A Day Late And A Dollar Short: Top Ten Books Everyone And Their Dog Has Read But Me

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke And The Bookish is all about how I suck at reading things that everyone else has read. Although, to be fair, I think I’m very well read in both new and old YA, some classics, fantasy, but not non-fiction, but that doesn’t exactly count since I’ve been reading pretty much 100+ books a year since 9th grade, so that’s what 10 years ago.

Here’s my list, and I’m basing this off my more well-read contemporaries:

1. A Game Of Thrones by George RR Martin

A Game Of Thrones, George RR Martin, Book Cover

George RR Martin Body Count

This shiz is LONG. But there’s a tv show based off it. Plus it’s full of twisty-turns and deaths. I’m reading it now and it rocks and I feel like I’m building a foundation in fantasy reading.

2. The Summer series by Jenny Han : The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer

The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jenny Han, Book Cover

That girl does not look like a Belly

So, I was a bit put off these books because the main characters name is Belly and that is a dumbass name. But all my trusted friends enjoy this trilogy, so I might as well read it soon.

3. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

The Disreputable History of Frankie Laundau-Banks, E Lockhart, Book Cover

The Disreputable History of Frankie Laundau-Banks

As a raging feminist, it’s kind of pathetic how I have not yet read this book, especially when people I entrust with guiding my reading choices have all loved it and written long and wonderful analysis of it.

4. The Invention Of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick, Book Cover

The Invention Of Hugo Cabret

Yo, there’s pictures in here and also there’s going to be a movie.

5. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Stardust, Neil Gaiman, trees, book cover

Stardust

Seeing as how Gaiman is a rock star among authors and literature, I really have got to read Stardust, I’ve heard it is legit awesome.

6. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory

The Other Boleyn Girl, Phillipa Gregory, Book Cover

The Other Boleyn Girl

Remember when the movie came out? I remember back when this book came out every single person was reading it, even my social studies teacher. I did not, because it was never at the library, but I did read the sequel, The Boleyn Inheritance.

7. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Stieg Larsson, Book Cover

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Every year I say this is going to be the year I catch up with my fellow Americans and read this door stopper. I mean, good God it’s not like I am terrified of chunkster novels. Yet, every year I end up passing on this book. Maybe 2012? LOL.

8. The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time, Mark Haddon, Book Cover, Orange

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time

Guys, there’s a dog on the cover and this was on best seller lists and people were all like THAT’s MY FAVORITE. And of course, I was like I’ll read it tomorrow, which again, turned into YEARS.

9. The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining, Stephen King, Book Cover

Boy... you read my thoughts! You've got the Shinning.

Yo, this is a freezer book and pretty much all card carrying Stephen King fans have read it, except for me, because apparently I suck a lot.

10. The Host by Stephanie Meyer

The Host, Stephanie Meyer, Book Cover

The Host

LOL. Shut your pie hole. I know, it’s embarrassing but guys, everyone I talk to seems to have read The Host and okay I am curious and I did pick up a super cheap USED copy. So, I will read it so I can keep up with cultural conversation.

 

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. Game of Thrones is good, but boy is it a swamp. I’m punctuating it with reading other, quicker things. Can’t do that all at once, I’d kill myself.

    Have never even heard of the Disreputable History, but I’m intrigued.

    Curious Incident can be read in one sitting and should be. It is clever and good.

    The Shining is part of the cultural conversation. The Host is not. Prioritize ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Good books, good post, cute blog.

  2. I haven’t read The host either, but want to! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is one I have little desire to read… I’ve tried twice, putting it down both times. (Which is rare for me to put a book down; I think that was one of only 3 ever…)

    The Shining, is one I love!! You should definitely read that one! (Of course, I love King, so that could make a difference…) it’s one of my favorites by him. (And one of the reasons we live in Colorado, seriously.)

    (I also own the Host, but have yet to read it… doubt I will, to be honest. Because I like to reserve Stephanie Meyer for Twilight…)

  4. Don’t feel bad, I’ve only read one of the books on your list, The Shining. I actually like it better than the movie, which is saying a lot because I LOVE the movie.

    I tried to read The Host, but it just confused the hell out of me, so I DNF.

  5. I just bought A Game of Thrones last weekend so I can join the bandwagon too. LOL. It’s such a chunkster, but have you seen the next book? It has 1000+ pages. o_o

    I also have Girl with a Dragon Tattoo on my TBR, which I promised I’d read this year, but I don’t think I will. It depends. Maybe I need to go on a long flight again and bring only that so I have no choice but to read it.

    Oh, I think you will like Disreputable History. It’s such a smart, smart novel. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. I have the Summer series, need to read it. I was thinking about the Game of Thrones since I heard it was good. I WANT to want to read the Girl w/the Dragon tattoo but idk, doesn’t sound interesting to me.

  7. for real, I love The Host.

  8. Game of Thrones is on my TBR list too. I feel like I’m missing the boat. Iรขโ‚ฌโ„ขve read and loved a lot of the others though. Stardust and Hugo and both wonderful!

  9. I haven’t read the Summer series either. I have the first book and I will eventually get around to reading it, but I just haven’t felt like it is a must read yet.

  10. I haven’t read any of these either, but I really want to read The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time. I’ll get to it eventually…

  11. Honestly? I really enjoyed The Host. It was typical Meyer angsty fairytale-ness, but once I got past those first 100 pages, I was hooked. Damn it, Meyer.

  12. I haven’t read Dragon Tattoo yet either or Game of Thrones–and I love the show that’s based on. I LOVE the Summer series; in fact, it’s def. one of my favorites. I hope you get to read it soon!

  13. I love The Other Boleyn Girl and the Stieg Larsson books. I disliked The Shining and have never read King since.

  14. Truly, you will love Frankie. Very up your alley, I believe!

  15. You already know my thoughts on those Summer books… ๐Ÿ˜‰ As for The Host, I freaking LOVE that book. The beginning is kind of hard to grasp, but push through it b/c you’ll be so glad you did. I think Meyer’s writing in this story is way better than Twilight.

  16. I’ve read the Host and the Haddon book on this list, I definitely recommend curious incident, I read it when it first came out so I could definitely use a reread. Belly is a pretty dumb name but I have also heard great things about those books, may have to pick them up myself someday!

  17. I’m probably not in the majority when I say that the Summer book was good, but for me, wasn’t good enough to continue the series. And yeah, I kinda hated the name Belly, too.

    Curious Incident — I read this for book club, and it took me a few chapters to get into it, but after that I was hooked. And ended up Wikipedia-ing a LOT of stuff as I read it.

    Frankie — Yes, you should read it yesterday.

    Hugo — I read this book in 2 hours, which means you’d probably get it read in like, 30 minutes. I really enjoyed it!

  18. I haven’t read any of those books, but I did like the Game of Thrones tv show. I don’t think I’ll read the book though – I usually don’t like really, really long books.

  19. I liked The Host as much or maybe more than the Twilight books. Also you’ll love the Millennium books because Lisbeth Salander kicks ass and takes names. She’s awesome. And I cannot say enough good things about Hugo Cabret. I just read it for my third time and then listened to the audiobook. I know, I’m a big dork. But it’s just so dang cool with all the pictures on the inside.

  20. I’m definitely going to be reading A Game of Thrones too! And Stardust was one of my favorite books ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. reading rendezvous reviewz says

    six and seven i’ve heard of but havent read. stop by
    http://sidnebkclubreviewz.blogspot.com

  22. I’ve only read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time from your list, which was a really amazing book. It’s due for a reread.

    I have 7, 9 and 10 on my list too. I love the Friends reference for The Shining! I had to move it up a bit on my TBR list after watching that episode and seeing that Joey read the book before me. ๐Ÿ™‚

  23. I’ve only read The Other Boleyn Girl and The Host from your list. I love both of them! I haven’t heard of some of the books on your list and some are on my TBR.

  24. Nope. Haven’t read any of those. Game of Thrones is on my list, though! Maybe when I have an eon to slog through it all…

  25. dude…. i pre-ordered The Host and have still not read it. I really want to read the Game of Thrones too! Love the show!

  26. Bailey - the window seat reader says

    OK Belly, really? Come on now. I don’t blame you for putting that one off. Awful name. Just awful. I haven’t read any of the ones you mention either. It takes me awhile to catch on. ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’ve been tempted to try Game of Thrones to try to give fantasy a chance, but obviously it hasn’t happened.

  27. I’ve never even heard of the summer series! #blush But if I can make a recommendation, don’t read Stardust as your first Gaiman novel. It’s my least favorite thing he’s ever done. Read Neverwhere or Coraline or The Graveyard Book. They are better.

  28. The only books I’ve read on your list are #7 and #8. I would like to read some Stephen King and I feel that I’m getting interested in Game of Thrones.

    Come check out my list at The Scarlet Letter.

  29. i ditto EVERYTHING on this list (asides from Virgil, of course). so glad you’re getting around to AGoT!

  30. I started The Host but I didn’t get very far, which is strange because I read the Twilight Saga. So you’re not alone because I’m also not interested in the books on your list, at least not right now, even if everybody and their mother and dog have read them. Maybe I’ll suddenly feel the urge to pick up The Host again or try one of the other books on your list but it’s not likely. Although I am trying to remember why Joey and Rachel put The Shining in the freezer. Hmm…

  31. Wow, I actually have not read most of these books either! ๐Ÿ˜›

  32. I haven’t read a number of these either. I got the entire Stieg Larsson trilogy for Christmas last year from my sister so I better at least read Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in the next few months. I have the Host on my list too. I started reading that one but couldn’t get into it at the time but I’ll have to try it again. I also haven’t read A Game of Thrones though it was recommended to me years ago. I have yet to read a Stephen King novel too but I will be remedying that when 11/23/63 is published in November. I like the idea of time travelling to stop the JFK assassination.

    I had to laugh when I read what you said about Belly. That is exactly what I thought when I saw her name. I guess if the book is written in first person I wouldn’t have to see it written everywhere and I could try to pretend everyone called her Isabelle instead ๐Ÿ™‚

  33. I loved Game of Thrones but those books are so long and it takes forever for the next one to come out. After book 3 I gave up and am waiting until the series is done.

    The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo took almost 200 pages for me to get into it and then I really enjoyed it.

    I’ve had The Summer I Turned Pretty on my shelf for ages and finally read it because everyone I know raved about it. I think it was too hyped up for me and it turned out just being ok. ๐Ÿ™

  34. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time was one of my favorite books the year I read it. It was absolutely fantastic. I also just read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was super resistant to it, but I finally cracked down and read it. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. Stardust was charming. Haven’t read any of the others.

  35. Belly is seriously one of THE worst names ever – but the books are definitely worth reading!

  36. I LOVED Stardust! Read it read it read it! The Summer I Turned Pretty is only okay.

    I am reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret for a class this semester. It looks wonderful. And all of my friends in library school are reading the Game of Thrones books and I have a boxed set so I’ll be starting those soon.