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 Loved But Never Wrote A Review For:
1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - Kids, I can review books. Trust me, I can. That said, I could never string enough perfect words together to embody the absolute incredible masterpiece that is this book. I'm just being honest. It's THAT good.
2. The Last Silk Dress by Ann Rinaldi - I don't know how the author captured the true voice and sentiment of a girl living and desperately trying to grow during the Civil War, but she did. The brother-sister bond, the struggles, the falling friendships...it's great.
3. The Book of Bright Ideas by Sandra Kring - No, it's not YA, but yes, it is an incredible and powerful book. It's the story of self-discovery and the tumultuous family ties that make it such a hard-hitting book.
4. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - The movie most certainly did not do this one justice. It's beautiful and poetic, sad and profound. It truly makes you think and feel for the struggles of a singular woman lost in a painted world.
5. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - I've read the book countless times. I've felt for Melinda, and I've wanted to comfort her. And yet, I can't put into words the power of this book. Nothing I could say would make it sound true.
6. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown - I don't like mysteries of thrillers. I don't. They tend to bore me with their less-than-lustrous plots and characters, but this is the one book of his that truly sings to me.
7. Pearls of Lutra by Brian Jacques - Yes, I'm aware the cast of characters is enormous. I'm also aware that they are all animals and the novel takes place in a host of different locales. That said, Jacques makes a fantasy world come alive from page one with true, heartfelt emotion.
8. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare - I read this book so many times that the cover fell off and I had to buy another copy. I love the characters, the subtle romance, the drama...it all works together so well.
9. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi - Maybe it isn't the most realistic plot, and maybe people think I'm stupid for listing this one, but it's one of those books that I was forced to read for honours english when I was in sixth grade, and I've loved it ever since.
10. Time Windows by Kathryn Reiss - I first read this in elementary school. (I just aged myself, I know). This book has such an intriguing concept, a lovable MC, and a mystery with a touch of supernatural, as well, that lends for a fast, engaging and entertaining read.
I haven't read any of the books you mentioned. I better get on to that. I find it really hard to write reviews for books I absolutely love :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, think you're stupid for listing The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle?? Not at all! I love that book! I still reread it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know how in the world I would ever go about finding the words to adequately review any Harry Potter book.
I have been thinking about doing a feature sometimes talking about books I loved, in the before blogging days. they should be mentioned too :=D
ReplyDeleteGreat call on HP! I'm not sure how I would even get my thoughts down on paper about this amazing series.
ReplyDeleteI loved everything by Ann Rinaldi! I didn't like the Order of the Phoenix when I first read it because Harry was so moody, but it's grown on me and is now one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteAngels and Demons is another favorite that I never reviewed either.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Top Ten
A great idea, Melissa but...Dan Brown? Ok, I know, I am prejudiced, I simply hate that particular author and I never get enough bad words to criticize his...well...calling them novels is an insult. Let's stick with books. I read Angels and Demons and I must read your review, perhaps you will be able to sway me.
ReplyDeleteIs the book really better than the movie? I'm talking about Memoirs of a Geisha, because that movie was BAD. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG isn't that funny. For me it seems the more I love the book, the harder it is to do anything more than gush.
ReplyDeleteI have not read a lot of these books. Geesh! I need to get to reading something other than YA!
ReplyDeleteSo I haven't read any of those except for Harry Potter. Fail. I do really need to read Speak though, that's one I've been meaning to get to.
ReplyDeleteThese books sound really great. I really need to read Speak. And i have not read the Harry Potter books yet except the last one when it came out because of course i wanted to know how it ended before it did. I know dont shoot me i need to read them. Def going to check out some of the other books you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWe agree on Dan Brown novel!
ReplyDeleteHere is my TTT: http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2011/08/top-ten-tuesday-82311-books-you-loved.html
Harry Potter and Speak seem to be on almost everyone's list! I definitely agree, though--they're amazing. I also agree with Angels and Demons; I'm not usually a big thriller reader either, but MAN. Loved that book. Great list, Melissa! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved Speak and, when I was little, The Witch of Blackbird Pond was one of my favorites ever. So awesome to see it on your list!
ReplyDeleteThese Top Ten posts always add so many books to my WL! Time Windows was a favorite of mine. I LOVED that book! I read it again as an adult and didn't love it AS much, but it was still good!
ReplyDeleteI have had The Witch of Blackbird Pond on my bookshelf since I was a child. I remember how I loved it! It may be time for a reread!
ReplyDelete♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Melissa-
ReplyDeleteI still love The Witch of Blackbird Pond, my first and most favorite witch book!
They still read Charlotte Doyle in 6th grade so I read it when just a couple of yrs ago for the first time and loved it!
I confess, I love Angels and Demons, I loved all his books.
And Harry Potter well speaks for itself.
I have however written a review for Speak as I only heard of it last September and read it for banned books week.
Great list!
Heather
I finally read "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" last year for the Banned Books Week challenge. Funny, I don't think I would have liked it as a kid but I loved it as an adult. I'll have to look into the other books on your list that I haven't heard about.
ReplyDeleteSome awesome titles on your not-reviewed list! Haven't read THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND since middle school. Oh, and MEMOIRS was so good--I've got to go back and read some of those when I get a chance. Great Top Ten!
ReplyDeleteMelissa, if you've aged yourself, I must be reaching old age. :(
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could have coherenly reviewed any of the Harry Potter books either. I also could never review Number the Stars. It's not on your list, but it was one of those books I read in elementary school (5th grade I think) and I still have it to this day. I can't get past the thoughts and feelings brought through in that tiny paperback. I need to reread The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I just found it at my mothers and it's been so long. :D
Jen
In the Closet With a Bibliophile