Books That I Loved (mostly circa 2008-2012) That I Promptly Forgot About

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

This Week’s Topic is Ten Books I Really Love But Feel Like I Haven’t Talked About Enough/In A While

Joyland by Stephen King (2013)

This was the book that got me back into Stephen King, which led me to read The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and Doctor Sleep. It’s mysterious and fun while having the vibe of The Body and a teenager coming-of-age and figuring out who he is.

Those Who Wish Me Dead Michael Koryta (2014)

This is one of those books that I read and loved and then it got lost in the shuffle. It’s just so easy and pretty that I forget about it. This is probably one of the few book I’ve read where the focus on scenery and setting over character development is done extremely well.

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight /2013)

I think I suggested this book on the blog once, when I was talking about Where They Found Her. In my opinion this book is vastly underrated for just how twisty and turny it is. For all of those books that said they would be the next Gone Girl, this book achieved that in my mind without ever having to make that super lame “next x” comparison. This book is for all of those people who watch Pretty Little Liars and wish for more wine mom scenes (or maybe that’s just me)

Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher (2014)

I know I actually reviewed this not too long ago but guys it’s so good. If for nothing else it makes me wish I was back in college where no one ever asked me what I planned to do with an English degree if I wasn’t going to teach.

Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman (2008)

Gah, this book was the book I read on repeat in high school and yet it’s pretty under the radar / under-appreciated. Klosterman is usually known for his sardonic look at pop culture.  At it’s simplest, this book is about a teenage boy in north Dakota who just doesn’t fit in because he’s average. This book was great because it wasn’t filled with that graduation hope you usually see in YA fiction. It was just sometimes you’re average and that’s okay. My 16 year old self loved the fuck out of that sentiment, and I still kind of do.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (2009)

Confession time. This is my favorite Flynn book over Gone Girl. I loved Gone Girl but I felt more invested in Dark Places. Yet, Gone Girl is still the one I relate things to because it’s more commercially out-there. Dark Places feels much more human and as relatable as it could…or if not relatable there were at least characters I was rooting for even if they were awful I could still pick a side. Sidenote: has anyone seen the movie version with Charlize Theron? It’s been sitting by my tv for approx 2 months and I’m too afraid to play it because there was zero hype and I’m not prepared for it to suck.

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler /2013)

I feel like for all of the talking I do about the jazz age and my love for those authors I very rarely bring up Zelda or this book.  As far as historical fiction goes, this book is right up there with The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah in my mind. It’s one of the few books I’ve read that actually portrays Zelda as more than girl who is jealous of her husband’s success. I mean that’s not entirely false most likely but it’s not the whole story either. Also, if anyone has any book recs along these lines or like Villa America, I’m all ears.

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby (2005)

This is one of the few Nick Hornby books I actually really liked. I think I so rarely talk about it because it’s one of those books that people either love or they hate. I personally find the characters to be enjoyable messes but I completely understand how they probably also come off as grating and obnoxious. As much of a good summer read as this was for me It’s one I’m always hesitant to recommend to people.

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts (1995)

I just assume everyone has read this book and seen the movie and dreamed of one day naming their child Americus that I forget there are people out there who haven’t. I never really talk about it because new books are always in the front of my brain versus the books that have been with me throughout the years. This is definitely a book that has stayed with me throughout the years and I can return to at anytime without ever being disappointed.

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah (2008)

This book is the epitome of the dreaded term chick-lit but the writing is beautiful and the story made me cry and want to watch Beaches and then cry more. Kristin Hannah is an expert at making me cry by now and this book is no exception. For everyone who found her last year through The Nightingale go and read this book immediately. You will not regret it (unless you do but I’m not sorry)

What books do you absolutely love but don’t talk about as much as you should. Are some just because you don’t recommend them in fear people hate them (or is that just me?)