• Home
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Comics
  • Features
    • Curation by Cee
    • Holy, Mother Cover!
    • Sincerely, Cee | A letter from yours truly
    • The Three C’s: Candid Conversations with Cee
    • You’re Just My Type | Fonts galore!
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Review Policy
    • Giveaway Policy
  • Contact

The Novel Hermit

daydreaming about books

Lists

TOP TEN TUESDAY | Books I Enjoyed That Weren’t My Type of Book

February 23, 2016 Comments : 19

tttfestivo

[quote]Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where we list our top tens![/quote]

This week’s topic is “top ten eight books I enjoyed that weren’t my type of book (but now is).” Middle Grade books! I never thought much about Middle Grade books, but I’ve found myself yearning for them after getting a taste of the awesomeness I read. It’s all those beautiful displays of friendships and the adventures the characters get themselves into. They have seduced me! Now, I’ve been bit by the Middle Grade-loving bug! I need to get all of them!

Here are eight Middle Grade books I enjoyed, and that you definitely need to read. (I highly recommend the first five.)

THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

Why you need to read it: Bizarre and creepy, unexpected outcome. Parents sending their children to The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, a reform school. Kids disappearing. It’s brilliant. (My review)

GOODBYE STRANGER

Why you need to read it: Beautiful displays of friendship, where fights do not end them. So honest and full of love. Made me very emotional. (My review)

MURDER IS BAD MANNERS

Why you need to read it: Murder mystery investigated by Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong. Told from Hazel’s POV, a Chinese main character. Super fun. (My review)

A MONSTER CALLS

Why you need to read it: Patrick Ness is a gem (and he wrote this). Very emotional book. Great illustrations that will consume you.

HOOK’S REVENGE

Why you need to read it: Super delightful MG about Captain Hook’s daughter. Pirate antics.

THE CURIOUS TALE OF THE IN-BETWEEN

Why you need to read it: Supernatural tale about a girl who can talk to ghosts. Honest portrayal of death and grief. Good friendship! (My review)

OMEGA CITY

Why you need to read it: Treasure hunt about lost Cold-War technology, disappearances and government cover-up, space-themed riddle, gun-toting bad guys, and an underground city doomsday bunker! (My review)

A NIGHT DIVIDED

Why you need to read it: A taste of history. Simple historical portrayal of life after the erection of the Berlin Wall. Lots of tension between Greta’s family and the Stasi. (My review)

I hope you’d read these Middle Grades! This is just the beginning. I have lots I want to read. What Middle Grade would you recommend me? 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Previous:
2016 LOVE-A-THON · That’s A Wrap!
Next:
FROM PANEL TO PANEL | February 2016 Graphic Novel Releases I’m Excited About!

You might also enjoy

TOP TEN TUESDAY | Reasons I Love Being A Blogger/ReaderTOP TEN TUESDAY | Reasons I Love Being A Blogger/Reader
TOP TEN TUESDAY • Books I Read Because Of Another PersonTOP TEN TUESDAY • Books I Read Because Of Another Person
TOP TEN TUESDAY | Books I Hope Santa Will Bring MeTOP TEN TUESDAY | Books I Hope Santa Will Bring Me

Comments

  1. Angel @Angel Reads says

    February 23, 2016 at 1:00 am

    What a great list – I haven’t heard a lot of these, but they are catching my eye now.

    Thanks for the post.

    Reply
  2. irena_bookdustmagic says

    February 23, 2016 at 1:39 am

    Thanks for this post! You posted it just in a good time, as I am trying to read more middle grade books, just to see what’s outthere plus I always seem to enjoy them when I read them, even if I’m in someone’s opinion waaaaaay too old to read MD.
    When I was a child I read only Croatian MG authors, german, austrian and italian, some chech and so on (it would be esier if I just said European), long story short, as a child, I didn’t read amrecian authors, so it’s nice to catch up those later in life. The good thing is that those books read pretty fast.

    From your list, I am adding: Goodbye Stranger, The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls and The urious Tale of the In-Between.

    Reply
  3. darcy h. says

    February 23, 2016 at 1:49 am

    MG was very much out of my comfort zone until quite recently, and I loved Murder is Bad Manners (or as I knew it, Murder Most Unladylike) as well! I really enjoyed GEORGE by Alex Gino, and thought that it was a simple but important book.

    I’m definitely going to be checking out some of the books on this list! ?

    Reply
  4. Michelle @ Pink Polka Dot Books says

    February 23, 2016 at 3:37 am

    I didn’t realize that A Monster Calls was MG. I’m always looking for good MG because my son likes me to read them to him before bed. The Cavendish Home, Hook’s Revenge, and A Curious Tale of the In-Between are all going on my list :)

    Reply
  5. Chelsea @ Books for Thought says

    February 23, 2016 at 4:36 am

    A Monster Calls was such a gorgeous book! I’m glad you liked it! Great list!
    <a href='https://bftreviews.wordpress.com/2016/02/23/top-ten-recent-books-i-enjoyed-that-were-out-of-my-comfort-zone/&#039;?My TTT

    Reply
  6. Fida says

    February 23, 2016 at 5:28 am

    I love history and will definitely check out A Night Divided. I need to get back to reading more MG. I would suggest Broken Branch Falls by Tara Tyler, it’s an MG Adventure.

    Reply
  7. Whitney says

    February 23, 2016 at 7:42 am

    I haven’t read or heard of most of the books on this list, which is a good thing. Middle grade books aren’t really my thing, but I’ve recently started a part time gig as a writing tutor for a young girl. She’s an extremely advanced reader for her age, so I’m trying to compile a list of good books to work through with her. I’m thinking this is good place to start!

    Reply
  8. Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic says

    February 23, 2016 at 9:16 am

    I LOVE middle-grade novels, they deal with such heartbreaking topics with such innocence and simplicity. I love them! I’ve read A Monster Calls and Murder is Bad Manners (I know it by the title of A Murder Most Unladylike) and I really enjoyed both books. There’s quite a few novels here that I haven’t heard of so off to check them out!

    Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic
    My TTT Post!

    Reply
  9. Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things says

    February 23, 2016 at 10:22 am

    Love this post, I definitely need to read more middle grade!

    Reply
  10. Jeanna says

    February 23, 2016 at 11:44 am

    I just picked up A Monster Calls and I usually don’t read books like this one. I’m enjoying it though! Patrick Ness is a gem, so right. Happy reading!

    Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday!

    Reply
  11. Annika says

    February 23, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    That’s loads of books I need to get around to reading! A Monster Calls is already on my list but The Curious Tale of the In-Between and Goodbye Stranger definitely have to go on my TBR now!

    I’ve been wanting to read more books like these because now that I’m older I feel really strongly that it’s actually super important to have good books aimed at kids.
    I think I’ve mentioned this to you already but Howl’s Moving Castle! Read it! ;)

    Reply
  12. Gabi @ Let's Gab About Books says

    February 23, 2016 at 2:04 pm

    I really honestly rarely pick up middle grade! I didn’t even know A Monster Calls was a middle grade one. Apart from maybe Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, I really never read much MG. I am definitely going to check out some of your recs though! Definitely an interesting list, Cee! :)

    my TTT:
    https://letsgababoutbooks.wordpress.com/2016/02/23/top-ten-tuesday-recently-enjoyed-out-of-my-comfort-zone/

    Reply
  13. Aentee says

    February 23, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    MG books have the best covers omg *stares forever* I am usually quite snobbish about them but there are some MG I love such as A Monster Calls & Leviathan.
    The Cavendish Home for the Boys and Girls sound exactly like something I would love though, now I just need to go pay that fine at the library before I can check it out.

    Reply
  14. Crystal says

    February 23, 2016 at 3:00 pm

    I just finished reading a middle grade book called Risuko. It is really good. See my review here. http://crystal-hikari.blogspot.com/2016/02/risuko-david-kudler.html Unfortunately, it’s not out yet, but there are previews on Risuko.net and i got the e-ARC from Netgalley.

    Reply
  15. Jess @ POB! says

    February 23, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    Yikes, I haven’t read any of these… but I do own the Lauren DeStefano one and I hear remarkable things about the Ness one! I’ll have to read Murder is Bad Manners because I’m always on the look out for Asian MCs!

    Reply
  16. Rose says

    February 24, 2016 at 5:12 am

    I don’t read much Middle Grade but this list has me excited to start. The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls sounds so interesting. And I’ve had A Monster Calls on my TBR for ages – definitely need to bump it up to read soon. Hook’s Revenge sounds really fun, too. Thanks for the recommendations!
    My TTT

    Reply
  17. Tanya Patrice says

    February 24, 2016 at 8:38 pm

    I’m not a big fan of middle grade books either. But A Monster Calls was my jam :-)

    Reply
  18. Jeann @ Happy Indulgence says

    February 25, 2016 at 1:35 am

    It’s always awesome finding reads that are unexpected loves! The only one I’ve read here is Goodbye Stranger but I can’t remember much about it. I’m looking forward to reading A Monster Calls though.

    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

    Reply
  19. Alexa S. says

    February 25, 2016 at 8:41 pm

    I’ve only read two of the books on your list! I guess that means I have a ton of middle grade reading ahead of me ;)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me


I’m Cee. Lover of books + comics. Bookseller. Former teen witch.

The Novel Hermit is written by a daydreamer who loves books and want to share her love with everybody. You will find YA, comics, reviews, discussions, book cover love, and lots of adoration for books. What more can you ask for?

Follow Me

Twitter Facebookg Goodreads Instagram Pinterest E-mail RSS

Recent Posts

  • BOOKS IN HAND • What Readers Bought for the Holidays 2024
  • TOO MUCH TBR • December 2024
  • TOO MUCH TBR • November 2024
  • TOO MUCH TBR • October 2024
  • TOO MUCH TBR • September 2024

ARCHIVES

2024

  • + December (2)
  • + November (1)
  • + October (1)
  • + September (1)
  • + August (1)
  • + July (1)
  • + June (1)
  • + May (1)
  • + April (2)
  • + March (1)
  • + February (1)
  • + January (3)

2023

  • + December (2)
  • + November (2)
  • + October (2)
  • + September (2)
  • + August (2)
  • + July (2)
  • + June (2)
  • + May (4)
  • + April (2)
  • + March (2)
  • + February (3)
  • + January (4)

2022

  • + December (5)
  • + November (3)
  • + October (6)
  • + September (4)
  • + August (4)
  • + July (5)
  • + June (9)
  • + May (8)
  • + April (4)
  • + March (3)
  • + February (2)
  • + January (5)

2021

  • + December (5)
  • + November (1)
  • + October (1)
  • + September (4)
  • + August (4)
  • + July (4)
  • + June (2)
  • + May (3)
  • + April (2)
  • + March (2)
  • + February (3)
  • + January (1)

2020

  • + December (4)
  • + November (1)
  • + October (6)
  • + September (2)
  • + August (3)
  • + May (1)
  • + April (2)
  • + March (4)
  • + February (2)
  • + January (3)

2019

  • + December (4)
  • + November (2)
  • + October (7)
  • + September (3)
  • + August (3)
  • + July (1)
  • + June (4)
  • + May (2)
  • + April (2)
  • + March (1)
  • + February (2)
  • + January (4)

2018

  • + December (3)
  • + November (3)
  • + October (2)
  • + September (3)
  • + August (2)
  • + July (3)
  • + June (2)
  • + May (6)
  • + April (11)
  • + March (9)
  • + February (7)
  • + January (7)

2017

  • + December (5)
  • + November (2)
  • + October (11)
  • + September (14)
  • + August (12)
  • + July (12)
  • + June (9)
  • + May (11)
  • + April (9)
  • + March (13)
  • + February (19)
  • + January (10)

2016

  • + December (9)
  • + November (11)
  • + October (12)
  • + September (15)
  • + August (8)
  • + July (16)
  • + June (15)
  • + May (16)
  • + April (17)
  • + March (18)
  • + February (19)
  • + January (15)

2015

  • + December (15)
  • + November (15)
  • + October (15)
  • + September (17)
  • + August (18)
  • + July (17)
  • + June (14)
  • + May (16)
  • + April (15)
  • + March (14)
  • + February (15)
  • + January (14)

2014

  • + December (14)
  • + November (14)
  • + October (13)
  • + September (11)
  • + August (14)
  • + July (14)
  • + June (14)
  • + May (17)
  • + April (9)
  • + March (18)
  • + February (19)
  • + January (21)

2013

  • + December (18)
  • + November (17)
  • + October (21)
  • + September (18)
  • + August (16)
  • + July (17)
  • + June (15)
  • + May (11)
  • + April (6)
  • + March (7)
  • + February (4)
  • + January (2)

2012

  • + December (2)

Disclaimer

All of the books I review either have been purchased by me, borrowed from the library, and sent to me by the publisher (the latter of which I will note).

All the words and opinions in this blog are my own. I am not paid to write reviews. Synopsis are taken from either the back of the book or from Goodreads.com.

Any use and/or duplication of my material without permission from me (the author and owner of The Novel Hermit blog) is strictly prohibited.

2025 The Novel Hermit. All Rights Reserved. Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2025 · Yoon Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in