Top Ten Tuesday {13}

Tuesday, August 9, 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 Underrated Books (those books you can't believe aren't more popular):

1. The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan - It's marketed as a MG read because of the younger characters, but let me tell you - this is one chilling story. The author masters to delicately balance a horrific and psychological thriller with a depth of humanity. It's a must-read.

2. Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut - Perhaps it's that the cover doesn't scream "READ ME!" but this one defies the ordinary angel/paranormal mold. It's a story with heart and depth and one that will transcend the YA genre.

3. The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin - People know the author for her other works, but this one is that seems to slip through the cracks. Honestly, it's one of the best and most heartfelt contemporary stories I've read in a long time.

4. Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar - I've said it once (or a billion times), but I will sing the praises of this one until the end of time. I hated contemps before this, but this single book gave me hope for the genre. Love, love, love the theme and writing.

5. Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar by Susan & Clay Griffith - Okay, this is saying something because we all know how I feel about vampires. Honestly, this book was so refreshing though...merging steampunk with paranormal? Sheer genius, I say.

6. Time Windows by Kathryn Reiss - Maybe this is too old to still be popular, but I'm surprised it wasn't more popular when it came out, too. It's got a great plot, fabulous characters that stick with you, and an amazing premise. I highly recommend it and continue to re-read it to this day.

7. Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle - The author, again, is so popular for the other books in the series, and this one seems to get slighted in the mix. Perhaps it's that it focuses on the twins, or the Biblical retelling, but honestly, this remains a favourite standout of mine to this day. I can't recommend it enough.

8. Dark Song by Gail Giles - I know a lot of people have read this one, but the ratings are really mixed. Yes, it was a dark book, and yes, it's not for everyone, but I loved it. It's a fabulously ravaging story - and it sticks with you.

9. The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum - A lot of people say that time travel stories aren't their thing. The premise, while it involves time travel, is so much more than that. It's got great characters and a highly engaging plot.

10. This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas - Bone-chilling is a great word to describe this one. If you enjoy reading psychological stories, I highly recommend this one because its true-to-life nature is hard-hitting and powerful.

35 comments:

  1. Many Waters has always been a favorite of mine! For some reason, I really like the twins and relate to them more than the other characters!

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  2. I really like time travel stories, so I should definitely check out 'The Hourglass Door'. Thanks for the rec! =)

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  3. Wow! It's awesome to see other bloggers putting out love for This Gorgeous Game! It's such an amazing book and you're right, it is underrated.

    I can't wait for The Survival Kit in October!

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  4. You are so right about This Gorgeous Game and Raw Blue. This two books are in my top ten favourites. They need more love. Great list :)

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  5. Thanks for all these great recs! Some of them I've never heard of before, others I put on my TBR due to some positive (and trusted) reviews but haven't found the time to get around to yet, like Vampire Empire, Raw Blue, and The Long Weekend.

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  6. I'm ashamed to admit that I've only read Raw Blue from this list, but I do have several others on my TBR! & I've met Lisa Mangum. She came to my town for a signing (gasp! That NEVER happens! :P) and she's just super nice. :)

    I'll have to look into each of these! They sound awesome!

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  7. Totally agree with Gail Giles. All of hers, really. Such a powerful author. I'll definitely be checking out some of the other books on your list - they sound great. Awesome post :)

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  8. I have honestly never heard of any of these, but thank YOU for bringing them to my attention!! :D

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  9. Great list. There are a couple I really want to read here.

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  10. Thats a great list. I have a few of those on my bookshelf at the moment.

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  11. I really, really want to read Raw Blue! And I completely agree with you on The Long Weekend and This Gorgeous Game!

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  12. I absolutely adored The Long Weekend, I'm so so so so glad you organized that tour or I would have never picked it up! Same with The Greyfriar, if not for blogger recommendations I would have passed right on by it and that would have been a huge mistake. And no words for Raw Blue. LOVE.

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  13. I haven't heard of these but The Long Weekend sounds pretty good!

    Check out my Top 10!

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  14. Love the Greyfiar! I think it should be more popular!

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  15. I can't wait to read Raw Blue. I'm just waiting for it to come out in the states. I tried to get it from the Book Depository and they were out of it.

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  16. I haven't read any of these! They all sound great, especially the Madeleine L'Engle one. I only read A Wrinkle in Time so I should probably round it out with the rest of the series. Thanks for putting it back on my radar! :)

    Here's my Top Ten: http://bit.ly/qqOf7F

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  17. Awesome list! Loads I haven't heard of but your descriptions make me want to run out and read every one! :)

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  18. I totally agree on Griffin Rising and The Hourglass Door. I haven't read the others but The Gorgeous Game just went on my list for sure!

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  19. I have only heard about greyfriar so yes underrated

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  20. Inspiring list! I will look the books up and maybe order a few of them :-)

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  21. I haven't read any of these! The Vampire Empire series and Raw Blue both look fantastic, though. Thanks for sharing. :)

    My Top Ten

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  22. I am not familiar with very many of the books on your list. Raw Blue isn't fair though because I would totally read it if I could get my hands on a copy. I have heard good things about The Hourglass Door and she is a UT author so I totally need to get on that one.

    Thanks!

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  23. I cant believe Nancy Werlins book aren't more popular, she is an amazing writer.

    Ive seen so many underrated books this past couple years like- Split, The Secret to Lying and Crossings...all YA Contemporary's.

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  24. I've only read a couple of these, but they all sound fantastic! Thanks for the recommendations! :)

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  25. GAH! I still need to read Raw Blue. I agree about The Hourglass Door, such a good book and not really just about time travel.

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  26. i'm reading raw blue right now, and it's definitely very intense! i'm having a bit of a hard time with the aussie slang, but the story and the voice is still pretty strong.

    i'm also dying to read this gorgeous game. it's not available widely though, so oh well :(

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  27. What a great list! :) I'm looking forward to reading Karchut's Griffin Rising too! It just sounds like a fantastic story. Thank you for sharing, and happy reading!

    ~DJL
    My Top Ten

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  28. I need to get my hands on a copy of Raw Blue. I've read nothing but glowing reviews from bloggers. I actually enjoyed "Dark Song" by Giles too. It held my attention through and reminded me a lot of the movie "Fear".

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  29. Great list. I can't believe I haven't tried any of these.

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  30. Underrated is right. I haven't read a lot of these but I'm adding them to my list. One I'd add is SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD by Lindsey Leavitt -- nothing too deep or heart-wrenching but so well written and a great love story!
    Mary @ BookSwarm

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  31. Yay for Greyfriar. Your and Jenny's reviews were what got me to read it. I really want to read Raw Blue too.
    Hope you love Rift Walker. If you ever feel like loaning it out, let me know. I'd love to read it.

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  32. Have to get my hands on Raw Blue at some point - I just keep hearing such great things about it! I have The Rules of Survival out from the library so good to know you found it a powerful read.

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  33. Completely agree about The Hourglass Door and This Gorgeous Game...and I just put the rest on my TBR list :)

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  34. I definitely want to read The Long Weekend and The Hourglass Door. I will eventually add them to my tbr pile!

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  35. I haven't heard of some of these, but you recommended Rules of Survival which I have, but haven't read and I have Dark Song which I've been longing to read. I have never read Madeleine L'Engle (I know) and I also have Greyfriar to read. And Raw Blue thanks to Bibliophile Brouhaha. So I have many of these, but haven't read them. Guess I should get to it, hmm!

    Great list!

    Heather

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