That 10 Books Tag You Keep Seeing on Facebook

You know those tagging posts on Facebook that lists down 10 books that have stayed with you, or 10 books that have affected you in some way? Of course you know this! You've probably done it yourself.

I usually just ignore these tagging games because I'm OC with lists. It's so hard for me to come up with just 5 movies, or 15 songs, or 7 pets. It has to be perfect for me, even though the rules clearly state "don't think too hard" and "doesn't have to be in order." I know, I make my life hard sometimes. So I don't usually join even when I'm tagged.

This book list though... it's about books! A chance to list down and promote great books is something that I'll likely enjoy so when Laila tagged me to do it, I said GAME ON!

And because not all of you are my friends on Facebook, I wanna share my list with you. Feel free to blog yours, too, whether you've done it on Facebook or not. :)

Again, this is in no particular order. Click on the photos to see the blurbs.

1. The Trolls by Polly Horvath
When someone asks me for a book recommendation (without genre restrictions), this is the first title that comes to my mind. I can't remember exactly when I read this (high school?) because it was a long time ago. Which is exactly why it's on top of my list. This list is in no particular order, but The Trolls truly deserve the top spot because it's the one book that I've never forgotten since I read it.

It has nothing to do with trolls.

And everything to do with family, regret, and forgiveness.

Aunt Sally was a great story-teller and I had vivid images of Canada and her whole family the whole time I was reading this book.
The book was labeled "Middle Grade" but I don't know if kids can enjoy this as much as adults would. It's a little dark, so it'd be best if a child reads this WITH an adult and they can enjoy it together.

2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Here I go again. I know, I know, you're probably tired of hearing it. Sorry I'm not sorry!

Anna and the French Kiss was not the first Perkins book I read; Lola and the Boy Next Door was. But for some reason (Etienne, Paris, friends-turned-lovers... I can go on, you know), Anna affected me more. It has turned me into a Stephanie Perkins fan for life.

3. Columbine by Dave Cullen
The only non-fic in this list is a tragic one. It reveals the story behind one of the most shocking massacres in American history, before the time tragedies like this have become kind of commmonplace.

This book is riveting. Recommended by a friend of mine, I read it after the Sandy Hook school shooting and even though it's non-fic, I was thoroughly engrossed.

4. The Lightning Thief from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (and all other books in the series and the spinoff series and the companion books) by Rick Riordan
I was kinda late to this party, having only started reading Percy in 2012. But from the get-go, I was hooked. Sold. I knew that whatever Rick Riordan writes, I will read it.

What I like about Percy is his abundant and self-deprecatory sense of humor. I guess when you're forced to face monsters and deal with annoying gods, humor is the only thing that will keep you sane.

5. Something Blue by Emily Giffin
You've probably seen the movie Something Borrowed which was based on the book of the same title. It was a good book... but the movie was better. I know, right? That almost never happens.

Something Blue is the sequel and I love it. Ethan was a more interesting character than Dex. And though I don't normally like flashy, loud girls, Darcy's 180-degree turn made me root for her.

I read this book 3 times (the 3rd time was mostly just the last few chapters and my favorite lines) so it's no wonder it stayed with me.

6. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle
I like holiday-themed books. But I found this one really sweet (and we're allowed to be sweet and cheesy and mushy on special days) and special. I liked John Green's story least (surprise, surprise!) but it's my favorite book of his. The trio of short stories are all intertwined and the way it was done was pure genius.

7. Little Men (Little Women 2) by Louisa May Alcott
Little Men is not as popular as Little Women, and the only reason I know about it because there was a Japanese cartoon series adaptation of it that aired in ABS-CBN when I was in grade school. It was one of my favorite shows then and I have very fond memories of it. So it made sense for me to read the book.

I haven't finished Little Women yet. I plan to. But it's okay to jump ahead and read this first. Little Men is lighter, an easier read, and full of lessons for children and adults alike.

8. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
I cannot mention this book without feeling bittersweet.

Stargirl is very special for me. It hit me hard. It made me laugh, made me cry, and dazed me. It made me rethink my very existence.

9. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
I remember seeing this in a magazine and I thought, hmmm... sounds fun! And it is fun. But also heart-wrenching.

Before Eleanor & Park, there were Juli and Bryce. I'm not saying their story is the same but both books capture the essence of young love. I would've included E & P in this list but I read Flipped first and it was really wonderful. And the movie was also good.

10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (and the two other books) by Stieg Larsson
The whole Millennium trilogy is amazing. The first few chapters are slow, very slow... but once you get to the part where Mikael and Lisbeth meet, you can't stop.

Lisbeth is a unique character and I couldn't help but rally behind her. She's the ultimate femme fatale. Her friendship with Mikael is remarkable. But what I found great about this book is it's smart, not-at-all-subtle, attack on misogyny.

There it is, my list of 10 books that have stayed with me/affected me in some way. I won't be tagging anyone, but you're welcome to post yours. I look forward to reading it. :)