Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted at my other blog — The Broke & the Bookish
This week’s topic: Top Ten Most Unique Books I’ve Read (For Various Reasons)
Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn: This book was just so strange and different and very unique from what I’ve read. It was quite the experience! Lots of WTFs all around but in a good way.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: I mean, this book was narrated by Death. Like Death is personified and a character. It was just such a unique approach.
Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan: There’s a reason David Levithan makes my list twice. He is just so inventive and always coming up with unique concepts. I loved that Two Boys Kissing used a Greek chorus style narration and if you haven’t read it you might think that sounds strange but I PROMISE you it works. David executes it perfectly and AH MY HEART. Also one of my favorite books from last year!
Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith: Oh how I loved this book! I read a lot of contemporary YA and this didn’t feel like a lot of what I read. It was quite the experience and I know it didn’t work for some people but I could just FEEL the MC spiraling out of control and her frenetic energy was in my veins.
Liar by Justine Larbalestier: This book and I. I believe I said “I don’t know if I thought it was brilliant or if I fucking hated it.” I had STRONG feelings about this one but it was very unique and definitely took the unreliable narrator thing to the extreme. Stands out to me though! Definitely a unique read.
The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan: Seriously, I’m so in awe of David always. This book was beautiful and the concept SO unique. It was told in dictionary entries and it was just so poetic and sad and beautiful and haunting.
For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfreund: This was another book I loved! It was a futuristic retelling of Persuasion and it was just SO unique. I was smitten because it didn’t feel like anything I’d read before. Everything about it.
Bumped by Megan McCafferty: I would never want to invalidate someone’s reading experience (and I’m TOTALLY not trying to by saying this..I don’t want it to come off wrong) but I feel like this book is a bit misunderstood. I liked it but lots of people didn’t have the same feelings. I loved that it was satire and so ridiculous. It just felt sooo different because I hadn’t really read anything like it ever. Yay satire!
Blindness by Jose Saramago: I’ve read quite a few post-apocalyptic type books and this was definitely different. The concept but mostly the way it is written. I thought it was told in a way that kind of makes you experience the blindness but I’ve heard that’s just how it writes? I don’t know. Either way it was a unique, standout read for me though I know the way it is told will drive some people NUTS.
A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty: This could be one of the most unique books on my list here! Wow! I liked it (didn’t love because it took me SO long to get into) but I have NEVER EVER read anything quite like it. I have the second book in my possession and I’m excited to get back into it.
So tell me…what are some unique books YOU’VE read because I am all about reading those!! Have you read any of the ones I’ve listed??
Emily @ Oh Magic Hour says
Ooh – I need to check out Lover’s Dictionary immediately! That sounds so good and unique. I love that kind of writing that invigorates fiction. Excellent list!
Angie @Angela's Anxious Life says
On my list I put books that are packaged uniquely. So I have enjoyed seeing everyone’s lists with books that read in a unique way. I really want to read the Lover’s Dictionary!!
Angie
Top Ten Unique Books
Anne says
Oh man, I can’t believe I forgot Lover’s Dictionary. That should be the top of my list.
Leigh @ Little Book Star says
I will def. read Another Little Piece in the future. I like WTF moments haha. I’ve always been curious about The Lover’s Dictionary. Will also check that some time because it’s so interesting to read a story told like in a dictionary format.
Chrissi Reads says
What a great list. Most of these books are on my radar. I’ve only read one, and that one I included on my list too- Another Little Piece. I completely agree that it has a lot of WTF moments, but it’s SO good. I can’t wait to read more from the author!
Nobody @ The Story Goes... says
I didn’t even think of Another Little Piece but you’re totally right! =)
Amber @ Books of Amber says
I included The Book Thief as well. Agh, I love that book so muhuhuhuhuhuch.
Rebecca @ The Library Canary says
I need to read more of David Levithan’s books. I’ve only read Every Day which I loved. He has such a unique style of writing and that book was truly imaginative. I should’ve put it on my list but I totally forgot about it until I saw it over on broke and bookish. I also need to read The Book Thief. It’s sitting on my shelf, but I feel like I want to wait until I have a not busy week to read it so I can take my time.
Milka says
Great list – I want to read so many of these 🙂
Mishma @ As the page turns says
I’ve only read The Book Thief from your list,and I have to agree wholeheartedly that it’s pretty unique.As for the others,I am now curious to try them out.Looks like I am getting a lot of recommendations from today’s lists:)
My TTT
Daphne says
oh, i really want to read the Lover’s Dictionary. I do love DL. And the Book Thief is high on my list, I am looking forward to it. and there are a few on here that I need to add to my TBR immediately.
Alex @ Life in the Pages says
Blindness has been on my to-read list for a while now, but honestly I’ve been too scared to read it!
Cayce says
Two Boys Kissing!! Can’t wait to get to that one!
Christa @ More Than Just Magic says
A lot of these are books I really need to get to – A Corner of White, the David Levithan books and Wild Awake. But I definitely agree with For Darkness Shows the Stars and Blindness. Both are totally unique, completely compelling books.
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
The book thief is special and unique to me, because it’s one of the few books that made me cry (and still is able to do that) and I agree, the POV is so fascinating.
Jen and Em says
I’ve only read one book on this list, The Book Thief. The rest look great. Definitely adding them to my TBR list.
Thanks!
Becca Lostinbooks says
Interesting list! I haven’t read any of these. Blindness is on my list though because I loved the movie, and I know the book is always better than the movie!
Becca Lostinbooks says
Interesting list! I haven’t read any of these. Blindness is on my list though because I loved the movie, and I know the book is always better than the movie!
Rissi says
MUST read Diana’s as I’ve read beautiful things about it – plus who doesn’t love a good Austen re-telling. Love your list/format, Jamie. 🙂
Stefani @ Caught Read Handed says
Love your list. You know, I’ve never read any of David Levithan’s books except Will Grayson, Will Grayson, which he co-wrote with John Green. I’ve been wanting to pick up one of his own though for a while. I thought I was going to start with Every Day, but The Lover’s Dictionary sounds so cool. I love books that have a different writing format like that. Thanks for sharing!
Leah says
I adored A Corner of White though I agree it took some time getting into – it was crazy long! I’m currently working my way through the second and while it was one of my most anticipated novels of the year, I find I’m having a bit of the same issue. It’s not BAD, not at all, but the beginning is certainly taking its good ol’ time getting around to the action.
Tanya says
Another Little Piece would definitely make my list, too. It was so dark, so out there, and just so… different and twisted. I have several moments of putting the book down and thinking, “this is insane!” LOL
Shatter me is one because of the truly unique writing style. While it was there all throughout the trilogy, starting the first book was such an eye-opening introduction to Mafi’s style.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was another unique one for me. The addition of the old photographs added another layer to the story was something new and different to me.
Chloe @ YA Booklover Blog says
I’ve only read For Darkness Shows the Stars and The Book Thief from your list, but I really want to read some of the other ones. Especially David Levithan! I’ve read Every Day and thought it was so unique and well written, I would love to read more from him. Also! If you liked the satire in Bumped then you totally should read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray. It’s one of the weirdest, most unique, hilariously satirical books I’ve ever read.
Angel (Spare Reads) says
David Levithan is a genius! I’m convinced of that. He has this super power to draw you deep into his story, every single time! I need more David Levithan. Everyone does.