. . . in the wee hours last night. And I am suddenly eighteen again and everything is crazy sweet and hopeful.
I am winded, you guys. Winded from laboring over this list. This is the first time I've attempted to cobble together a Best Books of the Decade list, and I can't say I'll be up to it for another ten years or so. But my, I couldn't resist the challenge (or profound pleasure, if we're being honest). I kept trying to winnow it down, kept forcing myself to be ruthless. Like somehow I could (or should) keep it to a top ten (flat impossible) or at least a top twenty-five (who are we kidding?). But after bidding those constraints good riddance, I really did press myself to take a hard, clear look at what hurts (to mangle my favorite Hemingway quote). Because these novels hurt in the best way. Each entry on this list is a five-star book in my books. Which means I wouldn't change a single thing about a single one of them. They are the ones I call perfect when I recommend them to friends and strangers. They are the ones I have read and reread over the past ten years and…
I just bought this :-) So glad to hear it worked for you.
ReplyDeleteIt did, Li. It did.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I've been looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteIt is here! Rejoice!!
ReplyDeleteRejoicing right now! :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie Perkins is very good at bringing out the teenager in her readers. I'm only 21% in but that is exactly how I feel about Isla and the Happily Ever After so far.
ReplyDeleteHehe
ReplyDeleteVeeeery good. And particularly with this one, I thought.
ReplyDeleteI really loved this--the more I think about it, the more I think it's maybe my favorite of her three. There's something both magical and real about Isla & Josh's story.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I really need to do a reread of LOLA. I reread ANNA not long back and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Now for LOLA so I can make an informed decision.
ReplyDeleteBut, yeah. Josh + Isla. Dang.
I just finished. What a wonderful, heady, romantic read. And it's impossible to put down!
ReplyDeletePerfect description, JoLee. Heady and romantic. So so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Fault in Our Stars. Should I read these possibly? I don't usually like romance but if it's different than I can handle it.
ReplyDeleteI think these would be a great bet! They're not heavy romances, just sweet and swoony lovely ones. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad it worked out for you! I was so excited for this, but it didn't end up being my cup of tea...YA is the best, but these books (especially Isla) were a little bit TOO teenager-ish?
ReplyDelete