At the end of each year, I always look for a decent top ten bestselling books list. Some lists just make me shake my head. Obviously, the list maker was not a reader. Or, possibly the list maker had an agenda. This year, the list comes from Barnes and Noble and they had the good sense to just list the ones that really did well. I'm so pleased that two YA books made it.
Two years ago, I'd read 8 of the 10. Last year, I'd only managed 2. This year, I must have been busy. I didn't read any.
So, here they are:
1. Inferno by Dan Brown
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
3. Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
6. The House of Hades by Rick Riorden
7. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
8. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
9. Looking for Alaska by John Green
10. Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly
I may not have read any of them, but I did take my eight year old to the public library to hear Jeff Kinney speak. I own Diary of a Wimpy Kid, too, but it's above my son's reading level, (we started it) so we're waiting to read it. I'm pretty sure I have a Rick Riorden waiting, too. See, I read aloud to my son each evening, and these books appeal to me.
I remember the Great Gatsby from college. My memory of it was SKIM, mostly because as a coed reading wasn't my favorite thing to do (probably the only time of my life that was true). Maybe I should try it again.
I meant to get Gone Girl, Proof of Heaven, and Killing Kennedy. I have gift cards, so maybe I will.
I'm amazed that there are two books by John Green, and I've never heard of them or him. So, obviously he bears attention. The one that sounds most like me would be Looking for Alaska.
I read Dan Brown's first blockbuster. It didn't make me run to buy his next. But, he's number one. So, what do you think? Should I read it? I really want to know.
So, did you read any of the top ten? And which ones appeal to you?
Happy New Year!
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Pamela Tracy's next Heartwarming is What Janie Saw is a May 2014 release. Her August 2013 Katie's Rescue is still available.
Hi Pam,
ReplyDeleteI read The Great Gatsby in high school but I haven't seen the movie. Now my boys love Rick Riordan's and Jeff Kinney's series. They have both of those books and both are autographed. My middle teen went with a group of friends to DC when Rick Riordan had a signing event earlier this year. They had an unforgettable time.
Jeff even autographed my son's shirt LOL. I'm so glad YA is taking off.
DeleteI have the Inferno and Gone Girl in my TBR stack. I didn't buy the one about proof of heaven. I just finished Mitch Albom's The First Phone Call from Heaven. It started out slow, but ended up being intriguing. I loved Dan Brown's first blockbuster that was a hit due to word of mouth marketing. I didn't like the one set in D.C. at all. But the reviews on this one have been good. I sometimes buy a book based on reviews, but not a lot. I bought my sister Alexander McCall Smith's newest and I'll steal it back to read after she finishes it. There are so many great books out that I hate going to a book store because I buy way too many books. Happy New Year everyone.
ReplyDeleteI recently went to the book store looking for a specific book. Couldn't find it but still came out with three. Way too tempting.
DeleteI've not read Alexander Smith's books although I've heard of them. Should I add them to my list?
DeleteI know the first sentence of The Great Gatsby is among the 100 best first lines in literature because I looked up that list as I'm always at a loss on how to start a book. The style is elegant. Have not read any of the books on the list, am ashamed to say. Too busy reading romance to see what everyone else is doing, but that doesn't broaden my creative horizon. There's a resolution for my list for 2014. Happy New Year, everyone!
ReplyDeleteI wish there was a top ten romances... hmm. I'll go look for one.
DeleteThanks for the list. I've read The Great Gatsby several times in book form and listened to it on tape as well while driving. Also, I’ve seen the movie – the old version. I like that the story is told from the viewpoint of an observer.
ReplyDeleteI read books to my children that I enjoyed, not necessarily ones written for their age level. I always loved To Kill a Mockingbird so I sat in the hall between my children’s bedrooms and read it when they were the same age as the characters – Scout and Jem. My children loved the story as much as I did.
Marion - I love the picture of you sitting in the hallway between your children's bedrooms! Wonderful scene for a book.
DeleteMe too. And, what a great idea. I always do tapes in the car. I'll get the Great Gatsy.
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