Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
I would first like to put a HUGE disclaimer that these are just my opinions, and I’m solely basing them on popularity of the books. I would like to think if a book were to become a classic, it has to have gained enough notoriety to withstand the time factor. It can’t just be a momentary hype. It has to bring audiences back to it over and over again. Or at least know of it and talk about it.
That being said, I don’t necessarily think all of these books are ones I’ve enjoyed as 5-star reads, but they are well known in their genre among a wide audience. They’re not necessarily all literary geniuses but they became popular for a reason, am I right?
I’m always happy to discuss your thoughts on my selection in the comments below.
So let’s begin!
Sci-Fi/Dystopian
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Propelling Jennifer Lawrence into the mega star she is, it’s hard to forget Katniss and this horrid world she lives in where children are randomly drawn to fight to the death. It’s definitely a series that spark interesting conversations , or even used as English essay analyses which I actually had to do in class.
Three of Jane Austen’s classic novels receive a murder mystery makeover in this romantic and thrilling three-book series that’s perfect for fans of The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy and Stalking Jack the Ripper. In Sense and Second-Degree Murder, aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood and her sister Marianne, a budding detective, work together to solve the mystery of their father’s murder.
When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street.
But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery that points to foul play, and the killer might be family.
Obviously, the girls must investigate. It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love.
**Sense and Second-Degree Murder comes out April 5, 2022**
Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Tirzah Price continues to amaze me with her ability to take on a familiar Jane Austen book and add a mystery twist. Sense and Second-Degree Murder took all the beloved characters of Sense and Sensibility and really drove home a few key things: the sisterly bond, romance in its different forms, and science.
From the New York Times best-selling author of The Love Hypothesis comes a new steamy, STEMinist novella….
A scientist should never cohabitate with her annoyingly hot nemesis – it leads to combustion.
Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn….
As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side…but Helena was her mentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.
The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him…and the easier it is to love him.
To listen to Sadie and Hannah’s stories, look for the novellas Stuck with You and Below Zero, coming soon, available first on audio!
Ali Hazelwood does it again with her first novella following 3 STEM ladies who are the best of friends. I had the distinct pleasure of listening to the audiobook ‘cause I couldn’t wait for the print to come out (it’s totally the only reason I’m still on Audible).
Immediately we meet Mara at the very beginning and we know feelings are there between her and Liam, or at least on her side. I’m such a sucker for the unrequited feels angst and Mara was steeping in it!
But what made the pacing excellent especially for this short format story was this little taste of the present time at the beginning and then the rewind to the first moments Mara and Liam meet. For all you enemies to lovers fans, it’s definitely chaotic at the beginning.
They’re complete opposites in every way. He loves gaming and she’s a HUGE fan of The Bachelor franchise. She tries to save the environment and he’s working for the enemy company that corrupts it. What could go wrong living together? Doesn’t that just sound like an amazing setup for a love story?
Their relationship is less hate and does quickly turn into potentially something more. I do blame the quick turn of it due to the novel length but I do love some slow burn romance. I think it’s the only reason this isn’t a 5-star rating.
If you’re a fan of Ali’s writing already, this continues to show she’s a great writer with ingenious ways of incorporating women in STEM careers at the forefront. I absolutely adore that about her writing! But if you’re new to Ali’s work, this is a great introduction to a fiery romance and amazing protagonists who aren’t afraid to stand their ground in fields dominated by men. The audiobook was narrated so well and is worth listening to if you can’t wait for the print format to publish!
Overall Recommendation:
Under One Roof shows me just how excellent an author Ali Hazelwood is. Mara is a wonderful protagonist who is both relatable as a woman striving to make her voice heard and falling for the guy who has nothing in common with her, but also personally relatable to me because of her profession in STEM. The romance was fast paced but understandably moves quickly because it’s a novella. If you love forced close proximity, enemies to lovers with a dash of unrequited love angst, this is the story for you!
Down the Rabbit Hole 