Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Top Ten Books I Want To Read From The Contemporary Genre

I'm participating in today's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's prompt is:

Top Ten Books I Want To Read From The Contemporary Genre


You may have noticed that I tend to gravitate towards fantasy, science fiction, and other more fantastical novels.  The contemporary genre just isn't one I dabble in very much.  But I've had a few really great successes that make me think I should pick up a contemporary novel more often.  If and when I do, these books will be the first I reach for:



10. To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
I actually just picked this one up from the library.  Looking forward to it!

9. Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Reid's After I Do was in my top three reads of 2014.  Obviously I must read her other book immediately.

8. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
It's the only one of Rowell's books I haven't read yet.

7. Looking For Alaska by John Green
His wit may be unrealistically awesome, but I love a great exchange of witty banter.

6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
I actually already saw this film, and loved it.  Now I want to read the book.

5. Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Fact: I've never read anything by Gayle Forman.  Must change this fact.

4. Every Day by David Levithan
I had an unlikely source recommend this book to me, which makes me extremely curious.

3. It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
I've heard so many great things about his work, though, admittedly, his death makes this book a little difficult to choose, all things considered.

2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
I've heard from many people that this book will likely be on school book lists, so if my daughter is going to read it one day, I'd like to know what it's about.

1. I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak won my unconditional love with The Book Thief.  Obviously I have to read this other work.
What other contemporary novels would you add to this list?  I read very little contemporary, so if you have a favorite that I need to read, then please do let me know!  Chances are I haven't read it yet!
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12 comments:

  1. CynthiaFebruary 3, 2015 at 3:50 AM

    Good list. I read Eleanor and Park and Speak. Those are both awesome books!

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    1. Melissa @ Bookmark DragonFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:56 AM

      Glad to hear it! Something about the idea of contemporary novels fails to get me excited, but I'm rarely sad when I do read one. I'd like to expand my reading to include more of these!

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  • AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 4:01 AM

    I read The Perks and To All the Boys I've loved Before and absolutely loved them both. I'd never heard of Taylor Jenkins Reid before, I'll definitely check her out :)

    Great list!

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    1. Melissa @ Bookmark DragonFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:57 AM

      Definitely do check out TJR!!! She is seriously so amazing. After I Do was one of my favorite reads of the whole year last year.

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  • KamiFebruary 3, 2015 at 12:39 PM

    I'm like you, I don't dabble in contemporary too much either. I'm usually disappointed, but sometimes I find a really good one. I love all things Markus Zusak! I need to read Eleanor and Park too.

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    1. Bookmark DragonFebruary 3, 2015 at 1:07 PM

      Yeah, I tend to go into contemporary novels hesitantly and skeptically, but I have found some great successes this past year. (Fangirl, After I Do, Aristotle and Dante, etc.) Those make me want to give the genre more effort.

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  • AnonymousFebruary 3, 2015 at 1:42 PM

    It's so funny that our lists have no overlap. I hope you get to To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Eleanor & Park soon. They are two of my all-time favorites.

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    1. Bookmark DragonFebruary 3, 2015 at 1:51 PM

      It just goes to show how many great contemporary novels there are out there that I have no idea about. :)
      I have TATBILB on my nightstand right now! Hoping to start that one tomorrow.

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  • Jenni ElyseFebruary 3, 2015 at 2:14 PM

    I don't read a lot of contemporary either. I like fantasy, but I do like contemporary every now and then. I really want to read Eleanor & Park too and I am the Messenger. I've read Speak and it's very profound, I guess. That's not really the word I'm looking for. The story is heartbreaking, but I got a lot out of it.

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    1. Melissa @ Bookmark DragonFebruary 3, 2015 at 9:04 PM

      That's basically what I've heard about Speak. It sounds like it will be a difficult but important read. I'm looking forward to I Am The Messenger and Eleanor & Park too!

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