Top 5 Tuesday was created by Shanah at Bionic Book Worm, but now it is hosted by Meeghan at Meeghan Reads. Todays topic is friend recommendations. This one is going to be really difficult for me, because my friends aren’t huge readers and the ones that are, we don’t tend to enjoy the same books. So, I am probably going to have to go back quite a few years to find books I read that were recommended to me by old friends. I hope I can find five!
* Disclaimer: The links I have included to purchase the books from are affilate links for the BookShop and I recieve a small commision if you purchase anything through this link *
Where Rainbows End (or Love, Rosie) by Cecelia Ahern
This is the only one that comes easily to mind when I think about recommendations and it was recommended to me by my mum! She recommended it to me just before the film came out, so perfect timing there mum. I loved it so much. It was the first – and actually I think only book – that I read that was written completely in letter form or email or instant messaging. It was really good and I flew through it. It was one of those books that made me feel every single emotion within the pages and I really loved the film too.
You can purchase Where Rainbows End: here
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Hush, Hush series was recommended to me by an old friend back in 2014. It was her favourite book series and I was really into reading big YA series then, I had just read The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare and The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine and The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins; and many of the other big YA book series of the time. I think she hyped me up a little too much for them, because I didn’t enjoy them nearly as much as she did. Though, I do still remember enjoying them at the time, however if I were to read them now, I don’t think I would like them nearly as much.
You can purchase Hush, Hush: here
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas
I completely forgot that this book was actually recommended to me by a friend. I struggle with Throne of Glass. I know it is so many people’s favourites. However, it’s not for me. I loved he first three books and I actually thought it was a great recommendation from my friend. But, for some reason I can never make it past book four. I have tried multiple times to push through because I do love A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas; I just can’t do it. I have actually recently unhauled the series because I couldn’t see myself continuing with the series.
You can purchase Throne of Glass: here
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
This one was recommended to me by my university flatmate actually when I was living on campus. I think the TV show had just been announced and she said there was a book of it and lent me her copy. I ended up really enjoying it and buying my own copy. Now, looking back at it, I do see the problematic values of the book which is why I don’t really talk about it too much and I definitely don’t support the TV show though I know it’s also a favourite. There’s some needed trigger warnings for suicide and sexual assault, and I do think it is still a good book, just be aware there are also issues with it.
You can purchase Thirteen Reasons Why: here
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
The same flatmate actually also recommened Eleanor & Park to me! I completely forgot that this one was initially recommended to me. I have read it twice, the first time based on the recommendation and the second time for a module I took as part of my literature degree. So, when I look back at it I always remember reading it for university. This is another one that I did really enjoy, but looking back am able to recognise the problems within it. It is also one that every now and then pops up on twitter and there is a discussion about the issues within these pages regarding race and the romanticisation of it.
You can purchase Eleanor & Park: here
Okay, that wasn’t as bad as I thought! These are old reads for me and I haven’t read any of these in 2020. It was actually nice to go back through the years and talk about some books that I don’t usually. Have you read any of these ones? Do friends recommend books to you?
Kira Jeanette 
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