Top Ten Tuesday - Books for people who like character driven novels

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's list was top ten character driven novels, I have to admit I struggled with this one. Anyway here is my list for this week:

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Can there be two more inspiring characters than Augustus and Hazel Grace? Their journey is one which will definitely bring tears to your eyes and look at life in a whole new way.

 

2. Room by Emma Donoghue

Told from five year old Jack's perspective this book gives a haunting account of life trapped inside the "Room" which is home for Jack but a prison for his mother.

 

 

3. Appetite by Philip Kazan

This book follows the story of Nino Latini as he grows from an arrogant foolish young man into a sensible and humble man. The descriptive language of the food he creates in this book is mesmerising.

 

4. Before I go to Sleep by S J Watson

Follow Christine as she tries to work out who she is and what has happened to her.

 

5. The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans

Alix Gower longs to design her own haute couture designs. As she lands a job in one of Paris' top fashion houses she becomes entangled in a web of deceit which could make or break her dreams.

 

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Follow the lives of Jane, Elizabeth, Lydia, Kitty and Mary Bennett as they struggle to find perfect matches, in this one of the most famous of character driven novels.

 

7. Saving Grace by Jane Green

Grace watches her life fall apart as Beth enters her life determined to take over.

 

8. The Time Traveller's Wife

The story of Henry and Clare is one of my all time favourite reads, its just beautiful

 

9. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic

Love her or hate her Becky Bloomwood is certainly a very memorable character in the Shopaholic novels

 

10. Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda is probably still my favourite book of all time, she is such a great character  and one I'm sure many of us book bloggers relate to.

 

So that is my top ten for this week, what was on your list? Link with other blogs at The Broke and the bookish here.

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Underrated Chick-Lit Authors

 

This week the Top Ten over at The Broke and the Bookish was Top Ten authors/books in genre X. I chose authors in the Chick-Lit genre although there is some crossover with erotic fiction and women's fiction. So here is my list:

1. Jane Linfoot

I was given a free e-book of Jane's book The Right Side of Mr Wrong as part of the #SexMeUpReadathon back in July and was instantly hooked on her work. Its full of sexy handsome men and strong women with brilliant sexual chemistry between them, mixed in with funny plotlines.

 

2. Emma Garcia

I've only read one book by this author, Never Google Heartbreak but for me it was the perfect chick-lit book with heartbreak, comforting friends and a heroine you just can't help but love. I'm eager to read her second book and hope she writes more.

 

3. Imogen Parker

She hasn't wrote anything new for about five years but her early books are for me perfect chick-lit and I really hope we haven't seen the last of her.

 

4. Fiona Walker

This ladies ability to write huge novels with a large amount of characters which don't confuse me amazes me everytime I read one, she deserves a medal for been able to do that in my opinion.

 

5. Jill Steeples

Again only read one book by the woman but it was brilliant and I'm surprised how few reviews she has on Amazon.

 

 

6. Holly Martin

Her book One Hundred Proposals blew me away with how romantic it was, I do think everyone who reads chick-lit should read this book, it will make you laugh and cry and wish you had your very own Harry

 

7.Sophie Hart

The Naughty Girls Book Club was probably one of my favourite reads of last year, I loved the way it showed real women's views of sex. I can't wait to read her second book out on the 19th September.

 

 

8. Jo Carnegie

I adored her Churchminister series, it was perfect for me and I loved the way each book focused on different characters in the village.

9. Lulu Taylor

I adore this women's books and get so excited when a new one is released, they just totally absorb my and nothing else gets done when I'm reading one as I just can't put them down.

 

10. Lucy Dillon

Lucy's books seem to come out and then disappear almost as quick which I  don't understand as her writing has such a magical quality to it.

 

So that's my list, what is on your list? check out the other lists here.

 

 



Top Ten Tuesday - Books I'm Not Sure I Want To Read For Various Reasons

 

So this week this list at The Broke and the Bookish is books your not sure you want to read, this was really hard for me as I tend to focus on the books I do want to read and 90% of what is in my to be read pile is books I can't wait to read, but here goes:

 

 

1. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

Don't all throw things at me! I never wanted to pick them up when they first came out and now I'm still not sure. I don't actually know anyone whose read them and disliked but magic and fantasy stories are not my thing. I'm sure if I had a copy I'd probably picked it up and be hooked but for now I'm still not convinced.

 

 

2. The Lunar Chronicles by Melissa Meyer

I like the idea of fairy-tale retellings but I'm not huge on the idea of them being set in the future and featuring androids and cyborgs, they again seem very popular so maybe one day.

 

3. Anything else by John Green which is not The Fault in Our Stars

I read TFIOS in June and loved it, it was such a moving book. That was my first John Green book and now I'm scared to pick up another in case its not as good. I have An Abundance of Katherine's in my TBR pile,  do you think should I read it?

 

4. Destined to Feel and Destined to Fly by Indigo Bloome

 I read the first book in the Avalon trilogy during the #SexMeUpReadathon back in July and it has left me with very mixed feelings, the plot line went way over my head and I'm not sure I want to carry on with this trilogy. Has anyone read it? Does it get better or is it still a little far fetched?

 

5.  The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

This was part of the Richard and Judy book club back in Spring 2012, its sat on my shelf ever since and I've never read it. It does sound like something I'd enjoy as do like books set in the 1920s but something is holding me back. Is it worth picking up?

 

6. One for My Baby by Tony Parsons

This is another one which my friend lent to me years ago and it just sat on my shelf, I finally gave it back to her but should I give it another go?

7. The Understudy by David Nicholls

I think I've been put off reading this because I wasn't keen on One Day, I wanted to love it but didn't and think this may disappoint me also.

8. Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

I think the idea of writing to dead people is slightly creepy but I'm also curious about the story of Laurel, it seems to have mixed reviews so I'm just not sure.

9. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I'm curious about this one, but it again has mixed reviews so I'm not sure. Is it worth it?

10. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

I'm not really a fan of fantasy books with demons, shadow hunters and vampires but as its so popular there is something inside me saying maybe give it a go.

 

So there is my rather eclectic list, which are worth reading and which are not I'd love to know. To see everyone else's list click here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I'd Recommend to People Who Haven't Read Chick Lit

This week at The Broke and the Bookish the Top Ten was books you would recommend to someone who had never read....so I chose Chick Lit , here is my list, in no particular order:

 

 

1. Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes

I love this book, it was one of the first adult books which I bought and I have re-read it many times. It tells the story of Lisa who moves over to Dublin from London to be the editor of the newly launching Colleen magazine, Ashling who applies to be assistant editor and her best friend Clodagh who is seems to have the domestic dream of house, husband and child. Its just a brilliant read about being female and dealing with life.

 

 

2. Bookends by Jane Green

Bookends tells the story of four university friends Cat, Lucy, Josh and Si and what happens when Portia comes back into their lives. Bookends is the name of the café which Cat and Lucy start together, this is my idea of a dream place a bookshop with a café. A brilliant story of what can happen when you start to assume things about people.

 

 

3. Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

Perfect Christmas read. Holly Brown doesn't like Christmas, she agrees to house sit a remote manor in the moors of Lancashire, perfect as she just wants to be alone. When she arrives she finds she is not alone and the family have all arrived expecting a full on family Christmas. Even though the ending to this book is very predictable it is the perfect Christmas book for me as I love all the descriptions of the meals and the decorating which happens, best read by a lovely log fire with hot chocolate.

 

 
 

4. Simply Divine by Wendy Holden

 Socialite Champagne D'Vyne wants to write a magazine column so drags in journalist Jane to write it for her. Jane is also trying to help best friend Tally save a crumbling family home. This is a quick easy read which will make you laugh, although Champagne is probably one of the most annoying characters ever written.

 
 


5. Amanda's Wedding by Jenny Colgan
Fran and Mel have been invited to Amanda's wedding to Laird Fraser. They feel sorry for him marrying social-climbing Amanda who is only interested in his title. So the pair enlist Fraser's brother Angus to help sabotage the wedding. This is hilariously funny and I just love the schemes that the girls come up with to stop the wedding. 
 


6. The Undomesticated Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Samantha Sweeting is a hotshot lawyer, until she makes a huge mistake. She packs her bags and heads out into the countryside where she is mistaken for a interviewee for a house-keeping job. She accepts the job but is completely clueless about anything found in a kitchen. As she finds her way round the kitchen she also finds love. But will her old life catch up with her? Another light-hearted funny read.
 

 
7. In Her Shoes by Adele Parks
Eliza and Martha are sisters. Each sister envy's the other Martha has the family and house and wants her freedom and Eliza longs for Martha's stability.
 


8. White Wedding by Milly Johnson
Bel, Max and Violet are all  planning their weddings and they each meet in the White Wedding shop. AS the story unfold each of their planned wedding goes slightly wrong. This is Milly Johnson at her best with a story of friendship, betrayal and a little romance.
 


9. Heiresses by Lulu Taylor
Three sisters Jemima, Tara and Poppy inherit their fathers failing perfume business, instead of selling it off they decide to try and make a go of it themselves. This is a story about wealth, lust and families and is gripping from the first page.
 

 
10. Daddy's Girls by Tasmina Perry
Four sisters Serena, Cate, Venetia and Camilla, one of them may have killed her father Sir Oswald Balcon. This is a dip into the lives of the rich and famous with an element of who done it mystery. It's perfect for pure escapism. 
 
So that's my list of beginner chick lit, what is on your list this week? Check out everyone else's list here.

Top Ten Tuesday - Authors Whose Books I Own The Most Of

 

'Top Ten Tuesday' is a meme/event hosted by The Broke and the Bookish , each week there is a different top ten list , this week it is top ten authors you own the most of. So here's my list:

 

1. Enid Blyton - I have around 100 books of Enid Blyton's from my childhood, I really loved the St. Clare's, Mallory Towers and The Naughtiest Girl in the School series' and have everyone of those. Plus all the Secret Seven collection and a few Famous Five books and many more. I haven't read them in years but am hoping to read them to my children and I hope that they will love them as much as I did.

 

2. Milly Johnson - I have all ten of Milly's paperback novels and LOVE them.  I'd never heard of her till she was on Come Dine with Me a few years ago. She mentioned she was a romance novel writer and it showed you the covers of the books she had written, which looked lovely. I'd  loved her on the show so went straight on Amazon an ordered the first three which were the only ones available at the time. I was hooked and have bought every one since.

 

3. Agatha Christie -  I love the Hercule Piroit series on TV and have bought the first five books, I also have a couple of the Miss Marple books.

 

4.  Tasmina Perry - I have five books by Tasmina, I love they way her characters are rich and famous, pure escapism at its best.

 

5. Jane Green - I only have four novels by Jane Green but Bookends is probably one of my favourite books ever, I reread every couple of years. This book was also what got me talking with one of my best friends and we still share a love of books twelve years later, so thank you Jane.

 

6. Carl Hiaasen - I have four books which Carl has written, I love his style of writing and plots even though at first glance they don't seem to be my kind of book, but some how he draws me in every time.

 

7. Lulu Taylor - I have four of Lulu's five novels which are published, the fifth is on my list to pick up before the end of the year. These are big books but I love them.

 

8. Louise Bagshaw -  I have four of her earlier novels, Tall Poppies being my favourite. I'm interested to read Beauty which is written under the name Louise Mensch which is the first book she's written in a while.

 

9. Jane Linfoot - Jane's books are a recent discovery for me but they are quickly becoming some of my favourites. I have three e-books, please write some more Jane as I love your work.

 

10. Fiona Walker - I only have three of Fiona Walker's books which are French Relations, Well Groomed and Kiss And Tell. These three tell the story of Tash and her love triangle with Hugo Beauchamp and Niall O'Shaunghnessy.

 

Making this list has been very interesting and has highlighted two things for me. Firstly I tend to buy big books, half of the ones I own are over 400 pages and some over 800, this is a little scary. Secondly I only tend to buy one or two books from most authors, although I've read many more that they have read. Maybe this is a lack of space I don't know. What is on your list, feel free to leave a link below. Did you notice anything interesting? See everyone else's list here.

 

Joanne x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.