Top Ten Tuesday: Books Dealing with Tough Subjects

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

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

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 great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books Dealing with Tough Subject Matter:

1.  Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - This book was probably my first foray into contemporary fiction that really actually worked for me. It's a beautiful, poetic and hypnotizing book that tackles some intense dark issues such as rape and loss of self-worth. However, it's also about healing, and it's fantastic. Read it. 

2. When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney - I haven't posted my review yet for this one (check back Thursday - shameless plug), but I was blown away by it. I cried a lot, but I also laughed and healed with the main character. Dealing with death, grief and moving on, it's stunning.

3. Dark Song by Gail Giles - This was a book that I didn't expect to be nearly as dark as it was, but it was immensely powerful. Tackling issues of abusive relationships, teenage rebellion, familial drama and more, it's a no-holds-barred story that will really make you think.

4. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - I don't think any list regarding tough subject matter would be complete without this book. Sparse, simple and painful, the book illustrates the spiral of an eating disorder in a powerful, but realistic way. (Beware - it can be triggering.)

5. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers - I put off reading this one for a long time because I'm not so big on the contemps unless they're really true to life. Well, this lived up. Portraying some of the harshest bullying between teenage girls, it presents a challenge - liking an unlikable character as she tries to change.

6. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - It still amazes me that this book is one of her most obscure titles in the YA market today. It's a powerful, thought-provoking and extremely emotional tale of parental abuse and learning to live, move on and forgive.

7. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Disregard the "loose" title. Trust me. I ignored this book because if it for a really long time. Accurately portraying two teen girls' navigation through the grief process mourning and moving on, it's sure to make you laugh, smile and cry along the way.

8. The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan - This book is severely underrated. It's often mistaken for MG because of its young main character, but the topics and subject matter of the novel are far beyond that age group. This gripping story of child abduction and abuse is sure to leave you breathless.

9. Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles - Honestly, I love this book, but some people might question my reasoning for listing it here. Think about it this way. Maggie was the victim of an accident. Caleb was the so-called perpetrator of the accident, and both of them must somehow start to move on.

10. Bitter End by Jennifer Brown - This is another one of those books I had on my TBR forever, but I just kept putting it off. However, once I finally read it, I was blown away. This deep novel bares its soul through the story of both an emotionally and physically abusive relationship in an amazingly poignant way.

39 comments:

  1. I have such a hard time with "tough subject matter" books -- I almost don't want to pick them up then, when I do, get so emotionally invested...*sigh* I'm a big baby.

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  2. I think I only read them because they're generally the only contemporary books that feel sort of truthful to me, if that makes sense. Give RAW BLUE a go...you'll change your mind, I bet ;)

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  3. I sure hope you do give RAW BLUE a go, Nick! It's probably one of the most fantastic contemps that I've ever read. Plus, with a surfing theme, you can't go wrong!

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  4. YES to Raw Blue and The Long Weekend Melissa! I haven't read the other books on your list, but I could just hug you for leading me to The Long Weekend. I would not have picked that one up on my own and I would have missed out. And Raw Blue will forever be on my list of favorites:)

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  5. I've been hearing a lot about When You Were Here recently, and you have me convinced now. Looking forward to reading your full review!

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  6. Love Wintergirls. Such an amazing novel. I really want to read Some Girls Are. I've only read one book by Courtney Summers so far.
    -Lauren from www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

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  7. YES! I'm so happy that Savita even gave me The Long Weekend to review and that I was able to share it with the masses. I freaking loved it, and I'm glad you did, too :)

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  8. It was an incredible book (as my review will state haha) I hope you read it!

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  9. It really is an amazing novel. I've read a few of Courtney's novels, and they're all pretty awesome!

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  10. I ordered a copy of RAW BLUE and had it shipped overseas, but I still haven't read it... I need to make time, stat! :)

    http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com/2013/05/top-ten-books-dealing-with-tough.html

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  11. I've only read #1 and #8--I need to remedy that stat! You know I loved Raw Blue and I've been wanting to read Wintergirls for ages now. Fantastic list!

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  12. I knew Raw Blue (finally got a copy gifted to me!!) and Dark Song would be on this list! I know all of them, but haven't read all of them except the one you're reviewing and Bitter End. I remember your review of The Long Weekend and your interview with the author. I still feel like I want to read that one and I don't want to read it. I know it's intense. I think you're braver than I am.


    Heather

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  13. I haven't read any of these (!!!), but I'm glad you brought them to my attention. Wintergirls and The Rules of Survival have been on my TBR, however.

    Thanks for visiting!

    Stephanie (Go Flash Go) @ Read, Rinse, Repeat

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  14. I really really liked Wish You Were Here, too. It was so intense but it was good. I think that's the only one on your list that I've read though.

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  15. I've not read Raw Blue but it sounds incredible. I agree about Twenty Boy Summer - the name makes it sound a lot different than how it was. :)

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  16. I still need to read Raw Blue. It's too bad it's not out in the US. I remember talking with you about Wintergirls. I hear you on the triggering.

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  17. I still need to read Raw Blue and Wintergirls.

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  18. Wintergirls is a really fast read. I read it in one night. If you ever have a brief lull, I highly recommend it!

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  19. It's very intense, but the way Savita writes it is so clear and thought-provoking that you can't help but become invested. It's really worth it.

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  20. It was definitely intense...I had a ton of emotions going through it, and it was almost hard to write my review just because I had so many feelings!

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  21. Girl, Raw Blue is fantastic. Absolutely and positively. Read it!

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  22. Raw Blue is a fantastic read, Alison. I have two copies, and I'd be happy to send you one just to see if you love it as much as me. It's spectacular.

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  23. Twenty Boy Summer sounds great now that I know it's deeper than it's title suggests. Great picks.

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  24. I loved Wintergirls. I read it in two days (and I'm a slow reader). Leaving Paradise is on my Kindle for someday.

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  25. I still need to read Raw Blue and Wintergirls.

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  26. Raw Blue is a fantastic read, Alison. I have two copies, and I'd be happy to send you one just to see if you love it as much as me. It's spectacular.

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  27. Girl, Raw Blue is fantastic. Absolutely and positively. Read it!

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  28. It was definitely intense...I had a ton of emotions going through it, and it was almost hard to write my review just because I had so many feelings!

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  29. It's very intense, but the way Savita writes it is so clear and thought-provoking that you can't help but become invested. It's really worth it.

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  30. Wintergirls is a really fast read. I read it in one night. If you ever have a brief lull, I highly recommend it!

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  31. I recently pick up Twenty Boy Summer from the library, but haven't been able to get to it yet. I haven't heard of the Rules of Survival. I'll have to check it out. Great list!
    Natflix&Books' TTT

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  32. Thanks, Natalie! I think you'll like Twenty Boy Summer...it's a fast-paced and very emotional read.

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  33. I really enjoy tough subject books, especially when they are really well written. I will admit that I have only read Leaving Paradise from your list and I loved that book so much. It was so heartbreaking but it was definitely Simone Elkeles' best work.
    I've heard amazing things about Raw Blue too. Definitely adding some of the books you've mentioned to my to-read list.

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