From the BrokeandBookish.com, Top Ten Books People Have Been Telling You That You MUST Read (whether because they think it’s a “you” book or it’s just been generally recommended so often).
Nafiza
I read a lot of Children’s Lit (surprising no one) so this list will be heavy on the adult fiction because you know, I don’t read it that much. Here it goes!
- The Goldfinch – Donna Tartt
Everyone is saying that I must read this. And I have heard them. And I will. One day. I mean, I recently read Gone Girl and wasn’t really that impressed by it (I was ready for the book to be over long before it was). But when a book wins all the awards, there has to be something special about it, right? - Midwinterblood – Marcus Sedgwick
This one is another award winner and one I actually bought before it won the award. I read something by Sedgwick and really liked it so I will get to this one. Soonish. Eventually. I own it! I will read it! - Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-Sook
So back when I was doing my undergrad, I was taking a Korean to English translation class (I minored in Korean) and the prof told me to read this because it’s awesome. Since then, several people have passionately recommended this to me. I have bought this book and it sits on my shelf, waiting for me to read it. - Cinnamon Rain – Emma Cameron
Another book that I bought after a friend (hey Sarah!) waxed poetic about it. This is a verse novel and I’m looking forward to reading this one because I hear it’s all the awesome. - The Thief (The Queen’s Thief #1) – Megan Whalen Turner
Janet has been telling me to read this book forever and I have been intending to read it for longer than ever. I also have this on my shelf (you see a pattern here?). I will pick it up! Before this year is over. Promise.
Steph
- The Abhorsen series by Garth Nix. I think this has been recommended to me by several people multiple times. I’m getting to it! I promise.
- Matched by Ally Condie. I deny that this series could have anything new to offer me that other YA dystopia hasn’t already given me – but other’s say differently. I might read it. Maybe.
- Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I haven’t read it yet. It’s on my shelf. Stop telling me to read it guys! I will eventually. I really really will.
- Where’d you go Bernadette? this has been recommended to me quite often and, even though I’m not really into chick-lit, I might read it some day.
- The Fault in Our Stars because I haven’t read it yet. It’s there on my shelf staring at me and I stare back in shame. I haven’t read it yet. I know what it’s about. People keep telling me to read it. I will. Maybe.
Janet
- The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. I borrowed this from a friend last December, and still haven’t opened it. Fortunately, my friend is very patient (and anyway, he practically has the whole thing memorized, so he doesn’t actually need the book, right?). I’ll get around to it someday. Probably.
- A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty. Nafiza even given me the sequel. I just. You know. Haven’t gotten to it.
- The Company They Keep: C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien as Writers in Community by Diana Glyer. My uncle read this and has instructed me to read this… after I finish my thesis. I think it sounds fantastic.
- Blackveil (Green Rider #4) and Mirror Sight (Green Rider #5) by Kristen Britain. A friend enthused about the Green Rider series until I read the first three. When the fourth came out she read it and cautioned me that it ended on a cliffhanger, so I waited. And just got used to waiting, I guess.
- Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin: Book One) by Robin LaFevers. A few people have jumped up and down in excitement over this book. But the covers. And the idea of Death as a god… ugh. I don’t know. Maybe.
Yash
- The Undertaking of Lily Chen: I have yet to return this to Nafiza. Oops.
- Graceling Realm trilogy: I read and loved Fire. I’ve been told the other two are pretty good too. (Though not as good as Fire.)
- Zita the Spacegirl: Another lent item, this time from Janet. Sorry! I will totally get to all these. Soon!
- The Inconvenient Indian: I simply must. And before the Writer’s Fest!
- Bad Feminist: I know it’s awesome. Every review on the planet has said so. I just need the time!
The Book Wars 
What. You haven’t read The Thief?! I totally think that is a YOU sort of book, too! Although I feel like anyone has recommended books at me too hard the less likely I am to get to them (unless they shove it in my hands). Because I’m just contrary that way?
And I’m constantly surprised at how many book bloggers I’ve come across who have never read the Abhorsen trilogy. I guess I just assumed since I’ve had so many pleasant surprises as far as discovering other people have read books no one I know has read (Tamora Pierce, The Queen’s Thief, etc.) that the Abhorsen trilogy would be included with those since it was definitely one of my absolute favourite trilogies growing up. I still reread the books every couple years!
Best of luck with The Silmarillion – it is one of my life goals to finish that, but so far it has been resoundingly unsuccessful haha. It’s just been too dense and abstract for me!
I always thought I was in the minority on the Fire front – I’d say most people probably love Graceling the most. (It’s got my favourite love interest too haha) And in any case, the other books are just freaking fantastic!
FIRE IS INCREDIBLE AND IF ANYONE WAS TELLING ME OTHERWISE I WOULD PROBABLY PLUG MY EARS AND HUM AGGRESSIVELY UNTIL THEY WENT AWAY. (Sorry, apparently I had to yell that.)