This week’s Top 10 is a freebie, and I came across this topic a while ago, so am excited for the opportunity to finally write this blog post. The books I love most, I actually often don’t review, because I’m not sure what to say beyond a paragraph of gushing. Some of the books in this list I also read before I started my blog, hence they didn’t get a review.

Top 10 Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish, but has now moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. If you’re interested in taking part click here.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – I could actually list every one of her books here, because I’ve never written a review for any of the ones I’ve read. She is one of my favourite authors and I love the world of the Shadowhunters she created.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – I read this series before I started my blog, I think. Now that I know the story inside out, it would be hard to review in retrospect!

A Streetcat Named Bob by James Bowen – I didn’t write a review for this book because it’s not my usual genre. I don’t really read memoirs or autobiographies, so wasn’t sure what to say in a review. But I did love this book and would recommend reading it.

Cygnet duology by Patricia A. McKillip – I can’t remember much about this duology, as it’s a few years since I read it, but I remember loving it. Patricia McKillip is one of my favourite authors. She writes such rich fantasy novels.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson – This is one of my favourite books. I read it as part of research for my dissertation, so didn’t have time to review it when I read it. The lyrical, metaphorical writing style is so engaging and manages to show the subject matter in a sensitive and enlightening way.

Make Lemonade by Virginia Euwer Wolff – Like Speak, I also read this book while at university, as part of research for a short story submission. The novel is written in verse and tells a very engaging story.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J. K. Rowling (illustrated edition) – The illustrated edition of this book is absolutely gorgeous. I remember trying to read the original copy of the book years ago as a child, and wishing there were illustrations to go with it. So I absolutely had to have this book when it came out. It didn’t disappoint. The illustrations are so creative and really bring the book to life.

Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy – This is my favourite classic, of the ones I have read so far, even though it has quite a tragic story. I remember being really drawn in by Hardy’s writing style.

Poison by Chris Wooding – It’s been such a long time since I read this book; I really need to re-read it. Chris Wooding writes such imaginative books.

Rebel Heart by Moira Young – I reviewed the first book in this trilogy, Blood Red Road, when I first started this blog, but looking back, I don’t appear to have reviewed the second or third books. I remember thinking the first book was the best, but still loved the sequels too.