Books That Make You Say OOOOH!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Combining both a passion for all things bookish with an obsessive love of list-making, this rad meme was born. This week's post is Top Ten Books You Recommend Most.

Whether it be because of a bookish crush or a riveting plot or eloquent prose, some books just leave you with an intensely pleasant gutteral reaction. You know how it is. It looks something like this:

And this is why I won't hesitate to push these types of books on anyone and everyone I meet. Yes. I am a book pusher. So sue me. These are the top ten books that have, in one way or another, changed my life for the better. 

Every Day by David Levithan - Based on my glowing review and the fact that this book makes virtually every TTT list, like EVER, I think it's safe to say that I recommend it most. It seriously changed my whole outlook on life and its unique perspective is something that everyone needs to experience for themselves! So read it. Right now.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion - First, I loved the movie and then I loved the book which is a rarity for me. It takes some pretty impactful writing and engaging characters to do that. For those of you who aren't "zombie people," I especially recommend this book. It's a zombie book that isn't really a zombie book so come to the dark (er, dead) side and read it. I promise, you won't regret it.



Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson - This is the precursor to Peter Pan and it broke my heart in so many ways with its soulful yet beautifully haunting story. Anderson turned a fairy tale into a captivating reality. It might not have the traditional happily-ever-after, but it sure is a satisfying one.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green - If you don't think Tiny Cooper is the greatest character ever written, I will fight you. That's no lie.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins - I can't remember the last time I was so engrossed in a book series or so profoundly moved by an ending. This series was gripping and the ending tough to swallow, but it affected me in a very real way. This is my favourite dystopian series EVER. 

The Princess Bride by William Goldman - This was my very first book review and with good reason. Like the movie incarnation, it's got a little bit of everything --- "fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..."--- it's enough to please and entertain just about anyone.

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - There's a reason this one's a classic and it's not just because Atticus Finch is dad you've always wanted.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding - This book cultivated my love for dystopias and I love how it explores much deeper themes like whether or not man is inherently good or evil.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie - She is the queen of mystery and this, perhaps, her greatest masterpiece. Not only is the book a favourite, but so is the movie.

The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter - This woman and her whimsical stories cultivated my love for reading from a very early age. If I ever have children of my own, this will be the first book in their vast collection.

Are you also a book pusher? And what is it about a book that really makes it stick? Do you recommend books because you think everyone will love them or because they made a particular impression on you? Which books are on your TTT list? If you've read any of my picks, let me know what you thought about them in the comments!