5 Nov 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Outside the Comfort Zone

Tuesday = Top Ten. If you don't know what I mean go to The Broke and The Bookish who created this amazing meme. This week's theme is Ten Books That I Read That Were Outside Of My Comfort Zone - doesn't matter if you liked them or not.



10) "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer
Vampires? As if I'd ever read a book about vampires... well, that all changed post-Twilight.



9) "Londonstani" by Gautam Malkani
English is not my first language and slang and ghetto/East End/London speak was way out of my comfort zone when I read this one. It took me a bit to figure out how to read but it was absolutely worth it!

8) The Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo
Crime fiction is not something that I read a lot of. Actually I more or less never read it unless somebody really recommends a specific book. However, I borrowed some of the Harry Hole books on audio to listen to on the way to work and got hooked on anti-here main character, the classic renegade, alcoholic policeman with a talent for hunting serial killers.



7) "Until The Final Hour" by Traudl Junge
Real life stories is not something that I really read a lot. Just don't find it that interesting but this one is different. It is the story of Traul Junge, the young women who was a secretary to Hitler and who was in the bunker with him until the final hour. A little piece of history.



6)"Just a Girl" and "They Sent a Woman" by Lise NoergaardNot sure that ehse have been translated into English but these were the first biographies I read and I must have been 13 or 14 years old. They are amazing, all about being a girl in a time when boys were worth much more and a girl was... well, just a girl.



5)"The Ice House" by Minette WaltersThis was one of the first adult books I read and definitely the first crime fiction. I found it during vacation time when going through my parents shelves, desperate for something to read. The cover was very artsy with lots of bright colours and I was very taken with it.



4) "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood
I thought I didn't like dystopian - actually was quite sure that I hated it - until I read this one. Now one of my fave books ever.



3)"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane AustenThis one figures on almost all my lists! And I do love it so it makes sense... When I read P&P it was the first time I read a real English classic. Totally out of my comfort zone (preferred chick lit) but Colin Firth in a wet shirt had tempted me too much - I had to read it. I am so happy that I did!

2) "Anne of Green Gables" by L. M. Montgomery
When I just starting reading, for years most of what I read was books about horses. There were a few classic contemporarty childrens books as well but mostly I loved the ones with horses. Then the older sister of a friend recommended "Anne of Green Gables" and from then on a whole new world opened to me.



1) "Collected Poems" John Betjeman
I don't actually read a lot of poetry but I go back to the collected poems of John Betjeman again and again and again. Bought the books out of curiosity as it was really cheap and I just fell in love with the words and the style. I even have some of his poems recorded on my ipod. Amazing, amazing artist.

10 comments:

  1. Traudl Junge - is she the woman the film Downfall was based upon?

    And I think Pride and Prejudice is a lot of people's intro the the classics as most are familiar with the story already, it makes it less daunting.

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  2. I can't believe I forgot to put Twilight on my list! I started reading a bunch more YA paranormal books after I finished that series. Before Twilight, I was all about contemporary adult.

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  3. I remember thinking the same thing about Handmaiden's Tale. I'm not a big fan of dystopian but this story has stayed with me for years. Very powerful!

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  4. I love the Handmaid's Tale. I had it as a set book in High School and it's an amazing read. I think it's the only book I've had to read that I've loved.

    My top ten is here if you'd like a look :)

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  5. looks like you are pretty open to trying some new books--you have a nice variety in your list. kaye—the road goes ever ever on

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  6. Anne of Green Gables was a real game-changer for me too, my first book love! (And I would fight to the death for a real Gilbert Blythe...)

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  7. Good for you for reading some of these books.
    Here's my post

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  8. Thanks for all of your comments, I have been to each of your blogs to read up on your latest posts :-)

    @Sam: yes it is indeed.

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  9. Thank you for visiting my blog. Some of your favourite writers such as L.M. Montgomery and Betjeman are also mine. That Minette Walters cover would certainly attract me. I read this one quite a long time ago and haven't read anything by her since, though. My favourite mystery writer is P.D. James and her latest, Death Comes to Pemberley, is on my wishlist.

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  10. I love Pride and Prejudice, and I think The Handmaid's Tale is one of those books you have to try. I love poetry too, but I'm not so familiar with Betjeman - must read more of his poems.

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