Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Recent Favorites


I HATE the concept of committing to a favorite anything and books are no different. I could never single out ONE book and confidently label it as my all time favorite. But today I'm going to make a list of ten of my favorite books I have read since I started blogging- which was in 2013.


 
1. The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath
Is anyone surprised with this pick? This is in my top ten of favorite books of all time, and always will be. Plath is an amazing writer, and I promise you, she understands everything you are feeling and has put it down into words somewhere. I love her work.

2. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood
Again, is anyone surprised? I talk about this book all the time because it horrified me. I always think about it and I'm itching to reread it, even though I just read it about six months ago. Atwood is a genius and I need to read more of her works. Which of her books should I read next? 

3. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen 
I can't believe it took me until last year to read this! This was my first Austen and now I can't get enough of her! I love the characters and humor of this novel, along with how well it translates into film. Lizzie is fierce and independent, and everything I love in a heroine.

 
4. Midwinterblood, Marcus Sedgwick 
This is another one I always talk about, but this book really blew my mind! I had never read anything like it, and it's another one I can't stop thinking about. I also plan to reread this one soon. I haven't heard it talked about very often, and I would love for more people to read it. Segdwick is a great author and I have loved everything of his that I have read so far!

5. Papertowns, John Green 
This one didn't become a favorite until I reread it in 2014 for my literature class. I liked this book the first time around, but I didn't notice how well constructed and just how meaningful it was until the second read. It is by far my favorite John Green book. 

6. The Book Thief, Marcus Zusak 
I love the characters in this novel and how unique the narrative voice is. This book is a testament to the power of love, humanity, and books. What more could you ask for in a book?

 
7. Ariel, Sylvia Plath
I love, love this poetry collection. It is so haunting and powerful. I would give my left arm to write half as well as Plath.  

8. Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton
I read this one a couple years ago in a literature class at my community college and was immediately enamored with it. The plot is so simple, but this short novel is such a great character study and is really unforgettable. Shocker, I'm hoping to reread this one this year as well, and I can't wait to share my thoughts and love for this short novel with you guys. 
  
9. Bridget Jones' Diary, Helen Fielding
This book is so funny, and so true! I read this novel right before I moved out on my own and I love Bridget and sympathize with her in every way. If you are a single girl living on your own, Bridget is your soul sister!  

10. Grasshopper Jungle, Andrew Smith
I think about this book all the time! The more I think about it, the stronger and more unique the themes become. I love Smith's writing and how natural his protagonists' voices are. There are a few of Smith's works that I need to read yet, including his latest release, but I am hoping to get to them soon. 

20 comments:

  1. I adored The Bell Jar. Such a good read! I keep reading amazing things about Andrew Smith's writing. I really need to read a book of his soon! Great list! :-) My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I loved Winger by Smith too! I recommend both!
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. I read 'The Handmaid's Tale' over a decade ago and it still horrifies me! Atwood's 'Alias Grace' is very good and nowhere near as creepy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I own that one, I'm hoping to get to more Atwood this summer.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  3. Great list. The Handmaid's Tale made my list as well. Paper Towns was so good. The Book Thief and The Bell Jar is on my TBR. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Bell Jar is great! I hope you get to it soon!
      Thanks for stopping by Cynthia!

      Delete
  4. The Handmaid's Tale is awesome!! Margaret Atwood is such an awesome writer.

    !Here's a link to my TTT post for this week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2015/03/top-ten-books-you-would-classify-as-all.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is so brilliant; her poetry is great too.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. Ah, Jane Austen. Such a lovely writer. Thought my favorite is SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. Elinor Dashwood and I are twins, did you know? LOL

    It is hard to come up with "favorites" isn't it? I just want to hug all my reads -virtually, of course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohh! I haven't read Sense and Sensibility yet- glad to hear you loved it! Favorite anythings are impossible!
      Thanks for stopping by Kay!

      Delete
  6. Great picks! The Bell Jar almost made it to my list too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Plath- she is my soul sister!
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  7. Great list, Mallory! :) I recommend checking out The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood - it's a really interesting read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohhh! I'll add it to my list!
      Thanks for stopping by Jess!

      Delete
  8. I love Sylvia Plath. I remember choosing to do a huge final project on the Bell Jar when I was in high school. We will have to agree to disagree on Paper Towns though.I found it a bit boring. <3 Bee @ Bee Reads Books

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I'm always happy to meet another Plath lover. The Bell Jar really hit home with me this year when I reread it. I recommend her poetry if you have never read any of it. Just as good, if not better than, her prose
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  9. Awesome list! Paper Towns is so good. I recently got Grasshopper Jungle and I'm hoping to read it soon! I hope you have a great week, I'm a new follower. :)
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! Hope you love Grasshopper Jungle! It's weird, but the good weird.
      Thanks for stopping by and following!

      Delete
  10. The handmaid's tale and The book thief are on my TBR shelves. Nice list. Paper towns is one I keep debating on.
    Here’s My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really enjoyed Paper Towns, it's a really meaningful and well constructed novel. I like John Green.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete