As an avid reader and BookTok subscriber, I’ve read my fair share of books over the years, and there are quite a few that fall short for how good they are. Even if they get some screen time on BookTok or have a few solid Goodreads reviews under their belt, they don’t come close to the overwhelming romanticism that TikTok is known for. Here are 10 books that I believe deserve more hype than they’ve been given:
The Called Man by Fredrik Backman:
The Called Man follows the story of a cynical old man named Ove. But although he is often critical and rude, he has a heart for the people in his area who need it. This book was Fredrik Backman’s first book and is often overlooked compared to Backman’s other amazing books. It’s a quick, easy book, that will surely stir the reader’s imagination.
He is no longer a Person by Osamu Dazai:
Story continues below ad
He is no longer a man, published in 1948, is a book, partly based on the life story of the author, Osamu Dazai. The book details Ōba Yōzō’s struggles through various journal entries, many of which reflect Dazai’s personal life, such as his struggles with addiction and depression. It’s a difficult read subject-wise, but it’s a confessional masterpiece at its heart.
A circle by Madeline Miller:
Miller’s story A circle refers to various Greek myths, especially the Odyssey, telling the story of Circe, the daughter of Helios and a witch herself. From his point of view, we can get into the head of a person who is often portrayed as a villain. Another stellar Miller story, Hymn of Achilles, often wear Sedika, and although it is well written, A circle it also deserves more attention for its intricate details and brilliant storytelling.
Our Chemical Hearts by Kristal Sutherland:
Our Chemical Hearts published in 2016. This novel follows the main character, Henry Page. He’s a hopeless romantic, and he doesn’t know anything. When he meets Grace Town, everything goes well until the end. Our Chemical Hearts is a YA novel that explores themes of intense first love, grief and loss, and the transition from youth to adulthood.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven:
Name Jennifer Niven All the Bright Places is a book about two young people who meet at the same time and are thinking of killing themselves. They bond over shared stress, helping each other deal with their struggles with grief, loss and mental illness. They teach each other how to survive, and as one does so, the other succumbs to depression. It is a sad book with many early warnings. It’s a realistic portrayal of the struggles of young people with mental illness, and it’s a really good read.
Jupiter orbiting by Gary D. Schmidt:
Jupiter orbiting is a novel about a 14-year-old boy who goes into foster care after being jailed for hitting a teacher. Narrated by his 12-year-old foster brother, the book details Joseph’s quest to find and bond with his infant daughter. It is a book that describes the problems of family relationship, suffering and sacrifice, and it is another heavy but short book.
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner:
Penner’s The Lost Apothecary is a two-time, dual-POV story that alternates between an 18th-century apothecary and a modern-day historian as he discovers the hidden secrets of an ancient apothecary who sells potions that women use against men and oppressive men in their lives. I could not put this book down, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. It really should be appreciated more than it is given.
This is How to Get Rid of Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone:
This is How to Get Rid of Time War it is a book that, although sometimes complicated, is worth reading. It tells the story of two time travelers, Red and Blue, who fall in love through a series of letters they leave each other across time and space. It takes science fiction, romance, and fantasy, all rolled into one book.
I Love I Hope by Lancali:
I Love I Hope is a devastating book about a group of terminally ill young people living in a hospital who are determined to live life to the fullest. The main character, Sam, has sworn off love after a heart attack, but when a new girl arrives, he must face his fear of losing people in exchange for finding trust in the relationships he makes.
Atlas Six by Olivia Blake
Atlas Six is a dark educational series that follows six sorcerers, each with unique talents, who are chosen to compete against the only five spots in a secret society that guards ancient knowledge. In one year, the six participants will spend their time training, preparing and fighting to become one of the five chosen, but when things go wrong, the other beginners are challenged to uncover their past and shape their future. Now a completed trilogy, this series is a must-read for those who like dark educational fantasy with an alarming number of plot twists.
To stay up-to-date on all things Decaturian, follow Dec on all things social.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Decaturian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedecaturian/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.decaturian
#Unexpected #Books