Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Firstly, Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends! I hope you’re going to enjoy your holiday however you most like to enjoy it. We don’t have Thanksgiving here, but I think this kind of blog post is a great way to reflect on recent books I’ve read that have had an impact on me, in a way I’m thankful for! So, here’s ten books (I’ve read in the last 6ish, give or take, months) I’m thankful for!
Top Ten Books I’m Thankful For
Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans
Genre: Romance – Contemporary
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: September 2nd, 2024
I really loved this book, but in general I guess I’m thankful for all the Christmas books I’ve enjoyed in past years and the ones I’ll enjoy this year. Christmas Ever After was my first Christmas book of 2024, and it’s introduced me to a new author and new series I think I’ll really enjoy.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Genre: Gothic Horror
Age: Adult
Format: Audiobook
Published: April 12th, 1976
Louis and Lestat inspired so many of the vampires who cropped up in the 90s and early 00s. And this is one of the first vampire books I actually read, too, when I was in my early teens. I fell in love instantly with Rice’s writing and the characters, and I’m extra thankful for this one at the moment thanks to the excellent TV series based off The Vampire Chronicles.
Anyone’s Ghost by August Thompson
Genre: Literary – Contemporary
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: July 9th, 2024
I wasn’t a huge fan of this book, and it’s not one I loved, but I’m thankful this book – and others like it – exist, books that are focused on queer relationships outside of Romance, and which feature messy, complicated queer characters who struggle with their identity, or treat others poorly, or to put it another way – are completely and utterly human, rather than ‘perfect’ in the way queer characters have had to be in the past. Basically, I love the increase in queer rep in all books, portraying all different kinds of characters, and just because I don’t love all of them, doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate and be thankful for their existence.
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Adiba Jaigirdar
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age: Young Adult
Format: ebook
Published: June 4th, 2024
I feel like Muslim representation still isn’t common in books as it should be, and like some of the other books mentioned here, I’m glad for all books that give kids representation and the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the characters. But I’m also thankful for books that deal with real world issues in a way that’s accessible to young adults without talking down to them. People underestimate how much positive impact a book like this can have in the right hands at the right time, but I think the value in these books can’t really be measured because of it.
Hexed by Julia Tuffs
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Age: Young Adult
Format: ebook
Published: August 7th, 2021
Again, books that show teens going through real life stuff, struggling and dealing with both personal and wider issues that don’t talk down to the reader are absolutely golden. I’m particularly thankful for Hexed because it reflects a situation girls are having to deal with now, with the prevalence of social media and devices that can record moments you’d probably not want shared. Yes, Jessie is dealing with her new witch powers, but she’s also dealing with being a teen girl and the difficulties that come with that, and I’m not sure which one is more difficult!
Jacked Up by Latrexa Nova
Genre: Horror – Paranormal Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: November 24th, 2023
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, but I really did love it! It’s an excellent blend of horror, romance and humour, and how can you not love the idea of a sentient object dark romance with a possessed Jack in the box?
To Steal a Heart by Kate Bateman
Genre: Historical Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: February 23rd, 2016
I’m thankful for this because it’s a Regency Romance, but it’s very different to other Regency Romances I’ve read, and also it’s a book I picked up during Stuff Your Kindle, which is an excellent book blast that I am very, incredibly grateful for!
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
Genre: Horror
Age: Adult
Format: Paperback
Published: July 9th, 2024
Another book with great representation, but I’m so thankful for Chuck Tingle’s existence and the words he’s putting out into the world, and he’s such a great horror writer. Can’t wait to see what his next horror novel is.
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
Genre: Horror
Age: Young Adult
Format: ebook
Published: August 29th, 2023
Books where characters get to be messy and complicated and angry are to be celebrated, as far as I’m concerned, especially when the character is a young, Black teen girl dealing with racism when she’s just trying to do something she wants. This is Shea’s debut novel, and it’s a really solid start from this author.
Gay Aliens and Queer Folk: How Russell T Davies Changed TV by Emily Garside
Genre: Nonfiction
Age: Adult
Format: Hardback
Published: September 21st, 2023
I’ve talked about rep above, but as well as having representation, it’s great to have books that reflect on it, too. Emily Garside examines the career of Russell T Davies, a man who uses his work to create representation but also tell queer history and centre queer stories. It’s safe to say he’s had a huge impact on the British cultural landscape, and has been at the front of boundary-breaking TV. So, I’m thankful for writers like Emily who are shining a light on these aspects of culture, and for creatives like Russell T Davies for creating shows like It’s a Sin, Queer as Folk and, of course, for bringing Doctor Who back to our screens in the early 00s.
Are there any books you’ve read recently you’re grateful for, either because of where they fit in the wider publishing landscape, or because of how (individually) good you found it? What makes you feel thankful for books?
Unwrapping Words 