Top Ten {Tuesday}: 10 Books I Love To Recommend

(go to ohamanda.com for more Top Ten Tuesday posts)

I have always – I mean always – loved reading.  I majored in English, and though I have yet to begin a career teaching or working in the world of literature, I’ve had two active book review blogs in the last four years.  I love recommending books to others, especially books that are generally free of language, violence, and sexual content (but are still HIGH QUALITY).  I have absorbed both book review blogs into Tree, Root, and Twig (check the Categories widget in my sidebar for all reviews categorized by genre and rating!) and now only sporadically review books here.  I thought Top Ten Tuesday might be a great opportunity, though, to dig out my favorite books to recommend.  Enjoy!  (*disclosure:  the book covers and titles take you to Amazon product pages that have my affiliate link attached.  Because I love Amazon about as much as I love reading!)

A Drowned Maiden’s Hair, by Laura Amy Schlitz; Young Adult Fiction.

Clever, gothic, mysterious.  Some plot twists and totally memorable characters.  Think “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” meets “Oliver Twist” meets “Arsenic and Old Lace.”  With maybe a smattering of “The Sixth Sense.”

Read my full review.

Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale; Young Adult Fiction.

Probably one of the worst names for one of the best books I’ve ever read.  It has a fairy tale feel to it, with a fabulous, strong young heroine.  This Newberry Honor recipient leaves you feeling enriched and uplifted.

Read my full review.

Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld; Young Adult Science Fiction.

This meaty book about a seemingly-utopian society has a lot to say about what it means to be “pretty” – on the outside AND inside.

Read my full review.

The Rest of Her Life, by Laura Moriarty; Adult General Fiction

What would you do if it was YOUR child whose careless accident caused others unspeakable grief and despair? This book examines that scenario, with a lot of profound observations on the mother/daughter relationship.

Read my full review.

The Know-It-All, A.J. Jacobs; Adult Nonfiction

AJ Jacobs has made a name for himself living a type of “experimental life” and sharing his humorous finding with readers. In this book, Jacobs endeavors to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in one year. Sound dull? Not hardly!

Read my full review.

Love Walked In, by Marisa de Los Santos; Adult General Fiction

This is probably the most blush-worthy book on the list, but even considering the mild language and sexual situations, this is a tender, sweet love story, coupled with an endearing coming-of-age journey. Can’t wait for the movie to come out!

Read my full review.

The Graveyard Book, by Neal Gaiman; Young Adult Fiction.

Neil Gaiman is like the Tim Burton of the Young Adult Fiction world. With a highly stylized and slightly macabre slant on life and death (or living and dying), The Graveyard Book is bound to be unlike anything you’ve ever read.

Read my full review.

The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau; Young Adult Science Fiction.

I love books in which strong young protagonists decide to go against the status quo, especially when you as the reader know they have every good reason to. The two leads in this book try to shake things up and uncover deep secrets, unearthing some amazing twists and turns near the end.

Read my full review.

The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo; Juvenile Fiction.

My one-word review: GLORIOUS. This is a must-read-aloud book for families; sweet, earnest, and deeply moving – everyone will feel bigger for having heard the story.

Read my full review.

Austenland, by Shannon Hale; Adult General Fiction.

Another appearance by Shannon Hale on this list is no surprise – she’s a great author with a collection of strong, clean, enjoyable works. Austenland is for every woman who ever breathed a little more shallow at the sight of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Fun and witty, this book is a great, quick read.

Read my full review.

You might also enjoy these related posts from Tree, Root, and Twig:

1. Feed Me Books Friday: Step Into Reading Books by Random House
2. Books on the Brain (and on the Shelves, and in the Mail…)
3. New Titles for Little Readers from Hyperion Books/Disney Press

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