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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This is probably the most repeated item on my Top Ten lists, but it deserves it so much. Probably the first non-contemporary, non-historical book I read. The Hunger Games was my true gateway book.
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
My first fantasy and the first book I read to review. Basically, the gateway to my blogging.
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Somewhat of my gateway to New Adult. So this is my first and only New Adult I've read.
IT'S ALLY CARTER! Not only did she write my favorite series, the Gallagher Girls, but she was my first ever author event.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
I credit this book for getting me out of my fuzzy slump period. Before it came along, I wandered from book to book, not really getting anything to truly stick.
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
After I listed this, I realized I did read and enjoy Tamara Island Stone's Time Between Us, but this book seems like a whole different kind of time travel. BLEW MY MIND. My gateway to...time travel? The book that dominated my End of the Year Bookish Survey?
Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
I knew before reading this that main characters should have flaws. I knew before that they can be unlikable. But I've always had high expectations of my MCs and probably still will. However, this is the book I remember reading and realizing that hey, I don't like the MC, but I still really like the story.
The Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce
Thanks to Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness series, it revamped fantasy for me and made a week of work bearable. Bless you, Pierce.
Forever Princess by Meg Cabot
My ultimate anti-slump book. If anything, I read my favorite Michael parts and—badabing!—I love reading again.
The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
The book that I credit to getting me to really love dual POVs from each gender. Also, it's by Stacey Kade who wrote the first ARC I ever got.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
HELLO, EMOTIONS. Not only did it bring out more emotions while reading than I ever experienced before (Mockingjay aside), but it was the first book I ever read by a male author and LOVED. Possibly the first book I ever read by a male author period.
What books, authors, events, etc. have helped your reading journey?
What an interesting point about being able to enjoy a book but not liking the main character. I haven't read Side Effects May Vary yet but I felt that way about Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield. I actually read the whole series of three books even though I never connected with or really liked the main character.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of Aftertime, but I'll have to check it out now!
DeleteHunger Games yes. Such a gateway for me too. Whoa? First and only NA read? I've yet to read Fangirl, but it looks so alluring on my shelf yeeesshh. Yay for Ally Carter and your first author event. Haven't read her books yet *hides in shame* but I do love the sound of them ;) I think the "hey, I don't like the MC, but I still really like the story." thing is what happened to most people with this book :D Great picks, Summer! ;)
ReplyDeleteREAD THEM SIIRI
DeleteI just started the The Song of the Lioness series and am already a fan! Fangirl is so great nad is what New Adult should be, but isn't really.
ReplyDeleteOh, that makes me so happy! It's a favorite series of mine now :)
DeleteALLY CARTER! Ahh, she is on my list, too! :) I have not read that Tamora Pierce series, but I have read the first three in her Wild Magic series and love them! Need to try that one eventually! And I need to read a Meg Cabot book! (I have read one of her MG books, but I need to read her YA books, too!) I haven't read any of the other authors on your list, probably need to, don't I? :)
ReplyDeleteYOU DO. Alanna is wonderful. You...you haven't read Cabot's books? Oh my gosh.
DeleteThe Hunger Games is one of mine as well (probably is a lot of people's....)
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking for another good New Adult, try Easy or Waiting for You. :)
I've heard of Easy! I'll look into it.
DeleteCruel Beauty and Seraphina, both are amazing and were debut novels. It is amazing how truly spectacular they are for debut novels.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI've only read one book by Tamora Pierce but I have to agree she has a way with fantasy. So amazing. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more by her. Agree with all your other picks and the reasons for adding them would be the same for me too :) With the exception of The Ghost and the Goth, because I haven't read it.
ReplyDeleteWhich one did you read? Obviously, I say you need to read Alanna's series ;)
DeleteIt's evident every one of these gateway books has a special place in your heart, Summer. I loved your choices and your explanations. :)
ReplyDeleteDivergent and The Hunger Games are pretty important to me. I read them at around the same time about 2 years ago. Divergent came first, but both are responsible for my re-introduction to YA lit, and I haven't been the same since. ;)
Oh, and Fangirl is going to be my first New Adult novel as well! (I'm 8 pages into it). Are we cool or are we cool? ;) Also, I'm always going to remember Side Effects May Vary! lol There's just something about Alice... and Murphy's writing? She's just so talented!
Great picks!
Marlene @ The Flyleaf Review
Oh, Divergent, yes. I read it after HG though, but it still continued my dystopian love. WE'RE COOL. I hope you like it as much as I did!
DeleteI love The Ghost and the Goth series. I never reread, but that is actually one that I would because it was so much fun. I wish it was longer than 3 books!! I would like to read Side Effects May Vary. I like unlikable characters (remember I'm the only person ever to like Tease LOL), so I think I might be into that book. Great List (I will read The Hunger Games one of these days!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by My TTT
Ahhh I'm so so happy to see Fangirl and All Our Yesterdays on your list, seriously how amazing were those books? Also *high five* for having a Princess Diaries book on your list, you know how much I love this series too, I definitely need a re-read soon and more Michael! Brilliant list! :)
ReplyDeleteVERY. I was thinking about a reread just the other day as well!
DeleteAck, I still need to read those Tamora Pierce books! Oh, and I never really thought about it, but I definitely read a ton more by female authors than male. But those I've really, REALLY loved have been a good mixture of both, including John Green's books. I love that Fangirl and All Our Yesterdays were important gateway books for you, too. Fangirl is probably the best first new adult to read because it doesn't read like your typical new adult, though it will probably ruin you for all others in that genre, except maybe One & Only by Viv Daniels (Diana Peterfreund's pseudonym). And All Our Yesterdays makes all that timey wimey stuff sooo much fun. I can't wait for that sequel! Great list!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great Top Ten Tuesday topic, and I loved reading the reasons behind each of your selections! A good book is even better when it holds some kind of personal importance. :)
ReplyDeleteMeg Cabot is my ultimate gateway author, as The Princess Diaries was the first YA book I ever read, so it makes me smile to see her on this list. To me, she also represents the freedom I have to read pretty much whatever I want. I started The Princess Diaries when I was about eight, and when I was about halfway through the series when my dad decided the plot was "inappropriate" and confiscated the one I was reading. But then, after many long years of waiting, I found the rest of the books in my junior high's library and, in the greatest act of teenage rebellion I have ever committed, finished the series without his knowledge. (*laughs diabolically*) Anyway, my dad is more hands-off now, but I still remember this ordeal whenever I read a Meg Cabot book. I have a very deep, very one-sided relationship with the author, haha.
Long/boring story aside, this list definitely let me get to know you better as a reader! I love hearing about people's personal experiences with books - I should probably talk about mine more on my blog, rather than trying to be too formal.