Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It was created because of a particular fondness towards lists. Each week, a new top ten question will be posted on the hosting blog for other blogs to join in with on their own blogs. All you need to do to join in is link back to the host somewhere on your post, and add your link to the linky list via the host.This week's post is:
Top Ten Books I read that were out of my comfort zone
1.
Forbidden is described as an 'incestuous romance novel', and it made me so uncomfortable that I couldn't help but put it here at number 1. It was easy to forget that the characters were brother and sister as you got caught up in their relationship, but when you do remember, it makes it an even more uncomfortable read. I know that some people I know absolutely loved this one, but it wasn't for me - I just couldn't stomach it.
2.
I really enjoyed Interview with the Vampire, the book that came before this one, but for some reason, I was unable to finish The Vampire Lestat - it all just got a bit too weird for me as well. For those that have read it, it's the bit about Lestat's mother - that should be enough to tell you why it was out of my comfort zone. But for those that haven't read it, I'm not going to spoil it for you!
3.
The Castle of Otranto was one I had to read for university, and as I don't tend to read novels that were written before the Victorian period, that put it out of my comfort zone straight away. But on top of that, it was also a very bizarre and challenging read. It wasn't that I didn't understand what was being said in the book, but the style was so disjointed and strange that it took a lot of effort to read.
4.
The Messiah Code is a conspiracy thriller, which is definitely a genre of book that I hadn't read before, and haven't read again up until the book I am currently reading (The Moses Legacy by Adam Palmer). It was recommended to me by Jenny at Chocolate Chunky Munkie, when we met for the first time in 2009. I admit that I was sceptical before I read it, but once I'd finished I was a huge fan! The religious content was not overwhelming for someone like me (I was raised without religion, and as a consequence I don't know too much about it), and it made for a very exciting read. Definitely read this!
5.
The premise of Room is one that I think is out of most readers' comfort zones. It's based on a kind of Joseph Fritzl situation, and is narrated by a 5 year old boy, Jack, who has never seen the outside world. Despite the delicacy of the subject matter, the novel is really beautiful and compelling. Another recommended read!
6.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is another that took me out of my comfort zone. I'm not a big fan of zombies, so when Jenny (again from Chocolate Chunky Munkie - it's always her fault! (; ) recommended it to me, I really didn't think I would like it. I did end up reading it though, and even though it wasn't a 5 star read for me, I would continue to read the story. I even have a few more zombie books to read!
7.
Although I do really enjoy watching chick-flicks, I'm not usually a fan of chick-lit. This is actually pretty much the only chick-lit novel I have read, but despite my aversion to it, I did actually really enjoy this one. However, I may have enjoyed it so much because at the time I was studying Literature of the Great War, which was a depressing subject to have to study, and as I studied it for an entire year, it got a little overwhelming. Angels provided me with a much-needed break from all of that!
8.
Historical fiction is not something I tend to read too much of either, but this one is a speculative historical fiction, which considers what might have happened if Hitler had won the Second World War - a very scary prospect. I did really enjoy it though, and I would recommend it to others, especially those who enjoy historical fiction or have an interest in WW2 - it will definitely give you something to think about!
9.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is another obvious one for this list. If you haven't read this one, you should, but not without the aid of a box of tissues. It's a compelling and moving short novel, but it will definitely take you out of your comfort zone!
10.
The Death of Bunny Monro is classed as 'cult fiction' and is definitely the only novel of its kind that I've read. It must be said that it is a strange read. I felt extremely sorry for the main character's child, but hated every other character in it, especially the main character, Bunny. Nothing particularly exciting happens until right at the end of the novel, in probably around the last 30 pages. It's not one that I would particularly recommend, but I do know others that have really enjoyed it, so I guess it's a kind of Marmite book. It didn't do much for me though.
Top Ten Books I read that were out of my comfort zone
1.
Forbidden is described as an 'incestuous romance novel', and it made me so uncomfortable that I couldn't help but put it here at number 1. It was easy to forget that the characters were brother and sister as you got caught up in their relationship, but when you do remember, it makes it an even more uncomfortable read. I know that some people I know absolutely loved this one, but it wasn't for me - I just couldn't stomach it.2.
I really enjoyed Interview with the Vampire, the book that came before this one, but for some reason, I was unable to finish The Vampire Lestat - it all just got a bit too weird for me as well. For those that have read it, it's the bit about Lestat's mother - that should be enough to tell you why it was out of my comfort zone. But for those that haven't read it, I'm not going to spoil it for you!3.
The Castle of Otranto was one I had to read for university, and as I don't tend to read novels that were written before the Victorian period, that put it out of my comfort zone straight away. But on top of that, it was also a very bizarre and challenging read. It wasn't that I didn't understand what was being said in the book, but the style was so disjointed and strange that it took a lot of effort to read.4.
The Messiah Code is a conspiracy thriller, which is definitely a genre of book that I hadn't read before, and haven't read again up until the book I am currently reading (The Moses Legacy by Adam Palmer). It was recommended to me by Jenny at Chocolate Chunky Munkie, when we met for the first time in 2009. I admit that I was sceptical before I read it, but once I'd finished I was a huge fan! The religious content was not overwhelming for someone like me (I was raised without religion, and as a consequence I don't know too much about it), and it made for a very exciting read. Definitely read this!5.
The premise of Room is one that I think is out of most readers' comfort zones. It's based on a kind of Joseph Fritzl situation, and is narrated by a 5 year old boy, Jack, who has never seen the outside world. Despite the delicacy of the subject matter, the novel is really beautiful and compelling. Another recommended read!6.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is another that took me out of my comfort zone. I'm not a big fan of zombies, so when Jenny (again from Chocolate Chunky Munkie - it's always her fault! (; ) recommended it to me, I really didn't think I would like it. I did end up reading it though, and even though it wasn't a 5 star read for me, I would continue to read the story. I even have a few more zombie books to read!7.
Although I do really enjoy watching chick-flicks, I'm not usually a fan of chick-lit. This is actually pretty much the only chick-lit novel I have read, but despite my aversion to it, I did actually really enjoy this one. However, I may have enjoyed it so much because at the time I was studying Literature of the Great War, which was a depressing subject to have to study, and as I studied it for an entire year, it got a little overwhelming. Angels provided me with a much-needed break from all of that!8.
Historical fiction is not something I tend to read too much of either, but this one is a speculative historical fiction, which considers what might have happened if Hitler had won the Second World War - a very scary prospect. I did really enjoy it though, and I would recommend it to others, especially those who enjoy historical fiction or have an interest in WW2 - it will definitely give you something to think about!9.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is another obvious one for this list. If you haven't read this one, you should, but not without the aid of a box of tissues. It's a compelling and moving short novel, but it will definitely take you out of your comfort zone!10.
The Death of Bunny Monro is classed as 'cult fiction' and is definitely the only novel of its kind that I've read. It must be said that it is a strange read. I felt extremely sorry for the main character's child, but hated every other character in it, especially the main character, Bunny. Nothing particularly exciting happens until right at the end of the novel, in probably around the last 30 pages. It's not one that I would particularly recommend, but I do know others that have really enjoyed it, so I guess it's a kind of Marmite book. It didn't do much for me though.
6 comments:
Ha ha nice to see I don't get the blame for all of these - just two of them :P Some good books there Dani!! I love (stating the obvious) The Forest of Hands and Teeth, I thoroughly enjoyed The Messiah Code and yes I did think The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas was good, but it will be a book I will never ever read again as I don't think I could put myself through those emotions!!!
Jenx - AKA the bad influence.
My Top Ten Tuesday
Awww Jen! You might be the bad influence, but the books you've recommended have all been really good!! :D So that redeems you! :)
xxx
The Forest of Hands and Teeth has been on my TBR list for a while! Forbidden was on a few lists. I can see why it would be out of your comfort zone. Honestly, it would have been for me, too, had I read it. Maybe I will in the future!
Yay, I'm glad to see a Marian Keyes book up there, haha! I love that woman. <3 I do like Angels but The Brightest Star in the Sky is my favourite book by a mile! I'm quite curious about Forbidden, I'd love to read that one. :)
Forbidden was definitely one that was WAY out of my comfort zone. A marmite book, but one that I would recommend trying. How do you know if you're going to like something unless you try it? :)
Ha, Castle of Otranto! I read that earlier this year as part of the Gothic Reading Challenge -- isn't it just the most ridiculous thing you've ever read? Every time I picked it up I imagined Jane Austen looking over my shoulder and sighing at my taste in what she would have called "sensational literature"! But it's a fun read if you just go with it.
I read a review of Forbidden awhile back; it's not something I would ever read. It's just too sick.
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