Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme where every Tuesday we look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) bookish examples to demonstrate that particular topic.  Top Ten Tuesday (created and hosted by  The Broke and Bookish) is now being hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and future week’s topics can be found here.  This week’s topic is:

Books to Pull You Out of a Reading Slump

Well, this is all very debatable because everyone is different.  For me, a book that would pull me out of a slump is one with an immediate hook.  I do tend to read a lot of fantasy and some of those books can be long and some very dark so I think something light and fun would probably work best for me.  I’m going to split my list down into different headings because that way I might come up with something for everyone:

Fairytale retellings – you simply cannot beat Sarah Pinborough’s three delicious books, Poison, Charm and Beauty.  They are just brilliant.  On top of being beautiful little books with gorgeous illustrations each one is a mash up of more than one fairytale, they’re not overly long, they’re definitely tongue in cheek and they’re unexpectedly saucy in ways that you simply won’t see coming.  I think these are probably my favourite retellings because I was unable to put them down once I’d started.

Romance – ‘but you don’t like romance’, you may say.  Yes, yes, of course I’m always banging on about not liking romance – and that is in no way, shape or form a judgment on those that do by the way – we like what we like.  But, I don’t mind there being some romance in my books, I just don’t want it to be the main focus.  The Princess Bride by William Goldman – okay, maybe not everyone’s idea of romance but I like the humour so what can I say.  It’s frankly inconceivable that anyone should not like this book.  If you want something a bit more ‘typically’ from the genre but still fantasy then I’d go Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.  I’ve not read the whole series but the first book was very good.

Crime – I would suggest either Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle.  I love a good murder mystery and tend to find that both of these authors write in a way that just holds you captive.  Plus, the fun is in the trying to evade the red herrings and guess what’s happening following the cookie crumb trail left throughout the pages.

Sci Fi – Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.  Quirky and fun.  Or, on the other hand, for something that is a bit more emotional – Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.  I love that book so much

LitRPG – Death March by Phil Tucker.  I had a lot of fun with this book.  The possibilities are just mind boggling and for someone who isn’t a gamer and so was maybe a bit concerned as to whether this would be, well, to be frank, easy to understand – it was.  So rest easy and go give some rpg book a go.

Fundark – okay, maybe I made that one up but I think there are a few titles that could fit the bill.  Most recently I’d say Angus Watson’s You Die When you Die.  I had a blast with that book, of course there was plenty of death and bloodshed but there was a huge dose of hope and characters to love all sprinkled with heaps of humour.

Edgy/Thriller – The White Road by Sarah Lotz.  This one was a real treat.  I loved the opening scenes and the way that Lotz takes situations that you (1)  probably wouldn’t think to read about – but then makes you love them (2) wouldn’t think would grip you – but then they do (3) think shouldn’t be creepy – and yet she makes them so.   This one will probably give you goosebumps but if that’s your ‘thing’ then pick this up and consider the reading slump over.

Adventure/Fantasy – three suggestions here.  Kristi Charish has written a great series about an Indiana Jane type character who steals ancient artefacts.  There’s all sorts going on in these books, a bit of romance, snark, all sorts of critters and fantastic settings, great pace and thrilling plots.  What’s not to love?  Or, Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles.  A series where you can just tell the author loved writing the books.  Lots of great references.  A main character who is highly readable and even more so when you include his dog Oberon – I won’t spoil things but I highly recommend these books.  Or, the Spellslinger series by Sebastien de Castell – OMG, these books are so good.  I defy anybody to stay in a slump – the gauntlet is down!

Scary/Horror – The Family Plot by Cherie Priest.  So, so good. Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – modern day vampires.  Kill Creek by Scott Thomas – a number of horror story writers take part in an event at a haunted house on Halloween – what could possible go wrong?

As I often do – I leave the last spot open for suggestions.

Of course, I realise I’ve cheated somewhat because there are more than 10 books all told – but all the more to tempt you with (queue mad cackling).