Top Ten Tuesday {10}

Tuesday, July 19, 2011






Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.
Top Ten Books You Believe Should Be Required Reading For Teens :

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling - Yes, the entire series. So many people love the movies, so why not get them to love the books, too? Let's be honest - as great as the flicks are, the books are always better. Plus, this series proves that reading IS fun.

2. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Despite those who think that, perhaps, the title is a bit too loose, shall we say, this book is phenomenal. Teens mess up. Teens make mistakes, and teens cope with trauma in different ways. This book is hard-hitting and well-written.

3. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I said I hated contemps until I read this book, then I realized I had to take it back. The story has depth, the characters ring true and the heart-wrenching story lingers long after.

4. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - There are a ton of obtuse classics out there that just kill me with their lack of relevance to our day in age. This is NOT one of those books. If there are any of you who haven't read this book, you are missing out.

5. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - This is not marketed for a younger audience, and a lot of the author's work escapes me to this day, but this book is powerful, heartbreaking and real. I highly recommend this to both YA and adult readers.

6. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - Whether you're religious or not, I'm sure you know the story of Noah's Ark. I don't love too many of her books, but the blend of history, sci-fi, romance and family makes this book powerful for all ages - especially teens.

7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - We all know of my love of animals. This book merges the pure soul of an unbiased dog with the values of family, love, humour and a true account of the oddity that is human life. I can't recommend this book enough to teens.

8. The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls - I'm a huge fan of memoirs, but this one stands apart. The story of a girl growing up in a family with different dreams and lower means, this book is about coming to terms with your own identity and growing up to be your best despite what stands in your way.

9. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold - I remember when I first read this book. I thought it was horrifying, fascinating, incredible, powerful and it left me speechless. The writing is brilliant and the soul of the story leaps from the pages.

10. Watership Down by Richard Adams - Don't let the premise or the length of this book fool you. Though nearly 500 pages in length, each page resonates with meaning, and the theme of man's destructive impact on nature, the importance of friendship, teamwork and perseverance and the value of family makes this a must read for teens.

30 comments:

  1. These sound really great. I havent read a lot of the ones you listed but will def check them out. Is my sisters keeper anything like the movie? I saw the movie but havent read the book. Thanks for sharing some great books.

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  2. Great picks! Absolutely agree with HP, To Kill a Mockingbird, My Sister's Keeper and The Glass Castle.
    I want to read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

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  3. Of your fantastic list I only have read To Kill A Mockingbird. I know, I know! ;)

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  4. You know what the reaction of some people would be if you told their kids to read HP series? I can almost hear these protests and accusations. Great list anyway!

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  5. I definitely agree Raw Blue should be a book all teens reads. It is such a strong and powerful story. Great list :)

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  6. Wow. I have only read Harry Potter of all the books on your list :0

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  7. Absolutely to HP! I loved the entire series, and I think it's the perfect book to help young readers begin to love books!

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  8. Good choices. I could never finish The Art of racing though, it was really good, but I just got so mad at the injustice

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  9. I LOVE Harry Potter. Although, my coworker actually had it as required reading and she hates it merely because it was required.

    Awesome list though! I love To Kill A Mockingbird!

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  10. A great list with some books on it that I have not read myself. Although I love A Wrinkle in Time by L'Engle I have not read Many Waters. I also want so much to read Raw Blue. After all the fabulous reviews I have read about it this is one I really really need to read.

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  11. Wow great list, I wouldn't consider recommending Glass Castle to a teenager, but what an amazing read.

    I think My Sisters Keeper is an excellent choice.

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  12. You've got some great ones on that list Melissa! I can't say enough good things about Raw Blue, I really wish they would release that one here so more people can enjoy it:)

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  13. I chose Harry Potter too! It seems like everyone's doing it. I haven't read most of the books on your list but after checking them out on Goodreads and reading your descriptions, I'll definitely be adding them to my to-read list. Thanks for the recommendations!

    Here's mine! http://bit.ly/pjAxpr

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  14. That's a fantastic list! I usually have my 8th graders read WATERSHIP DOWN near the end of the year -- some love and some don't. But I still agree that they should read it. There are a couple on that list that I'm going to have to check out.
    Mary @ Book Swarm

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  15. I actually got My Sisters Keeper randomly from someone. I didn't have a big urge to read it but I haven't watched the movie yet, so maybe I should.
    I want to read Raw Blue, just can't get my hands on it.
    Totally agree with Harry Potter, The Glass Castle, The Lovely Bones, and To Kill a Mockingbird. The rest I'll go put on my wishlist right now!
    Thanks for the suggestions!

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  16. Good choices! I have not read My Sisters Keeper though I must. My husband saw the movie and liked it.

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  17. There are some books here I still want to read and haven't yet. Great list!!

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  18. Raw Blue is a great choice, I'm mad at myself for not considering it for my list :)

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  19. I loved twenty boy summer. I mean, it's so much more than just the title you know? It's sad too, and there are so many issues , important issues thrown in there. Great list!

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  20. I've only read HP and Twenty Boy Summer. Well to be honest, I didn't read the last HP. I don't want the magic to end. So I'm waiting. Not sure for what, but I just can't let it end.

    Heather

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  21. Melissa- I love all your choices except for one...:)

    We will have to agree to disagree on Twenty Boy Summer. I think my fav out of your list is My Sisters Keeper..

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  22. Oh, you came up with some great ones! I thought the portrayal of bereavement/grief in Twenty Boy Summer was really well-done, and My Sister's Keeper is an excellent book to raise lots of philosophical/ethical/etc questions. And I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Raw Blue.

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  23. What a great eclectic list! I hadn't heard of raw blue before, so will have to check it out :D

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  24. I loved The Glass Castle. I listened to it on audio and it was fabulous. I can't imagine why you'd watch the HP movies and not read the books. Well...I can imagine people's reasons, but I think it's stupid.

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  25. Wow, very cool list with a lot of different types of titles. Definitely agree about 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

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  26. To Kill A Mockingbird= definitely! And Watership Down is a great one, one of my very favorites. I remember being skeptical about the premise (migrating rabbits searching for a new home) at first, but it is a heck of a story and has a heck of a message as well. Great list, Melissa! :)

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  27. I haven't read all the books on this list, but i would WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with number 1 and number 10. Watership Down is amazing. And Harry Potter speaks for itself. :) Awesome list

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  28. Yay! HP! I love To Kill A Mockingbird. Haven't read the other books. I think Catcher in the Rye is another book for required reading. Heck, probably anything banned is a good choice, too.

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  29. +JMJ+

    Many Waters is a surprising choice. I've read nearly all of Madeleine L'Engle's YA novels, and if I had to require one, it would probably be A Swiftly Tilting Planet.

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  30. Harry's the man of the hour! Gregory just read To Kill A Mockingbird. Such a fantastic book!

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