Top 10 Tuesday: Leaving My Comfort Zone

Top 10 Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in 2010. It combines what I love most in this world into one—lists, books, and blogging. It couldn’t be any better suited for me! This week is dedicated to the best books I’ve read recently that were completely out of my comfort zone. As you may or may not know, I read a lot of young adult fiction, but in 2015, I tried to challenge myself by reading books that were completely different. Let’s see which ones were my favorites…

1. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
I loved this children’s tale from the moment I opened its cover. It’s such a different take than the Disney version, and it’s a really inspiring yet heartbreaking read that I think everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy.

2. Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle
This was one of the first classic science fiction pieces I read this year. I had seen the end of the movie (oops) before I read the book, but I loved the development of the world and the twists and turns the characters encountered. The bomb (metaphorical) dropped at the end is probably my favorite way for books to develop.

3. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Poehler’s book was the first novel I read that was autobiographical. It spurred my love for these kinds of stories. I’m so glad I picked it up because it truly changed my life and the way I read certain novels.

4. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
This was such an inspiring story, and I never would have read it if I didn’t give non-fiction a shot. After reading this book, I discovered I really love war stories, and I love knowing more about what those fighting for our country go through. After reading, Unbroken I added many more war stories to my list including, but limited to, American Sniper.

5. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
This was another autobiographical piece that taught me that hiking is not as easy as it seems, and that life is definitely not the life for me. Strayed’s book showed me what it means to step out of your comfort zone, in all aspects, and all the amazing things you can learn and experience if you do so.

6. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
This is one of those books that are on oodles and oodles of lists of books you should read before you die, so I did. It’s an interesting, true tale of a murder that happens in Kansas and how it affects the town and the murderers.

7. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Another science fiction read, I had listened to the audio-play of War of the Worlds when I was in middle school, but this was such an easy, nice, interesting read for a rainy day. I found out that I really love H.G. Wells and science fiction novels this past year.

8. Friday Night Lights by Buzz Bissinger
As my yearbook advisor so kindly pointed out when we found out we were reading the same book on a plane ride to Austin, I would never read this book. I don’t like sports, and I’m not from Texas, so why would I read this book? Honestly, it’s because I watched the TV show and was really interested to find out there was a book. I’m so thankful I did decide to read this though because it showed me a whole other side to football and the importance sports hold in really tiny towns in really rural areas in really Texas Texas.

9. Assholes *A Theory by Aaron James
Definitely an extremely different book for me to read, but I loved it. It was quirky and humorous, and taught me a lot about the difference between being a bitch and being an asshole.

10. Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
One of my last reads of 2015 and one of my favorites. I fell in love with Vonnegut this year. His stories feature such as interesting world with such an interesting outlook on time and space. I can’t wait to read more of his novels.

I tired to read a lot more non-fiction and science fiction novels this year, and I loved so many of the books I picked up. How are you trying to broaden your book shelf? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy reading,
Kimberly