Top Ten Tuesday: April 12th

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Who didn't feel like a wallflower, at least a little bit, in high school or college? I know that I did for most of my school years. Even if you have friends, seventeen or three, you can still feel all alone. Like no one really understands you or likes the things that you do. In high school, particularly Freshman year, I didn't have anyone that could call a real friend. The novels I've listed below center around characters who are wallflowers; people who just don't belong, who wish they could find someone who understood them. It's these books and books like these that made me realize that there are other wallflowers out there too, and I just need to find them.

FYI, I didn't include the obvious choices like The Catcher in the Rye or The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Though they are both incredible, and two of my favorites, I wanted to pick books that were a little less known or expected.



At lot of people don't understand this book. The narration is a little off-putting, and I've heard that people can't relate Anika. But I can. She may be "the third most popular girl in school" but she is just as lost and confused as the rest of us.



Zoe is a wallflower with a secret: that she murdered someone. She can't reveal what she's done to anyone she knows, so she just burrows further into herself to block the pain. Unforgettable pain and an unforgettable character.



Vera has just lost her only friend, the only person that understood her--and the person she loved. She's trying to do anything to move past him, but she can't when his memory and his ghost are following her around, trying to make her hate him less. This story is amazing, and Vera is a wonderfully afraid, lonely, strong character.



ENDLESSS TEARY EYES. Seriously. But it is so memorable and wonderfully crafted. Quinn is lost after her best friend and soulmate dies, and she can't deal with herself, let alone anyone else.



Again, THIS BOOK IS SO AMAZING. And Henry is the definition of a wallflower: alone, scared, confused, unique. I haven't felt as connected to a character that I have so little in common with--personality wise--in such a long time.



Suzy just lost her only friend, and is constantly picked on by her classmates. She likes learning and being herself--it just so happens that no one around her likes her. This is such a touching middle grade novel, and Suzy is a shining character.



This might seem like a weird choice, but it really isn't. Mara is ostracized, both by her brain and by her life. She's the only one of her friends that survived a building collapsing, and she isn't coping well with it. She's alone, and now she's afraid she's losing her mind. This novel is so unique, and proves just how powerful wallflowers can be.



Jude and Noah are both outsiders, from each other and from their friends--the few they have. They isolate themselves, and try to keep the pain they have inside tucked away from the outside world. I could never list all of the magnificent things about this book without just listed every single sentence in the novel, but the characters make this book truly unforgettable.



Again, this may seem like an odd choice, but it makes sinse. Katsa can't depend on anyone else. She's feared by all, to the point where most people don't even want to be near her. She's always held in her feelings and lived a life alone, withdrawn from normality.



Jonas is the only person in his community who questions, who knows that there is more to this world than the colorless existence he was taught. That knowledge estranges him from his family, but he must fight for what is right. I don't need to say much more about this novel. It's a modern classic for a reason.

What do you guys think? Any great Wallflower books I missed? Let me know!


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6 comments:

  1. So many great books! I've read about half of them, and have several of the other 5 already on my shelves. Great topic!

    My TTT

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  2. You have a great list going on here! I really loved reading Ketchup Clouds. It was so good. It's a reread for sure!
    My TTT.

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  3. Cute topic! I totally agree about Graceling. Even Fire is along the same lines. Great list :)

    My TTT

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  4. I haven't read any of these but Graceling is on my TBR.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/top-ten-tuesday-52/

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  6. One of my favorite authors - Jen Turano - has a series about Wallflowers coming out soon. I'm very much looking forward to it! My TTT

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