Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Unique Books

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This weeks prompt is to think of the top ten most unique books we have ever read. When thinking about this topic what immediately came to mind was a list of books where they were not what I expected or books that started off one way and changed into something truly unique as the plot and story developed. 

1.) Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
This book was such an interesting spin on not only the contemporary genre but also the typical cancer story. The MC was not very likable and the different timelines make this book truly unique.


2.) The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
This series not only has one of the most unique and interesting worlds I've ever seen but is a truly creative fairy tale retelling. I mean Cinderella as a cyborg? And don't get me started on the big bad wolf! Plus Marissa Meyer does an amazing playing on the fairy tale tropes!

3.) Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
You basically only meet two of the three main characters by reading their emails. The format of this book is extremely unique and extremely fantastic! This book also restored my faith in the adult contemporary genre. It's not your usual chick lit romantic comedy.

4.) This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
What made this book so unique is that it's written in second person and alternates perspectives. I didn't quite connect with the story but it was really interesting especially as an audiobook that had music to divide the sections.

5.) These Broken Stars by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
I though this was going to be a more classic space opera and have lots of travel montages but that's not what it was at all. It was so mind-blowing I cannot even put it into words!

6.) Unholy Night by Seth Grahame-Smith
This is not your parent's biblical story. It is gruesome, gory, and a historical retelling. The main character is a thief with a heart of gold and there were so many interesting twists, it was unlike anything I have ever read. Seth Grahame-Smith does an amazing job of making classics into horror stories.

7.) The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
This book started out as a classic WWII historical fiction but things took a unique turn as the characters got involved in the golden age of comic books. There were fun an interesting geek and pop culture references making this book much more interesting than I expected.

8.) The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier
Another one I expected to be more cliche and like the Historical Mystery that I'm used. I got that and more. This book read like a retelling of The Iliad and was one of the most unique historical mysteries I've read in a very long time!

9.) His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
This is an amazing YA fantasy series! The first book is like classic high fantasy but as the series went on things got more interesting and complex. I don't want to give too much away but things take a serious turn in The Amber Spyglass.


10.) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Most of this book takes place in a virtual reality game where the characters are searching for a hidden egg, already pretty unique. But it's also geeky and full of 80's pop culture references but what really makes it interesting is the fact that it's about friendship in a virtual world!

What are your unique books? Leave me a comment with your thoughts and of course... HAPPY READING!

12 comments:

  1. You picked some awesome books! I really want to read Attachments and These Broken Stars sooner rather than later. They both sound so awesome (in different ways, of course). I am right there with you on Lunar Chronicles and Ready Player One. Although both had familiar elements, they were tackled in totally new ways.

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    1. Thanks Emily! Attachments and These Broken Stars are great, both 10 star reviews.

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  2. Now why didn't I think of putting Cinder on my list? It's such an obvious choice! You've put together a great list. Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. Thanks Marla. I sometimes shy away from the obvious choice. I mean we're talking about unique books after all.

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  3. Ooh nice list! Seeing a bit of Cinder. Sadly I couldn't get into that one. I read it, but just wasn't wowed with it. I wanted to love it sooo much since everyone else seems to have enjoyed it. Oh well! All the other books are practically new to me!


    Here's my Tuesday post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I didn't love Cinder, I liked the rest of The Lunar Chronicles books a lot more. But yeah, I hear you. You can't like them all!

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  4. Great list Cassi! I really need to read Attachments. And I am dying to read These Broken Stars. (I am hopefully going to be able to buy the book soon!) And I totally agree about Cinder and Marissa Meyer. She is amazing. I LOVE that series! :D

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! Those are two of my top two books of the year. Definitely check them out. But yeah, Marissa Meyer is a genius!

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  5. Great list my dear! This is he first one where I have seen Ready Player One. It deserves to be on more lists. It was one of my favourite books of last year and it truly is unique.

    Cinder is one book that I would like to pick up soon. I hear amazing things about it and it seems like something I would read.

    Thanks for sharing! :) xx



    Alex @ The Shelf Diaries

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    1. Thanks Alex! I saw Ready Player One a few times today. It's pretty under the radar I think. But yeah, Cinder is great, check it out!

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  6. Yay! We both picked Ready Player One! I'm ashamed to admit I've only read three of these. I definitely want to pick up some of these in the future. Great picks! :D My Top Ten Tuesday

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    1. Ready Player One is so unique and a fantastic read. I have reviewed most of those books so definitely check out my review archive for more info. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Courtney!

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