Top Ten Tuesday : Favourite Books Released In The Last Ten Years

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

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Hello! Welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday. This one which was submitted by the lovely Anne at Head Full Of Books was really tricky but also lots of fun. I have picked one book published in each of the last ten years but I also had to put in a runner up for each year because it was so difficult to narrow down. There are also some years that it would be impossible to pick just one best book so I had to just go with one of my favourites! I’ve done the years 2009-2018 because we are only half way through 2019!

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1. 2009

Winner:


Columbine by Dave Cullen –  This book is not an easy or pleasant read but it is even-handed and well researched. It is a terrifying story but so important to remember and hopefully at some point stop it happening ever again.

Runner-Up


The Help by Kathryn Stockett – I know some find this book problematic in a few ways and I totally understand why but it is a really great read and I also love the film so I am including it in this list!

2. 2010

Winner:


Room by Emma Donoghue – This book is beautiful and unique and I really loved reading it. It gives an unusual viewpoint on a distressing subject and is the source of a really great movie version with Brie Larson.

For some reason I have been unable to find many books I enjoyed from 2010, I have no idea why but for that reason I don’t actually have a runner-up for this year! Clearly I need to find more 2010 books to read and remedy this.

3. 2011

Winner:


The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – One of my all time favourite books. It is an incredible retelling of the story of Troy and Achilles that has so much passion and humanity in it. If you have yet to read it then I can honestly say – please do!

Runner-Up


Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?: (And other concerns) by Mindy Kaling – I love Mindy and both her books are hilarious. She is so honest and says the things many of us are thinking all the time which is refreshing. This book is light, fun and warm and I honestly recommend it.

4. 2012

Winner:


My Brilliant Friend (Neapolitan Novels) by Elena Ferrante – I adore the Neapolitan Novels of which My Brilliant Friend is the first. It is the most unfiltered and honest portrayal of lifelong female friendship I have ever read. Also the HBO series is fantastic and if you love the books I think it is well worth a watch.

Runner-Up


The Good Father by Noah Hawley – I think I actually did read this one in the year it came out so it has been a while but the book has stayed in my mind all this time. It is complex and full of shades of grey and I remember being so impressed with the writing at the time.

5. 2013

Winner:


Burial Rites by Hannah Kent – Burial Rites takes it’s story from a real case in Iceland, 1829. The story is engrossing but the real star of the book is Kent’s ability to create atmosphere with her writing. It is a sinister, chilling and brutal story all the more fascinating because of it’s factual roots.

Runner-Up:


The Rosie Project (The Rosie Project Series) by Graeme Simsion – I love this book, it is funny, touching and entertaining and just made me smile constantly. I can’t speak for the sequel as I have not read it, mostly because I didn’t really think it needed a follow up and I didn’t want to lose the magic of the first book!

6. 2014

Winner:


A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman – This is the first book I read by one of my now favourite authors and it is just quite simply the most heart warming book I have ever read. I love the characters, the writing and the whole story and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Runner-Up


The Axeman’s Jazz (City Blues Quartet) by Ray Celestin – This is one of my favourite thrillers in part because of the great sense of setting the author conveys. It is set in New Orleans and takes it’s inspiration from a real string of murders (although the story itself is fictional) and it is so full of atmosphere and style. I really need to get around to reading the sequels but I might have to do a reread of this one first!

7. 2015

Winner:


A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara – I have harped on about how devastatingly affecting this book is so many times so I won’t bore you by doing it again! You can read my review of it here.

Runner-Up:


Six of Crows: Book 1 by Leigh Bardugo – I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series and can’t believe I put off reading it for so long. I was worried it wouldn’t live up to it’s hype but it totally does so if you’ve been on the fence then I definitely suggest reading it.

8. 2016

Winner:


The War on Women by Sue Lloyd-Roberts – I wish this book was required reading for anyone who claims there is no need for feminism in this day and age. It is a heart-breaking read in many ways as it covers so many different groups of women and subjects which are devastating in so many ways but it is an essential read.

Runner-Up:


Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah – This is probably the best memoir I’ve ever read. Noah is so funny, charming and personable and every story from his childhood is riveting. There are some very dark moments that he covers beautifully and somehow even during the brutal stories, the book never feels depressing and that’s a testament to his writing.

9.2017

Winner:


All The Wicked Girls by Chris Whitaker – This is probably my favourite mystery/thriller of all time. I can’t pinpoint exactly why it got to me so much but I can say that the book is so phenomenally atmospheric, well-written, thought-provoking and mysterious. You can read my review of it here.

Runner-Up:


The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead – this is a brutal and unflinching look at the horror of slavery. The pacing is the highlight of this book as it genuinely feels like you are running alongside Cora, the main character, as the tries to outrun a slave catcher. It’s not a light read but it is beautifully written and so intense.

10.2018

Winner:


Little by Edward Carey -This book wins in a year of fantastic books for me because it is just so delightfully weird. It is based on the life of the woman who created Madame Tussauds and it is so fabulously quirky, strange and fascinating. You can read my review here.

Runner-Up:


Sadie by Courtney Summers – This is a close runner-up because it is a genuinely fantastic book which I highly recommend. It is partly made up of a true crime podcast and partly Sadie’s story and the structure works so well. The writing is also top notch. You can read my review here.

So that’s it – One book and one runner-up for each of the last ten years! I really hope you enjoyed reading and I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Hope you’re all having a lovely week so far.

xxx

30 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday : Favourite Books Released In The Last Ten Years”

    • lifewithallthebooks says:
      Reply

      We definitely have a lot we both really liked! And sometimes books just don’t work for you personally – I always find it so interesting to hear a different view on a book I’ve loved or hated! I’ll check your list out now 💛

      Like

  5. Diana says:
    Reply

    I am so impressed by your list. I have seen a number of similar posts already and your is my favourite! I particularly love your mention of A Little Life and Columbine – these are hard to read books, but so worthwhile.

    Liked by 1 person

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