Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Was Forced to Read

Tuesday, October 15, 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.

The Top Books I Was Forced to Read

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - When the series first started, I made fun of the first two books. I told my sister she was silly to read them, but she pushed and pushed and pushed until I finally gave in. I ended up loving it...and going to every book midnight premiere.

2. The Shack - A lot of people actually pushed this book in my direction. I didn't think it would be for me, as religious novels tend to leave me feeling a little put-off. This one, however, spoke to my soul, and I swear it's one of the best I've ever read.

3. Anna and the French Kiss - This one is thanks to all of YOU! I swore up and down that I wouldn't read this book. I proclaimed that it was far too "girly" and "petty" to be the type of thing I would like. I ate my words.

4. The Giver - This was actually required reading in school. Generally speaking, I hated required reading because I don't like being boxed into a corner and made to think a certain way. This novel, however, transcended my aversion.

5. Fahrenheit 451 - This, too, was a novel we were required to read in middle school. I think it was my first real taste of a dystopian society, and I was utterly captivated by the fact that something could so irreparably damage our world.

6. Gone with the Wind - I must credit my older sister, Nikki, for pushing this novel on me. I didn't think I'd ever read it, simply because something that's declared to be the greatest love story of all time doesn't really speak to me. This one, however, is gold.

7. Vampire Academy - This one goes to all the bloggers out there, as well! I believe several dozen bloggers told me I was really missing out and, despite my aversion to vampires, I gave it a go. Dang...I'm so glad I did!

8. Speak - I'd read other novels by Laurie Halse Anderson, and I'd seen the movie, but I'd never actually read the book. There is something so magnetic and powerful about this novel, and if it hadn't been for the rave reviews convincing me to try, I would still be missing out.

9. Pushing the Limits - Yet again, I read this book because of the blogosphere. It's not my normal type of read, but when you see the rave reviews abound, you can't help but be intrigued. I loved it, I loved the second book, and I even loved the third...more please?

10. Jane Eyre - For some reason, some of the classics have escaped me. I was encouraged by a good friend to try this one though because she knew of my love for Pride & Prejudice, as well as books such as Little Women. Yeah, she was right. Loved it.

16 comments:

  1. I like how you included books that bloggers "made" you read. A lot of the books I've read are from peer pressure. Sometimes that's worked out well and sometimes it hasn't. But I love having a group of people so eager to get me to read new things.

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    1. Bloggers always introduce me to something new...it's amazing :)

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  2. Ah same when it comes to Vampire Academy! I was a "little" reluctant to read about vampires after Twilight but I gave it a go and I love it. Like it's one of my favourite series by far.

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  3. I'm so glad you were forced to read these, Melissa! Jane Eyre, Gone With the Wind, Fahrenheit 451, The Giver...such classic gems! And HP, Anna, and Pushing the Limits are such perfect comfort reads!(: Great list!

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    1. Yes! As much as I resisted the classics, they've definitely made me the reader I am today :)

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  4. Yay for getting forced to read Harry Potter, I bet you never looked back. I actually read The Giver a few years ago and was surprised by how awesome it was! I would have loved it back in school!

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    1. Oh, you'd better believe it! Harry Potter is my book soulmate ;)

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  5. Blogger peer pressure is one powerful force! ;) I've read so many awesome books thanks to forcing from amazing bloggers and that's one of the reasons I adore this community. You get to discover amazing books!

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    1. Isn't it though?! I love that my reading horizons have increased dramatically!

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  6. HAHAHA and I thought I was the only one!! Harry Potter wasn't a familiar name to me until my mom shoved the library book into my hands... AND THEN BOOM!! I had to have the pretty hardcover editions lined up on the most prominent shelf =P I've read and loved Lola and the Boy Next Door, will try Anna and the French Kiss!!

    Alicia @ Summer Next Top Story

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  7. I buckled under the Anna and the French Kiss pressure too Melissa! And it was so worth it, I love that book:) I never had to read Jane Eyre, though I did have to read Pride & Prejudice. I didn't love it the first time through because I had to read it for school, but I picked it up again in college and loved it then. So glad you were driven to read Pushing the Limits and Vampire Academy too, two of my very favorite series:)

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  8. Anna was one of those few books that I kept putting off because of the title and the cover. Neither one sold me, yet everybody kept talking about how I just HAD to read it. I'm so glad I gave in. I would have never met St. Clair<3

    Here is our list.

    By the way, we are giving away a signed ARC of Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles on the blog. Make sure to stop by and enter! :)

    Andy @ Owl Always Be Reading

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  9. Anna and the French Kiss - The cover and the title makes it seem overly girly. I pretty much felt the same way before reading it, still I decided to give it a go and ended up liking it a lot.

    Read Books and Blog | Addicted to Films

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  10. Some gems are worth it some are just shite. Sometimes being forced to read a book is a good thing...sometimes it's horrible (I remember a couple from high school English that were just painful).

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  11. I am also not a fan of girly books and was certain I would hate Anna and the French Kiss, I then ended up loving it. I also really enjoyed The Giver, and Harry Potter is my favourite series of all time! My TTT

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