Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Dealing with Tough Topics

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
Toughie books. Issue books. Problem books. Whatever you want to call them, I guarantee, all of us have read at least one. They aren't some of my favorite when they are BIG issue books. The following list isn't a complete ten, but they deal with various tough topics. 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Issue: Death

The girl has a happy family until one day, they all get in a car wreck and the teenage daughter is the only survivor. Without even reading the book, you know it will be heart wrenching. In one second, she loses her whole family. That's bad. 

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Issue: Death/Cancer

The poor girl not only finds out that her father has a very soon end date, but also that she has to go face her former best friend and boyfriend. Parental/familial deaths get me every time.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Issue: Death/Cancer

Another death and cancer book, but still so different. The families are great, the characters are great, the writing is wonderful. If you remain stoic throughout this whole book, you have no soul. It's hilarious and sad. 


Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Issue: Eating disorder

While it doesn't go too in depth, it deals with how an eating disorder touches the whole family. The main character's sister gets an eating disorder, moves back home, and the protagonist doesn't know how to deal with it all. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Issue: War

Of course, what always comes with war? Death. The narrator is even Death himself! Powerful. Great. Amazing word-usage. Emotional. 

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Issue: Violence...and death 

It's a dystopian world where 24 kids are sent into an arena to fight to the death. There's romance, violence, death, friendships, family. The first one was feeeeel-worthy, the second one was great, but the third? Once you get past the slow beginning...prepare to bawl your eyes out.

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones
Issue: Eating disorder, depression (of sorts)

After her brother died, Finley decided that the only way to finish her musical piece and to get over any grief, she had to go on a trip that retraced her brother's steps in Ireland. There, she meets a movie star, develops an eating disorder, feels depressed, has insecurity problems...but the novel isn't dark. I don't know how to describe it, but it's one of my favorites.

Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson
Issue: Kidnapping

Before you look it up and go, "Sunny, this is an ADULT book!" Listen to me. Adult books aren't from the devil and this deals with dark things so I couldn't resist putting it up here. Sara and her sister Kim were kidnapped. Only one lived. Now Sara is in witness protection program and has to deal with flashbacks. I get creeped out every time. 

I know that there are more out there...but I can't think of any that I truly enjoyed. I'll probably hit my head a couple times when I read other bloggers' lists. But for me, this is it. What are some books that you like that dealt with issues? 

28 comments:

  1. Oooh, I've actually read most of these and I loved all of those! Wheeee! My number one favorite dark read is Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick. So good. So heart-destroying.

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    1. Ooh, I'll definitely have to check that one out then!

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  2. Great picks. I've read several of them and just picked up JUST LISTEN from the library the other day. TFIOS and THE BOOK THIEF are two of my favorite books of all time because, although they deal with tough topics, they're also beautiful and affecting and just great stories.

    Happy TTT!

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  3. I like adult books too! I put at least one in my TTT this week! Great list. I agree with all the ones I've read, which is everything but Second Chance Summer and the last one. You know There You'll Find Me is one of my favorites! Great list.

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    1. You NEED to, Lauren! Read the last two. Please.

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  4. I Like Just Listen as well, because that novel deals with a lot of issues besides the eating disorder.

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  5. I love how you put what the issue is so definitively, hah. ISSUE: DEATH. (hee hee.)

    I loved If I Stay, and I still need to read The Book Thief! Everyone raves, which is partly the problem--I fear the pitchfork gang will come after me if I don't. :) Great list!


    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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    1. Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed that ;)

      Thank you!

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  6. Just Listen doesn't just touch on eating disorders, though. It also discusses rape, sexual assuaul, bullying, ending of friendship, and loneliness in a crowd of people.

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  7. The Fault in Our Stars and The Book Thief are on my list also. If I Stay in on my eventual to read list and Just Listen is on my TBR for this month.

    My TTT: http://rachaelc94.blogspot.com/2013/05/top-ten-hard-books.html

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  8. I LOVE Dee Henderson's books. Especially the O'Malley series.

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  9. If I Stay was amazing as was Just Listen, which also dealt with the subject of rape. It's my favorite Sarah Dessen to date. Although, I still need to read Along for the Ride and the Moon and More. Great choices, Sunny. :)

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  10. TFIOS and THG are two of my favourite books!!!! I seem to be drawn to sad or tough books, I don't know why I just find them intresting. Great Choices :)

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    1. Thank you! You should have done this topic then!

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  11. This is one heck of a brilliant list Sunny! I adore books which deal with tough issues, especially when however they leave you as such an emotional wreck! I adored The Book Thief and If I Stay and I started Just Listen yesterday and I already love it. I will have to check out some of the other books you've mentioned too! :)

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  12. Danger in the Shadows!!! I LOVE that book. So fantastic.

    TFioS and If I Stay made my list as well. Both great books that should be read by all!

    Great list.

    Ems
    My Top Ten

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    1. I wondered if you would comment about that ;)

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  13. I like that you said "Adult books aren't from the devil" Hee hee.

    There You'll Find Me, The Book Thief, and Second Chance Summer are a few I'm interested in reading. Loved If I Stay.

    These issue books are so great to inspire conversations, and are some of my favorite reads. Thanks for sharing your recs!

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    1. :)

      Ooh read it and then review so I'll know how you liked it!

      Thank you :)

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  14. So many great picks! I've read some, and some I haven't gotten to yet, but I think these are all on one list or another. :) Still think TFiOS is my fave, though. :)

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  15. I really want to read There You'll Find Me! The 2 main hooks for me were 'Ireland' and 'finish her musical piece', plus it sounds like it has good character development! :)

    Alice @ Alice in Readerland

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