Top Ten Tuesday (#3): Books Dealing With Tough Subjects

Top Ten Tuesday is a fun weekly meme hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is Top Ten Books Dealing With Tough Subjects. Here are my ten, in no particular order...

 

Picture source: Goodreads

1) How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

This beautiful book with many important themes really found a place in my heart. It is a sad yet happy story of two people, or more, finding the path to themselves. Both abuse and grief are touched on expertly in this novel.



 

Picture source: Goodreads

 

2) The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

I was pretty much rendered speechless by the profound truth and meaning I found in The Sky is Everywhere. It is funny at some times, gut-wrenching at others, and powerful for the rest of the time. This is one of the best books I know that handle grief.



Picture source: Goodreads

3) Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

Taylor, the main character, was totally relatable to me and her emotions, thoughts and flaws felt utterly, compellingly real. I especially loved her growth in this novel – she came to terms with, confronted and conquered her fears and insecurities. The way the family became tight was simply heart-warming.

Picture source: Goodreads

4) Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson 

Wintergirls is such an insightful, moving story dealing with difficult topics. I strongly recommend it to anyone wanting to read about how an eating disorder affects a person's life.





Picture source: Goodreads

5) Where She Went by Gayle Forman

The girl he loves left Adam without explanation. He also grieves the deaths of her family members who were close to him. This really was an emotional read, I cried buckets. Wonderful.

 

Picture source: Goodreads

6) Looking for Alaska by John Green   

A well-written book that sucked me in, Looking for Alaska also handled a tough subject masterfully. John Green is amazing!

 

Picture source: Goodreads

7) The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne                           

Through the eyes of a naïve German boy, the horrors of the Second World War are depicted through such an innocent perspective that I couldn’t help shivering. Thought-provoking!

 

Picture source: Goodreads

8) Hate List by Jennifer Brown             

School shootings are definitely difficult issues to handle. For the main character of the Hate List, Valerie, it is even more difficult because it was her boyfriend who was behind it, killing people they both shared their hate for. Worth reading for sure.

Picture source: Goodreads

9) Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher                                           

This was awful, in a way, because from the very beginning we know that there is no hope for Hannah anymore. Yet as a reader, I couldn’t help wishing she would have survived as the reasons behind the terrible act are uncovered slowly in an original way.

 

Picture source: Goodreads

10) Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho                                                          

Veronika has attempted suicide but she didn’t succeed. This novel is powerful and beautifully written, maybe even my favourite Coelho book.

 

 

 

So those were my Top Ten this week - what are yours? List them in the comments or leave a link to your blog and I'll stop by!

 

-Eve