Top Ten Tuesdays #131: Couldn’t Put Down

Ten Recent Books I Couldn’t Put Down

Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we make lists of our top ten books (or something else!) based on that week’s prompt. The topics are provided ahead of time and can be found here. Book links bring you to Goodreads or my review.

This week’s topic is: “Read In One Sitting Theme: ten of the shortest books I’ve read, top ten books I read in one sitting, ten books to read when you are short on time, top ten books that will make you read the whole day away, etc.”  I feel like I’ve talked about the whole “read in one sitting” thing before many times! You can click on any of the pieces of the above sentences to read my posts for them 😉 SO today I figured I’d spin it off into the most recent books I read that I couldn’t put down. I have a Goodreads shelf for this very thing!

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham

When I couldn’t put it down: Basically the whole book | Why I read past my bedtime: This was the kind of book where I was never really motivated to pick it up and read, but once I got started – oh man. I could not stop. The chapters alternated between past and present day, while the mystery built up slowly between both periods of time. There was such a sense of urgency while reading! I was always dying to see what was happening in the other timeline, so I couldn’t put it down.

Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson

When I couldn’t put it down: Basically the whole book | Why I read past my bedtime: I’m very bad about reading fantasy books. They can never hold my attention and I find myself losing focus, putting the book down to do other things, and reading very slooooowly. This book, for whatever reason, kept me very engaged! I don’t think it was a great book by any means, but for a slow fantasy reader? This could be considered a page-turner!

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

When I couldn’t put it down: Second half of the book | Why I read past my bedtime: I remember this one having some solid twists and turns. There were many elements of the story I didn’t see coming (including the basic premise that this was going to be a heavier contemporary). The book picked up in the second half and I’m pretty sure I read over 50% in one sitting before work.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

When I couldn’t put it down: All of it, but especially the second half | Why I read past my bedtime: Well, for starters, this book was perfection. I loved the characters, the story, the family, the culture and diversity, the romance. Literally all of it. I couldn’t put it down because it was so delightful and addicting! I could move in and love on these characters forever and ever.

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

When I couldn’t put it down: All of it, but especially the very end | Why I read past my bedtime: Ugh, another completely perfect book I wanted to swallow all at once and move inside. For a book somewhat centered around religion and religious characters, this book was so amazing. I don’t find myself reading those books really ever, but this is easily Lord’s best book. The end had some bigger reveals that I was not prepared for, so I found myself racing to the conclusion.

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

When I couldn’t put it down: All of it (less than 300 pages) | Why I read past my bedtime: I adored Buxbaum’s first YA novel and was sooooo ready for her next. I’m happy to say this did not disappoint at all. Even though the book had some heavy subject matter, it was a VERY quick read. It clocks in around 272 pages (the ARC was even shorter I believe). I loved the characters and their banter/relationship! There were some really funny parts mixed in with the sads. I couldn’t put this one down.

Pretty Fierce by Kieran Scott

When I couldn’t put it down: Probably around 20% of the way through | Why I read past my bedtime: It goes without saying for the millionth time how much I love this author, right? This book was unputdownable with all the twists and turns! The two characters were on the run essentially, so I kept turning the page to see what trouble would come around the corner for them. I don’t think it was perfect or anything (and you definitely have to suspend your disbelief!) but it was totally worth the super-quick read! The first 20% of the book was a little hard because you’re dumped right into the action, but the backstory gets mixed in nicely.

The Adjustment by Suzanne Young

When I couldn’t put it down: Basically the whole book | Why I read past my bedtime: Can I just put “Suzanne Young” here as my reason? Her books are ALWAYS addicting. I don’t think I’ve read any of them in more than 2-3 sittings… especially this series. I am always wondering what’s going to happen next, as I’m bleary-eyed and saying “just one more chapter” until the book is done. I don’t want this series to ever end!

The Young Wives Club by Julie Pennell

When I couldn’t put it down: Basically the whole book | Why I read past my bedtime: This wasn’t a case of “perfect book, can’t stop reading” or “holy shit, so much action, must continue” like the rest on my list. I think this story was just addicting and relatable. It wasn’t my favorite, but I really enjoyed the reading experience! This was another one – like LETTERS TO THE LOST – where I just banged it out in almost one sitting. Character-driven stories with multiple points of view can be that way for me.

Chloe Snow’s Diary by Emma Chastain

When I couldn’t put it down: All of it | Why I read past my bedtime: I read this book over the course of one afternoon; I literally could not stop reading. I read it outside in the sunshine, inside on the couch, at my dad’s house while I watched their cat… I just walked around with it all day! Honestly, the diary format is the #1 reason for this. I cranked through the Jessica Darling series for that very reason! Chloe was a very relatable character for me. At her age I was having very similar thoughts and experiences.

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