Roll up roll up, it's time for another edition of 'Amanda creates a new feature and isn't sure how long it'll last, but hey, let's enjoy the moment while it lasts!' I'm kidding, I've got a feeling this might be a re-occuring feature, hence, I made a snazzy banner to highlight just how regular this could be, but that's not what's important, what's important is recommendations, but recommendations of books you probably had no idea actually existed. These are my favourite recommendations; there's nothing better than seeing someone reading a book they heard about from you and really liking it, it's like giving children candy and it making their day, beautifulness.
Let's not pretend that you all don't know that I live for unknown books, those little hidden gems that are so pretty and so wonderful and so brilliant, it physically hurts that people don't know about them, they are my bread and butter, or, for none British folk, my peanut butter and jam/(jelly?) of books. I think I read quite a lot of contemporary (although not as much as Stacie, she reads loaaaaaads, and I've read my fair share of popular and not-so reads, so of course, I decided this first installment would be focused on contemporaries, that and I wanted to show off my new infographics hobby. (I'm seriously addicted, I'm ashamed I didn't have this in my life!) Behold, Popular vs Underrated - Contemporary Edition..
Number of reviews was correct as of 16/03/2015
The Popular Books
All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - Reviews: Stacie | AmandaThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Reviews: Stacie | Amanda
If I Stay by Gayle Forman - Reviews: Amanda
Wonder by R.J. Palacio - Reviews: Amanda
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
The Underrated Books
Me Since You by Laura Wiess - Reviews: AmandaLove and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander - Reviews: Amanda
Tin Lily by Joann Swanson - Reviews: Amanda
The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell
What If by A.J. Pine - Reviews: Amanda
Community Recommendations
Without Tess by Marcella PixleyThe Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
The Half Life of Molly Pierce by Katrina Leno
Leftovers by Laura Wiess
Life Unaware by Cole Gibson
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney
Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess
I wasn’t completely sold on If I Stay either Amanda. I’m not sure why – but I think the main reason was the premise. I just couldn’t get over the fact that Mia had the ability to choose whether she lived or died while in a coma, you know? *shrugs*
ReplyDeleteAnd OMG. I absolutely adore Wonder. Such a heart-warming and beautifully written book. It’s one of those books that everyone needs to read once in their lives, you know?
And I’m placing holds on Me Since You and The Last Leaves Falling at my library – they both sound amazing! Thanks for sharing and wonderful idea for a feature / discussion!
If I Stay definitely felt a little iffy didn't it? Little to Sci-Fi for my liking.. Wonder is a beautiful book, I would recommend it to everyone that likes contemporary stories through younger eyes, it's SO GOOD. Best of luck with Me Since You and Last Leaves, I seriously loved them a lot and hope you do too! Thanks Zoe :)
Deleteyour infographic is so beautiful *-*
ReplyDeleteMe Since you is one of my favorite books *-*
Thanks Ella! Me Since You is beautiful isn't it? I can see why it's a favourite.
DeleteThis is such an awesome feature, Amanda. Way to give underrated/lesser known books some spotlight! I have to say I loved If I Stay and ATBP and enjoyed TFIOS a fair bit. I am now really interested in the other five on the underrated list though, especially The Last Leaves Falling since I do have an eARC of that I'm supposed to read. I also own Love and Other Unknown Variables, so I'll have to read that sometime. :)
ReplyDeleteSome of my recent favorite contemporaries are:
Anything could Happen by Will Walton
Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa
Because You'll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas
And for a very lesser known one published last year, Every Ugly Word by Aimee L. Salter.
-Amber
Thanks Amber! I have a copy of Because You'll Never Meet Me for review, so I'll get onto that very soon, and I'll keep an eye out for Fans of the Impossible Life, it sounds LGBT too, which is exciting! Best of luck with Last Leaves!<3
DeleteI'm such a big fan of If I Stay, and TFIOS and All The Bright Places. I think they're quite hyped but I LOVE them for it anyway. But yess, I want to read underrated excellent contemporaries too!! I've actually got Tin Lily. Gah! I need to read it. And I've added The Last Falling Leaves on goodreads a while ago but I'd completely forgotten it. xD Fabulous reminder.
ReplyDeleteNow, omg, I don't knooooow. I like contemporary but it very rarely wins my heart and soul.
OH WAIT.
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B is just absolutely incredible. I nearly cried. It's about OCD and families and first love. So adorable and sad. <3
I also loved Challenger Deep. OH and Charm & Strange. I think Charm & Strange is completely underrated. It's freaky and sad and heartbreaking. Omg, what is it with me and all these sad books?! I DON'T KNOW. XD
So glad I could remind you of Tin Lily and Last Leaves, such wonderful books, you should read them for sure. I recall your love for UHoR13B and it's got my interest and I'll be looking out for it for sure, OH, and Charm and Strange, I'll be taking that out of the library eventually, so thank you for reminding ME Cait! :D
DeleteI think Say what you will by Cammie McGovern is very underrated. I thought it was a very powerful story with a good message. Contemporary books aren't really my thing, so when I pick something up I tend to go with the hyped/popular stories in the hope I will enjoy it too (like The fault in our stars). Kasie West is one of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteI can't fault you there Mel, if you're not big on contemporary's, it's good to go safe! Kasie West is a favourite too!<3
DeleteThis is such a wonderful post! I love the picture you've made. I'll definitely be sure to check out some of the underrated books. I've actually barely even read any of the ones listed under popular, but I've been really into contemporary lately. Love and Other Unknown Variables sounds very good. :)
ReplyDeleteKrystianna @ Downright Dystopian
Thanks Krystianna! So glad I've been able to put so many good books on your radar! LaOUV is one of my faves<3
DeleteI loved Me Since You, it's definitely one of my favorite underrated contemporaries and I'm constantly recommending it. I just bought Love and Other Unknown Variables recently and I can't wait to read it. I haven't seen the other underrated books you have listed, but I'm going to go add them now. Love this post BTW!
ReplyDeleteSame here Christy, although I do forget it myself now and then which is shockingly shameful. Thanks darling! :)
DeleteTo be honest I did not like Beautiful Disaster AT ALL. It was just... I don't even have the words. I just hated how abusive the relationship came across--and is that the message we really want to send teenagers? I don't read many contemps, and while I read/heard of a lot of the popular ones here, I'll definitely be adding some of the underrated ones. :)
ReplyDeleteOh I can understand that, my younger naive self was shocking in that way. Good luck with my recommendations! :)
DeleteThis Song Will Save Your Life is my TOP contemporary. No one can tell me it isn't as good as I think it is. However, I actually haven't read any of the really popular ones [except PARTS of TFIOS.] I don't care for popularity as a means of recommendation. Just because everyone loves it doesn't necessarily mean I will - but on the flip side, if a lot of people love it, the odds of me liking it are higher than if everyone hates it. That's why I really love this feature; because it explores both sides and even gives us some underrated recs!
ReplyDeleteI OWN THAT BOOK. I will read it soon, I promise Nova! :D I hope you get to try some of those underrated reads!
DeleteI've been wanting to read The Last Leaves Falling for a few months, but haven't gotten around to actually doing it... There are some popular books that I don't really want to read -such as If I stay- because I don't know whether all the hype may ruin it for me as I'll expect too much from it. I really love posts about underrated books! There are so many amazing books out there, and I never want to stop discovering new gems.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the recommendations!
Oh you really should, such a short and beautiful book in my opinion. I do think hype can ruin popular reads, and then you're fooled into thinking you loved it when you didn't, which sucks. You're welcome lovely, good luck! :)
DeleteI'm ashamed to say that I never read anything from the underrated category. >.< Although I've heard of Me Since You and Love and Other Unknown Variables, I never thought to pick them up. I've read Life Unaware and it's really good! :) The Sky is Everywhere is on my TBR too, since I fell in love with the author's other book, I'll Give You the Sun. Nice feature, Amanda! :) That's a pretty infographic. :)
ReplyDeleteJulie @ Books and Insomnia