If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking. – Haruki Murakami
The Broke and the Bookish‘s Top Ten Tuesday today is Top Ten Books I’ve Recently Added To My TBR.
I’ll be quick (’cause I have a client meeting today! :D)
Treat this as my very first update for Pop Sugar’s 2016 Reading Challenge.
Here they are…
1. A book based on fairytale – The Crown (The Selection, #5) by Kiera Cass
Twenty years have passed since the events of The One, and America and Maxon’s daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Princess Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.
(I am not fan of The Heir, but I will still read this book because I want to finish the entire series. :))
2. A National Book Award winner – Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson
In post-Katrina Louisiana, a young man and his new girlfriend search for the mother of his son. In Palo Alto, a computer programmer whose wife has a rare disease finds solace in a digital copy of the recently assassinated President. In contemporary Berlin a former Stasi agent ponders his past.
And in “”Interesting Facts”, a woman with cancer rages against the idea of her family without her.
Hugely inventive and endlessly energetic, this is a heart wrenching, surprising collection of stories that show Johnson at the top of his form.
3. A book translated to English – Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Toru, a quiet and preternaturally serious young college student in Tokyo, is devoted to Naoko, a beautiful and introspective young woman, but their mutual passion is marked by the tragic death of their best friend years before. Toru begins to adapt to campus life and the loneliness and isolation he faces there, but Naoko finds the pressures and responsibilities of life unbearable. As she retreats further into her own world, Toru finds himself reaching out to others and drawn to a fiercely independent and sexually liberated young woman.
4. A book set in Europe – After You (Me Before You, #2) by Jojo Moyes
After You is the sequel to the beloved New York Times million-copy bestseller, Me Before You.
5. A book that’s under 150 pages – The Possession by Annie Ernaux
Self-regard, in the works of Annie Ernaux, is always an excruciatingly painful and exact process. Here, she revisits the peculiar kind of self-fulfillment possible when we examine ourselves in the aftermath of a love affair, and sometimes, even, through the eyes of the lost beloved.
6. A New York Times bestseller – The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah takes her talented pen to the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France–a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.
7. A book that’s becoming a movie this year – The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?
8. A dystopian novel – More Than This by Patrick Ness
A boy drowns, desperate and alone in his final moments. He dies.
Then he wakes, naked and bruised and thirsty, but alive.
How can this be? And what is this strange deserted place?
As he struggles to understand what is happening, the boy dares to hope. Might this not be the end? Might there be more to this life, or perhaps this afterlife?
( I quit reading YA dystopia last year, but now I am giving it another try. Let’s see…)
9. A book of poetry – Love & Misadventure by Lang Leav
Beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully conceived, Love and Misadventure will take you on a rollercoaster ride through an ill-fated love affair- from the initial butterflies to the soaring heights- through to the devastating plunge. Lang Leav has an unnerving ability to see inside the hearts and minds of her readers. Her talent for translating complex emotions with astonishing simplicity has won her a cult following of devoted fans from all over the world.
(I posted on my Facebook that this is the book that I want for my birthday this week. 😀 I hope someone heard me! :D)
10. An autobiography – When A Good God Allows Rape by Joy Tan Chi – Mendoza
What Satan meant for harm, God meant for good. God’s grace transformed pain, emotional distress, and suffering into a vibrant, purposeful, and rich life. Refusing to hide behind the dark memories that wanted to hold her captive, Joy Tan-Chi Mendoza shares her story, helping her readers towards strength, encouragement, and the healing of sexual trauma and abuse.
(I got goosebumps when I heard of this courageous and inspiring story. My friend and workmate, Shie, will share me a copy and I am excited to know how will this book move me.)
—
That will be all!
What are the newest addition to your TBR?
Let me know! 😀
❤
~
Norwegian Wood. YASS! YASS! YASS! 🙂
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Hi Giselle! 😀 How are you??? 😀
Have you read Norwegian Wood na? 🙂 Is it awesome!?
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Ay nakoo.. Promise… Super ganda! Gustong kong basahin ulit! It was my first Murakami book but it did not disappoint. Simple lang yung plot pero ang writing style nakakadala. Kaya naexcite ako nung nakita ko sa TBR pile mo. Ikaw baka may marerecommend ka na book sakin?? (any genre) ! I think we both have similar tastes. 🙂 Here’s my full booktalk just in case: https://hardworkboulevard.wordpress.com/2015/11/04/norwegian-wood-by-haruki-murakami-book-review/
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YAY! You made it sound so great! 😀 Sana nga maganda! 😀
I think so too! Ang daming familiar books dun sa wrap-up mo na sobrang love ko din! 😀 Hmmm… ito yung best reads ko last year. 😀
https://areadingwritr.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/best-read-books-of-2015/
Baka may mapulot ka dyan. Though I can sense na nabasa mo na silang lahat? HAHA
Thanks, Gi!
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Oh wow your TBR is full of heavy books! Good luck with them! My TBR (TBL – because they’re audio books?) Includes a lot of lectures by the teaching company and oh Red Rising because I promised my workmates I’d read it.
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YAY! I love the TBL! 😀
Thank you, Mel! Heavy books, yes, I guess. 😀
Good luck on your TBL! 😀 I hope you’ll have a great time with Red Rising, too!
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Have you read Red Rising? Thank you
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I haven’t but I have heard about it for so many times! 😀 It has a lot of positive reviews! 🙂
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Yeah that’s what I have heard. The 3rd book comes out soon. My coworkers are psyched. I still need to read the first book.
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Yes. I heard it’s a great series. 😀 I would love to know your thoughts!
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You’re welcome to them when I read them 🙂
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Yay! 🙂
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😀
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I want to read More Than This so badly!! And I’m super excited for The Girl on the Train movie! I guess I better read the book before it comes out 🙂 great list 🙂
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YAY! I think I’ll be reading the book, too, before the movie! 😀 And of course, books will always be better than movies! 😀
Thank you for reading, Amy!
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Of course 😉
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😀
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I’ve never heard of Love & Misadventure! Sounds great!
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I think it is great! 🙂 Thank you for reading! 🙂
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The Girl on the Train was so good! Happy reading! 🙂
Check out my TTT and Music Monday.
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YAY! I bet it is! 🙂 Will you watch the movie? 😀
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I’m interested in reading a book of poetry =)
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Yay! Let’s check out Lang Leav? I heard she’s really great!
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I am intrigued to see what The Girl On The Train movie is like. Good luck with the 2016 challenge!
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Have you read the book? Is it good? 🙂
Thank you for reading and for leaving your lovely thoughts! 🙂
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You’re welcome! ❤ I have read the book, it didn't grip me as much as I wanted to, but I think it will work really well as a movie.
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😀
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So many people have either read or want to read Murakami that I want to try one of his books just to see what he’s all about.
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I’ve read only one and it was good. 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy Murakami’s works, too!
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Is ME AFTER YOU set in Europe? YAY! I will also pick it up for the Popsugar RC 2016. Good Luck and Happy Reading!
My TTT
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Hi Ria! I am not sure about Me After You. After You is somehow set in Europe because Lou went to London? after the sad ending of Me After You. 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting, Ria!
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The Crown! After You! The Girl on the Train! So many books that I absolutely must get to soon. I have such a weird love/hate relationship with The Selection series, that I’m glad it’s finally ending. My TTT.
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YAY! I hope we’ll enjoy those books right?
I can relate with your feelings for The Selection. The first three books are great but the fourth is a bit annoying. 🙂
Thank you for dropping by, Grace!
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Well good, I thought I was the only person in the world who hadn’t read Girl on a Train! Here’s my TTT – https://booksaremyfavouriteandbest.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/top-ten-books-ive-recently-added-to-my-tbr/
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No you aren’t, Kate! 😀 Thank you for dropping by!
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Great list! Hope you enjoy Norwegian Wood 🙂
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YAY! I hope so too! 🙂 Have you read it?
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Not yet. It’s a love story so I’m kind of hesitating to pick it up xD the Murakami books I’ve read are Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki, 1Q84, After Dark, Kafka on the Shore, and Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman 🙂
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Oooh! That’ll surely be noted! I’ve read Colorless and it is indeed good. 🙂
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Hi, I really enjoy Haruki Murakami’s books. I’ll have to add this one to my list. 🙂
My TTT
Leslie
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Hi Leslie! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Heading to your list now! 😀
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I just reread The Selection because I really want to finish that series too. I heard people were really disappointed with The Heir though so I’m a little turned off.
My TTT
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Yes, The Heir is really disappointing. But I will finish this series, too because I do love the first three books. 🙂
Thank you for dropping by!
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Great choices. You are much farther along then I. I’m still on my first book. I’m stuck lol.
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REally? This is just a list, Mandi. I haven’t read any of these yet! HAHA. And I’m only at my third book! 😀
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Wow. You are still ahead of me and you work all day too! I’m looking to finish the one I’m on this week and start a second that is s bit more exciting. 🙂 Good planning though, Im jealous. I try to narrow it down and I want to read them all. Goodluck I will keep you posted.
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Hmm. I try to read every night, eh? 🙂 I think I’ve read four now because the books are great. Bad books took me a month to finish! HAHA
Good luck, Mandi! Let’s compare our book list sometimes. 🙂
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Haha. You have way more planned then I do. I’m reading something for fun right now. Started it last nigh. Maybe it will fit into a category maybe not. You are right, a little reading every night is good. Plus, I think it will help I was able to save enough to get my new iPad this week. It is much faster with more memory for books 🙂 it will be great for reading on as I do must of my reading on iBooks or kobo 🙂 Thanks Rosema.
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OOHH! That will definitely be more fun, Mandi! 😀 Just enjoy reading, that’s the charm of doing so. 🙂
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I love Patrick Ness. I wasn’t a big fan of More Than This, but he’s a fine writer.
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Oooh. For you, what’s the best Patrick Ness book? 🙂
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I love his Chaos Walking trilogy. A Monster Calls is also really good.
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Oh, I heard great things about those books, too!
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You’ve given me a few things to add to my reading list here, thanks! xx
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YAY! Glad to hear that! 😀
What are the books from my list that you would want to read? 🙂
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I actually just ordered The Nightingale last night!!
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WOW! That’s awesome! 😀
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I really want to read The Nightingale too! My TTT
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I heard it is really great. 🙂 Thank you!
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