Top Ten Books I'd Give to Non-Readers

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week's topic is:

Top 10 Books I'd Hand To Someone

Who Doesn't Like to Read

(gasp! blasphemy!)

For the younger readers:

1. Diary of A Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

Even though I actually don't think Greg Heffley is wimpy so much as a jerk, the book is perfect for younger, reluctant readers: it's humorous and appealing and the drawings are adorable and so appropriate.

2. His Dark Materials series - Philip Pullman

I put this on the young reader section because I read The Golden Compass when I was 8 years old, right when it was released, and I fell in love. Lyra's world is magical and so enticing, I couldn't help but love her and Pan. I remember I used to wish I had my own daemon, looking around and trying to see what kind of animal I had. It was like a precursor to Harry's Patronus.

3. Sweet Valley Twins - Francine Pascal

Because these were my savior when I was a child. I still think I'm Elizabeth Wakefield.

4. Harry Potter Series - JK Rowling

It's pretty obvious.

5. Percy Jackson Series - Rick Riordan

Similar to Harry Potter, it's adventure and strong, likable and relatable characters that are just so much fun. Plus, you really do learn some mythology from it!

For the not-so-younger readers:

6. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Again, no real explanation needed.

7. The Outsiders - SE Hinton

This book was the turning point of being a reader to wanting to be a writer. How much it spoke to me in 7th grade was just...it was everything to me. There was such a connection at the time even though it was absolutely nothing like my life - it was shocking, and I knew I wanted to reach people the same way.

8. The Illustrated Man - Ray Bradbury

Kind of an odd choice, and I admit that most of my 9th grade English class didn't like this book - but it's fascinating and interesting and different and I loved it. I think it has an appeal.

9. If I Stay & Where She Went - Gayle Forman

Because if ever a book to touch your heart and make you understand and yearn the power of words and story telling, it's these.

10. Nick & Norah or Dash & Lily - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

I love these books. Because they're fun and a little whimsical and make me wish for more in my life.