This week's Top Ten Tuesday on The Broke and the Bookish is Top Ten Books I Was Forced to Read - by anyone, teachers, parents, friends, review commitments... whatever.
1.To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
It's actually high time I re-read this one, because I'm a bit fuzzy on it. I remember the overall gist of it, though, and I remember the impact it had on me. It was one of those books that I read at a young age and that changed my outlook.
2. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
I started reading this for an English class in high school. And while it was slow going at first, it became one of the most powerful, affecting books I've ever read. Irving has the ability to write with an almost magnetic force. Once you get into one of his books, he subtly shifts the plot into more and more dark, twisted territory - but he does it so gently that you barely notice you're heading further into the woods until you're lost in them.
3. Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby
I read this as a review book. At first I wasn't that into it. But as I got to the end, I decided that I really liked that it was unpredictable, that the characters were the most unlikely of heroes and the overall feel of the story.
4. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My husband loves this book. He started re-reading it and I decided to give it a try. SO GOOD. Really easy to get into, fast-paced and highly entertaining.
5. The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
Everyone needs to read this - especially in their teen years. That is all.
6. Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
I had this kicking around on my bookshelf for ages, but didn't get around to reading this until a friend I lived with in grade 9 became obsessed with Still Life with Woodpecker. Which I also read and loved.
7. Travels by Michael Crichton
A high school ex recommended this book to me as one of his favourites. I was skeptical at first, but it quickly became one of my all-time faves.
8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and all the Jane Austen books
I had a classics phase as a teen. Agnes Grey and Jane Eyre also fall into this category.
9. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
A friend recommended this to me after he read and loved it. I devoured almost the entire thing in one sitting and proceeded to recommend it to everyone I know. It's a magical book that has the ability to make EVERYONE love it.
10. Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex by Mary Roach
This was another review book. I am fascinated by the field of sexuality - had sexology been offered as a degree program at any of the universities in my area, I would have majored in it. So this book had a huge appeal to me. Not only is the topic one of my faves, but it's extremely well researched, varied and entertaining.
That's my top ten! This is a great topic, and I wanna know what yours are! Head over and link up or share in the comments below!
