Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Would Be On My Syllabus If I Taught Writing 101

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week they wanted the blogger to choose what subject of books they would teach to a class of impossibly bored and likely sobbing students (can you tell that I am NOT excited about my first day of school today?).  I  chose to list books with extraordinarily good writing.  I'm not talking about plots, world building, or character development.  I mean the actual words that the author chose and how they might as well be made from unicorn tears and fairy dust because of how beautiful they are.

  

1.  The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

This one should not be a surprise.  Everyone and their cat knows that Neil Gaiman is an astonishingly phenomenal writer.  He has a peculiar quality to his writing that I do not have the skills to begin to explain.  I strongly suggest (and by that I mean I demand) you go and read one of his books, of which I suggest the one listed above.

2.  And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is an author who doesn't waste words.  She is clear and straight to the point...  Which is odd, considering she also manages to spin maddening and impossible mysteries that made me glare threateningly at the book (although, no books were harmed in the course of reading this novel, I swear).

3.  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

This book is quietly remarkable.  It is eerie and sad and has a mystery that leaves your curious and questioning and then stunned at the reveal.  The writing is never too much or too little and always gets under your skin in the subtlest of ways.  Go read it.

4.  The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Alexandra Bracken is nothing but consistent.  Looking back on this trilogy, I cannot tell you a point in any of the books where something was lacking or there was a major issue that was crying for attention.  It is dark and sharply written and rivals Divergent for the spot of my favorite dystopian series ever.  

5.  The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater knows how to write.  She somehow wished on a star or made a deal with an old Welsh king (read the book, you'll understand) that came true to have such lyrical, dream-like writing.  Every word is gorgeous and sealed with some sort of magic.  Basically, I want to be Maggie Stiefvater when I'm older. 

6.  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The ambiance of this book makes it feel as if you are physically, not just mentally, transported to a mystical circus that showcases real magic.  It is absolutely enchanting.  Sometimes I miss this book, which is odd, since stories really do stay with you forever.  Well, the good ones do, at least.

7.  The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

There is just something about this book.  Let's label it "alien apocalypse meets excellent writing and plotting."  Every thought, emotion, and grim attack is conveyed in perfect clarity.  I don't know--there's just something about this book.  Enough something that I had to write it twice.

8.  The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Magic and adventure is plentiful in this book, and so it brilliant writing.  Basically, you take whimsy and mix it with plot twists that tear your heart out, and you get a fantastic and delicious cake of a book.  Holly Black's writing is understated but never fails to tug on your heart strings.

9.  These Broken Stars by  Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

I read this book about a year and a half ago and all I remember is being so completely and utterly blown away that all I could do was mumble incoherently about how much I loved it.  The writing is just beautiful.  It flows like music (just to clarify, mostly like classical music...not rock or alternative, since this book is more pianos and violins type flowy and can you tell I'm writing this at one AM?).  This book is deserving of happy tears.

10.  1984 by George Orwell

I have nothing to say other than that this book is outstanding and the writing is like no other I have previously encountered.  It is a book that is more than a book and everyone should read this in their life, since it would be seriously lacking without it.