Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted at my other blog — The Broke & the Bookish
This week’s topic: Top Ten Books I Was “Forced” To Read (By book club, school, other bloggers, etc)
1. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien: I was supposed to read this for school in high school BUT I managed to NOT read it but still got an A on the paper. THEN in a lit class in college it got assigned to me and I had to write a 10 page paper on it sooo I ended up reading it and I am SO GLAD I FINALLY DID. It was like fate! One of my favorite books.
2. Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone: I’m not going to lie. If it wasn’t for the blogosphere I don’t think I would have ended up reading this. I would have just shrugged and decided I missed that boat but you guys have all FORCED me to read it. Thanks guys! Can’t wait to continue on with the series.
3. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: If you know me, you know I’m not a vampire type gal. I read Twilight and that was it. But some of my blogging bffs have “forced” me to read it solely based on their enthusiasm for it. I just had to know. I didn’t LOVE (very much LIKED) but I’m excited to continue this series because I think it’s going to be fun and I hear it just gets better.
4. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein: I had heard good things about this one and it was on my radar but I don’t think I would have ever gotten around to it if it wasn’t for book club. It started slow for me so I probably would have put it down because I wasn’t into it but I kept reading thanks to book club and I LOVED it.
5. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: Required reading because of those summertime reading lists we had in high school. I LOVED IT. I even ended up reading more from du Maurier.
6. Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand: All my friends loved this one but I was “forced” to read it when I signed up for the Epic Reads End Is Near event and I was picked to be the official newbie to the series and blog about it.
7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I was “forced” to read this by my friend Steph Su. It just looked SO corny to me (the cover really) and I really had NO interest reading it until Steph and I were browsing and she RAVED about it and told me I HAD to read it despite my hesitation. And you know what a Stephanie Perkins fangirl I am now!
8. The Duke & I by Julia Quinn: This was a pick for my “Courting Genres” challenge that you guys voted on and I was “forced” to read because that’s the choice that won! So happy you guys picked this one for me because I adored it!
9. Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis: This was the other pick for my “Courting Genres” challenge and I was so pleasantly surprised by it!
10. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer: Everyone in a Goodreads group I was involved in told me I HAD to read this. HAD TO. They kept bugging me about it so I finally read it. I devoured it. Very much enjoyed it and it was my gateway to YA books.
So tell me…which books were you “forced” to read but ended up enjoying??
Sara @ Just Another Story says
I have heard so many great things about Rebecca and we studied parts of it in one of my sociology classes but I haven’t read it yet. I should hop on that. I was pleased to see Tim O’Brien on your list- I have a different book of his on mine. I thought that I was being unique in adding him, I guess not. I should read The Things They Carried, I am sure I’d like it.
Great list,
~Sara @ Just Another Story
Chrissi Reads says
I LOVED Rebecca too. It’s one of my favourite classics. I’m starting to read more from Daphne du Maurier too. I really like her writing style. I’m reading Code Name Verity soon, which I’m excited to start. Great list 🙂
Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads says
I didn’t realize that you were “forced” to read Anna — your love for this book is so genuine that I would never have guessed that you were reluctant to pick it up! And yay for Harry Potter! I hope you end up loving the whole series =) I haven’t read Rebecca, but it’s made a few of your top ten lists, so I should give it a try one of these days …
Lauren @ Books, Tea & Me says
I am SO glad we all pushed you into reading Harry Potter. Seriously. My mission in life is to convert non-believers into believers, and I think we can call you a success, haha. Keep on reading!
Esther says
First, let me say, I LOVE your layout. Such a creative and unique way of setting up your post! It seems that a lot of people got forced into reading Code Name Verity, and everyone loves it, I’ve put it on my TBR. Have a great day!
Ciara @ Ciara Reads Books says
I also have a Tim O Brien book on my list- I had to read In the Lake of the Woods for a class in college and it’s one of those books that I would never have picked up otherwise. I ‘m glad you liked Code Name Verity as I love it so much.
Angie says
I love this list. Anna was “forced” upon me as well and I am so so glad haha. I love your pretty graphics too btw!
kimberlyfaye says
If you enjoy Vampire Academy, make sure you check out Bloodlines when you’re finished. I think I like that series even more than VA… and that’s saying something.
My TTT.
Christina T says
I was forced to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone years ago by my sister. I’m so glad she made me read it. I had only planned to read the first book but I ended up devouring the rest of the books that were published at the time. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series too.
I think Code Name Verity is not an easy book to read. I read it for review but then selected it for my book group and not everyone finished it but after our discussion, people who hadn’t finished it decided to keep going and loved it.
Andi says
I was the same way with Anna and the French Kiss. I had no intention of reading it and then it was pushed on me. Has been read 6 times now. 🙂
PS, love the look of your list.
My TTT List
Jennifer aka YA Book Nerd says
The Bridgertons and Lucky harbor were both on my list too – loved them!
meg says
While I wasn’t exactly forced to read Anna and the French Kiss (it’s more like I eventually caved to general internet peer pressure) I resisted reading it for a long time. The blurb is possibly the cheesiest blurb I’ve ever seen and totally turned me off to the book. Then I read it. I loved it so much I ended up rereading it back to back, immediately ordering Lola (which I also loved) and preordering Isla. I’m so glad I caved because I love this series and Stephanie Perkins is officially on my autobuy list.
Daisel @ Owl Always Be Reading says
I LOVE your layout. I was “FORCED” to read Anna And The French Kiss as well and I loved it! I have read other books on your list too; like Unearthly series, which I adore. I enjoy your post a lot, great job! 🙂
Here is My Top Ten Tuesday
Xoxo. Daisel @ Owl Always Be Reading
Betty says
heck yeah vampire academy!!! oh…. jill shalvis had you at “pebbled nipples”… bahahhaa
BrigitteWhoa says
I’m glad you’re reading Harry Potter. I read the first few when I was in elementary school, and I still love them. Seeing someone else come to love them is great.
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday!!
Allison L says
I’m so glad that you have started the Harry Potter series — not that I should talk since I didn’t read them until right before BEA 2012 — because it is such a good series. You think the first one was good? Watch out because they get even better! 😉
Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook says
Code Name Verity was on my TTT, too. And I really should read Vampire Academy. I’m so glad we pressured you to read HP, because it’s so freaking amazing. Well, I’m not glad you were forced to read HP, because being forced to read anything usually doesn’t end well. But I am glad that you are giving the series a try.
Rachel says
You and I are like soul sisters when it comes to the Unearthly series and Twilight. I REALLY hate being told I need to read something, but thankfully it often works out. I still have to read Boundless and I’ve been putting it off because I don’t want the series to end!
Kaley @ Books Etc says
I had to read REBECCA for grade…erm…eleven English and I loved it! This is a really great list. I’m thankful that I have people around me that force books on me…like Anna (you’re right, the cover was mildly ridiculous…so glad they redid them), Twilight, and the Hunger Games (plus probably others…now I’m realizing I probably could have done this week’s TTT quite easily…sigh lol). And, of course, I, like many others, are SO glad you finally read Harry Potter 🙂
Christianna says
Code Name is sooooo good!
My TTT
Mary @ Mary Had a Little Book Blog says
My mom forced me to read HP, and I’m so glad she did. It made my list today too. Love so many of your picks this week! I hope you’ll keep reading VA. I love Anna & the French Kiss too!
Mary @ Mary Had a Little Book Blog
My TTT
Rebecca @ The Library Canary says
Twilight was also my gateway back into the YA genre. I still haven’t read VA or Code Name Verity, but both are on my never-ending list. Oh and Harry Potter. I wasn’t going to read HP, but you’re right, the blogging world doesn’t really allow for you to not read it. I’ve always felt like I was missing out, but was just kinda like *shrug*. But now, I think I will end up reading them.
M says
I’ve seen Code Name Verity and Anna and the French Kiss on a couple of lists now. CNV is already on my list, but I’d always thought Anna sounded a bit too cheesy for me – but I might give it a try after all! Thanks for the great ideas!
Ellice says
Twilight and The Hunger Games were my gateway to YA too– I had to read them for my young adult literature class, and oh my goodness, it opened up a whole new world of fabulous books to me. That was by far my favorite class that I have ever taken 🙂
Sarah K says
I was forced to read A Tale of Two Cities in high school and really enjoyed that. I didn’t like a lot of the books that were required in high school (mostly because I had to do so many assignments for them). There’s a few books I’ve reread since then and liked much better the second time around.
Vilia says
I like Jill Shalvis. The best thing about Rebecca would have to be Mrs Danvers as she was so creepy. I chose books that I was forced to read and really loved. Here’s my TTT
Reviews from a Bookworm says
I am so glad that you were forced into reading Harry Potter, no one should have to go without that amazing series in their lives! You’re never too old to read Harry Potter =D My TTT
Jennifer @ Feminist Fairytale Reviews says
I’m always happy to see people enjoy a JQ book for the first time. I’m also glad to see you enjoyed HP and Vampire Academy. VA does get even better…the third book is my favorite. Thanks for sharing!
Karen says
Some of these books were semi-forced on me as well! More like I heard good things even though they didn’t sound like my type of book. They were Code Name Verity, Harry Potter, Anna and the French Kiss and Twilight 🙂
Alexa Y. says
It makes me extremely happy that you enjoyed The Duke & I. The Bridgerton series is one of my absolute favorites, and I’m so excited for you to continue with it! As for me, I’ve read the Unearthly series thanks to your encouragement, and really liked it. The Book Thief was another one I read after receiving lots of recommendations!