Oh, this post is going to be easy-peasy for me to write. Because I only talk about a few books, ever.
The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
- urban fantasy is your cup of tea
- you enjoy world-building so thorough it's almost too much...almost
- your panties get in a twist over the sexual tension between a snarky woman and a fiercely devoted (though occasionally adorably oblivious) Alpha
The Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty
- you ever felt like you didn't fit in among your peers
- you appreciate snarky humor
- you think Holden Caulfield is a pain in the a** but still like teenage angst IF IT'S DONE WELL
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
- you appreciate the classics
- you are interested in reading a classic, but don't know where to start
- the idea of plots so elaborate and twisted you can't believe a human being actually made it up sounds appealing
Among Others by Jo Walton
- you enjoy books from various genres
- you are a lifetime readers, longtime diarist, and/or aspiring writer
- you think my book pimping is effective, haha
Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith
- books by Tamora Pierce, Gail Carson Levine, Patricia Wrede, Caroline Stevermer fill your "Favorites" shelf
- the phrase "light fantasy romance" is a turn-on
- you have Mr. Darcy on your list of most eligible fictional bachelors
Anne of Green Gables (and subsequent books) by L. M. Montgomery
- you understand the value of good children's literature
- you think the word "feisty" is fantastic
- at any point in your life, you felt that having red hair would be great--but only if it's the right shade
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
- you love books that challenge typical notions about what a novel can and does accomplish
- you aren't afraid to be a little confused at the beginning of a story, not if the ending pays off big-time
- you appreciate authors who can string common words together like they're singlehandedly writing the entire realm of emotions into existence
The WVMP Radio series by Jeri Smith-Ready
- the mention of "vampires" still makes a little spark of hope stir in your chest
- you've read every single book that Ilona Andrews wrote and are going crazy waiting for the next one
- you think True Blood is hot but Sookie is seriously lacking in character
I've noticed that, with the exception of Among Others, the other books on my list are ones that I read several years ago. It's not that I haven't read anything recommendation-worthy since then, but I guess my thinking is that books that can retain my regard even after a century in publishing time are definitely worthy of recommending. How about you? Are your most recommended books generally stand-by favorites, or do you like recommending your most recent great finds more?
Great list of books, Steph! I'm glad that I've read quite a bit of those!
ReplyDeleteI definitely have to get into the Kate Daniels' bandwagon :)
ReplyDeletemy TTT
You wouldn't regret it. :)
DeleteI love Tamora Pierce so I'm going to have to check out Sherwood Smith (is that *really* her name? *ponders*)! And I adore the Kate Daniels series. So fantastic.
ReplyDeleteInteresting list! The Anne of Green Gables series is a favorite from my childhood; I recently started the first Jessica Darling book, and Jellicoe Road is an inspiration for my own writing. It was your conversation with Lenore on Jellicoe Road that got me to read that wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I don't remember this conversation that I had with Lenore but that's GREAT that it made you pick it up! What do you think of Sloppy Firsts so far?
DeleteI'm only a few chapters in, but Sloppy Firsts sounds too familiar, but that might be because McCafferty inspired this sassy trend and was a victim of a plagiarism scandal. I was interested in the series since it follows the MC into early adulthood, like Anne of Green Gables. I prefer the lyrical writing in Montgomery's series, but it's fun enough to keep reading the first book. I have a bad habit of reading too many books at once.
DeleteYay for Jellicoe Road! I do always warn people about what a hard read it is though so they don't give up. I read Sloppy Firsts years ago. I should really reread it.
ReplyDeleteYay for CROWN DUEL.
ReplyDeleteAnd the third recommended for you if on THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO made me laugh.
Yes to Kate Daniels, Crown Duel and Jellicoe Road! All of those are in my list of favorites as well. I'm glad I have a copy of Among Others here with me, I just have no idea when I'll get to read it. I also have Wicked Game but it's back home in Manila.
ReplyDeleteI have to check out the Jessica Darling series as I've heard nothing but good reads. Teen angst isn't my cup of tea, even though I love Catcher in the Rye, and don't mind it if it's done well. (After all, it is a natural part of being a teenager. It's when it borders on selfishness that I don't like it.) I've heard Jellicoe Road is great, as well.
ReplyDeleteI just saw the first Kate Daniels cover in my bloglovin feed and I was ready to do a little happy dance. Also, I never even considered the WVMP Radio series, but the way you describe it makes it clear it's a perfect read for me. I'm off to see if I can get a copy right now.
ReplyDeleteIf you love Kate Daniels, you have to give the WVMP Radio series a try! Hope you like. :)
DeleteSo many of the lists I've seen today contain books that are already beloved favorites to me, but this list has actually given me some great new recommendations, so thanks! Very excited to give Among Others, Crown Duel and the WVMP Radio series a try now.
ReplyDeleteOkay, you're about the 5...00th person to mention Kate Daniels so I will push that up my list. Snarky woman + an Alpha... Sign me up! I got Crown Duel from my book club Secret Santa and it looks great. The cover alone is amazing. Anne + Jellicoe... my heart. This line is gorgeous and perfectly describes Marchetta --> "singlehandedly writing the entire realm of emotions into existence." So great, Steph!
ReplyDelete-Maggie
You might be the first person to say they like the Crown Duel cover, haha. I like it now; I now associate it with the book, of course. Hope you enjoy both of those books!
DeleteJellicoe Road is one of my all-time favourites. I think a re-read is in store for me soon, in fact! Love that book. I recently listened to Anne of Green Gables on audio, and I fell in love almost immediately. I'm on the third book now and can hardly wait to get stuck in. Brilliant list, Steph! I like that your choices are a little less predictable than most people's have been today. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the Kate Daniels series, and really anything that Ilona Andrews comes up with. I'm looking forward to getting current with Kate before the next book comes out.
ReplyDeleteYes! I love Kate Daniels, Sloppy Firsts, Count of Monte Cristo, and Jellicoe Road to pieces! Actually, regarding the Jessica Darling Series, did you enjoy Books 3-5. I read the first two, but there have been so many mixed reviews about the rest of the series that I'm a little apprehensive to continue. Anyway, I still need to read Anne of Green Gables (I KNOW!) and Crown Duel, so I'll hopefully get to those two soon! Great list, Steph! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read Count of Monte Cristo, and adore Anne of Green Gables!
ReplyDeleteThe series I always, always recommend is The Queen's Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (it's my favorite of favorites). However, I know not everybody likes the series, especially if they find Gen annoying.