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Welcome to Top
Ten Tuesday! This week’s topic is books I want to reread (because I can’t stop
thinking about them). There are a lot of reasons why I reread books. Sometimes
I miss the characters and want to see them again. Other times, I fall in love
with the setting and want to be there. Or, the book discusses an interesting
topic, and I think I’ll retain more information if I read it again. Here are 10
books that have taken up residence in my mind and won’t leave. I can’t wait to
revisit them.
Books I Can’t
Stop Thinking About
Oryx And Crake by Margaret Atwood
Adult Dystopia / Science Fiction
Snowman, known
as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive
in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best
friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. In
search of answers, Snowman embarks on a journey–with the help of the green-eyed
Children of Crake–through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great
city, until powerful corporations took mankind on an uncontrolled genetic
engineering ride. Margaret Atwood projects us into a near future that is both
all too familiar and beyond our imagining.
Why I’m obsessed with it: This book is one of my longest-lived obsessions. I first
read it in college, when I was in my early 20s. I’ve reread it every few years
since then. That’s a decade of rereading this book! I love it because of Crake.
He’s my favorite fictional bad guy. He’s super-intelligent and has many
opportunities to use his intelligence to create good things, but . . . he
chooses a different path. If you like stories about complicated villains, check
this one out.
The Talented
Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Adult Suspense Fiction
Suave,
handsome Tom Ripley: a young striver, newly arrived in the heady world of
Manhattan in the 1950s. A product of a broken home, branded a "sissy"
by his dismissive Aunt Dottie, Ripley becomes enamored of the moneyed world of
his new friend, Dickie Greenleaf. This fondness turns obsessive when Ripley is
sent to Italy to bring back his libertine pal but grows enraged by Dickie's
ambivalent feelings for Marge, a charming American dilettante.
Why I’m obsessed with it: Another book with a complicated villain. That’s going to
become a theme of this list. I like evil characters because it takes a gifted
author to make them believable. The
Talented Mr. Ripley took a ton of skill to write. The plot is stunningly
intricate. Tom’s crimes are always on the verge of being exposed. The suspense
comes from watching him build a tangled web and then work frantically to keep
it from crashing down around him. It’s fun (and stressful) to read!
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
Adult Literary / Contemporary Fiction
Isma is free. After years of watching out for her younger siblings in the wake of their mother’s death, she’s accepted an invitation from a mentor in America that allows her to resume a dream long deferred. But she can’t stop worrying about Aneeka, her beautiful, headstrong sister back in London, or their brother, Parvaiz, who’s disappeared in pursuit of his own dream, to prove himself to the dark legacy of the jihadist father he never knew. When he resurfaces half a globe away, Isma’s worst fears are confirmed.
Then Eamonn enters the sisters’ lives. Son of a
powerful political figure, he has his own birthright to live up to—or defy. Is
he to be a chance at love? The means of Parvaiz’s salvation? Suddenly, two
families’ fates are inextricably, devastatingly entwined, in this searing novel
that asks: What sacrifices will we make in the name of love?
Why I’m obsessed with it: That ending. OMG. I did not see that coming, and now I want
to go back and find out if there were any hints. This is another book with
complicated bad guys. The story centers on three British Muslim siblings. The
brother runs away to become a jihadist like their father, but then he changes
his mind and wants to come home. Unfortunately, it’s not simple to escape from
a terrorist group and re-enter the UK without serious legal trouble. While he’s
running for his life, his two sisters befriend the son of a politician. Do the
sisters actually care about the son, or are they just using him to get their brother
home? You can’t trust any characters’ motives. The characters seem honest, but
are they? Who are they most loyal to? It’s delightfully complicated. Then the
ending happens . . . .
“The Masque Of The Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe
Adult Horror Short Story
The story
follows Prince Prospero's attempts to avoid a dangerous plague known as the Red
Death by hiding in his abbey. He, along with many other wealthy nobles, has a
masquerade ball within seven rooms of his abbey, each decorated with a
different color.
In the midst of their revelry, a mysterious
figure disguised as a Red Death victim enters and makes his way through each of
the rooms.
Why I’m obsessed with it: It turns out that “Covidiots” have been around for much
longer than COVID-19. Who knew? This short story was written in 1842 and stars
a castle full of rich idiots who throw a masquerade ball during a pandemic.
Their party ends badly because of the aforementioned pandemic. Whenever my
COVID-denying neighbors hosted a BBQ in 2020, this tale popped into my head. I
was tempted to chuck a copy of the story over the fence.
An American
Marriage by Tayari Jones
Adult Literary / Contemporary Fiction
Newlyweds,
Celestial and Roy, are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New
South. He is a young executive and she is artist on the brink of an exciting
career. They are settling into the routine of their life together, when they
are ripped apart by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested
and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit.
Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored,
taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding.
As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love that has
been her center. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and
he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.
Why I’m obsessed with it: The opening chapter. This is how you start a novel, people!
There’s so much foreboding. I was hooked instantly. This is another book where
the characters are somewhat awful, but you can’t look away from their
train-wreck lives. The husband and wife have affairs and make questionable
choices. Their family members have opinions about their marriage, and they
don’t keep those opinions to themselves. There’s so much drama. You hate
everybody, but you feel bad for them at the same time. Those are my favorite
kind of characters. Even though they’re awful, I miss them and want to read
their story again.
The Seven
Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Adult Historical Fiction
Aging and
reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth
about her glamorous and scandalous life.
When she chooses unknown magazine reporter
Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded
than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the
world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated.
Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is
determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment,
Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles
in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of
course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a
ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique
begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story
catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with
Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Why I’m obsessed with it: It lives up to the hype! The bookworm Internet has been
rabid about this book since it came out in 2017. I understand why. Evelyn Hugo
is an icon. She feels so real! I’ve talked to a few readers who Googled her
because they weren’t convinced she was fictional. They thought she might be a
real 1950s movie star. She’s definitely a product of the author’s imagination,
and she’s one of my favorite protagonists ever. She’s confident, cunning, and
will do anything to get what she wants. This novel is beautifully written and
full of twists and surprises. I want to reread it because I miss Evelyn and her
complicated love life.
An Absolutely
Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
Adult Science Fiction
The Carls just
appeared.
Roaming through New York City at three AM,
twenty-three-year-old April May stumbles across a giant sculpture. Delighted by
its appearance and craftsmanship—like a ten-foot-tall Transformer wearing a
suit of samurai armor—April and her best friend, Andy, make a video with it,
which Andy uploads to YouTube. The next day, April wakes up to a viral video
and a new life. News quickly spreads that there are Carls in dozens of cities
around the world—from Beijing to Buenos Aires—and April, as their first documentarian,
finds herself at the center of an intense international media spotlight.
Seizing the opportunity to make her mark on the
world, April now has to deal with the consequences her new particular brand of
fame has on her relationships, her safety, and her own identity. And all eyes
are on April to figure out not just what the Carls are, but what they want from
us.
Why I’m obsessed with it: It made me laugh and think. That’s the best kind of book! It
addresses the modern world’s problems in a humorous way. It’s about fame, the
media, Internet culture, and how people choose to see the world. Also, there
are robots named Carl, which is awesome. The mystery of the Carls is
compelling. The plot is a rollercoaster. I loved it. I need to reread it so I
can refresh my memory before picking up the sequel.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Young Adult Science Fiction / Dystopia
A world with
no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those
things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end
life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the
population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a
scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking
life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.
Why I’m obsessed with it: Neal Shusterman is one of my favorite authors, and Arc Of A
Scythe is one of my favorite series. The world is complex, the plot is fast
paced, and the books are full of gallows humor. I also like the parallels
between the scythedom and real-world governments. I may have laughed out loud
when the scythes were outraged about a potential ban on flamethrowers. Life’s
not worth living if you can’t own a flamethrower! I want to reread this book
because I’m craving something funny and immersive.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Adult Literary Fiction
Under the
influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric
misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living
that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But
when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from
obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last—inexorably—into evil.
Why I’m obsessed with it: The first time I read this book, my mind spun into a blank,
incoherent, screaming void. I’m pretty sure I spent a week on Twitter, yelling
at random strangers to read it. It captivated me because the plot is somehow
both outlandish and terrifyingly believable. The characters are young
psychopaths who use their money and status to get away with murder. The writing
and character development are so good that I need to read it again soon.
All The Birds,
Singing by Evie Wyld
Adult Literary Fiction
Jake Whyte is
living on her own in an old farmhouse on a craggy British island, a place of
ceaseless rains and battering winds. Her disobedient collie, Dog, and a flock
of sheep are her sole companions, which is how she wanted it to be. But every few
nights something—or someone—picks off one of the sheep and sets off a new deep
pulse of terror. There are foxes in the woods, a strange boy and a strange man,
rumors of an obscure, formidable beast. But there is also Jake's past—hidden
thousands of miles away and years ago, held in the silences about her family
and the scars that stripe her back—a past that threatens to break into the
present.
Why I’m obsessed with it: The setting! And the atmosphere! Part of this book is set in
Australia, which you usually picture as hot and bright, but the author makes dark
and menacing. The main character is hiding secrets, and a stranger is lurking
in the woods. I can’t wait to revisit this story. It’s creepily beautiful.
There’s also a lot going on under the surface. The author subtly subverts
traditional gender roles and uses animals as symbols for human
relationships. I suspect I’ll get more out of the book when I reread it. I
probably missed some interesting detail on the first read through.
Which book do you want to reread?
Oryx and Crake was such a good read.
ReplyDeleteMy post.
You've got me adding quite a few to my already long Tbr LIST.
ReplyDeleteEdgar Allan Poe is always a re-read. I have this very awesome pop-up book of The Raven, and I wish they'd do the same with some of his other stories!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
I've never read Oryx and Crake; must remedy that! And Evelyn Hugo has been floating on my tbr list for so long now! Thanks for the reminder. The concept of Evelyn Hugo reminds me of Daisy Jones and I loved that!
ReplyDeleteIf you want to check it out, this is my TTT.
I kind of want you to throw Poe stories at your neighbors. LOL I do love Poe, and I need to read more of his stuff - and re-read others, especially his mysteries!
ReplyDeleteI loved Scythe - I need to actually read the next two books though. hah
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I really enjoyed Scythe but I still need to read the rest of the series.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/top-ten-tuesday-292/
Evelyn Hugo was one of those characters who was so flawed and so fascinating... I loved reading about her.
ReplyDeleteThis kist should be retitled: Books You Must Read. I read The Secret History last summer in such an abridged form I am not sure if it counts. I should try again. I rarely reread books so this was a hard list for me to create. My TTT Books I want to read again list
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I finally read Scythe - it was amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have Oryx and Crake on my shelf, it is going to get boosted up my list!
ReplyDeleteI was completely taken by The Secret History and I'm constantly telling people to read it. I need to do that, too.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a lot of books over the years that I can't stop thinking about. The two most recent were Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo and Anxious People by Fredrik Backman.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is obsessed with Scythe. She thought the concept was incredible, and when she talks about it, she really gets deep. She got her book club, who would only read the likes of Reese's book club books to read it, and they loved it.
ReplyDelete"You hate everybody" haha that makes me totally want to read An American Marriage. I love books like that! TJR is an author I want to read more of as well.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these books, although I've been wanting to read Oryx and Crake. I loved reading your comments on why you couldn't stop thinking about these books.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah the ending of Home Fire ! OMG. gutted me. I've read Donna Tartt's book twice -- very sinister. And the atmosphere of the Crake novel did stay with me. I think I'd like to read Evie Wyld soon.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 of these books sitting on my shelf but I haven't read a single one of them. I need to get busy!
ReplyDeleteEvelyn Hugo is one of my most favorite characters ever. Like many, I also felt so connected to her, she was so real. Like Daisy Jones and the Six being loosely (and not so loosely) based on Fleetwood Mac I am also half-convinced that there is a real inspiration for her as well.
ReplyDeleteI remember we read Masque of The Red Death in high school and I was horrified...
ReplyDeleteThe Secret History is fantastic, I've re-read it a few times and am enchanted every time
ReplyDeleteAn American Marriage is on my TBR, and The Secret History, but I want to finish The Goldfinch first. đź“š
ReplyDeleteHi AJ! Great post! Believe it or not, but I haven't read anything by Margaret Atwood. Yet. I have quite a few of her books on my TBR but not the one you've shared. I am going to have a look now.
ReplyDeleteThe Secret History!!!!! I am getting mad just by typing here again. I was at school this morning and I wanted to take that book for the holidays. I KNOW we have it in our adult section in the library (that I run, so yes - I know ALL books) and it's GONE. Someone must have nicked it somewhere this year. I do hope the thief decides to bring it back, because I really want to read it and get obsessed with it.
Hope you had a good week!
Elza Reads
Interesting choices! I really enjoyed Scythe and think about it often too.
ReplyDeleteIs it a bit disturbing that I'm always rooting for Ripley?!
ReplyDeleteI have added Oryx and Crake to my wishlist, because why have I not already!? I know you always talk about it and it sounds completely like my kind of book! I also of course agree with Scythe (and anything by Neal Shusterman, of course!) I am also chuckling about how many "awful characters" you have become smitten with bwhahah.
ReplyDeleteI love it when people talk with passion about books they love! And I've added Scythe and An Absolute Remarkable Thing to my TBR:). Thank you - and I hope you enjoy the rereads, too!
ReplyDeleteI want to read them all !!!! Some were already on my TBR but I want to read them all. I'll have to stop sleeping, that's how I'll finally bring that TBR pile down to boot :/
ReplyDeleteAll the Birds, Singing sounds brilliant. Adding it to my ever-growing pile of books that I'll get around to one day.
ReplyDeleteI read my first Margaret Atwood book this year (The Handmaid’s Tale, of course) and I thought it was really interesting, so I might need to pick up Oryx and Crake sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteI would love to reread Evelyn Hugo someday too. It’s so good!
I don’t think I have heard of All the Birds, Singing before, but your reasons for being obsessed with it make me want to pick it up soon!
Great post :D