10 Reasons Why I Love The Pigman by Paul Zindel

The Pigman by Paul Zindel (I didn't know this until a few seconds ago, but he won the Pulitzer Prize!!!)
In The Pigman, what begins as a teenage prank soon becomes a timeless examination of grief, acceptance, and the transformative power of friendship. High-school sophomores John and Lorraine had no idea what they were starting when they made a prank phone call to a stranger named Angelo Pignati. Virtually overnight, they befriended the old man. But now Mr. Pignati is dead. And for John and Lorraine, the only way to find peace is to write down their friend's story—the true story of the Pigman.


I read this book for the Book-Tube-A-Thon don't let go of a book challenge. I had been wanting to read it, because I saw it as a YA Classic, and it was perfect for this, because my super old edition was only 159 pages.

1. YA Classic (in my mind)
2. For when it was published, a lot of the stuff in this book would be considered controversial
3. The Zoo
4. Characters are just so great and complex
5. Dressing in Mr. Pignati's and his wife's clothes
6. Dual POV
7. Pretending to be for a charity..
8. How they know to meet up with each other
9. Short but powerful
10. When he comes home from the hospital, that whole part of the book made me upset. The friends are so annoying.

I could come up with so many more reasons why this book is great, but I'm in a hurry, so these are the ones that I thought of off the top of my head. Please read this book, it's so good and begging to be picked up.

10 Reasons Why I Love Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby

Things We Know By Heart by Jessi Kirby
When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection.

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all. 

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake. (via Goodreads)

(I read this at the end of May)

1. (Organ) Transplant hasn't occurred much in YA, and was cool to learn more about
2. The Writing was absolutely beautiful
3. The coffee shop
4. Kayaking
5. I got an ARC of it
6. Her relationship with her parents
7. The whole idea of it, and feeling
8. My heart was being ripped apart as I read it
9. The cover is pretty cool
10. Epigraphs add to each chapter and the book as a whole

10 Reasons Why I Love Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. At fifty years old, she’s a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a world-renowned expert in linguistics with a successful husband and three grown children. When she becomes increasingly disoriented and forgetful, a tragic diagnosis changes her life--and her relationship with her family and the world--forever.

At once beautiful and terrifying, Still Alice is a moving and vivid depiction of life with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease that is as compelling as A Beautiful Mind and as unforgettable as Judith Guest's Ordinary People. (via Goodreads)

This is one of the few adult books that I've read, so this is just a warning.

1. Beautiful writing
2. Harvard
3. It made me so sad (although, I did not cry at the book)
4. Julianne Moore stars in the movie. That just has to be here.
5. Forgetting how to lick ice cream (this one really stuck with me)
6. The checklist
7. Butterfly (this is almost the same thing as above, but it's so important that I'm repeating it)
8. The last scene with her youngest daughter
9. Passing it on to one of her children (is it a spoiler if I tell you which one?)
10. Her job, her life, her mind...

10 Reasons Why I Love Crash and Burn by Micheal Hassan

Crash and Burn by Micheal Hassan
On April 21, 2008, Steven "Crash" Crashinsky saved more than a thousand people when he stopped his classmate David Burnett from taking their high school hostage armed with assault weapons and high-powered explosives. You likely already know what came after for Crash: the nationwide notoriety, the college recruitment, and, of course, the book deal. What you might not know is what came before: a story of two teens whose lives have been inextricably linked since grade school, who were destined, some say, to meet that day in the teachers' lounge of Meadows High. And what you definitely don't know are the words that Burn whispered to Crash right as the siege was ending, a secret that Crash has never revealed.

Until now.

Michael Hassan's shattering novel is a tale of first love and first hate, the story of two high school seniors and the morning that changed their lives forever. It's a portrait of the modern American teenage male, in all his brash, disillusioned, oversexed, schizophrenic, drunk, nihilistic, hopeful, ADHD-diagnosed glory. And it's a powerful meditation on how normal it is to be screwed up, and how screwed up it is to be normal. (via Goodreads)

I read this over MLK weekend, mostly while in a bathtub at a Westin (they have great rooms!)

1. It take place over a very long time period
2. Past and present chapters (you'll see)
3. Messed up main character
4. Mental Health Matters
5. The relationship between Crash and Burn is just so interesting and complex
6. Those last thirty pages...
7. Very pleasant reading experience
8. Pretty long (keep you occupied for awhile) (532 pages)
9. The messed up family dynamic
10. As I've said before, I really enjoy a good being thrown into the spotlight story  (he is definitely thrown into the spotlight)

10 Reasons Why I Love Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
Sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the story of his Polish legacy with the story of how he and his best friend , Robby, brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, six-foot tall praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

To make matters worse, Austin's hormones are totally oblivious; they don't care that the world is in utter chaos: Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation. He's stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann. Ultimately, it's up to Austin to save the world and propagate the species in this sci-fright journey of survival, sex, and the complex realities of the human condition. (via Goodreads)

I'm actually shocked that I haven't reviewed this yet, because I loved it so much.

1. Chapter Titles (I had a very specific one in mind, but couldn't find it. They're all awesome though)
2. Midwest! (Specifically, this was Iowa, but whatever)
3. Diverse Main Character (You'll figure it out)
4. It's just so weird.
5. The covers are amazing- there's no denying it.
6. The Chocolate War!!! (Also, Greta!)
7. All of his relationships were just so...realistic? Other words that I can't think of?
8. I read it in one day, but it wasn't hard (VERY good story)
9. The history thought out behind it
10. Ealing Mall

I could've come up with so many more things, but these are ten of them. This book is amazing.

10 Reasons Why I Love The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
Callie Vee, Travis, Granddaddy, and the whole Tate clan are back in this charming follow-up to Newbery Honor-winner The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.
Travis keeps bringing home strays. And Callie has her hands full keeping the wild animals-her brother included-away from her mother's critical eye. Whether it's wrangling a rogue armadillo or stray dog, a guileless younger brother or standoffish cousin, the trials and tribulations of Callie Vee will have readers laughing and crying and cheering for this most endearing heroine. (via Goodreads)

1. It's the sequel to one of my all time favorite books, and it's actually good.
2. Calpurnia stands up for herself and sees the problems in her world!
3. All those wild animals
4. Travis is a bigger part of the story
5. Working
6. More animals than plants this time around (although, I liked the plants a lot)
7. References to how different it was a little over 100 years ago
8. Historical events being tied in
9. The library...
10. All the animals in her room

10 Reasons Why I Love The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

I finished this a couple days ago, and even though it took me a while to read, I read the second half of it in one day, and it was fabulous.

1. He's whiny
2. It only takes place within the time frame of a day or so
3. New York, NY (even though I'm not in love with the city)
4. Late 1950's
5. That one hotel...
6. Mr. Antonio
7. Museum
8. It's short, so you won't forget details
9. If you forget details, he repeats information a lot
10. Leaving school

10 Reasons Why I Love None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio

None of the Above by I. W. Gregorio

1. Inter sex (I didn't even know this was a thing until I read this book)
2. Hurdler (This adds to the plot, but also, hurdler)
3. Volunteering (Just like it)
4. Relationship Troubles
5. Takes action in her life!
6. School...
7. That bakery
8. Morning Runs
9. Running Playlist
10. Powerful WOMAN

I haven't read this since Spring, so it may not be the most helpful, but it's great, and you should read it.

10 Reasons Why I Loved Big Eyes

Big Eyes (Weinstien?)

1. 1950's- 60's
2. Painting (even though I don't love it that much...)
3. Amy Adams
4. Tim Burton
5. Feminism
6. Big Eyes
7. The pain of the lies...
8. Didn't make my mom cry (I think)
9. Her daughter
10. TRUE STORY

10 Reasons Why I Love More Happy Than Not

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

1. Bronx
2. Diverse Book
3. Leteo Institute
4. That one scene though (even if you've read the book, you probably don't know which one I'm talking about)
5. The End...
6. Smiley Faces
7. Different Type of Romance Story
8. Poverty
9. His Entire Family
10. Adam Silvera and Aaron Soto's Similarities

This book is just so great and makes you feel so many emotions, I SUPER highly recommend it to everyone.

I also got to meet Adam Silvera on the 18th of June at Anderson's bookstore, and he is honestly the greatest person.

Ten Reasons Why I Loved Extraordinary Means

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

1. Dual POVs
2. A Female and Male POV
3. Tuberculosis
4. Sanatorium
5. Escaping
6. Feels
7. Strong Work Ethic on Lane's part (Until...you know...)
8. Starbucks
9. Kettle corn
10. Fake Drugs

10 Reasons Why I Love Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

1. Schizophrenia
2. Schizophrenia isn't the plot
3. There are many layers to the book
4. Feeling the uncertainty of it all
5. The cover art/ illustrations inside the book (you'll see)
6. Lobsters
7. Red Hair
8. Charlie...
9. Spray Paint
10. Mental Health Matters

10 Reasons Why I Love Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby 

1. Magic Realism
2. Bees
3. *spoiler*
4. That horse...
5. Roza
6. College Essays
7. Cover, Beautiful Writing
8. Corn
9. Finn and Petey
10. Everything about that book, just so good.

I also got to meet Laura Ruby at Anderon's Bookshop in Naperville, IL. She's super nice.

(Laura Ruby, Me, Adam Silvera, Martha Brokenbrough)

Top Ten Reasons Why I LOVE My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga 


1. Physics Nerd
2. Classical Music Nerd
3. DIVERSE BOOK
4. Understanding of Race Relations
5. Brings light to a concept I was unaware of at the time (suicide partners)
6. Mental Health Matters
7. Beautiful writing
8. You can feel everything
9. The Cover (which has changed many times...)
10. Hope, Pain, Numbness


I've also met Jasmine Warga, and she is the sweetest person ever, and I want her to be my best friend.

(I know, great picture (sarcasm))

Ten Reasons Why I Love Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas

Top Ten Clues You're Clueless by Liz Czukas

This is actually a very appropriate type of review for this book, because each chapter starts with a list.

1. Each chapter starting with a list
2. Mental lists (I use them a lot)
3. She's diabetic, and how many characters are diabetic?
4. It's a very sweet story that can just make you feel good
5. Christmas Time!
6. Crushes are so much fun (sometimes...)
7. They grow together
8. It voices a lot of problems that I always think about, but can never say
9. It voices a lot of lies that I always think about, but never say
10. Red Head

(There are more than ten reasons why this book is great, but I'll keep it down to ten)

Top Ten Reasons I Loved Solitaire by Alice Oseman

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

1. It's British (Originally published in Britain)
2. There are many problems faced (like the real world)
3. Mental Health Matters
4. Amazing character arcs
5. Super honest main character
6. The main characters brother is homosexual (it's more diversity than most books) (depression is            also a form of diversity)
7. True relationships with friends
8. Solitaire.
9. Wonderful cover (matches story perfectly)
10. Alice Oseman was 17 when she wrote this (impressive!)

10 Reasons Why I Loved Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

1. It's a retelling of Peter Pan (which I've always loved)
2. It's told from Tink's persective
3. You learn so much more than you thought you ever would've
4. Tik Tok
5. First love
6. I kept reading even though I didn't like it all that much, it paid off
7. Feels
8. Smee, Mareyn, Phillip
9. Oh, that ending
10. Never aging

10 Reasons Why I Loved The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider

1. Ezra (Yes, Ezra!) plays tennis
2. He's smart
3. A male lead
4. Debate team
5. The strangest few chapters I've read in a long time
6. Ah, the end
7. His dog..
8. Morse code flashlights
9. The Great Gatsby
10. The end felt good

10 Reasons Why I loved Positive by Paige Rawl and Ali Benjamin

Positive by Paige Rawl and Ali Benjamin

1. It's her life (Paige Rawls)

2. She wasn't always positive

3. Her thoughts are very quotable

4. When you are reading the book you think wow, I'm glad this never happened to me and then you          realize that it actually happened to her

5. I cried for a moment, that never happens

6. Paige Rawl didn't think that being HIV positive was a big deal for a while, until she told her best         friend

7. I've met her, and she is amazing (only 20!)

8. She has a very rich life, and one that you should look up to

9. She's from the Midwest

10. She wants to help find a cure, or treatment, or vaccination for HIV by getting into that field

10 Reasons Why I Love NBC's The Blacklist

The Blacklist

1. Criminals turned good
2. Her husband is a bad dude
3. James Spader is perfect in this
4. A secret weapon
5. Her first day at the FBI
6. A Special task force
7. NBC
8. Red is still a criminal
9. SO MUCH SECRECY
10. The way it penetrates your mind so you can't think about anything else


Series 2 premiere Monday 9/22 on NBC at 10/9 central