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Top Ten Books I Had Strong Emotions Over

Love the topic, Broke and Bookish! I also really like Readerbuzz's interpretation.

1. Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer

I read the first chapter of the first book, but I've read summaries, reviews, and feminist outrages on all the books because of how big the series got. I've also had to deal with 10-12 year-old girls telling me how romantic Edward is or how hot Jacob is. So. From what I've seen, terrible writing. But worse, millions of young girls are getting close-minded, sexist, and downright dangerous messages about how they should negotiate relationships with men. In conclusion, I have very, very strong feelings about these books without really having read them.

2. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

The first Faulkner novel I failed to get through. Maybe I'll give him another shot sometime, but just. Ugh.

3. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

SOOO good! Read it now!

4. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

We had an intense love/hate relationship, but we made it through.

5. The Magicians by Lev Grossman

This book made me so angry and fascinated me so much at the same time. It destroyed my childhood, but I couldn't stop reading.

6. Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress

One of the most brilliant books I have ever read. Seriously.

7. Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

I got so deeply immersed in this, despite or because of hating the protagonist.

8. Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier

So lyrical, so poignant, every time I read it I find something new.

9. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Cute, quirky, and heartbreaking.

10. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

If he were older, Huck Finn would be my boyfriend (not really, but...maybe).


I've been trying really hard not to use the same books over and over for everything, because then obviously Lord of the Rings and Jonathan Strange would have made this list.

Comments

litlove said…
This is a good meme and I really enjoyed your answers. I'm particularly intrigued by Beggars in Spain which I've never heard of before... off to amazon I go to check it out!
Beggars in Spain has some really interesting ethical/philosophical ideas to think about and Kress organizes the book in a very interesting way, following the creation of a new generation of Sleepless, people who don't need sleep, over the lifetime of Leisha Camden, one of the first Sleepless. Unfortunately, nothing else by Kress has lived up to my expectations after Beggars!

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