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This week The Broke and the Bookish ask us what the most unique books are that we've read. Here's my top ten, with a few bonus ones that I thought were just the opposite:
1. The Selected Works of TS Spivet by Reif Larsen- I love the sketches in the marginalia and TS's character. In fact, I'm such a fan I pushed it on our work book club this month. I'm legitimately scared they won't love it.
2. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn- As letters drop off a sacred statue in this fictional island town the inhabitants are forbidden to use them in speech or writing. The ending chapters are quite interesting to decipher!
3. Composition No. 1 by Mark Saporta- Confession: I haven't read this yet. I ordered it from the amazing Visual Editions a year or three ago and have yet to devote the time it deserves. Basically, it's a box full of pages that can be read in any order- it's like a pseudo choose-your-own-adventure story.
4. Building Stories by Chris Ware- Speaking of things I haven't read and books that come in boxes is this graphic novel of sorts that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, telling the story of those that live in an apartment complex.
5. Night Film by Marisha Pessl- I loved that this mystery was not only smartly written, but also included a ton of media in forms of articles, pictures, emails, etc...
6. Family Fang by Kevin Wilson- I know, like many of the others, that I've touted this before, but the family of performance artists that he creates is just so different!
7. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka- I suppose it's the existentialism, family dynamics, or the fact that he for some reason turns into an EFFING bug (or does he?) that makes this book so dang strange.
8. Habibi by Craig Thompson- While I know Thompson is impressive in his own right, I know part of my awe is the fact that I'm so poorly versed in graphic novels. Nonetheless, I found the story and illustrations fascinating.
9. Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs- I honestly hate this book (like hate, hate), but it was definitely different from anything I have ever read before.
10. Open Me by Sunshine O'Donnell- I will forever be intrigued by the idea of professional mourners because of this book (outlawed, by the way, but still happening here and abroad).
Fine to Be Inspired, but Still Not So Unique... (aka Sorry for Pissing You Off)
1. Harry Potter by JK Rowling- I love this series, I do, and I feel that there are components that are incredibly unique (like Hogwarts), but she did borrow heavily from other works of literature (like Lord of the Rings).
2. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky- Helllllllllllo Catcher in the Rye.
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- Ever watched Survivor? Read the short story "The Lottery?" How about Lord of the Flies?
What made your list?
Ditto on Night Film! Really intriguing read. Also great choice with Ella Minnow Pea, that one really does take some effort at the end!
ReplyDeleteI really want to read Night Film, heard nothing but good things about that book :D
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
#2!! Ella Minnow Pea is soooooo fabulous!! I was actually going to put that on my list! I have been trying to get Building Stories from my library FOREVER! #1 I put on hold at my library. That book looks good! I looked for #3 at my library but they didn't have that one either. BOO!
ReplyDeleteAngie
Top Ten Unique Books
I keep seeing Night Film pop up on blogs and I see it all the time in book stores. I really need to check it out! Great list Christine! :-)
ReplyDeleteNight Film was awesome, I went for Level 26 which was done in the same style. Check out mine @ http://thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.co.nz/2014/04/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-most-unique.html
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the first 10 books you've listed here. I guess that means I should widen my horizon a bit more! Have a great week!
ReplyDeletemy top ten tuesday http://wp.me/p3v5T1-nq
I must read Night Film soon! I own it and it already looks like it's going to be fun to read. I hope the story is good.
ReplyDeleteAnd looks like I need to read Catcher in the Rye: I didn't really like The Perks of Being a Wallflower even though I liked the overall idea of the story. Looks like there is a better version I need to get :D
Film Night and Metamorphosis are both on my TBR list, I need to read them soon. Especially now when you've seemed to like them! :) Happy reading!
ReplyDeletePractically all on your Top 10 are on my TBR, although I haven't read any of them. Sound fascinating.
ReplyDeleteAs for your bonus 3 - I agree, although I liked most of them. Also, for Hunger Games, there was the Japanese Battle Royal which is very much the same premise, just way more explicit.
I still haven't read Harry Potter. Nice list!
ReplyDeleteNight Film sounds so intriguing! I've read Metamorphosis, but that was ages ago and in Finnish, so I should probably pick it up again.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading! :)
Kafka is on my TBR list, but honestly I'm a little nervous about reading him. I totally agree with your not-so-original list, but I wonder if perhaps the reason those books are so popular is because they stick to heavily tread themes that speak to the human condition in a way that a lot of people can relate to.
ReplyDeleteNight Film and Habibi, how did I forget these?? Yours is the second list with Ella Minnow Pea on it...must read this soon!
ReplyDeleteI have really got to read The Night Film already...
ReplyDeleteI'll join in with everyone else - I want to read Night Film. The last giveaway I did, I required people to answer the question "What was your least favorite book?" and one of the top answers was Naked Lunch, so you are not alone. I didn't mind it myself.
ReplyDeleteI've read zero of your original list but all 3 of your secondary list! I think The Flame Alphabet is one of the most unique books I have ever read. I'm trying to think of more. . .
ReplyDeleteOh The hunger games!! Love love love!! :)
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