Books I’m Missing Out On (Apparently)!
This week we decided to do a top ten style discussion post on the books we should have read but still haven’t because; top lists are fun, and you all get to chide us for being late in many ball fields, or something. So these are my top 10 books (ok I cheated and there’s 8- whatevs!) I should have read by now. PS – You can click on the cover for their Goodreads’ page!
–The Iron King by Julie Kagawa: I actually have not read ANY book by Julie Kagawa, and what’s funny is I own this whole series and book 1 and 2 of her Immortal Rules series. Woops! I have been putting this one off actually for the simple fact that it’s about faeries and I have had the worst luck with faeries books. Although I haven’t read one in a year or so, so it may be time. I’ll likely give the audiobooks a try.
–Matched by Ally Condie: The reviews of this series are all over the place so it’s making me both curious and afraid to pick this one up. But it sounds so good! EEP.
–The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: Yep I’m uber late in the game with this one but I’m kind of scared that all the hype and talk about it has made me expect too much. I also never watched the movies. There are movies, right? >.<
–My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent: Another author that I have not tried but have been interested in every one of her releases. I love the sounds of this series so much and I know I would love it, but it’s become such a long series now that it’s feels a tad overwhelming to start it, so I think these will be audiobooks too. In fact – and I swear! – I have this audio on hold at my library!
–Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler: I think this is the oldest unread book I have on my shelf. By oldest I mean I’ve had it the longest. I think I bought it like over a year before I even started blogging. Oops! (I wonder how much dust is on it.)
–The Giver by Lois Lowry: This is a good book or something, right? Dunno, that old man is kind of intimidating. And he looks uninpressed.
–Bloodlines by Richelle Mead: GAH. I’m a big fan of the Vampire Academy series but the early reviews of this book were pretty bad and I didn’t want to read a bad book about Adrian (<3), they seem to have gotten better though so it’s getting up there in my TBR list. On the covers of that whole series: yuck!
–The Maze Runner by James Dashner: Didn’t this book invent dystopians or something? >.< This is another one that I’m afraid my crazy high expectations I have for it will work against it. It sounds amazing though so I will try it someday!
—Also I’m kind of ashamed that I still have not read ANY Stephen King book – me, the horror fan. *slaps self* But like, dude, his books all have about 192378123871 pages! Scary, much?
What are some books that would make your list of books you should have read by now?
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XOXO, Book Girl
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Mary @ BookSwarm
LOL! I’ve finally accepted that I’m not going to be able to read everything I want to read. Even those books that everyone loves and clamors for. The only reason I read The Giver is because it was part of our 6th grade Honors curriculum and I needed to know what I was teaching those kiddos!
Jenn @ A Glo-Worm Reads (Owl Read It)
I haven’t read My Soul to Take, Twenty Boy Summer or Maze Runner.
I absolutely love, love, love Julie Kagawa! The first couple Iron Fey books were really good, but I didn’t get super hooked and in love until the third book. But after that I just can’t stop reading them.
I really enjoyed Matched and The Chronicles of Narnia.
I read The Giver years ago and loved it, I had no idea what dystopia was at the time (I was like 11) but have since re-read it twice and read the rest of the series. As for Bloodlines, I just read it and really liked it, I had it sitting there forever but it took me long enough to read it. <3 Adrian!
Eveline @ Eveline's Books
Bloodlines and The Maze Runner are sooo good, you should definitely read those! I liked the Iron Fey series, although I thought the Immortal Rules series was better. I really did not like Matched, but you can always try it:)
Eveline’s Books
Kristin@Blood,Sweat and Books
I haven’t read The Iron King Series or Bloodlines although I own some of the books in both. I’m actually shocked you haven’t read any Stephen King you should get on that. One series I’ve seen lots gush over but haven’t started myself is The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo.
Jennifer @ Some Like It Paranormal
The Souls Screamers series is amazing! Also loved the Iron Fey and Immortal Rules series. I really enjoyed Matched but then could never get through the sequel. Bloodlines series is great because of more Adrian Ivashkov. I tried to read The Maze Runner and got just not get used to the weird slang the characters use. I’ve heard great things about Twenty Boy Summer and hope to read that soon.
Sydney
I haven’t read The Chronicles of Narnia yet either and I have all seven books >.< But I did read and LOVE the Iron Fey Series! Matched and The Maze Runner and really good too!
Bethzaida (bookittyblog)
I’m not a big fan of faeries but The Iron King was pretty good! I finished in a day.
The first 2 books in The Maze Runner series were AMAZING! Then the 3rd one got a little confusing but I’m happy I finished it. Love this post!
Ellen
You post makes me feel so much better. The only book above that I have read is The Giver. I have been meaning to read the Mortal Instruments Series (even have the first few books), The Iron King (have that whole set), and The Soul Screamers Series, but I just haven’t had the time. Thanks for sharing.
Nick @ Nick's Book Blog
You should try the Iron Fey series. It’s one of my favorite series about faeries.
I tried the Matched series and it definitely wasn’t for me. I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I haven’t read the Rachel Vincent series either but I’ve been meaning to because of the rave reviews.
I have read other books by Sarah Ockler but not Twenty Boys Summer. But she’s definitely an author I would recommend.
I didn’t like the first book in the Bloodlines series either, but it has gotten really good. And all scenes with Adrian are amazing! 😉
Hope you get to some of these books some time soon, Giselle! 🙂
Lori
I actually wasn’t a big fan of The Maze Runner and am totally with you on the whole faery thing. I’ll really have to give that series a try soon. Also, I really need to read Cinder and The Girl of Fire and Thorns! I’ve had both of those for at least a year and still haven’t read them. Oops! Loved this post. 🙂
ODell @ Book Twirps
I’m right there with ya on all of these except The Chronicles of Narnia. I’ve read that series multiple times. They were faves of mine as a kid.
Penny Yoke
You definitely should read Narnia and The Giver. They are super duper awesome. I read Matched and it was okay, but I started getting bored with Crossed and I gave up on Reached entirely. I found Iron King quite dull too. Anyway you probably won’t have the same POV as me, but believe me, everyone loves The Giver! :)))
Amy @ Book Loving Mom
The Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent is really good. I actually still haven’t read the last one even though I pre-ordered it. I haven’t had time and I don’t want it to end. I love her Shifters series too, which is an adult series. That’s really good. The characters are amazing!! Great list babe. Hope you get to some of these soon. 🙂
sarabara081 @ Forever 17 Books
Oh boy, if I made this list it would be embarrassing. I have read The Maze Runner, but just haven’t read the last book in the series. They are pretty good, very different. Chronicles of Narnia were huge for me as a kid though I don’t think I’ve read them all. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was definitely the best one. I haven’t read any Julie Kagawa books either. I’m not sure how much faeries interest me but I did hear the books are good so maybe I’ll try them someday. I still need to read Vampire Academy before I hit Bloodlines. And The Giver! It was on my book list back in college when I took a Children’s Literature class. Unfortunately that week I didn’t get around to reading it (oops). I think the unimpressed old guy threw me off too. lol And I started a Stephen King novel or two in high school and could not get into them. I read half of Carrie and was bored. O.O I wonder if I would feel differently as an adult.
Katrina @ Bookish Things
You must read Soul Screamers!!! Matched wasn’t great or epic for me, but it was good. And I haven’t read any Stephen King, or the Chronicles of Narnia either. The Giver is probably one of my favorite books i had to read in school.
Savannah
I don’t really feel bad about that. I mean, I read fast enough to try to read every single books that lands in my lap but sometimes, I just don’t read it. I do hate feeling out of the loop though. Like, a kid who doesn’t get to play on the team cause he’s late. You know what I mean? Still, I’m hoping I can read books.
Sara (of The Page Sage)
I haven’t read Twenty Boy Summer yet either, though I’ve been dying to since before I started blogging, too! haha The Giver is great book and a really quick read. Love The Maze Runner, though I can understand your fear about hype and high expectations.
sara\
I just read Twenty Boy Summer a couple months ago and it had been sitting on my shelf for years. It was a pretty quick read. I haven’t read a single classic yet. Nothing by Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters. I feel like I need to hang my head in shame over that. I have only read the first two in the Iron Fey series and I am not that excited to continue. I hope you find time to fit in some of the books you mentioned above, the Soul Screamers series does look very good.
Sara @ Just Another Story
Tanja
Oh but Narnia is amazing! I wish I had read them when I was younger, but unfortunately no one told me. Also Bloodlines is getting better and better so you should read that too :))
Celine (The Book Shimmy)
I haven’t read My Soul To Take either! I’m kinda scared to start it actually…
Mel@thedailyprophecy
I would recommend reading Julie Kagawa’s – The immortal rules. The Iron Fey are fun, but that series impressed me so much more 🙂 I have a feeling that I’m running behind with a lot of series, but I’m slowly starting to let go of the stress. As long as I read books I enjoy, there is no need to feel forced to read something else.
Faith Sullivan
Ugh, there are so many! Top 5?
1. Real
2. My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century
3. Losing It
4. The Edge of Always
5. The Sea of Tranquility
Charlotte K. Fiel
I’m also guilty for not reading the Bloodlines and the Narnia series. They’re still buried in my TBR pile collecting dust (if that’s even possible for kindle editions).
But I am happy to report that I’ve already read The Giver, The Maze Runner and Matched. The Giver is the first Y/A dystopian book that I’ve read and loved. And that was around 10 years ago.
Have fun squeezing them in your schedule, Giselle. 😀
Christianna
Oh man, out of all of these I’ve only read the Narnia books. Guess I have some catching up to do as well!
Alexia @ Adventures in Reading
The only one I have read on this list is The Chronicles of Narnia. My pre-teen brother is reading The Maze Runner this summer but since he hates reading it’s not even close to being finished. I need to read Jodi Meadows’a series (Incarnate & Asunder) There are many other books that I need to read.
Kat (AussieZombie)
I’ve never tried the Iron Fey series, but I’m betting you’d really like The Immortal Rules – I love love love the world-building in that series and it’s DARK *insert evil laugh here*
I SHOULD have read the Feed series a long time ago. But I have not *hangs head*
Lisa (Lost in Literature)
I read… errr, listened to both Matched and The Iron King on audio, and I enjoyed them both. I felt the narrator added to the story, thus making it more enjoyable. So maybe give the audiobooks a try? 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
I’m behind on so many series, so I can’t say anything! haha I did like The Giver when I read it in grade school – I never read any of the “companion” books though.
I’m curious to check out Julie Kagawa’s books too!! One of these days…
Personally, I never could get into The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I’ll just stick to the movies. haha
As for Stephen King, I’ve read Misery and that’s it. Some of his earlier books are shorter I believe, so I’d suggest starting there. haha
-Lauren
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
I haven’t read the Narnia series or the Maze Runner either, I wouldn’t mind though. I do like the Soul Screamer and the Iron Fey series are really good. 🙂
Candace
Twenty Boy Summer is on my list for this summer. I’ve also owned it for years. And I read Matched before it came out but still haven’t continued the series even though I liked it. There are SO many books that have lots of good press and I know I NEED to read them, but just haven’t managed to find the time yet.
Vivian
Lol, I read the 1st book in the Iron series, but have yet to finish the rest, altho I do have them. Gasp! You haven’t read Narnia?! Yea, I still need to read SS, but I have then all! I didn’t care for Matched & won’t be finishing the series. Twenty Boy is on my TBR shelf, lol. Haven’t read The Giver yet either, but I’m not in the mood for serious books, lol. Still need to read VA & Maze Runner, have them tho! Too many books!
Dorine White
There are so many books out there it is hard to read them all. I struggle with it all the time. Don’t stress, and just read what you like.
Sarah
I’m hesitating about Matched too and cannot even think about picking up a Stephen King book. I love bloodlines thought, and they do get better as they go on.
DeAnna @ Mommy's Reading Break
Okay, so I’ve actually read 5 of these books! Here’s my take:
The Iron King was okay. I liked it enough, but I didn’t love it, and I’m not in any rush to read the rest of the series. Blood of Eden was a little better, but I still didn’t think it was spectacular.
Matched was decent, but overall, I wasn’t thrilled with the series, especially the last book. I guess I like faster-paced books.
Chronicles of Narnia, eh, I just didn’t get it. Again, I thought it was an okay read, but I didn’t love it like so many others did.
Bloodlines was good, especially if you like Adrian, but I liked VA better, probably because I think Rose makes a better narrator than Sydney.
The Soul Screamers series, though? LOVED it! The first couple books were a little slow, but once you really got into the series, it was one of my favorites EVER! And I love that the paranormal aspect was completely different from any other paranormal I’ve ever read!
Michelle @ In Libris Veritas
You’re not a lone on this one. I’ve only read Iron King and I haven’t finished the series, even though I really loved the first one. I finished Narnia a while ago, but all of the others I haven’t read either. I also haven’t read Vampire Academy o_o
Holly Letson
The only one on your list that I actually have read is the “The Chronicles of Narnia” set, only it was way before the movies, and it was 7 books. There was one of them that took me years to find a cheap used copy of, but I cannot remember which one now.
I’ve only read half of *Vampire Academy*, so moving on to *Bloodlines* is a long ways off for me.
Christina @ Christina Reads YA
I’m with you on Maze Runner and Stephen King (and now one of my friends is telling me that his son writes fabulous books and that I’m also missing out there o.O.). Haaha, yes, there are Narnia movies but not all of them I think?? I’m not one to know, and truthfully I only read the first two (in terms of order of events in the series) because of my children’s lit class. Not sure whether you’d like it, or the Giver, which IMO is overrated (also lol at your comment on the old man). Eee you have bad luck with faerie books? Which ones have you disliked? I have a feeling you might like Puck from Iron King. As for Matched, I’m not sure you’ll like it either. You seem to like action and that book does not have a whole lot of it. A lot of people say it’s similar to the Giver, so if you were to read them, choose one or the other? And also, the Bloodlines series gets better as they go on — if you choose to tackle the first.
Asheley Tart (@BookwormAsheley)
I feel so much better now that I’m not the only person that hasn’t read Bloodlines (I also haven’t read Vampire Academy – the horror!). I haven’t read several of the others! I HAVE read the Iron Fey books, though, and love them so much I could just eat them. I even love the audiobook versions – probably more than the print because the readers are AMAZING. Just brilliant.
We ALL have those books that we’re like OMG we haven’t read ____!!!! No worries. We’ll either get around to them or we won’t! (:
Bonnie
I haven’t read The Giver, Bloodlines, or The Maze Runner either. I read the first in Rachel Vincent’s series but I actually didn’t really care for it.
You haven’t read any Stephen King?? Omgosh… I’m scared of his ginormous books too but he has a few smaller ones. The Shining isn’t too big nor is The Stand… and Carrie is good too.
Jasprit
The only book I’ve read from your list is Twenty Boy Summer and whilst I adored it, it wasn’t my favourite by Ockler. But I do hope that you enjoy it and the rest of your reads too!
Bella's Shelf
I am missing out on a lot of these books too Gigi. I have read a few chapters of the Iron Fey book 1 (it was pretty good actually), I am also missing out on the Matched and Maze Runner series too. Also a lot of those paranormal romance type series. I cant think of the one but its really popular and the girl is a kick ass demon hunter type gal.
Sadly, I have read a few of these series ppl cant live without and found them UGH.
I FINALLY got around to Something Strange and Beautiful (book 1) because of the book club/read a long hosted by the author & I am enjoying it. I put it down so I dont finish it before the rest of the book clubbers.
Carolyn
I have read the first in The Iron King series and I’m scared to pick up the second one but i don’t know why! I really like the first one! I loved Twenty Boy summer so much, you should definitely read that one. I really liked Matched but was disappointed by the second book and almost don’t really care enough to read the third book.
Megan
Don’t feel bad! The only books on your list I’ve read are The Giver when I was 10 and the 1st Narnia book (The Magician’s Nephew). And I did read a Stephen King when I was probably 11 and it was too much for me then (the guy ate a hamburger with ground up glass in it), but I’d like to try again now that I’m (a lot) older.
Shannelle (The Tracery of Ink)
Narnia? But . . . but . . . Giselle, you don’t know how much magic you’re missing out on.
As for the Iron fey series, I read them all, and I didn’t really like the MC much. The romance wasn’t believable for me either. But hey, maybe you might enjoy them.
Eileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***
I’ve been nagging you about The Iron King for the longest time, and you totally need to read it soon or else I’m going to totally freak out and have a seizure or something like that. Ahh it sucks that you don’t have good luck with faeries though D: I hope this one works out much better for you then <33
fishgirl182 @ nite lite
i haven’t read a bunch of those either even though i own most of them. i love the bloodlines series. if you like va, i think you will really dig it. and twenty boy summer is really good, too.
Ashley
I haven’t read a bunch of those either lol. Although I have read The Chronicles of Narnia, and I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is about. I thought the first book was mediocre at best, but then the later ones just got worse and worse until I stopped reading. O_O
Krazzyme
Ok so out of the ones you haven’t read I’ve read My Soul To Take, Chronicles of Narnia and Iron King. Now I like all of them a LOT but one series that I think you should read is chronicles of narnia but I read that when I was in middle school SO I DON’T know if you’ll like it that much now….
Ok so I haven’t read a single Rachel Mead book (I think I *might* have read vampire academy ) and everyone says she’s AWESOME . plus I love the kate daniels series so peeps keep recommending the Fever series. So these are the FEW books that I’m listing out of the LONG list I have on my TBR pile
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
I haven’t read any of those titles either apart from Matched- which I highly recommend you keep away from as long as possible (I reallly detested it)
Great picks! I really need to read The Iron Fey series, it looks good! <33
Siiri
Tried Matched–wasn’t for me. I read 12 chapters and was bored out of my mind. DNF. I think Iron King was ok, but the rest of it secured its series’ place in my ‘favorite series’ list:) I put Th Maze Runner on hold and I don’t even know why O.o I liked it a lot! I finished about 2/3 of it. I’m in the middle of Soul Screamers. They’re quick, light reads with a touch of paranormal and I like them. The first one wasn’t perhaps the best piece of work, but the rest of it has progressed well and I’ve begun to like them a lot. I really, really like VA more than Bloodlines. #1 wasn’t that interesting, #2 was pretty good, but I hear that #3 is the best so far and I can’t wait to read it. Adrian–le sigh 🙂
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
Dear Giselle,
Thank you for choosing mostly ones I have read so that I can feel accomplished. Also, you should know that, as your friend, I feel obliged to tell you that I thought many of these were not good, so enjoy your future.
I’ve not read Rachel Vincent, Bloodlines, or Sarah Ockler. Oh, and I’ve only read one Stephen King book, Carrie, and was not impressed.
Cheers,
Christina
Laureen
Like you, I have yet to read any of the Iron King series. My sister keeps telling me to, but… I’ve just never got around to it. Eventually, right? Maybe?
Molli
AW, NAW, Giselllllle. You should so read Twenty Boy Summer. It’s really good. And Stephen King, OY VEY. I have a love/hate relationship with his books. I would rec you starting with The Eyes of the Dragon, because IMO it’s one of his best.
Molli | Once Upon a Prologue
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows
Ooooh I’ve actually read 3 of these! The Giver is a short read so if ever you want to check it out, you could read it in a day. It didn’t blow me away or anything but it makes you think. I was a fan of the Matched trilogy until book three which really ended the trilogy on a low point. I honestly don’t think you’d love the series either…in fact, I think you might hate it >.< haha Oh and Narnia was really worth it for me, despite the last two books being a major buzzkill. I can see myself re-reading the series at some point but to be honest I don't think it'd really be your thing either…though you could always try the first one (the chronological first one, not by order of publication) which was my favorite and if you liked that one, you might enjoy the rest!
The Iron Fey series and the Soul Screamers series are ones I definitely want to read but I haven't! I own books 1-3 of the Iron Fey series so I'm hoping soon 😀
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter)
I don’t read a lot of Stephen King, either …. LOVE the horror genre, but I get bored about halfway through when I pick up his stuff. Though I do love his short story books! I’ve started reading the Iron Fey series — but still haven’t finished. 🙁 Someone on Twitter SPOILED the series for me, so I pouted and didn’t want to read the rest. I do intend to pick it up again!