My Top Ten Favorite Books

I’ve read a lot of books in my life.  Before I discovered Goodreads, I didn’t keep track of what I read.  Now, though, I always add a book I’ve read to my “Read” bookshelf on my Goodreads account.  You can check out my Goodreads profile by clicking here.

Having read so many books, I definitely have a list of ones I haven’t likes so much and ones that I have.  Today I’m going to share my top ten favorite books (in no particular order), as well as give you their Goodreads link.  The link will give you a synopsis, reviews on the book, and let you know if it is part of a series or not.  All images are from Goodreads.  Spoiler:  There is A LOT of Gillian Flynn on this list, because she is my all-time favorite author.

1.  Sharp Objects –Gillian Flynn

            Ok, LOVED this book.  I heard it is being turned into a TV mini series and I can only hope that it is true.  In true Gillian Flynn fashion, there is a major plot twist in this book and every single page will leave you on the edge of your seat.  Beware, though.  It is a little graphic at some parts.

2.  Leap of Faith - Danielle Steel

When I was a pre-teen, I thought reading Danielle Steel made me sound more like a sophisticated and grown-up teenager, mostly because Jessica Simpson loved to read it when going on road trips with Nick Lechey on the show Newlyweds.  I know, I know... so I read a lot of Danielle Steel and actually ended up enjoying quite a few of her books.  I have read Leap of Faith at least seven times, and I have loved it every time.  It is a heart warming story of triumph and I highly recommend.

3.  Ransom - Danielle Steel

Another Danielle Steel I read thinking I was super cool but ended up loving and reading many times into my adult years.  It is a story of loss, circumstance, and suspense that had me reading as fast as I could to see if the children are saved.  And left me wanting to take a vacation to Lake Tahoe.

4.  Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

 

I read Gone Girl a few years ago and totally had a fan girl moment when they announced they were making a book adaption AND that Gillian Flynn would be involved in writing the screenplay.  I've read this twice, the first time because it sounded good and the second time to refresh before seeing the movie.  This book introduced me to the epic plot twists that are in Gillian's novels and trust me, you won't see this one coming.

5.   Dark Places - Gillian Flynn

So if you haven't read Gillian Flynn or caught on by now, her work can be quite dark and graphic and Dark Places is no exception.  This book was also turned into a movie starring Charlize Theron but I personally didn't think it was as good as the book.  If you're into suspense, read this.  Also, this is the last Gillian Flynn book on this list, I promise.  Only because she doesn't have anymore outside of the ones on this list though....

6.   Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers - Mary Roach 

 Ok, I promise I don't always like dark and creepy books...but this one might creep you out.  It is non-fiction and explores what cadavers go through during autopsies, science experiments (when bodies are donated to science after death), and what the body goes through to prep for burial or cremation.  Before business school, I was in the medical field, so this was really interesting to me.

7.  Bridge to Terabithia - Katherine Paterson

 This might be a flashback for some of you to way back in your middle school years, but even as an adult Bridge to Terabithia is a favorite.  It is such a good story of unwavering friendship between two children and honestly, I used to "play" Bridge to Terabithia in my backyard with one of my friends all of the time.  This one gets sad, though, so don't read without tissues nearby.

8.  My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult 

 I know some of you are already groaning with this one, but hear me out.  If you have watched the movie adaption of this book (starring Abigail Breslin and Cameron Diaz) but you haven't read the book, forget everything you know about the movie and READ THE BOOK!  If you have read the book and not yet watched the film, DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIE!!!  Seriously, the movie was AWFUL and the ending of the film was 100% opposite of the book.  It honestly angered me.  The book is SO good and has a major plot twist at the end.  The book- not so good and no plot twist at all.  Please trust me on this one.

9.   A Child Called "It" - Dave Pelzer

 Ok, by now you're probably thinking I only love dark or sad books, when in reality I love the Young-Adult genre and lovey stories.  This, however, is not one of those books.  This is a non-fiction work in which the author speaks about his endurance of one of the worst cases of child abuse ever documented in California history.  It will leave you crying and rooting for Dave as a child and it an unforgettable tale.  It will definitely make you hug your kids a little tighter and thank your parents a little more often.  There are 4 books total by this author and his story.

10.  Fatal Distraction - Emmi Fredericks 

This is a humorous novel about a girl who is a self-admitted celeb-aholic.  She is addicted to all celebrity gossip to the point that is begins to ruin her life.  I enjoyed this particularly because my guilty pleasure is celebrity gossip (but not like this lady's).  It also has humorous "tips" throughout the book on giving up celebrities for good.  A nice, light, funny read.

So there you have it- my top ten books.  I also enjoy a lot of young-adult stuff and dystopian books.  If you've read any of these, feel free to start a discussion with me on it!  I love to talk about books and my thoughts on them with other people.