There are so many books that I have not read, but it seems as though everyone else has. I want to talk about a few of them today because I would love to know your opinion on them! There are a few listed here that I know I will read, a few I am on the fence about, and a few I do not think I will ever pick up but I could be convinced otherwise!
Bear and the Nightingale
There is no debate about this one! I will be reading it! I just had to mention it because it is the book that inspired this post. I have been seeing it everywhere lately, and it was on so many favourite books of the year lists. I know I am going to love it, I just need to get my hands on a copy!
The Court of Thorns and Roses
There are so many mixed opinions about this series, and I know a lot of people didn’t like this book but loved the second one. I am not sure if I want to suffer through this long book just to get to the good one! I have heard there are a lot of problematic elements as well so I just do not know!
The Giver
This is one of those books that I feel like I should have read when I was younger, and now I am not sure if I would enjoy it as much as an adult. When I look at my Goodreads friends’ reviews (pretty much every friend has reviewed this book!) there seems to be mixed opinions on it.
Lord of the Flies
If I am honest with myself, I will never read Lord of the Flies. It was never required reading for school and the subject matter does not appeal to me. I do feel like I am one of the few people who has never read it and, therefore, miss out on some of the discussions that are had about it.
Outlander
I really enjoy historical fiction and time travel. You would think that this book would be in my wheelhouse but I think the size of it intimidates me! I enjoyed the first season of the show, but I am not sure if it appeals to me enough to the point of making me want to pick up the books. Are the books better than the TV show?
A Wrinkle in Time
Now that this book is being made in the a movie, I know that I have to read it. I am ashamed to admit that I have no idea what this book is even about! It is another book that I never read as a kid, and therefore feel like some of the magic of it will be lost on me!
Thirteen Reasons Why
Everyone was talking about this book a few years ago and I just never picked it up. Once the show came out, I thought that I would finally read it but then I heard some not so great things about the TV show so I have been avoiding it. I enjoy reading books that tackle heavy topics if they do it right. I really am so curious to know what people think about this one!
Six of Crows
I really loved Wonder Woman: Warbringer, so I know that I enjoy Leigh Bardugo’s writing. I think I have been avoiding this book for the fear that it is overhyped. I also read Shadow and Bone years ago and just thought it was okay. Should I finish that series first before moving on to Six of Crows?
When Dimple Met Rishi
I felt like this book has a lot of potential, but the reviews that I have read lately have not been great. I really do not think I will ever read this book, especially since it takes a lot for me to read YA contemporary. I am hopeful about From Twinkle, With Love.
So please let know your opinions on any and all of these books! I am so curious what everyone thinks about them and whether or not they are worth reading!
That’s okay, I have no idea what Wrinkle in Time is about either, but I plan to get and read it, maybe before I see the movie. Sometimes it’s best I see the movie first so I won’t think it sucks in comparison to the book.
The Giver is great no matter what age you are. If I remember correctly, it’s not action heavy, but it will keep your interest.
I plan to reread the Lord of the Flies this year, but I hated it when I had to read it in high school. Hate it! Hate it!
I am undecided about whether or not to read Wrinkle in Time before or after seeing the movie! If I don’t enjoy the movie I will probably never read the book so we will see!
That is good to hear about The Giver.
So many people hate Lord of the Flies! I kind of want to read it just to see why people so passionately hate it!
With Lord of the Flies, it could be because we were forced to read a boring book for class. I’m hoping it’ll be better when reread as an adult.
I would read the book, watch the old movie, then watch the new one.
Wow, a lot of those are on my own TBR list!
I only tried The Lord of The Flies a few years back, but then I left home and started travelling for two years, I left the book behind and haven’t picked it up since then! I should probably start reading it from scratch when I return!
Great list 😉
Thank you! Were you enjoying Lord of the Flies?
Yes ^^ But then life got on the way and now (many books afterwards!) I can’t remember a thing!
Wow…great post !! I am so relieved to know that I am not the only one to have not read these books😆😂 Some of these have been on my TBR for so long now and I have grown so used to postponing reading them that now I dont even feel the guilt 🤣 I have read the ACOTAR series though, and its okay… you can read it if you have the time. Happy reading ☺️
Thank you! It is nice to know that a lot of other people haven’t read these books either!
Oh The Giver! I read it recently and reviewed and all. I was an “adult” when I read it the first time and then I listen to the audiobook. It is really good and I think it is not as “simple” as a regular children’s book hehe you should totally give it a try :3
A Wrinkle in Time is really nice and it has some read sci-fi elements, but I think it is a nice read! 🙂
That is good to hear about The Giver!
I love a good SciFi. I do want to try and read Wrinkle in Time before the movie. Hopefully that happens!
It is super short and easy to read!! Check out me review it might help you! Even the audiobook is amazing! :3
Six of Crows and Outlander are two I can definitely recommend, the Outlander books are very large, but, the story is so addictive and you fall in love with the characters so much that you don’t want it to end anyway! I always say I’m going to read just one a month to break it up a bit but as soon as I finish one I Request the next one from the library!
Ah that is good to hear! I think I will buy the first book and see what I think!
I had to read The Giver when I was in fifth grade the story has stuck with me Ever sense I loved it. Dimple met Rishi is cute and fun. Six of Crows was good but I have yet to pick up the second book even though I own it. I read 13 reasons why a couple years ago it was pretty good but very heavy topic. I watched the show but I don’t think they got it right and it was extremely dark it took me a couple of days to get out of the mood it put me in I probably won’t be watching the second season at all.
Lots of people are saying they love The Giver so I think I am going to give that one a try! I don’t think I could handle 13 Reasons Why. Hits a bit too close to home. Thank you for all your feedback!!
I haven’t read a bunch of these, either! I have read Outlander, though, and that was really good!
I think I have decided to give Outlander a chance!
I’ve only read a few of these. Bear and the Nightingale being one, and it was lovely.
I pretty much enjoyed 13 reasons why as well, and the netflix series based on it was great as well.
I need to get my hands on Bear and the Nightingale!!
OMG!!! SIX OF CROWS!!! OMGOMGOMG GAAAAH if you can, read Six of Crows — the characters, the world building, and most importantly, the relationships between the characters, both romantic- and friendship-wise are all so well developed by Leigh Bardugo. I honestly can’t recommend it enough 😆
As for Lord of the Flies, I’ve read it TWICE for school, and both times were actually ok, since I had supplementary readings and discussions to make the book more interesting. If you want to know Golding’s opinion on why human nature is bad (or strongly disagree with it, as in my case), then LOTF wouldn’t be a boring read for you. As for ACOTAR, in the past, I would have recommended it to everyone, but I recently reread the entire series and I just found that the magic of it wore off. I found many problems with the story and characters, and I’ve stopped recommending it to people long ago. Anyways, good luck with your TBR! 😋
Thanks you so much for all of this info!! I love the way Leigh Bardugo writes do I definitely have to read Six of Crows.
I am tempted to read LOTF just out of curiosity!
I’ve only read The Giver, Lord of the Flies, A Wrinkle in Time, and Six of Crows on that list, so you’re not alone! 😂
Haha that is good to hear!
I love the idea behind this post! I read Lord of the Flies in high school, but I remember HATING it. I think there was too much emphasis on symbolism and what certain items were supposed to represent, while the plot and characters didn’t interest me at all.
You definitely don’t have to have read the Grisha trilogy in order to read and understand Six of Crows! There are a few easter eggs in the form of characters from that series who have cameos in Crooked Kingdom, but you won’t be missing much. I enjoyed the Grisha series, but it does read a little on the younger side of YA. I LOVVVVEED Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom though, and I think they live up to the hype!
I’ve never read The Giver or A Wrinkle in Time either, so I’ll be really interested in seeing what thoughts fellow book bloggers have on them.
I just kind of want to hate read LOTF as this point!
I am so convinced to read Six of Crows now. That will be happening this year!
I haven’t read A Court of Thorns and Roses either, and I have no plans to. But oh my goodness, you HAVE to read A Wrinkle in Time! READ IT BEFORE YOU SEE THE MOVIE!!!! Seriously, they look like their making some major changes to the tone of the story, and I think if you see the movie first you might be disappointed by the book, which is very light-hearted and whimsical. Also, keep in mind, it’s for 10 year-olds.
I know! Can you believe I haven’t read it?? I love whimsical stories!
Sadly I haven’t read any of these either. I have The Bear and the Nightingale, A Wrinkle in Time and Outlander on my TBR list. First up will be A Wrinkle in Time before the movie comes out in March 😊
That is my plan as well!
I’ve read both A Wrinkle in Time and The Giver, but I read them both for school. Still, I enjoyed them and have reread both since I was forced to read them, haha. I think you’d still like them! 🙂
I wish I had read them in school! They look like quick reads as well. Definitely going to pick them up this year.
I really want to read The Bear and the Nightingale and I would have bought the book if only I could have found 1 of the 2 copies that were at Chapters… it’s like a maze trying to find the book. Me and my mom gave up 😛
I’ve never read a Wrinkle in Time, my brother had to for school and he hated it. I saw the first movie they made and it wasn’t my favourite. Maybe this movie will be better… it looks more Hollywood than the first.
I just put my order for Six of Crows last night at the library! 😛 I’ve read her Grishna trilogy already, it wasn’t my favourite, that’s why I’m a little nervous to start this duology, but everyone has said it’s so good, so I guess I’ll find out!
Ugh I have that problems at Chapters as well! I feel like they are always changing to location of books in that store. I am always confused.
I think I want to read A Wrinkle in Time before seeing the movie because someone said they are changing the tone of the novel for the movie.
I can’t wait to see what you think of Six of Crows. I feel like we have similar opinions on books!
Right?! And it was supposed to be in the science fiction section, which isn’t in alphabetical order by author, but by series, uhhhh whhhhhhy?!?! Hence why I gave up! 😛
Really? Hmm, like I said I never read the book and the previous movie didn’t really make me want to pick up the book and read it either. But all this talk about has made me curious!
Haha, this is true. I’m hoping to get to it soon!!
The only one of these I’ve read is 13 Reasons Why, and that was forever ago so I barely remember it! But a couple of these are on my TBR for this year. Hopefully we both like them when we get to them! 🙂
I hope we both like them as well! I can wait to see your thoughts!
I will say I was also afraid of Six of Crows not living up to the hype, but I got the duology for Christmas and I can confidently say that it lives up to that hype and more. I even picked up her fairy tale collection – Language of Thorns – this weekend and I am just in absolute awe of Bardugo’s storytelling ability.
I hated The Giver, so much. I can’t understand why people like it so much lol
And I read A Wrinkle in Time a long, long time ago, probably 10 or so years ago now, and I honestly can’t remember what it was about at all. I’m debating rereading it, but I don’t know if I’m going to see the movie…
That makes me really excited about Six of Crows. I really want to read Language of Thorns. It sounds beautiful.
So many mixed opinions on The Giver!
I think I am going to see A Wrinkle in Time so I probably should read the book but we will see if that really happens.
You and me both!! 😂 the only one I’ve read of those is Thirteen Reasons Why
Hahaha so glad I’m not alone!
I read the first Outlander book and loved it a lot. I struggled so much with A Dragonfly in Amber and it was nowhere near as good -it dragged in so many places. I haven’t got the motivation to finish Voyager either, so I’m not sure whether that’s any good. I’d definitely recommend sticking with just the TV show, or stopping at the first book 😂
I like the idea of only reading the first book! The first season is by far my favourite season of the show so it would only make sense!
I hope you enjoy it if you do decide to read it!
There are so many on your list that I also have not read! You are not alone :]
That is good to hear!
my unsought opinion: totally read Six of Crows and Lord of the Flies if you’re feelin it. both stellar. i haven’t read A Wrinkle in Time, Outlander, The Giver, or Bear and the Nightingale either (lol). but you are missing negative anything with When Dimple Met Rishi and (especially!) Thirteen Reasons Why. bleh.
This is pretty much how I am feeling about these books! I want to read Six of Crows and I am curious to see what I will think of Lord of the Flies. I really can not see myself ever reading When Dimple Met Rishi or Thirteen Reasons Why.
Only one on the list I’ve read is Six of Crows. Other than that, we can start a little club!
That would be a great club lol!
I haven’t read the Giver or 13 reason why yet either! I also haven’t read past book 2 of Percy Jackson series 🙈
I have only read The Lightening Thief and I hate to say it but I didn’t love it!
So many people have read and loved these books! I’ve heard so many good things about The Bear and the Nightingale recently, I’d love to read it too. The only one from your list I’ve read is When Dimple Met Rishi and I unfortunately did not like it.
Can’t wait to read The Bear and the Nightingale. I just have this feeling that I won’t like When Dimple Met Rishi either!
You are not alone! I have only read one book on this list {Outlander} and did not enjoy it. Some of the others are on my TBR though.
I feel like Outlander would be really daunting to read!
That’s a pretty good list! I definitely recommend The Giver. I read it when I was young and then again recently as an adult, and it definitely still captured my attention. Highly recommend! I’ve also read the ACOTAR series, and yes, books two and three and better than book one, so it’s a bit of an investment. I enjoyed them though 😊 I also thought When Dimple Met Rishi was pretty cute. I didn’t really have expectations when reading it, so it was very easy and light.
I am happy to hear that you still enjoyed The Giver as an adult!
I am still on the fence about ACOTAR. Maybe if I can find the first book for a good price!
Thanks for all of your thoughts on these!
i have only read “outlander”, which was fantastic. “six of crows” which was awesome and i am still in love with kaz brekker. “thirteen reasons why” which was important and “when dimple met rishi” which was disappointing for me after everyone was raving about it…
I think I am going to read Outlander. Everyone has said they loved it! Same goes for Six of Crows. Still on the fence about 13 Reasons Why and don’t think I will be picking up When Dimple Met Rishi. So many people seem to be disappointed by that one!
yeah, i guess you just need to prioritize and see, what you’re in the mood for!
I actually LOVED A Court of Thorns and Roses, but I really did not like the sequel. I don’t think I will even be finishing the series, because the second book just made me so angry.
I loved The Giver series. It was so good! It’s one of my favorites. I read them maybe four years ago or so and it was still SO GOOD even as an adult.
I had to read Lord of the Flies in school and it was pretty good.
I never read Outlander, but so many people love it. Honestly, the length of the books in the series freak me out and mostly why I haven’t picked it up. LOL.
I didn’t like Thirteen Reasons Why that much and I only watched one episode of the show and it wasn’t that great to me either.
You are DEFINITELY not the last person to need to read some of those books. I haven’t gotten around to When Dimple met Rishi, Outlander (although I did read half of that book?), The Bear and the Nightingale, A Wrinkle in Time or Lord of the Flies either. And as far as the books go that I HAVE read, The Giver and Thirteen Reasons Why weren’t among my favorite literary works 🙁
Happy to hear that I am not alone! I do not think I will read 13 Reasons Why but there are so many mixed opinions on The Giver!!
That’s true! The Giver wasn’t bad, but I think it also depends on what environment you read it in. My friend read it in school and hated it, because they analyzed it to death, but I read it on my own in college. I liked it well enough, great concept, but such an unsatisfying ending for me.
I read The Giver way back when, then read it again last year when my son had to read it for school. I really enjoyed it, and ended up reading the rest of the quartet. Definitely worth checking out. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale — no question there, you should absolutely read it! I think 13 Reasons Why is worth reading too. The book is powerful, as is the TV series.
OK, Outlander! Well, Outlander is one of my favorite books of all times, so I absolutely think you should read it! IMHO, it’s even better than the show (although the show is certainly lovely and well done). The entire series is great, but you could start with the first book and see if the writing grabs you before deciding whether or not to continue.
Thank you so much for all this great feedback! I am so convinced to read Outlander! I definitely want to try the first book and see what I think!
This is a really great list- so much to look forward to. Bear and Nightingale, Giver, Lord of the Flies and Six of Crows are all excellent!
Thank you! That is good to hear!
You’re welcome!
Actually A Wrinkle in Time already has a movie. Disney is just remaking it.
Six of Crows is a must read. I’m not usually a fan of fantasy but this is one I can get behind. The characters are well written and layered, the romance is amazing, it teaches you new ways to be resourceful whilst giving you an insight into how people work. And it’s hilarious to top it off. It’s very well-rounded.
Lord of the Flies isn’t well written. However, one of the best insights into human nature which encapsulates the survival of the fittest theory. It’s the kind of novel that’ll have you debating about whether you agree with the theory. But then it also tells you what happens to a certain character who doesn’t abide by the theory. What I’ve learned is that if you want to survive/make it to the top and you don’t agree, you have to operate from a position of strength that’ll give you that privilege. It’s highly thought-provoking.
That is good to hear about Six of Crows! I didn’t really know it was gunny as well!
You have really sold me on The Lord of the Flies. I really want to be part of the discussion and see what side I fall on. Thank you so much for your insight!
I’ve only read two on the list – The Giver (requirement in 8th grade) and Outlander.