This Tuesday's theme is...
How do you know a book is your favorite of the year, the book that topped all the other books and gets the gold medal? I can read a number of five star books that I loved, or even books with lower ratings that I still loved, but that doesn't necessarily make them a top read. (Though I think my top read always gets five stars.) But to know a book is my number one of the year--well, I just know. I don't remember if I had it for Tiger Lily since I read it so long ago and I was still new to blogging and ranking books, but I just knew when I read Fangirl and The Impossible Knife of Memory, and I read that last one at the beginning of the year. This year, I haven't had that feeling toward any books, but I'm hoping my top book pops up soon because HELLO 2015 IS ALMOST OVER. So for this week's Top Ten Tuesday, instead of just saying what my favorite reads of the year are, I'm mentioning ten books I was a fan of and that I feel could be considered underrated. In other words: read them!
A Magic Dark and Bright: A story centered around a ghostly tale with an excellent romance and that was such fun to read.
Never Never: Peter Pan from the point of view of Captain Hook, WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? (Oh, and there's a ship. My gosh, there's a ship.)
Wendy Darling: Stars: Another Peter Pan retelling, but from the point of view of Wendy. I had an overload of feels less than ten percent in. And we get to see a more Hook-ish side to Peter and the Lost Boys (or their world, at least), so YES.
All In: The third installment in this fantastic, hideously underrated series that's like Criminal Minds but better. (And I know everyone's been raging about Barnes's The Fixer, but this is even better. I promise.)
The Dead House: I really, really liked how this was told through a variety of documents, and also, it was freaky and it has pictures.
The Masked Truth: That is how you write a thriller and push things over the cliff instead of stopping the story right at the edge.
Damage Done: Panitch could be the Queen of YA Thrillers if she keeps writing like this because how did she do that.
How to Outfox Your Friends When You Don't Have a Clue: This is the third book in the My Life Is a Zoo series, and oh my gosh, it is so fun and adorkable and it has animal facts and I love it.
The Pirate Code: Oh look! Another book based on Peter Pan! But this one's about Captain Hook's daughter and it does so many things well and, yes, there is a ship (yes, pirate ships, too).
The Water and the Wild: Why hasn't everyone read this? It is so fantasmical and I love the world (kind of a mashup of Wonderland and Neverland) and the characters (#FifeandtheNortherliesFTMFW) and the writing (so good). Plus, that cover ain't too shabby to look at.
What are your favorite underrated books of the year?
A Magic Dark and Bright: A story centered around a ghostly tale with an excellent romance and that was such fun to read.
Never Never: Peter Pan from the point of view of Captain Hook, WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW? (Oh, and there's a ship. My gosh, there's a ship.)
Wendy Darling: Stars: Another Peter Pan retelling, but from the point of view of Wendy. I had an overload of feels less than ten percent in. And we get to see a more Hook-ish side to Peter and the Lost Boys (or their world, at least), so YES.
All In: The third installment in this fantastic, hideously underrated series that's like Criminal Minds but better. (And I know everyone's been raging about Barnes's The Fixer, but this is even better. I promise.)
The Dead House: I really, really liked how this was told through a variety of documents, and also, it was freaky and it has pictures.
The Masked Truth: That is how you write a thriller and push things over the cliff instead of stopping the story right at the edge.
Damage Done: Panitch could be the Queen of YA Thrillers if she keeps writing like this because how did she do that.
How to Outfox Your Friends When You Don't Have a Clue: This is the third book in the My Life Is a Zoo series, and oh my gosh, it is so fun and adorkable and it has animal facts and I love it.
The Pirate Code: Oh look! Another book based on Peter Pan! But this one's about Captain Hook's daughter and it does so many things well and, yes, there is a ship (yes, pirate ships, too).
The Water and the Wild: Why hasn't everyone read this? It is so fantasmical and I love the world (kind of a mashup of Wonderland and Neverland) and the characters (#FifeandtheNortherliesFTMFW) and the writing (so good). Plus, that cover ain't too shabby to look at.
I do love to read underrated books. I have Damage Done coming up soon, so I'm pleased to see it on your list! :-)
ReplyDeleteNever Never was pretty amazing. I loved seeing Hook's view. I am looking forward to A Magic Dark and Bright since I think my library got it in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your list!
Amanda
Ah! Thank you so much for including OUTFOX! Have an amazing holiday, Rachel! :D
ReplyDeleteAll In..... I'm intrigued. The Masked Truth, adding to TBR list. Happy Holidays
ReplyDeleteI love that you did it this way! I loved The Dead House and still need to read All In (plus all of The Naturals series) but I've heard good thing. Great list!
ReplyDeleteCassi @ My Thoughts Literally
I haven't read any of these, but many of them are on my TBR list, like The Dead House, Never Never, and The Masked Truth. I'll be adding the others to my TBR now too! Thanks! Here's my TTT. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteAll of these new Peter Pan retellings and spin-offs have been catching my eye all year, but I'm TERRIFIED to read them as Peter Pan is my all-time favorite story. I'm glad to see you enjoyed these ones, I'll have to give them a try! Never, Never sounds great.
ReplyDeleteMallory @ The Local Muse
There is Never Never again! I really need to read that book :)
ReplyDeleteHere is my TTT!
Nice list of books in your post this week!!
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to my Top Ten Tuesday post for this week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2015/12/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-best-books-i.html
I have read none of these lol - more for my TBR pile ;) My TTT
ReplyDeleteI really liked Damage Done too. Loved the twist. I have Wendy Darling for review, but wasn't sure if I was going to get to it. I just may have to give it a go after all.
ReplyDeleteI'm so curious about The Masked Truth! Maybe I'll pick up a copy for myself at Christmas :)
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Glad to see The Dead House made your list! It was great. :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out my TTT and my current giveaway.
I need to read The Naturals series! I only have the first one right now so that's why I put it off, but it sounds like such a wonderful series :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you switched up this week's topic! I really want to read The Masked Truth! Soon. I may have to check out some of these others on your list as well. I hope you have that IT book soon. :)
ReplyDeleteI have read zero books from your list. FAIL. I've been really meaning to read the masked truth though! Making it a priority in 2016 for sure.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE how you twisted the topic! Sure it's great hearing about everyone's faves, but I personally love learning about under-the-radar books I NEED to read. And I want to read SO many of these! The Masked Truth, The Dead House, Damage Done, A Magic Dark and Bright, Never Never, and Wendy Darling. And Jennifer Barnes' Naturals series especially after reading and LOVING The Fixer. So pretty much all of these. Haha. So much Peter Pan goodness.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you did this list! Such a great idea, and especially nice to add some books to the TBR ;) I am so excited to read The Masked Truth, Dead House, and A Magic Dark and Bright, and Damage Done- and I own all but the first one! Glad to see that you liked Wendy Darling and Never Never, I hadn't heard much about them but I have been curious. Fabulous choices, and I really hope you find that special book of 2015!
ReplyDeleteShannon @ It Starts At Midnight