Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Loved That No One Talks About


      
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book blog meme now hosted by Jana over at The Artsy Reader Girl!

This week's topic is: Hidden Gems

I have so many hidden gem types of books that I may ending making a follow-up post to this one with even more! But for now, here are ten books that I really enjoyed reading, but that I rarely see people mention. Be sure to let me know if you've read any of these!

The World of Tomorrow by Brendan Mathews
I have absolutely no idea how to summarize this book, so here's a brief snippet from the summary: "June 1939. Francis Dempsey and his shell-shocked brother, Michael, are on an ocean liner from Ireland bound for their brother Martin's home in New York City, having stolen a small fortune from the IRA. During the week that follows, the lives of these three brothers collide spectacularly with big-band jazz musicians, a talented but fragile heiress, a Jewish street photographer facing a return to Nazi-occupied Prague, a vengeful mob boss, and the ghosts of their own family's revolutionary past.Review
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository



Lost Boy by Christina Henry
I love retellings and stories inspired by classic stories and fairytales, so Lost Boy was one that really hit the spot for me. Lost Boy is a Peter Pan-inpisred story told from Hook's point of view--from the synopsis: "There is one version of my story that everyone knows. And then there is the truth. This is how it happened. How I went from being Peter Pan’s first—and favorite—lost boy to his greatest enemy.Review
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository




Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates
If you like The Secret History or other dark school-themed books of that nature, then Black Chalk is a must-read. I have no idea why more people aren't reading this one!
"It was only ever meant to be a game played by six best friends in their first year at Oxford University; a game of consequences, silly forfeits, and childish dares. But then the game changed: The stakes grew higher and the dares more personal and more humiliating, finally evolving into a vicious struggle with unpredictable and tragic results. Now, fourteen years later, the remaining players must meet again for the final round. Who knows better than your best friends what would break you?"  Supposedly the premise of this is based off of the authior's own experiences at Oxford, also! Review
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository



The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
This is one of my favorite books of all time and I still don't know why everyone is sleeping on this book. It's fairytale themed! And dark! And heartbreaking and beautiful!
"High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother. He is angry and alone, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness, and as he takes refuge in his imagination, he finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a land that is a strange reflection of his own world, populated by heroes and monsters, and ruled over by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book..."
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository




Master Assassins by Robert V.S. Redick
I feel like I have personally raved about this book a lot on my blog, but I still do not see other people talking about it, so here we are. The full synopsis is far too long, so here's a brief (really, really brief) sentence about it: "Two village boys mistaken for assassins become the decisive figures in the battle for a continent in the thrilling new desert-based epic fantasy."  Review
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository




The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale
I don't think I've seen anyone talk about this book and I just can't understand why. It is coming out in paperback this September and it would be a perfect winter/holiday read, so I'm not saying you should pick it up for that, but I'm not saying you shouldn't, either.
"It is 1917, and while war wages across Europe, in the heart of London, there is a place of hope and enchantment. The Emporium sells toys that capture the imagination of children and adults alike: patchwork dogs that seem alive, toy boxes that are bigger on the inside, soldiers that can fight battles of their own. Into this family business comes young Cathy Wray, running away from a shameful past. The Emporium takes her in, makes her one of its own. But Cathy is about to discover that the Emporium has secrets of its own." Review
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository


A Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne
Kevin Hearne is most widely known for his Iron Druid books, but I'm here to tell you that you should also be checking out his latest series, Seven Kennings. It has a fascinating magic system with awesome characters, "complete with shape-shifting bards, fire-wielding giants, and children who can speak to astonishing beasts." Review

Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository




The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart
You may have heard of the incredible Mysterious Benedict Society middle grade series, but you may not have seen Stewart's most recent release, The Secret Keepers, mentioned much. It's another beautiful, exciting, and wonderful story--it came out two years ago now and I desperately need more from Stewart.
"When Reuben discovers an extraordinary antique watch with a secret power, his life takes an intriguing turn. As one secret leads to another, Reuben finds himself torn between his honest nature and the lure to be a hero. Now he is on a dangerous adventure--full of curious characters, treacherous traps, and hairsbreadth escapes--as he races to solve the mystery before it is too late. With fearless Penny, mighty Jack, and the wise Mrs. Genevieve on his side, can Reuben outwit a sly villain called The Smoke and save the city from a terrible fate?Review
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository



I Love You Too Much by Alicia Drake
I understand that not everyone likes to have their hearts ripped out, but if you do like that then I think you need to make your way to this book right here. I don't see it mentioned, but it was just beautiful. And it made me cry almost the entire time I read it. (FYI: I rarely ever cry while reading.) 
"In the sixth arrondissement everything is perfect and everyone is lonely. This is the Paris of thirteen-year-old Paul. Shy and unloved, he quietly observes the lives of the self-involved grown-ups around him: his glamorous Maman, Séverine, her younger musician lover, Gabriel, and his fitness-obsessed Papa, Philippe. Always overlooked, it's only a matter of time before Paul witnesses something that he's not supposed to see... Seeking solace in an unlikely friendship with rebellious classmate Scarlett and succumbing to the temptation of the numerous patisseries in his elegant neighborhood, Paul searches for unconditional love. But what will he do if he can't find it?" Review
Buy the book: Amazon | Book Depository



The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr
This is a really under the radar middle grade that I thought was the sweetest, most beautiful little book I've read in a while. It was surprisingly heartbreaking, but endlessly wonderful.
"Grisha is a dragon in a world that's forgotten how to see him. Maggie is a unusual child who thinks she's perfectly ordinary. They're an unlikely duo—but magic, like friendship, is funny. Sometimes it chooses those who might not look so likely. And magic has chosen Grisha and Maggie to solve the darkest mystery in Vienna. Decades ago, when World War II broke out, someone decided that there were too many dragons for all of them to be free. As they investigate, Grisha and Maggie ask the question everyone's forgotten: Where have the missing dragons gone? And is there a way to save them?"  Review
Buy the book: Amazon 

Have you read any of these? What books would you add to this list?

13 comments:

  1. Oh, I've heard of Secretkeepers, but I still haven't read it yet.
    I'm adding Lost Boy to my TBR!!
    One of my favorite under-the-radar books is The Language Inside, by Holly Thompson. It's contemporary YA told in a poetry format.

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    1. Ooh awesome, I hope you have a chance to read it! The Language Inside sounds really interesting and I've never heard of it, so I think I'll have to check it out.

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  2. Most of these sound awesome, especially Black Chalk. The Secret History is one of my favorite books.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Same here! I found it to be a really interesting book with that same sort of school-/close friend group-premise, so I always recommend it for fans of The Secret History.

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  3. Both Secret keepers and the Book of Lost Things were books I planned to read.. still not gotten to them , now inspired once again

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    1. Oh wonderful, I hope you have a chance to pick them up and enjoy them! Both are such great books.

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  4. I had the same thing- as I was putting my list together I could have kept going! Black chalk definitely sounds like something I'd like- after all, boarding school and secrets??- and Master Assassins sounds cool. A Plague of Giants too.

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    1. There are just too many great books out there! Black Chalk is an interesting one for sure.

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  5. I remember how much you enjoyed The Toymakers, and I'm still obsessed with that cover! I'll have to check that one out!

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    1. Same here, it's really a stunning cover and I think it reflects the story well. I hope you have a chance to (and that you enjoy it)!

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  6. I have never heard of any of these. But they are on the list of books I'll be ordering next. And I'll remember to thank you if I fall in love. These are exactly my kind of books. 😍😍

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  7. I've heard a few bloggers talk about The Toy Makers, and you've reminded me that I need to find a copy😊

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  8. I just read and loved The Mermaid by Christina Henry so I'm definitely game to try another of her books. I'll have to check out Lost Boy.

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