 ) I still need to read Archived, cos I love Schwab! I so agree about Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Alice in Wonderland and Night Circus- I love all of those books!

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    1. Thanks so much. 🙂 Ha, yeah Harry Potter is a book that defined a generation so it would be strange if it wasn’t on loads of people’s lists. I really hope you enjoy The Archived, but if you loved Schwab I’m sure you will.
      Amazing books right? I need to re-read them all one day. 🙂 ❤

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  6. Hi Beth! I love how Top 10 Tues causes us to share thoughts like in this post. It’s great that you admit to the affect Twilight had on your life… I read it way later and I could see as a writer why it had such power… Nowadays “problematic” is thrown around a lot and its not politically correct to LOVE what you love so really brave choice!! ❤ The Night Circus has been suggested to me and its one I'm excited to read especially seeing the great love bloggers have for it. I recently found The Archived on my TBR so it was fun to learn what a gateway book it was for you!!

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    1. Oh same here, there are so many amazing themes for TTT posts, and some of them mean more than just sharing book recommendations you know? 🙂
      I’ve said it before but yeah Twilight is one of the books that defined reading for me when I was a teenager, and even though I am aware it’s considered problematic, and I can see that myself now, I still love it just for what it means for 14/15 year old me. 🙂
      In that case I hope both The Night Circus and The Archived are books you love Dani, and that you manage to get around to them soon. I’ll be interested in what you think of them so you’ll have to let me know when you’ve finished reading. 🙂 ❤

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  7. Hello! This is probably a strange question, but how did you get all five of your book cover images to line up like that? When I insert four images, they go in a line like yours, but when I insert five or more, the fifth is bumped down to the next line, if that makes sense. Haha, thanks! And great post 🙂

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    1. Hi, and that’s all right not a strange question at all. 🙂
      I don’t actually use WordPress when I combine two or more images like I do in my Top Ten Tuesday posts. I can’t remember what it’s called exactly but I downloaded a kind-of-Photoshop program on my computer and I use that.
      I hope this helps, and thanks Rachel. 🙂

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  8. Oh, I love this post! I’m definitely grateful for The Archived as well because, like you, it was the first book I read from Schwab — and what ultimately made me decide to read the rest of her books! She’s one of my favorite authors now, and it wouldn’t have been for that book (and the blogosphere).

    Bone Gap definitely introduced me to the wonderful genre of magical realism! And that led you to rec me Anna-Marie McLemore’s books which I absolutely LOVEEEE. 😍

    Love this post!

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    1. Thanks so much May! 🙂 Yeah I don’t think The Archived is Schwab’s best book, though it’s still a great story, but it introduced me to her work and to my favourite series ever so I would love it for that reason alone! 🙂
      Oh Anna-Marie McLemore is my favourite magical realism author. It’s kind of funny to think of how the books we read connect in some ways, like if we hadn’t picked up Bone Gap would we have discovered McLemore’s books? Who knows.
      Thanks so much! 🙂 ❤️

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    1. The Night Circus was one of those books I just had to include in this list, and looking back I know Twilight isn’t an amazing book but to my 14/15 year old self it was incredible. 🙂
      Thanks so much Trang, ahh I’m thankful for you too! 😀 ❤️

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  10. Love this list, Beth ❤
    Harry Potter has a special place in my heart. As a kid, I remember wishing that Hogwarts were real and that I'd get my letter in the mail one day (I am still waiting!)
    I am thankful for Japanese graphic novels, which I adored when I was a teen. They inspired me to write my own stories (and draw!) 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much Sophie. 🙂 ❤️
      Oh I’m still waiting for my letter from Hogwarts, I’m always going to be waiting I think. That series is one that has the most special place in my heart for sure. 😀
      That’s a brilliant thing to be thankful for, and yes I remember you saying earlier you’d given the Sailor Moon books to your younger cousin right? So it’s already something you’ve passed along and that’s something else I’m thankful for when it comes to reading! 🙂

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  11. I am making it a personal mission to read Laini Taylor’s books in 2018 ahah, I feel like I could really enjoy her books, even if I’m a bit nervous about starting them out. Would you recommend this series first, or Strange The Dreamer? 🙂
    I’m so happy to see this Sarah Dessen book here, and glad you loved it so much AND made me want to read it. It was fantastic, you always have the best recommendations 🙂
    great list, Beth! xx

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    1. Oh yay! 😀 But also I get what you mean because when I hear non stop amazing things about an author and/or series I get a little nervous about whether it can live up to the hype as well. I’d say start with the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, mainly because all three books are released and you won’t have that unbearable wait for the next one to be released like I am currently experiencing for Strange the Dreamer! 🙂
      Sarah Dessen is one of the authors who defined reading for me growing up, so really I had to include one of her books on this list. Also again I’m so glad you enjoyed Just Listen Marie, and the rest of her books as well.
      Thanks so much! 🙂 ❤️

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  12. Same here with twilight??? it it wasn’t for that then I never would have even thought about picking up TMI– which is what really starts my love for reading!!

    and omgggggg The daughter of smoke and bone!! I NEED THIS SO BAD. I have strange the dreamer waiting for me and I’ve wanted to read this series for so long!!

    Wonderful post!! ❤

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    1. I actually picked up TMI very quickly after reading Twilight, and it was because of Twilight I even picked up that series in the first place. I feel like for a lot of us Twilight was that kind of gateway book to the YA genre.
      Oh my god yes definitely read everything Laini Taylor has written. She’s one of my all-time favourite authors and honestly I can’t recommend her books enough. 😀
      Thanks so much Lu. 🙂 ❤️

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      1. OMg yess!!! I hardly think about that series anymore, and kinda cringe over it tbh, as I read it when I was super young and reread it and teh movies semi ruined it for me, but without it I wouldn’t have really got into reading???

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  13. I actually just finished reading Twilight, and I think I just opened up my gateway to YA books, adn I am over the moon excited! XD I’m happy to see that we both have our own… kickstart to YA! Although I already love to read, most of what I’ve read has been middle grade, but I think I’m ready for Young Adult. Do you have any recommendations? 😀
    ~Samantha
    https://redheadwithabook.wordpress.com/

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    1. Oh that’s great to hear, and yeah Twilight was a must-add to my list this week just for the reason that it got me into reading again. 🙂
      As far as recommendations go I’d say anything I’ve read and review on my blog to date, but some of my favourite authors are Marissa Meyer, Laini Taylor, V.E. Schwab, Cassandra Clare, Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J Maas, Samantha Shannon and Patrick Ness so if you haven’t already start with their books. 😀

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  14. Pingback: The Writer’s Tag! – Sophie's Corner

  16. I’m swooning over this entire list. I am constantly in awe over how beautifully crafted so many of these are–how Harry Potter shaped so many of us, how unique the prose in The Night Circus is. Great post! I love hearing how much we all feel when reading (or thinking of) the books we are most thankful for.

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    1. Thanks so much! 🙂 Yeah Harry Potter really is a series that defined so many of us, especially if we grew up with it, and beyond that it’s an incredible series as well. Oh I consider The Night Circus to be my all-time favourite standalone book.
      Thanks so much, there’s a lot to be thankful for when it comes to books, these are just a few of the books/reasons I have! 😀

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    1. Thanks so much Lashaan. Ha, yeah I’m thankful for all of V.E. Schwab’s books but The Archived was the very first of her releases I picked up so it gets a special place on my list this week. 🙂 Lets be honest this list could have been completely filled with Schwab’s books (and I know she hasn’t release ten books but some of them would have had to be on there twice because they’re so amazing!) 😀

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  18. I loved your description for why Twilight is on this list. It seems like it doesn’t quite matter whether a book is the best-written book out there for it to be someone’s favorite. 😊 For me, all the books I’m thankful for are ones that left a big impact on me during the time I read it and beyond. If I look back on books that I remember loving reading in the past, I actually have no idea if I would still like it as much if I reread them today (the A Court of Thorns and Roses series is a good example of this. I ADORED this series when I first read it, but then I reread this year and it just didn’t have the same wow factor as it did a few years back 🙁). Nevertheless, if I look at a book that I read long ago and feelings of love for the story and characters and world comes rushing at me, then I know it’s a book that I should treasure for all the good memories. 📚 💕

    What a wonderful post to do before Thanksgiving comes! People shouldn’t forget to be grateful for books as well during this time of year! 😆😋

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    1. Ha, thanks so much Zoie. I mean yeah now I’m aware there are much better books out there, and that Twilight can be considered slightly problematic, but it’s always going to be a book I love just because it’s a book that got me into reading. 🙂
      Oh I completely get what you mean, a lot of the books on my list this week are ones that left a big impact on me, books that I can go back and re-read and know I’ll love them just as much if I picked them up again today (that’s a shame about ACOTAR but I get what you mean because something re-reading books can’t live up to the nostalgia of the first time you picked them up you know?)
      I think that’s a great way to look at the books you’re thankful for, because there are going to be some books you outgrow, like I’ve outgrown Twilight, but which still have good memories attached to it that I treasure.
      Yep, there’s plenty to be grateful when it comes to books, not least for me is that books are what started me blogging in the first place! 😀

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  19. Twilight was my kick start as well lol 😛 and I have so many happy memories reading it with my friends and fan-girling over it I simply cannot deny the fact I like this book 😛

    Harry Potter I didn’t read until later
    Much later. But I still love it all the same 😀 I’ve been meaning to reread them soon.

    I’ve been recommended These Broken Stars 😛 and The Night Circus. But I wasn’t sure whether to give them a read. I think I might now.

    Thanks for the post. I really enjoyed reading the reasons why you liked the books you chose 😛

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    1. Yeah I mean now I’m aware of the fact that there are much better books than Twilight out there but back when I first picked it up it was just a book I loved and that got me started easing obsessively. I’m thankful for it just for that. 🙂
      Oh I need to re-read Harry Potter at some point as well, there are just too many books I need to start that I don’t have a lot of time for the books I’ve already read you know?
      I’d definitely recommend them, especially The Night Circus which I always say is my all-time favourite standalone book.
      That’s all right. 🙂 I’m really glad you enjoyed reading this post! 😀

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  20. Alice in Wonderland was the first book I full remember reading & becoming obsessed with, I even had a audio cassette of it that I listened to every weekend lol. HP & Twilight def took put my reading on overdrive and I have loved series ever since. This is a wonderful list Beth & of course LAINI!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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    1. Oh I never had the audiobook of Alice in Wonderland, I just had the book which I read over and over (along with my massive book of fairytales) when I was really young. 🙂 Harry Potter will probably be on a lot of people’s lists this week, and yeah although I’m aware of the issues Twilight has now back then it was just a book I loved that got me into reading obsessively.
      Ha, I couldn’t have a list of books I’m thankful for and not include Laini Taylor. 😀
      Thanks Lilly. 🙂 ❤️

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    1. Thanks Eli. 🙂 Oh The Night Circus is beyond incredible, I always say it’s my favourite standalone book, like ever. That would be Night of Cake and Puppets I’m guessing, I’ve read that and really loved it, but then I loved Mik and Zuzana in the trilogy and couldn’t wait to dive into more of their story. I hope you enjoy it too. 🙂
      Thanks for the link, I’ll definitely check out your TTT! 😀

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    1. Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised to see Harry Potter on a lot of people’s lists this week. 🙂 The Archived is definitely a unique read and oh Daughter of Smoke and Bone is just a magical story. I’m glad you enjoyed that one even though it’s not normally your thing. 🙂

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