Hosted by The Broke & The Bookish
Post header background: Designed by balasoiu / Freepik
Hi everybody, and welcome to a new Top Ten Tuesday!
Today’s post is all about recommendations, and I specifically want to talk about books I’d recommend to casual readers. What do I mean by casual readers? I mean those people who pick up a book maybe two to three times a year (probably on their vacation). The readers who like reading, but don’t consider it a favorite way to pass the time. Most people I know IRL are either non-reader, or a casual reader. So if they don’t read that many books, I’d still recommend them to read these books below.
Let’s be real, if you’re reading my blog, you’re most likely a fellow bookworm. And I LOVE recommending books to my fellow bookworms and getting recommendations back. But the chances that I can recommend a book to one of you fellow bookworms that you a) haven’t heard of yet or b) haven’t already read yourself are pretty slim. It doesn’t always have the same satisfaction as recommending a book to a casual reader and having them fall absolutely head over heels in love with it.
So this is my recommendation post for all you casual readers out there! (And of course I secretly do hope one of these will turn you in a super bookworm…)
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
What do you mean “You watched the movies, you don’t need to read the books”? Of course you still need to read these books! The movies are great, but the books take everything to a whole other level and will leave you wishing you were a wizard yourself.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Another succesful movie franchise and I hate to repeat myself, but the books are still filled with so much extra goodness that you just need to experience. Though I do admit that Catching Fire is one of the BEST movie adaptations out there.
Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Even a casual reader is bound to fall in love with this band of morally grey misfits and this story about the heist of their lifetime. I refuse to believe otherwise.
The Shades of Magic series by V.E. Schwab
This is pretty much my go-to answer if anyone asks me to name my favorite book/series. Of course I have hundreds of faves, but I feel like this series just scores the best overall – the plot, the writing style, the characters, the pacing, the romance, the friendships, the villains, the family connections, the ending. Every single thing about this series felt amazing to me so I’d recommend it to everybody.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Another book I think even a casual reader would enjoy. Though I’d keep this recommendation more for the people I know are familiar already with the story of Achilles, are into mythology and retellings and don’t mind having their heart broken by a book.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This book tore my heart into little tiny pieces and I still haven’t recovered. So naturally, I must recommend it! The emotional story, the loveable characters and especially the unique narrator… this just feels like one of those must-reads, even for casual readers.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
This enemies-to-lovers story in an office setting is perfect for casual readers who prefer a little less sobbing and a lot more humor and romance. Maybe the perfect beach read for during their holidays?
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
For those people who may be casual readers, but still huge sci-fi fans I present Illuminae! In bookworm world I may be one of the last few people to read this, but in non-bookworm world I don’t think this is all that known yet, and it should be! Especially recommended to read before it’s turned into a movie!
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
For casual readers who like reading about fandom life and would love or need the ton of important messages this book brings on topics such as sexuality, anxiety, misogyny, body-positivity and friendship. Also, just anyone in need of a genuinely great and heart-warming read.
The Red Winter trilogy by Annette Marie
Ok, this may just be because it’s my personal favorite, but even so I’d recommend this to every casual reader. I LOVE this series so much and would recommend it to EVERYBODY, casual reader or not. I’d recommend it to random people on the street if I would be the type to do so. Japanese mythology, kitsunes, action, romance and amazing characters, what are you waiting for?
For me it’s The Time Traveller’s Wife. I just recommended it to a casual reader at work today and she went away excited about reading again 🙂
Oh I haven’t read The Time Traveller’s Wife myself yet, but I’ll definitely have to someday! It’s such a great feeling to make a casual reader excited about reading 🙂
Fantastic recommendations 🙂 I can see how these books would easily appeal to casual readers.
Thanks so much Chrissi! 🙂
What a great take on the topic this week!! I think The Hating Game is such a perfect rec for casual readers!
Thanks so much! Yes, The Hating Game is perfect for casual readers! I also think it’s a perfect book to get out of a reading slump 🙂
I think this is a great list. Casual readers. Not non-readers. Not reading fanatics. Somewhere in between. Great idea for a list!
Here’s mine: Can Books Improve Your Happiness?
Thanks so much! Yes, us reading fanatics sometimes tend to forget such a thing as a casual reader exists, haha 😉
I am such a casual reader. I’m doing really well if I can get through a book per week.
I wouldn’t put A Conjuring of Light on this list because it took me so. long. to get through, but I do like the Shades of Magic trilogy! It has really great characters. 😀
Thanks for this list! The Hating Game sounds really intriguing!
Sometimes a book a week is a big accomplishment for me too! Especially lately 🙂 But I’ve also had times I could read two a week, so I guess there is a balance after all 😉
That is a good point though about the Shades of Magic series. Maybe it’s a book for more hardcore readers instead of casual readers, but I think if they can push through they’ll love it just as much as we do 🙂
Ooh, some good picks here! 🙂 I seriously need to get onto some of these series. But I agree with The Hunger Games and Harry Potter.
Thanks so much! Hope you’ll enjoy these when you get to them 🙂
Great recommendations – I think casual readers would really love these (at least the ones I’ve read LOL) The Book Thief is so amazing. Song of Achilles is one that I need to read.
-Lauren
Thanks so much! The Book Thief is so amazing indeed 🙂 And I do hope you’ll enjoy The Song of Achilles when you get to it!
Ahh, I love so many of these!! Harry Potter (obviously), Illuminae, Shades of Magic, Six of Crows, Queens of Geek and The Book Thief are all incredible!! I really need to read The Song of Achilles.
It’s always fun to hear we have so many favorites in common! 🙂 Definitely highly recommend The Song of Achilles, though I’d suggest to keep tissues close by…
It’s pretty rare that I don’t cry during a book so I always have them near by (plus allergies so ???)!!
Great recommendations! These definitely have mass appeal, and casual readers have surely heard of them but maybe never picked them up before.
Thanks! Yes, I think these books could definitely appeal to many readers 🙂
I still need to read Six of Crows, and I’ve had both the Shades of Magic series and Illuminae on my TBR for ages. I’ve seen so many good things about them, I need to get copies for myself!
Oh you have some seriously epic books to look forward to 😉 Hope you’ll enjoy!
I actually haven’t read any of those books! Although, The Book Theif has been one I’ve thought looks really interesting…
Visiting from the TTT linkup 🙂 https://lydiahowe.com/2017/08/15/top-ten-book-recommendations-for-nonfiction-readers/
I’d definitely highly recommend The Book Thief! Hope you’ll enjoy it when you get to it 🙂
SO so many books on this list that I adore! Six of Crows/Crooked Kingdom is probably my favourite duology ever, I love everything Leigh Bardugo writes. V.E. Schwab is another favourite author of mine so I was excited to see the Shades of Magic trilogy on here too. Fantastic list!
Here’s my TTT.
Ah so happy to hear we have so many favorites in common! Leigh Bardugo and V.E. Schwab are two amazing authors indeed 🙂
Always working that Red Winter onto your lists. 😉 But seriously, great list. These are some pretty solid books that I also tend to recommend.
Haha, yes you totally busted me 😉 I guess I’m a bit obsessed by these books, oops 😀 But glad to hear you agree with the list!
Great recommendations, some of my favourite books on here!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed this list 🙂
I still have to read Crooked Kingdom and ACOL – I’m so behind.? I also really have to get around to reading The Book Thief; I’ve only heard great things about it from everyone. Also, I love how The Hating Game is on this list haha (I totally approve).
Ah but it’s also kind of cool that you still have the epicness of Crooked Kingdom and ACOL to look forward to 😉 And The Book Thief’s pretty great too of course. Haha, The Hating Game does kind of stand out a bit on this list filled with fantasy, but it’s definitely one of those books I’d recommend to any casual reader looking for something fun and romantic 😀
The Harry Potter series is what turned my 17-year-old into a reader. Couldn’t stand it prior to those books! Also, I’d recommend The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy because it’s just so much fun and an easy read.
Here is my TTT.
That’s so cool! The power of Harry Potter 🙂 I still need to read The Hitchhikers Guide, so I should really get on that 🙂
I’ve read Six of Crows but not the sequel just yet. I think I was spoiled on something that happened so it made me lose my momentum for that one :(( Can we talk about those covers by Annette Marie?!?! GORGEOUS!!!!! I’m headed to GR to look those up right now 🙂 Love your post!!!
Oh no, spoilers are the worst! Hope you’ll still enjoy Crooked Kingdom when you get to it thoough, because it’s amazing. And OMG yes those Red Winter covers are gorgeous indeed <3
Illuminae is super easy to read in the cool format it’s written in. I wouldn’t have thought of it for this list, but it’s pretty perfect for people who like Sci-Fi movies/TV.
Yes, Illuminae wouldn’t be for everybody, but I think sci-fi fans would definitely enjoy it )
Good point about Illuminae- outside of book circles it IS still largely unknown, I would imqgine. And The Hunger Games and Six of Crows/ Crooked Kingdom are great choices too.
Thanks! Yes I just find it so weird that outside of the bookish world, Illuminae isn’t THAT known, when it almost feels like a must-read classic in bookworld 🙂
I think your choices are spot on. These are books that would not only appeal to a casual reader but could also turn a casual reader into a diehard bookworm because they’re just so good. 🙂
Thanks! Haha, yes I definitely wouldn’t mind if I got some casual readers to turn into diehard bookworms with these 😉
I love this post! The ones I haven’t read are The Song of Achilles, The Book Thief, The Hating Game, Queens of Geek, and The Red Winter Trilogy but they are all on my TBR!
Thanks for sharing,
~Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
Thanks so much! Hope you’ll enjoy all of them when you get to them 🙂
YES TO ALL OF THESE. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Six of Crows are three of my favorite series of all time so I am so glad to see them on your list. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous choices! <3
Yay, glad to hear we have so many favorites in common 🙂
I love that you`ve included books from different genres. Harry Potter is a magical series that anyone would enjoy. I also loved The Hunger Games and The Book Thief. Though they`re not really my genre, I know that many casual readers tend to go for mystery novels.
Thanks! Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and The Book Thief are all amazing indeed! That’s a great point about mystery novels! I should read more of those myself also actually, haha 🙂