Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is: Books I Enjoyed but Rarely Talk About (This is for the books you liked, but rarely come up in conversation or rarely fit a TTT topic, etc.)
Oh fun, I love to feature books that I don’t get to talk about enough! And there are so many of them, especially books that I don’t review, or did but a million years ago, or maybe they just don’t get enough love in general. So, now I can do so, and maybe you’ll fall in love, too! Covers link to Goodreads, and there might be 12 books in all but that is fine because I said so.
I uhh genuinely think I did this entire TTT just so I could feature this series. Sounds legit, yeah? Look, me and MG have a history of not getting along so well. But this series? I fell in love. And my daughter loves them too. And the second book is even better than the first, IMO. Seriously what even are you waiting for here!?
It is NUNS in SPACE what else do I even need to say here!? Okay but beyond just the nuns (who are not like, stereotypical old ladies teaching catechism and being dull, they’re all amazingly strong and fabulous women), it’s an incredible space adventure, somehow building a whole world- nay, universe– and well-developed character in the span of so few pages. It’s kind of phenomenal.
I’ve said I never met a Courtney Stevens book I haven’t loved, and that’s true. But this one wins them all, which is also saying a lot because they’re all awesome. But this book owns my heart. The characters, the writing, the friendships, the trauma and aftermath… honestly I can’t do it justice so just go read the thing.
In the mood for some historical fiction? Great, here’s an underrated gem just for you! This book is beautiful, inside and out. This book recounts a real life event through the eyes of one young woman who is struggling with mental health issues on top of loss. It illustrates both the worst and the best of mankind, and that is a message we could all use these days.
At once heartbreaking and heartwarming, The Boy Who Steals Houses will make you feel all the things. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll want to move in with the De Lainey family stat. It’s fine, they won’t even notice. Celebrate TBWSH’s first birthday by buying and reading it immediately.
Gosh this book is great. It’s so delightfully weird, but so completely full of heart that I devoured it. Great news, it’s coming out in the US in May, so we can ALL read the thing, woo!
I told you guys not to sleep on this book. And then everyone proceeded to sleep on this book. It’s a super unique take on an end-of-days scenario, it’s twisty, and it had great characters. That is like, some kind of trifecta, right? Right.
It’s not certain that the world will end, but you know, there’s a good chance. And as we figure out what is happening, we do so through some amazing characters, all of whom are well developed and diverse. There’s a huge focus on mental health, too. It’s just a win all around.
This book was everything. It’s going to make you cry, no doubt, but it’s also just a great book in general. Full of suspense and excitement and yes, those aforementioned feelings. And just like, really spot-on storytelling, basically.
The title kind of speaks for itself, yeah? What would you do if you found yourself completely the heck alone in space? And then even more bonkers, if you suddenly weren’t? It takes turns I never expected, and is somehow never boring despite its singular, titular character.
This book had it all: fabulous characters I was rooting for, a world I couldn’t get enough of, and super high stakes that made it impossible to put the book down. It was incredibly morally complex, and also was the kind of book I had to like, compulsively keep reading. Always a win.
Have you partaken in any of these? If not, you really should. Any books that you kind of forget to talk about that I should be reading?
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Sisters of the Vast Black was pretty dang fabulous, I agree. One of my favorites of the year so far! And Loneliest Girl… I never seem to get to it but I’ve been wanting to read it for ages now seems like.
I still haven’t read The Boy Who Steals Houses yet, I definitely need to at some point!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/14/top-ten-tuesday-259/
I love The Boy Who Steals Houses! It didn’t make me cry but it completely shattered my heart ?
Stevens’ books don’t get enough hype. I have read three (four?), and all were fantastic. I thought Four Three Two One was amazing. I smiled when I saw the Aven Green books, because I featured the first book on my TTT today (I did MGs), but wow! I thought both were incredible. The feels!
I’ve seen the cactus book on a few TTTs today. That probably means I should read it. It’s been on my TBR list since it came out.
The Loneliest Girl in the Universe has been one I’ve wanted to read for a while. I keep almost getting it on audio, so one of these days I will. Also– that MG series sounds like something I need in my life. Me and my kid read MG together, so I’m going to put in on our TBR.
The Loneliest Girl in the Universe has been on my TBR for ages. Several years. Still hasn’t happened. And I think I bought The Boy Who Steals Houses based solely on your review… and that sits unread as well. One day I will quit my job and read all the books.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus sounds great!
My TTT.
I STILL haven’t read any of Cait’s books, which is quite sad since I’ve read Paper Fury for a while now. Super excited for her though!!
wow…so many great looking books and your reviews were spot on. i saw the cactus books and now i feel i really have to have them. lol
sherry @ fundinmental
I still need to read The Boy Who Steals Houses! I’m not even sure why i keep putting it off (except I know that, of course, Cait will break me, like always). Oooh, the Bird and the Blade sounds like a really good book! Gonna have to add that one to my poor TBR.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus sounds super cute, and I’ll have to check and see if my daughter might be interested in reading it with me. :3
I’ve just reserved an electronic copy Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus at the library and downloaded a sample of Sisters of the Vast Black to my Kindle! (because I clearly DEFINITELY needed more to read…)
Lots of great recommendations here 🙂
Great list! I’ve never read any of these, but a number of them are on my TBR list. I have the first cactus book. The author, who’s a local, sent it to me when it first came out. I’ve been hearing good things about it ever since – I just haven’t gotten around to reading it. Yet. Glad you enjoyed her books!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I haven’t read any of these but that Rachel Caine collaboration is one I want to read at some point. Thanks for sharing your list with us!
Thanks for reminding me to read The Honors sequel. 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
I haven’t read any of these books yet, but I’d like to read The Boy Who Steals Houses and The Weight of Our Sky someday.
I haven’t read ANY of these and I clearly need to – they look so good. I read Nick Lake’s other book, Satellite, and LOVED it. I have Nowhere on Earth on my TBR pile so I’ll try to get to it soon!
My TTT post!
I need to read The Boy Who Steals Houses! And you just recommended that MG series to me, so I really need to check that out.
-Lauren
These are mostly new to me, but YES to Loneliest Girl! I loved that book so much!
I need to finish the Honor Among Thieves series. I actually beta read the first book & it was so fun and unique. Nadim!
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Oh, wow, I’ve only read one of these and WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?! You are very dangerous to my TBR.
Ahh I LOVE this list so much. I can’t wait to read The Boy Who Steals Houses, it sounds so good. And I am thrilled to see The Loneliest Girl here, this book deserves all the hype and love, it’s so so good! <3
omg I did not expect to see TBWSH here ??my day MADE. and I always want to yell more about Hannah Moskowitz books?! Like Teeth is amazing and I freaking adored Sick Kids In Love ahhhh. Also I must read Honour Among Thieves!