Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the fantastic Bionic Bookworm. This week’s topic:
AUGUST 8th – Top 5 buzzwords that make me want to read a book
This is a great topic, and it was difficult to narrow it down… Each of these sets includes both books that I’ve read and books on my TBR.
Irish
I don’t know how or why this began, exactly, but I love Irish lit. Seeing the word ‘Irish’ attached to a book summary or an author’s bio has been enough for me to buy a book or click request on Netgalley, without really knowing anything else about it. Irish lit tends to be atmospheric, a bit bleak and dreary and depressing, and often grapples with religious themes, all of which I find fascinating,
(Have already read: The Glorious Heresies, The Wonder.)
LGBT+
Because I have to admit, I get tired of reading books about straight white men. I’m all about reading diversity, and think it’s important to support books with LGBT+ protagonists – so if I see a book shelved as LGBT+ on goodreads, I am automatically more inclined to look into it. Bonus points if no one dies.
(Have already read: More Happy Than Not, Maurice, The Price of Salt, Fun Home.)
Evocative & Atmospheric
Grouping these two buzzwords together because they’re quite similar. I love books with immersive settings, so if a book promises a strong atmosphere, my interest is definitely piqued – especially if the atmosphere is bolstered by the prose itself. I don’t care for ‘purple prose,’ i.e., prose that tries to be elaborate for the sake of being elaborate and the whole attempt comes across as rather amateur, but I do love when writing comes off as both authentic and lyrical. Bright Air Black is a fantastic example.
(Have already read: all of these.)
Feminist
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. I consider myself a feminist (hopefully of the intersectional variety), so I love narratives that explore the struggles unique to women, and which ultimately advocate equality across all genders, races, classes, etc. If a book’s description calls it feminist, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, it’s probably going on the TBR.
(Have already read: Venus in Fur, The Awakening, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Bell Jar.)
Epic
It’s probably no coincidence that most of my all-time favorite books are 500+ page monsters.
(Have already read: all of these.)
Which buzzwords always grab you? And what do you think of my choices? Comment and let me know!
Awesome list! So many books here that I love! Atmospheric is a great one- I love books like that!
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Thank you!!! Yessss I am all about those immersive and atmospheric books.
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So many great books on this list! Exit West is one I’ve been itching to get my hands on recently. Thanks so much for participating and I’m adding you to the list 🙂
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Thank you!! Ahhh Exit West is really extraordinary, I hope you enjoy!
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[…] Rachel @ Pace, Amore, Libri […]
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I just came across your blog and I love it. The stuff you write is great! I got so many potentially new reads from this post:)
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Ahh thank you so much! That’s so nice. Glad I could offer some recs – I hope you enjoy them!!
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Omg I love this list. I had atmospheric on my list as well! And I love what you mention about Irish lit. Ireland is SUCH a fantastic and fascinating setting.
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Tbh Irish and atmospheric almost go hand in hand so it is probably not a coincidence that I am drawn to these two words!!!
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I think you can always rely on an Irish setting to be misty and dreary…The Wonder is like top notch atmospheric Ireland.
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YES omg that atmosphere was so bleak and depressing but somehow I still wanted to live in it.
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Great choices! Atmospheric is definitely one of my top buzzwords as well.
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Thank you! Agreed, I am all about those immersive settings.
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Feminist is totally a buzzword for me too!
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Yay!!! I love finding other feminist book bloggers!
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Ooh good choices! I haven’t read much Irish Lit, but I feel like I would enjoy it, and I am so with you on atmospheric/evocative and epic books (I say shortly after agreeing to join you to read War & Peace)!
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And I haven’t read much Scottish lit – we should trade recs, though I already know what you’re going to say 😉
Ahhh I’m really looking forward to War and Peace! Another massive epic to add to the list.
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Counter post idea: words that turn you off from reading a book.
Me: “Tour-de-Force”
Like, get that out of my face.
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That’s actually next week! 😉 I am pretty psyched that I get to lambaste ‘gritty’ and ‘heartwarming.’
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Lambaste: killer word score
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[…] week we did Top 5 Favorite Buzzwords, and this week it’s the opposite – top buzzwords that make me want to avoid a book. […]
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