I haven’t done a Top Ten Tuesday, in quite some time. So today I thought I would mix it up a little and share my top ten thought-provoking books. This is next weeks topic, but I thought I would share mine today.  Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and Bookish and is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. 

I love reading books that blow my mind. The books that make me really think. About everything that I know and then everything I want to learn. Sometimes I stumble upon these books without even knowing. And other times I have an idea of what I’m going into to. So today I am sharing the books that made me think. The books that have changed the way I look at things. Like always these are in no order. You will also notice that nearly half of these books are set during or around the time of world war II. 

The Love That I Have by James Moloney: The Love That I Have is a very confronting novel, it explores a different side of WWII that we don’t let see a lot. And while I really enjoy it, gosh was it brutal. This novel follows Margot Baumann as she reads the letters from people imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp during WWII her whole life changes. She starts to really understand the horrific circumstances that the prisoners are going through. It’s then how she learns about Dieter Kleinschmidt. Through the beauty of his letters, she wants to save him, help him. 

All the Rage, Some Girls Are and Cracked up to Be by Courtney Summers: Okay, I know that I am slightly cheating here. But I just couldn’t choose one of Courtney Summers books. All three of these books are harrowing and heartwrenching. But what makes these books so thought-provoking is the fact that things that happen throughout the novel, can and very much do happen. Each of these books has hit me in a different way. They all look at different things that can happen to a teen, especially girls and it’s heartbreaking. I really want to do a re-read of all of those and recommend that if you haven’t picked any of these three up you do. 

When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah: I try and recommend this book to any teens that come into my store because I believe that it needs to be read by everyone. When Michael Met Mina should be on every high school book list in the country. The younger generations need to know that sometimes the government and media lie and manipulate the sense of asylum seekers. They need to know that most of these people are not illegal or jumping the queue, they are just simply people looking for freedom, safety and peace. It’s an important story to write and share.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys: Beautiful, captivating and extraordinary. Salt to the Sea is a gorgeous novel that brings to light a catastrophe that seems to be forgotten. With stunning writing and intriguing characters, Ruta Sepetys brings a novel that tells a story that everyone needs to read. Salt to the Sea set in, 1945 in Germany, tells the journey of protagonists; Joana, Emilia and Florian whos lives cross paths on their way to the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff. They are forced to unite. They find strength, courage and trust in both themselves and one another. And They are tested even when they think they are safe. | Full Review

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub: In The Yearbook Committee that teens are flawed too, and everything doesn’t work out to how you planned it to be. We witness insecurities, heartbreak and everything that comes along with your final year of school, and being a teen in general. And this is what makes this one so thought-provoking. It’s a very real and honest look at teens in their final year of school. | Full Review.

The French Photographer by Natasha Lester: This utterly breathtaking read will make you cry, laugh and warm your heart. With a dual narrative, Lester is able to navigate the war zones of 1942 and the more modern world of 2005. A tale of feminism during a time when the ‘male hero’ was prominent. Jessica May embodies a woman that is smart on her feet. She doesn’t let men tell her what to do and isn’t afraid to be in the thick of things.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: I don’t think I need to talk about this one all too much.  The Hate U Give is a brilliant and powerful story. It’s heartbreaking, poignant and so so true. It’s a book that everyone should read, and understand. The Hate U Give explores family, friendship and what is right. I wanted to cry, scream and hurt. So I beg you please pick up this book, read it, take it in and understand. | Full Review.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley: A poignant, beautiful story with fleshed out characters, gorgeous writing and a concept that is for every book lover. It’s about love, friendship, family and grief. You are taken on a journey through up’s and down’s and pulled into pieces. This isn’t your average thought-provoking read, this one looks at life more deeply and that is why I loved it. 

The Pearl Thief by Fiona McIntosh: A powerful novel about a young women’s survival when her whole world is torn apart. It’s about sheer determination, heartbreak, and the power that a small group of people has. It’s about survival, death, and fighting for what is right. If you are looking for an insightful, thought-provoking and page-turning read, then this one is for you. 

Paperweight by Meg Haston: A powerful, heartbreaking and beautiful, contemporary. With beautiful writing from Meg Haston and a story that could be real for anyone. Paperweight follows seventeen-year-old Stevie and her journey in a treatment centre and man this book is hard to read. This one isn’t forever, but it also makes you think a lot. 

 

 

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And that is it for this post. Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? What are some of the books that have really made you think? Let’s Chat!