Top 10 Books for My Younger Self

Hi everyone! I’m trying something new today! That Artsy Reader Girl runs something called, “Top Ten Tuesday,” where she lists a prompt for bloggers to respond to. To see this list, head over to this page! This Tuesday’s prompt is “Books for My Younger Self” so I’ll be sharing ten books that I wish I read (or could have read) as a child. All of the blurbs came directly from Goodreads!

The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night

Blurb:

In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret…

For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic––and her life––is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever.

My thoughts:

I wasn’t expecting to love this series as much as I did! It reminds me of Harry Potter, but it’s still very unique! You can find my review for this book here. It’s a middle grade novel that I would recommend to anyone, regardless of their age. Currently, there are three books out with the fourth and final one coming out in the future. It’s definitely worth a read if you like fantasy or Harry Potter!

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Blurb:

Defeated, crushed, and driven almost to extinction, the remnants of the human race are trapped on a planet that is constantly attacked by mysterious alien starfighters. Spensa, a teenage girl living among them, longs to be a pilot. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient ship, she realizes this dream might be possible—assuming she can repair the ship, navigate flight school, and (perhaps most importantly) persuade the strange machine to help her. Because this ship, uniquely, appears to have a soul.

My thoughts:

Skyward is very near and dear to my heart. I just read it recently and completely fell in love with it. It was the first Sanderson novel I’ve read, and it was spectacular! Spensa is the kind of character that you can’t help but root for, and I think younger me would have loved her! You can find my review here. So far, only two books are out in this series and I’m dying to get my hands on book 3!

Moonscript by H.S.J Williams

Blurb:

“It is said that Darkness is empty and whatever vanishes into its depths is lost forever. I know this better than anyone. For I have suffered here in the shadows, and there are none who might find me.”

Seventy years. Seventy years the elven prince has been lost to the darkness, assumed dead by his people and endlessly broken for a book that connects to the hidden realm of his ancestors, a land untouched by evil.

And now a light in the shadows. A chance for freedom. But those willing to help him come from the unlikeliest of worlds.

The orphan girl, yearning for a loving family, and the boy who won’t leave her side. A healer maiden given an unexpected chance for a life beyond narrowed expectations. A grieving creature flown far from home.

They all search for something and now their fates are tied to his. If their quest for life can pull him from the dark mire in which his soul drowns, then perhaps he can be saved.

Or else he will drag them all down to a fate worse than death.

The beginning of an epic saga, MOONSCRIPT is a journey of innocence, despair, and redemption.

My thoughts:

Here is another book that I wished I read as a child. This book was so wholesome; the characters were so lovable and the story was so interesting! Tellie and Kelm would definitely have been inspiring to tiny me. My review can be found here. Moonscript is the only book in the series to be out, so I’m eagerly awaiting book 2!

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Blurb:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My thoughts:

The Selection is the type of book I would have probably loved as a child: unique world, love story, drama, etc. I’m surprised I only read it this year. Younger me loved the Matched series and this book somewhat reminded me of that series. Now that I’m older, the series doesn’t appeal to me as much, but it’s definitely something I would have read at a younger age. My review can be found here. I’m not sure when I’ll get around to the rest of the series, but I will eventually!

Shielded by Kaylynn Flanders

Blurb:

For fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Furyborn comes a thrilling new fantasy about a kingdom ravaged by war, and the princess who might be the key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, if she reveals the very secret that could destroy her.

The kingdom of Hálendi is in trouble. It’s losing the war at its borders, and rumors of a new, deadlier threat on the horizon have surfaced. Princess Jennesara knows her skills on the battlefield would make her an asset and wants to help, but her father has other plans.

As the second-born heir to the throne, Jenna lacks the firstborn’s–her brother’s–magical abilities, so the king promises her hand in marriage to the prince of neighboring Turia in exchange for resources Hálendi needs. Jenna must leave behind everything she has ever known if she is to give her people a chance at peace.

Only, on the journey to reach her betrothed and new home, the royal caravan is ambushed, and Jenna realizes the rumors were wrong–the new threat is worse than anyone imagined. Now Jenna must decide if revealing a dangerous secret is worth the cost before it’s too late–for her and for her entire kingdom.

My thoughts:

Man, this book was so good! I had the privilege of getting an ARC of Shielded, and I had no idea what it was about. It was another surprisingly good book with a strong, determined heroine. It was a clean read too, which I very much appreciated. It also has a beautiful cover! The romance hasn’t gotten too far yet, but it was cute! Younger me would definitely have read this series! My review is here, and it’s another series where I’m dying for the sequel!

The Phantom’s Curse by Shelley Wilson

Blurb:

An old evil threatens to rise from the depths of the warded city…
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Sixteen-year-old Marianne lives a simple life as a healer in the Link, looking after her younger brother since their parents’ exile. Little does she know how everything will change after attending the blessing in the city of Obanac. After her brother is wrongfully imprisoned, Marianne seeks his release from Crawford Reign, the Lord of Obanac. But she’s faced with an impossible choice—the lord wants her in exchange. To save her brother she turns to the daring outlaw Robbie and his friends for help. Along with the help of Theo, the holy man’s son, a daring rescue soon uncovers rumors of an old sorcerer who may still live and whispers of the phantom’s curse—an evil that requires a host and seeks to destroy the world—threatening to resurface.
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With the threat of an old evil rising in Obanac and the attacks of the Black Riders throughout the realm, nowhere seems safe. To save the people of the land and everyone she cares about, Marianne must unlock the secret to who she really is and embrace the mage magic that stirs within her.

My thoughts:

I read this book a few months ago, and I thought it was good; however, I definitely thought it was intended for younger readers. I still was able to enjoy the book, but I think I would’ve been more into it as a child. I definitely think I would have appreciated it more back then. It’s not a bad book, though! My review can be found here! I think middle grade readers would probably like this book!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Blurb:

If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run.

My thoughts:

I didn’t write a review for this series, but I wish I did. This was one of those books that everyone was super into, but I wasn’t going to read it just because it was popular. When I finally decided to pick it up, it had been years since the series was popular and the movies had already been made. I ended up loving it, but I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it since I waited so long to read it! Needless to say, younger me should have read this when I had the chance! If you have not read The Maze Runner series but would consider reading it, just go for it and learn from my mistakes!

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Blurb:

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth – that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

My thoughts:

This book would have been something I enjoyed as a kid: fae, love triangle, battle scenes, etc. Sadly, I only recently started this series. I haven’t even finished it yet… I’m hoping to get through all of the books soon though! I never wrote a review for this book, but it was a rather interesting read!

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Blurb:

As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever . . . but will the Cuthberts send her back to to the orphanage? Anne knows she’s not what they expected—a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she’ll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anyone else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special—a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables.

My thoughts:

I read a lot of the classics as a kid: Black Beauty, The Secret Garden, Heidi, etc. One of the ones I didn’t read was Anne of Green Gables. After watching Anne With An E on Netflix, I decided to read the classic. I’m ashamed it took so long for me to get to it! Little me would definitely have loved this story! I didn’t review this one either, but I might review the second book in the series once I get around to reading it!

The Crush by Allyson Kennedy

Blurb:

Never settle for anything less.

A combination hopeless romantic and old soul trapped in a teenager’s body, closet musician Emery Brooks wonders if she’ll ever find a love as timeless as her grandparents’. Fear of judgment and social alienation due to her older brother’s past mistakes render her incapable of writing a love song. Still, Emery holds fast to the ideals her Grandma Adeline instilled in her from a young age, vowing to allow God to handwrite her love story, to never settle for anything less.

That is, until love cynic Sawyer Alston enters her world. Broken by the wrath of his parents’ failed marriage, Sawyer has been uprooted from everything he’s ever known and now sees love as a void of empty promises. When Emery and Sawyer meet due to their mothers’ rekindled friendship, Emery soon realizes she’s in over her head.

For, despite her resistance, her first crush, her first glimpse at love, involves a boy who doesn’t believe in love at all.

My thoughts:

I just finished reading this book a few days ago! It was a very emotional book! I read an ARC, so it won’t be published for a few more weeks. Despite how emotional this book was, I think it would have appealed to younger me. It’s a Christian romance; it has a lot of valuable lessons for young girls about finding the right person. It was sweet and heart-breaking all at the same time. Younger me always had a hard time finding Christian romance books that weren’t meant for adults, so I think I would have loved this. My review is up here.