Book Lists
I started tracking my reading on May 25, 2005 (right after 8th grade graduation). On September 29, 2017, I finished book #1000. At first I was incredibly impressed with myself. 1000 books (totaling 307,313 pages) in 12 years! But then I did some math (which someone should probably double check, because English is my thing, not math) and realized that I’m only averaging about 83 books a year. 6-7 books a month. A measly 68 pages a day.
68. Pages. A. Day. So then I had a minor existential crisis, wondering how much of my life I’ve wasted on nonsense when I could have been reading instead. But then I remembered that for at least six months (three because of an awful relationship and three because of an awful job) I didn’t do any reading. And there have been a few other life situations that cut into my reading here and there. So that made me feel a little better and I decided that maybe my average of 83 books a year wasn’t as pathetic as I initially thought. Anyway. Because I love lists, I made one. So, without further ado, I present the 100 books I’ve loved the most these past 12 years. (Side note: I only counted books that I read for the first time during this period, which is why Harry Potter is absent from the list. And the year listed after each book is the year in which I read it.) 1. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson (2016) This is the funniest book I’ve ever read. I stumbled upon it shortly after I was formally diagnosed with anxiety and depression, so I connected with Lawson on a deep level. It was comforting to see some of my own crazy reflected back through someone else, and I often found myself laughing out loud. (Warning: Lawson does not shy away from crude language, so if the f-word bothers you, get someone to read this book to you and censor it as they go.) 2. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough (2010) It often surprises people that this is one of my favorite books, because I usually roll my eyes at romance, but this was another one that came into my life at the exact right time. I was a little bit in love with a man I knew I couldn’t have, and I was struggling with certain aspects of my faith (these two dilemmas were not related to one another). Which, if you’re familiar with the plot of this novel, you’ll understand why those events might have caused me to connect with this book. 3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (2007) This was assigned reading for Sophomore English. I technically read it as a freshman, though, because my brother and mom were reading it and I was desperate to know what was going to happen. But I didn’t count it then since I listened to the first few chapters and then read the rest myself. At this point in life, I’ve now read this book five times and taught it twice. 4. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah (2011) When I first read this in 2011, I identified with Kate, the one who wanted to get married and have a family and always know where she was going next. When I read it again a year later, I identified with Tully, Kate’s best friend, who doesn’t particularly care if she has a man, just as long as she can live the life she wants and accomplish the huge dreams she has for herself. I’ve read this book almost every summer since 2011, and I bawl like a baby every time. 5. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple (2013) All I have to say about this book is that I will 100% be Bernadette Fox when I grow up. 6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2014) I think most fans of this book like it because of the masterful writing style and the crazy plot twist. I, on the other hand, love this book because Amy Dunne is the level of genius to which I aspire. Which might be why I’m super single. 7. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (2014) I thought about having this one tie for #6, because I went back and forth for a long time trying to decide if it was better than Gone Girl. I’m still not completely sure I ordered these two correctly. 8. All the Rage by Courtney Summers (2015) This book absolutely destroyed me both times I read it. Part of that might have something to do with the fact that I was reading a book about rape shortly after being fired for arguing about the importance of teaching books about rape. But mostly it’s because Summers is a great writer and the main character in this novel is so painfully real. 9. The Diviners by Libba Bray (2016) 1920’s New York City? Check. Fast-talking flappers and charming con men? Check. Outrageously creepy malevolent spirits? Check. Honestly, what more could you need? 10. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (2016) The writing in this novel is absolutely gorgeous. And if the last 200 pages don’t leave you sobbing, then you might need to go to the doctor and find out if you actually have a heart. Also, huge trigger warnings for abuse of every kind. It’s an intense read. Quick break: The rest of these are just getting a one-sentence reaction, because writing this is cutting into my reading time. 11. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (2017) A beautifully heart-wrenching look at a family left behind to grieve after the unimaginable. 12. Wicked by Gregory Maguire (2006) Nothing like the musical. 13. The Awakening by Kate Chopin (2011) This might have been the book that made me wonder if I ever really want to get married. 14. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (2007) Problematic as they may be, Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler are my favorite fictional couple. 15. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (2005) This is another one I’ve read several times, and it breaks my heart every time. 16. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (2008) I know that the characters are super pretentious, but I don’t care. 17. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (2009) My Senior English teacher gave this to me for my 18th birthday and quite possibly saved my life. 18. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff (2017) There’s so much going on in this book, and I was obsessed with every single word. 19. Impulse by Ellen Hopkins (2009) Written in a unique style and packs a powerful punch about an extremely serious subject. 20. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (2012) One of the best books I’ve read on the subject of school shootings, and I’ve read a lot. 21. Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett (2015) For this one I’m stealing the official blurb of “Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn,” because I can think of nothing more accurate. 22. Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt (2013) This is one of the best depictions I’ve read about how the those outside of the gay community refused to acknowledge the AIDS crisis of the 80s. 23. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt (2015) Honestly, this book is 88% of my motivation for wanting to move to Savannah, Georgia. 24. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss (2013) It’s super romantic and completely outside of my wheelhouse, but there are so many beautiful sentences. 25. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2013) I have a theory about this book that will blow your mind. (Also, I hate to break my own one-sentence rule, but for the sake of an inside joke I have to add something.) DOOM! (Okay, carry on.) 26. Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King (2016) I would love to live inside of A.S. King’s head for one day, because I bet it’s fascinating in there. 27. The Mothers by Brit Bennett (2017) This is going to be one of those books that I read several times and discover something new every time. 28. No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark (2005) While not my first Clark read, this is the one that stuck with me the most, probably because of the Lizzie Borden references throughout. 29. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (2007) This is the first in a complicated, weird, YA fantasy trilogy that remains awesome through all three books. 30. After by Amy Efaw (2012) I spent most of this book switching back and forth between anger and extreme sadness, which I’m guessing is what Efaw intended. 31. Winger by Andrew Smith (2015) This book is hilarious, until it’s suddenly heartbreaking. 32. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2017) I loved every second of living in the world of this book, and my only complaint is that the book wasn’t longer. 33. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott (2013) If you want to be a writer, you should definitely read this book. 34. The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin (2016) Told through a combination of interviews, newspaper articles, diary entries, and artwork, I legitimately believed this was a true story until I tried to research the character and discovered it was just incredibly well-presented fiction. 35. Reality Boy by A.S. King (2017) Even though this is probably the least weird of A.S. King’s books, it’s still a fascinating journey. 36. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2014) Heartbreaking and eye-opening to the tragedies still occurring in the Middle East. 37. Avalon High by Meg Cabot (2006) I’ve read this book several times and, even though it’s kind of cheesy, I love the King Arthur connections. 38. The Creek by Jennifer L. Holm (2008) Even though I’ve read this book at least three times, it still manages to creep me out every time. 39. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (2008) It’s a book about World War II and told from the perspective of Death, so it’s obviously going to make you cry. 40. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (2010) I mean, I essentially got fired over this book, so it would be pretty weird if it didn’t make the list at some point. 41. Need by Carrie Jones (2009) I honestly can’t tell you why I love this book (and the rest of the series) so much, but I’ve read it four times. 42. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (2010) This book manages to simultaneously creep me out and give me a sense of comfort, and I will definitely read it to any future children I might have. 43. Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson (2013) This is, hands down, the sexiest book I’ve ever read. 44. Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald (2014) I’m a sucker for a dysfunctional family drama. 45. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey (2011) If Sherlock Holmes had less empathy, a younger assistant, and hunted monsters instead of criminals, you’d have The Monstrumologist series. 46. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2011) The first time I read this trilogy, I stayed up all night to read the first two, and then called in sick to work in the morning to finish the third. 47. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (2015) It’s like The Village, but with zombies. 48. Head Games by Christopher Golden (2006) One of the first truly disturbing psychological thrillers I remember reading. 49. The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (2006) It’s Alice in Wonderland, but much, much darker. 50. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (2013) It’s a story within a story within a story, and all of them are surprising. Quick break: The rest of these are just going to be in a list, because I’m too lazy to write 50 more blurbs. 51. Natchez Burning by Greg Iles (2017) 52. Creepers by David Morrell (2013) 53. The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld (2008) 54. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (2015) 55. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (2016) 56. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (2015) 57. Chime by Franny Billingsley (2012) 58. The Girls by Emma Cline (2016) 59. The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres (2011) 60. Shattering Glass by Gail Giles (2005) 61. Greenglass House by Kate Milford (2015) 62. Spontaneous by Aaron Starmer (2017) 63. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2012) 64. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (2015) 65. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (2016) 66. The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez (2016) 67. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige (2014) 68. Tune in Anytime by Caroline B. Cooney (2005) 69. The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler (2016) 70. How the World Began by Catherine Trieschmann (2015) 71. My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows (2017) 72. The Jewel of St. Petersburg by Kate Furnivall (2011) 73. Impossible by Nancy Werlin (2009) 74. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2016) 75. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau (2014) 76. Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson (2006) 77. Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2017) 78. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (2006) 79. ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King (2007) 80. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (2012) 81. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (2016) 82. The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton (2011) 83. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (2017) 84. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly (2007) 85. Shadow Baby by Alison McGhee (2012) 86. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2016) 87. In the Woods by Tana French (2012) 88. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (2017) 89. Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer (2016) 90. Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll (2017) 91. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (2009) 92. Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke (2016) 93. Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf (2017) 94. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (2010) 95. Atonement by Ian McEwan (2008) 96. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood (2016) 97. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (2009) 98. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (2012) 99. Patient H.M. by Luke Dittrich (2016) 100. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (2008) Well, folks, that’s the end of the list. I’ll revisit this when I hit 2,000 and see how many of these get replaced with new books.
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Jacinta M. CarterProfessional Book Nerd Archives
December 2018
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