Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
I wasn’t sure how to organize these, so I’m going to start in 2010 and end this year.
2010 – Room by Emma Donoghue
What made this stand out from the typical thriller for me was that it was narrated by a five-year-old boy who really didn’t know how unusual his childhood was because he’d been born into captivity. I loved the film that was made about this story. It really captured his innocence and the mother’s horror well.
2011 – Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
The trick pictures that sparked the creation of this book were wonderful. I highly recommend checking them out before reading it.
2012 – Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
I’m a city person through and through, but this memoir made me want to go tramping through the woods for a long hike.
2013 – I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
If you haven’t read this yet, you really should. The things Malala went through just to get an education are unbelievable. I’m so glad she survived and is currently in university.
2014 – The Martian by Andy Weir
I’ve gushed about this book so many times here that I’m not quite sure what else to say about it other than the fact that it made me want to go to Mars…but not until there are other people living there full-time first.
2015 – Orphan Number Eight by Kim van Alkemade
This was a hard read because the fictional events in this plot were inspired by what really happened to orphans who were medically experimented upon without consent a century ago. I believe it’s important to acknowledge these ugly parts of our collective past and work to ensure they never happen again, though.
2016 – Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
While the writing honestly wasn’t as strong as some of the other books I read that came out in 2016, the premise of this one refused to be ignored.
A racist white couple forbade a black nurse from touching their newborn son. When the baby went into cardiac arrest, the nurse hesitated before giving him CPR because she wasn’t sure whether the parents would be more angry that their irrational request was ignored or that their son didn’t receive medical attention ASAP.
The baby had a poor outcome, so the parents sued the nurse and hospital.
I had a pretty strong opinion about what the right thing to do in this case was, but I’ll leave it up to all of you to come to your own conclusions about that.
2017 – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Something tells me that many of us will be picking T.H.U.G. for their 2017 book of the year! How many of you have seen the film? I really need to check it out sometime.
2018 – Becoming by Michelle Obama
I’m actually still reading this one, but I’m counting it as the 2018 Book of the Year since that’s when it was released. It’s so interesting to see the world through Mrs. Obama’s eyes.
2019 – Slayer by Kiersten White
I just started reading this one, too. It’s fantastic so far, and it’s making me wish that they’d hurry up and film that Buffy the Vampire Slayer remake that’s supposed to come out sometime.
The thought of a teenage girl protecting the world is just as relevant now as it was in the 90s.
I watched the movie for Room and really liked it, hope to read the book soon. Great list!
Thank you. Yeah, I thought the film version of Room was every bit as good as the book. That’s rare!
I never read Room or watched the movie but it’s always intrigued me. Nice to see the Obama book here. I was late to read The Hate U Give but did really enjoy it. Great list!
Room definitely has some scary moments, but I loved the way the plot turned out. Highly recommend it.
And thank you.
Yes, I loved Michelle Obama’s book when I read it back in March! I also enjoyed Small Great Things, but it’s not my favourite of Jodi Picoult’s books.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/28/top-ten-tuesday-213/
So glad to hear that!
Which Jodi Picoult book would you say is your favourite?
I’ve read Becoming & I am Malala, both great reads. I’m a biography nut so I gravitate to real-life stories of people.
Thank you. Yes, I love biographies, too. It’s so interesting to see how real people dealt with the setbacks and challenges in their lives. You definitely can’t tell by looking at someone what they might have gone through (or currently be going through).
Great list!
I really need to pick up The Martian!
(Www.evelnreads.com)
Yes, you totally should. It was a wonderful book and film.
Thanks.
You’ve got some great choices here! I just got a copy of the series Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, and I’m looking forward to picking it up! I really want to read The Hate You Give and Slayer! I didn’t know they were doing a Buffy remake, either. 😮 Now I can’t wait for that. xD
Thank you!
I don’t have any more information about the Buffy remake, unfortunately. They announced it last winter (ish?) and have not said anything else so far.
Great list! I also loved Room, Wild, and The Martian. Did you see the movies too? I thought they were all well done. I want to read the Michelle Obama book, but just haven’t had a chance yet.
I saw the film versions of Room and The Martian and truly loved them.
I had no idea there was a film based on Wild. That’s so neat!
Most of these are book I’ve heard of but not got round to myself. Thanks for the recommendations!
You’re welcome.
I’d like to read Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
I bought Slayer recently and can’t wait to get stuck in! Glad to see it’s your fav of this year so far.
Thank you! Yeah, I’m still pretty early on into it, but it’s fabulous so far.
You definitely have memorable reads on this list! 👍🙌
Thanks.
It looks like you like good books, because there are several titles which have been adapted for film. Several of your choices look very interesting.
Thank you very much.
Great list! I really enjoyed Becoming as well.
Thanks. So glad to hear that.
I haven’t read The Hate You Give yet! I’ve heard so many good things about it.
It’s wonderful. I hope you like it if you read it.
I own Ransom’s book (because of the film), but still haven’t read the book OR seen the film. Oh, well! It’s just another of those on my mental TBR list. 🙂
I hope you’ll have time for both of them soon.
Great list! Orphan Number Eight sounds fascinating, I’ll have to check it out. Becoming and I Am Malala are both on my TBR, too.
Happy reading! That’s awesome.
I want to read Wild sometime. I’m loving all the variety in this week’s lists!
Yes, everyone did excellent jobs this week. There so were many different genres represented!
I hope you enjoy Wild.
Wow what a great list. I enjoyed so many up there myself!
Thanks. Glad to hear that.
Great list.
I’ve only heard of the book by Michelle Obama and Miss Peregrines 🙈
Thank you. Honestly, I think it’s fun to find posts talking about lots of books I’ve never read. There’s no way to keep up with everything on one’s own!
I was very hesitating to read Slayer but you are tempting me!
Cool. I hope you like it!
Slayer sounds super intriguing! And I think my mom recently read Wild: Lost and Found… she won’t stop talking about hiking now. Lol
Thanks for stopping by earlier!
You’re welcome.
Are you a fan of hiking? I think it’s great your mom enjoyed that book so much.
I love the sound of Slayer! I have that one on my list to try soon.
Awesome.
Great list! Still need to read a few of these and I have a feeling they will be bumped up on my tbr.
https://www.amysbookishlife.co.uk
So glad to hear that.
Great list!! Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment on my TTT post. Happy reading!
You’re quite welcome. And thank you.
I have been dying to read Becoming by Michelle Obama! I’ve heard so many great things about it. Let me know what you think about it when you finish.
Sure! I’ll do my best to remember to do that.
Becoming is on my list, too. I also got to see and hear Michelle Obama talk about her book in person. What a night!
Wow, that must have been amazing.
I’ve read and enjoyed a couple of these. I really need to read ROOM. I’ve had a copy of it for years, but for some reason I just haven’t read it yet. I need to get on that.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Yeah, Room is incredible. I hope you find the time to read it soon, and Happy TTT to you as well.
My book club just picked The Hate U Give for our July read. I can’t wait. I also just obtained a copy of The Martian, which I hear is a great read. I loved Wild and felt the same way after reading it. I am so not an outside person and wanted to go hiking after reading it. Great list!
Oh, that’s awesome! I hope you enjoy The Martian and T.H.U.G.
And thanks.
I thought the Hate U Give movie was really great so I’d definitely recommend it! I also need to get around to reading Small Great Things! Great list 😊
So glad to hear that!
Thanks.
What an eclectic list!
Thanks.
Seeing Slayer on your list makes me very curious. I still need to finish the author’s And I Darken series, but this one might be next on my list after doing so.
I hope you like it.
Awesome list, I loved the Miss Peregrine series. My husband got me the box set and it’s beautiful. It even came with a set of the photos that inspired the author.
Thank you very much. That box set of the Miss Peregrine series sounds incredible.
Ooh nice ones! Lots of new to me ones but yay for Slayer! I almost chose that…but then I had read another 2019 book that I positively adored!
Thanks for visiting my TTT post!
You’re welcome. Glad to hear you like Slayer, too.
You’ve got really great books on this list! I loved Room, and also Wild, The Martian, Becoming, and The Hate U Give. I’ve never read anything by Jodi Picoult, I’m curious what’s the book by her you would recommend?
Thank you.
That’s such a great question. Her most famous book is My Sister’s Keeper. It was about a girl who was repeatedly forced to donate parts of her body to a sibling who had cancer and who sued her parents to put a stop to it. I liked everything about it other than the ending.
As far as my favourite Jodi Picoult book goes, I’m going to have to go with Plain Truth. This tale was about an Amish girl who was accused of murdering her newborn infant. If you’re okay reading (non-graphic) references to the death of a baby, the mystery elements of this plot were excellent.
Room has been on my TBR list for a while now, but I never feel I’m in the proper head-space for the subject matter. Some day…
It’s definitely something that needs to be read when you’re in the right mood. I hope that happens for you when you’re ready for it.
Ooh, I loved The Martian! Great list!
Thank you very much.
So many great choices! I still need to read my copies of Becoming and Orphan #8.I really loved Room and Miss Peregrine too.
Thanks. I hope you enjoy Becoming and Orphan #8.
Becoming is fantastic.
It sure is!
What interesting choices!
Thanks.
Becoming is such a great book. I admired Michelle Obama before, but I admire her even more after reading that book.
I know, right? What an incredible person she is.
Great list! I LOVED Slayer and The Martian, and I really enjoyed Room too:-)
Thank you. We seem to have similar tastes in books!
I seriously need to read Michelle Obama’s memoir? Autobiography? Either way I’m sure she has so many good things to say!
It seems to be more of a memoir so far. Hope you like it.
I really liked Room, Miss Peregrine, and The Hate U Give! I have a copy of The Martian sitting on my shelf that I hope to get to someday.
Since you liked those books, I have high hopes you’ll enjoy The Martian, too.
I love so many of the titles on your list! “Room” was on my list for TTT, as well, it is such a unique story because of the narrator and even though he is so young the emotions all came across so well it was just ugh, such a gut punch, but also so so good!
I hear you there. Have you seen the film?
Oooo Orphan #8 looks interesting!
It sure was.
I’m afraid to watch Room, but really liked the book. Slayer was great fun, wasn’t it?!? Orphan #8 sounds disturbing, but interesting. Really compelling list!
Thank you. Yeah, Room was intense.
Lots of great choices here. 2017 was such a hard year for me to pick from because there were so many amazing books published that I absolutely loved! Looking forward to also reading all these NF’s that you mentioned, especially Becoming. Also Orphan 8 because it sounds so good! Great list 🙂
Thanks. And, yeah, 2017 should have had 10 slots all on its own. Haha.
Have fun reading Orphan #8 and Becoming!
Found loads of favourites on your list – Becoming, Miss Peregrine’s Home, Room – were all on mine too. I enjoyed Malala while Martian and The Hate You Give are on my list. Shall certainly look up the rest.
So glad to hear that.
Great list! The Martian and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children almost made my list this week, and I think the others are all on my TBR.
Awesome. Thanks.
I don’t know why I didn’t pick THUG – it was just so many books and I panic! LOL
Heh, narrowing down the list was hard this week!
I’ve seen Room in quite a few lists this year. I’ve stayed away from both the movie and the book because the theme of it kind of disturbs me? But I gotta say that seeing all the love for this book has got me curious.
You should know there are some dark themes in it. I loved it, but I don’t want to encourage you to read something that will frighten you.
So many good books on your list! I loved Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children and The Martian as well, both such creative books. I really do need to read Room as well, it’s sitting on my shelf but I think i’m wary because of how much hype it got!
Thanks.
I understand your hesitation. I do the same thing.
Great list, I have only read the martian and The peculiar books but now I’m interested in Orphan #8 I will check it out.
Cool! Glad to hear it.
I read and loved Room, Malala, and Hate U Give, too. I’m also reading through Michelle Obama’s book right now.
That’s awesome. Hope you’re enjoying it.
Great list! I loved The Martian so much!!
Thank you and agreed.
The Hate U Give is going to become a classic too, I bet! Such a great book.
Totally agreed there!
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is such a fun book! Definitely enjoyed it.
I hear you there.
I loved Buffy! I’m excited to see how Slayer turns out 😊
Yay! Another Buffy fan. I hope you like Slayer. Will you be watching the Buffy reboot that is currently in the works?
I haven’t read any of these, whoops! I have seen the movie for Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and I really want to read THUG plus that Jodi Picoult book (it’s one of the only ones I haven’t read yet).
I hope you enjoy all of them. If only we could all sit around and read all day, eh?
I seriously need to read The Hate U Give. I just keep putting it off and I need to get to it.
It’s a wonderful story. Hope you get a chance to check it out soon.
Lots of good choices! I have a lot of these on my TBR pile. I’ll have to check out the new Kiersten White book. It sounds good!
Thanks. So glad to hear that, I hope you like Kiersten White’s book.
I love so many of your choices! Becoming is an amazing book, I’d love to read much more from Michelle Obama, she has a fantastic voice. I also really enjoyed Wild & Room. And I should read I Am Malala definitely.
Thank you very much.
I absolutely love Room, The Martian, and The Hate U Give! Great list! 😀
Thanks! Glad to hear that.
Becoming really was amazing and I also loved The Martian! I’m actually hoping to (finally) read Wild soon so I hope I enjoy it as much as you. 🙂
Thanks! My fingers are crossed that you will.
Great list Lydia. I have read six of these. Orphan 8 looks like a great book, I like learning about the past to better understand it.
Thank you! Yeah, Orphan #8 was a very good read.
I’ve been seeing Slayer eeeeeeeverywhere!!! I have only watched a few episodes of Buffy (a crime, I know) but I enjoyed it. I’m going to have to check it out! I’ve heard good things about the authors other works too.
Happy Reading! <3
Thank you. Yes, Buffy is a real classic. The first season hasn’t aged so well, but seasons 2 to 6 were amazing.
I’ve been thinking of picking up Becoming by Michelle Obama. A lot of people have been raving about how good it is 🙂
Yay! That’s so great. I hope you adore it.
Malala’s book and The hate u give was soo good, I really need to pick up Becoming as well!
Yes, they sure were. I hope you like Becoming, too.
I am Malala and Becoming are two books I still want to read but are a bit out of my comfort zone to be honest.
It’s good to be honest with yourself about stuff like this. Good for you.
So many books on this list I still need to read! Slayer especially catches my eye since I am watching Buffy right now lol. Great list!
Thanks! Who is your favourite character from Buffy?
So many good books on your list! 🙂 I loved Room!
Thank you. Yeah, that was a good read.
We have The Hate U Give and The Martian in common! I really want to read Wild but wasn’t sure if it would live up to the hype. Encouraged to see it on your list!
So glad to hear that.
Room was a hard book and movie to digest on so many levels. But both were pretty well done. I really liked Miss Peregrine’s and the movie was okay. Loved THUG and still desperately need to see the movie.
I agree with all of your thoughts. 🙂
I missed this topic, but I can’t resist popping in whenever I see it on other blogs. Miss Peregrine is the only one I’ve read (which I ADORED), and most of these look a little too heavy for me, but I love your reasoning for each one (especially 2012 – I definitely have read other nature or hiking-themed books and gotten the same inspiration). Great bite-size recs.
Thank you very much!
Simon Sebag Montefiore’s Moscow Trilogy, alongside his factual books, for me!
Cool!