Top Ten Tuesday: The Last Ten Books that Gave Me a Book Hangover

This week’s topic is the last ten books that gave us a book hangover. It didn’t take either of us terribly long to think of our top five books that stayed with us long after we closed the cover—all for good reasons.

Thanks to That Artsy Reader Girl for another great Top Ten Tuesday!

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Pete’s Five

The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

It’s been a while since I read a fantasy that drew me in as quickly and completely as The Poppy War. The world is so fresh and well-developed, and the protagonist is a joy to read about.

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

This book gave me chills. Something about the mystery of Milkman Dead’s family has stuck with me ever since I put this one down.

Educated by Tara Westover 

I can’t say I enjoyed this book—but I was fascinated by it from the start. 

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

I love multigenerational stories, and this may be one of my favorites. Gyasi’s ability to tell chapter-length short stories that weave together to form a greater narrative is incredible.

News of the World by Paulette Jiles

As soon as I finished this book, I knew it would become one of my favorites for years. It’s uplifting, adventurous, and heartwarming… I can’t think of a single critique of this wonderful story.

Indiana’s Five

The Missing of Clairdelune by Christelle Dabos

I know I used this one for last week’s prompt, but it just fits too perfectly with this one. I finished it on a long car ride home and I was just so stunned and immediately upset about just how long it was (is) until the next one in the series was going to be translated. For the record, I’m still upset about it.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

This whole book is packed with intense relationships and at the end, so it only makes sense to have a bit of a book hangover at the end. 

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah 

Though it’s a lengthy novel, I read it in a day and a half. It was another emotionally intense book, with a protagonist stuck in an abusive family who has moved up to the Alaskan wilderness. 

Pan’s Labyrinth by Cornelia Funke and Guillermo del Toro

Though I don’t remember loving the movie (I saw it a long time ago in school), the book simply wouldn’t let me leave. I read it in one sitting because I was so invested in Ofelia’s story and all the intertwined “fairy tales” in between. 

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid 

This novel presented so many ethical/social dilemmas, I found myself feeling nauseous throughout the book, perhaps especially at the end.