Top Ten Tuesday: FREEBIE! Top Ten Series I Need To Read
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely folks over at The Broke and the Bookish post a top ten list topic so that book lovers like you and me can pour over our shelves and make our own lists. You can check out all the other Top Ten Tuesday‘s on their site!
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You guys might have noticed that I posted a poll the other day asking what series I need to get started reading already. It was a small sample, and the results were HEAVILY in favor of one series in particular (Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly series). But this got me thinking: I narrowed my list down to four for that poll when in reality the list could have been 10 or 20 or some other RIDICULOUS number of series. In YA, I think we’re spoiled (or overwhelmed, depending on your opinion) with a flood of great series. Personally, I love them. I love getting invested. Some of my very favorite books EVER are series books. But there’s so SO many that I’m behind on. So I decided that for this freebie TTT I’d do the top 10* series that I MUST start reading. I stayed with only YA for my own sanity and I’m not including things like “companion books.” We’re keeping it hardcore over here!
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The Infernal Devices, by Cassandra Clare. I have the first two books in this series staring at me RIGHT NOW. I was a little late to The Mortal Instruments, which I’m behind on (I haven’t read the 4th one yet), but this prequel series sounds like THE BOMB. I love Cassandra Clare’s worlds and characters and kissy-face triangles. Also, the DRAMA. These books are happening really soon.
His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman. I’m a little bit ashamed of this one, guys. I know that this series blew a lot of people away, and I’ve been meaning to read it for a long time. I even TRIED to read it once, and something about it didn’t grab me right away. Giving this series another shot is in the cards, friends. Too many of my fab bookish friends rave about it for me to pass this one by too much longer.
The Princess Diaries, by Meg Cabot. This movie was just on TV over the weekend, and it reminded me how sweet and adorable and funny this series must be. Sometimes I feel like series are always serious and intense with lots of DRAMA and details and conflicts. I’m actually really looking forward to reading a series that isn’t so heavy. Plus, PRINCESSES!! *twirls*
Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead. So, I put this one on here because I feel like I should have read it just because all the popular kids were reading it, you know? I’m wary of vampires right now. But I can’t dismiss the insane number of people who LOVE this series. Like LOVE IT love it. Plus it actually sounds really good and interesting and different from the vampire books I HAVE read. I hope that it is!
Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld. This is another series that I’ve picked up before but I put it down because I had another book giving me the “READ ME NOW INSTEAD” stink-eye. But I’ve always thought that this series sounded clever and interesting with lots of great, thought-provoking commentary on beauty.
Immortals/Protector of the Small, by Tamora Pierce. I put both of these on here because I am determined to make a dent in reading Tamora Pierce’s books this year. I’ve read two of her other series, but there’s SOOO many more of her books still to read!! Two series is like small potatoes with Tamora Pierce! MUST. READ. MOAR.
Seven Realms, by Cinda Williams Chima. You guys, this series has my name ALL OVER IT. High fantasy, thievery, magic, a princess and a commoner and what the last phrase of the Goodreads synopsis of the first book, THE DEMON KING, calls “wizardly attacks.” Aaaaaaand, I’m in.
Leviathan, by Scott Westerfeld. (This is unintentionally the “Amy needs to read some Westerfeld” list). I had no real idea that I had such a big Scott Westerfeld gap! But reading this series will be a personal challenge for me because I don’t usually fare well with steampunk. It’s not a genre I generally make a beeline for. But I managed to snag a copy of GOLIATH at BEA this past year, so now that I have a copy of the LAST book, I figure I could give the first book a shot, too. Fingers crossed, guys!
The Demon’s Lexicon, by Sarah Rees Brennan. Quick background: One of my favorite TV shows is Supernatural. I LOVE IT SO HARD. This series, about demon-hunting brothers, sounds a lot like a book version of Supernatural, and just as amazing. More magicky than Supernatural, but still with the awesome two brothers aspect that I love. I’m excited to read this one.
Sevenwaters, by Juliet Marillier. I read my first Marillier last year (WILDWOOD DANCING) and I loved it. Her Sevenwaters series sounds even more awesome: Each book is about another generation of the same family who live in the medieval British Isles and who have special connections to the fairy world. Plus there’s romancing. I just love the sound of ALL OF IT.
The Abhorsen Trilogy, by Garth Nix. The first book in this series, SABRIEL, has been on my TBR pile for EVER. It’s got all of my favorite things: high fantasy, magic, and hidden destinies. BOOM. I’m so intrigued by it, and I need to make up for lost time with this one. I spent so much time when I was younger reading adult books that I missed out on lots of great books that were coming out for people my age! BOO!
*Whoops! It’s Top TWELVE Tuesday instead! Whatever. I’M the boss of this list!
This list is hilarious – I either freakishly LOVE every single thing listed or I need to read it as well.
Actually, I’m reading the Immortals quartet by Tamora Pierce right now (and mostly loving it).
Also – I’ve only read like one book by Meg Cabot. EVER. So I definitely need to get going there, although I kinda wanna try the Mediator series more than Princess Diaries.
I also really wanna try the Seven Realms trilogy! I’m all over the high fantasy business too. I bet we both love them (you know, if we ever get around to them).
As for Vampire Academy/Abhorsen/Sevenwaters? Get to reading!
You have some great series on here! I just read Uglies last year and absolutely loved it. I’ve read the first in the Leviathan series also, and it’s very good but very different.
I enjoyed the Abhorsen Trilogy, as well, and I think Protector of the Small might be Pierce’s second best series, after The Song of the Lioness. I haven’t read any of her recent work because I personally thinks she needs to move away from the world of Tortall and stop making books about characters related to characters in other books. So, I guess I sort of have an issue with her originality at this point.
I liked The Princess Diaries movie better than than the books. I stopped after the second one.
I can understand not liking His Dark Materials. I think at least the concepts behind it are interesting, but the writing can be a little dry.
You have to read The Vampire Academy and The Uglies. I am so glad these are both on your list. I was one of those people who didn’t think I would like either — but man oh man did I ever! ~Nikki @ Imaginative Adventure
I have Infernal Devices WAITING to be read – like I own them. Have them in my hand. (well, not my hand – Clockwork Angel is a whole 2 feet away on my coffee table. Clockwork Prince is actually across the room.) But for some reason, I haven’t read them yet.
Come see my Top Ten / Teaser Tuesday!
Awesome compilation! I really need to read The Princess Diaries. Some of the others you mentioned have intrigued me, like Vampire Academy and Uglies. Have fun reading them all!
– Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl (and The Broke and the Bookish)
Okay I have to read every single series on this list as well..All except The Sevenwaters Series and I have to tell you to go read them RIGHT NOW!!! She is my favorite author (if I HAD to choose one) her books are just amazing and I have literally read this series probably 6 times through! I am excited for you!!
Here is my Top Ten
Great list! The Abhorsen trilogy is aaaaaamazing! I read Sabriel years ago but only got around to finishing the trilogy a few years ago and I just love Nix’s imagination about the magic system and the world that the characters live in. I hope you get around to reading it sometime soon =)
His Dark Materials was one of the first fantasy trilogies I ever read, hehe.
Here’s my TTT for this week! =)
The fact of the matter is, there are SO MANY awesome series out there.
You will love UGLIES. This I know.
I haven’t heard of most of these – does this make me a bad reader? – but here are my thoughts on the ones I have read or started: Before you read anything, READ THE PRINCESS DIARIES!!! Trust me on this; you won’t regret it. I’d skip over the “extra” ones… they’re just fun ones. Also, on the His Dark Materials series… I haven’t read the later ones, but try the audiobook of this. It’s really well done and very exciting. It may get your interest sparked in reading the future ones! Good luck with reading all these fantastic sounding series!
yes yes yes to the Vampire Academy series. Wait till you meet Dimitri, you will melt. But seriously, that series is so great. the MC, Rose. she grows so much throughout this series, and I love when that happens.. I really liked book one.. and fell in love with this series at the end of book two. I was a little nervous about the whole Vampire thing.. ya know, cause they are all the rage these days.. but it’s a totally different take on it all. Very original. I can’t praise these books enough!
Wow! What an awesome list! I don’t know where to begin with it : I was going to say “You need to read Uglies now!” but then I saw that not, “You need to read The Demon’s Lexicon now!” and then I realized that, more importantly, “You need to read the Sevenwater series now!” Juliet Marillier is one of my very favorite authors.
I picked a bit of similar theme for my top ten; if you have an advice for where I should begin don’t hesitate hehe!
Good list idea! I’m totally in favor of VA and the Abhorsen Trilogy, and I need to finish His Dark Materials myself. I actually quite liked the Leviathan series, though I think it’s written for a younger audience.
My Top Ten Places NOT to Read a Book
Oh my yes you need to read Vampire Academy! Love your list 🙂
The Muggle
1. US/Can Giveaway of Tempest by Julie Cross
2. My International Giveaway
hahaha…I LOVE YOU GUYS. Everyone’s like, “READ THIS ONE NOW!!” and I’m like, “Now you see my problem. I want to read them ALL now!” But I swear, I will read them. It’s so great to know that you guys loved these books. Makes me more excited to get crackin! 🙂
Great picks! There are a few on there I want to read as well, such as Uglies, Vampire Academy, and His Dark Materials, but Seven Realms is closer to the top of my list. Infernal Devices was ok, but I don’t like it quite as much as the Mortal Instruments. New follower 🙂
My Top Ten
This is a great topic idea! I love that you mentioned The Princess Diaries…it is one of favorites though I will warn you that it is completely different from the movie. I need to read Westerfeld’s work as well.
Jennifer
http://feministfairytalereviews.blogspot.com/2012/01/top-ten-tuesday-secondary-romances.html
Yo, Sabriel IS THE DEAL! Seriously, I LOVE THAT BOOK SO MUCH! Like, there are bells and they have powers over the dead. BELLS. That is legit.
ALSO Sevenwaters — be prepared for swoons and world building and folklore and amazing writing.
AND VAMPIRE ACADEMY is pretty much my favorite guilty pleasure. I love those books something fierce.
YES the Vampire Academy is a MUST read! This serie is the best serie written EVER! Also The Infernal Devices 😉 🙂
I’ve seen so many great lists today – the Freebie Top Ten was a great idea by the Broke and the Bookish! I don’t even know where to BEGIN commenting on yours though…
I wasn’t that big a fan of the Vampire Academy books. I had the first four, but only read two before I gave away the whole lot. They’re okay but just kind of generic, in my opinion. There’s nothing that really seems to make them stand out.
The Princess Diaries are wonderful, but I haven’t read them in years. They’re really light so you can get through them in about an hour, but that hour is a fantastic one! 😀
I need to read both the Infernal Devices and Mortal Instruments series. I know they’re meant to be amazing and I have the first book of both, but they keep getting pushed further and further down my TBR when I get new shiny books 🙂
The same with Uglies actually, and I was really looking forward to them when I got them. Still am, come to think of it. Maybe I’ll read those next…
The Abhorsen books are great though. I read them when I was technically too old for them too (I did exactly the same as you – too busy reading books ahead of my age!) but I still enjoyed them. They’re more adult than his Keys to the Kingdom series.