It's been a couple months since I have participated in Top Ten Tuesday. But this week's topic had me pretty excited as I have read a good number of books I wish would have kept going.
Top Ten Tuesday are hosted over at The Broke and Bookish
Top Ten Books I Wish Could Have Had Sequels (they were complete stories but you just could have read more and more about these characters or set in that world).
1) Dreamland by Sarah Dessen- This was one of the most powerful novels I have read. It takes on the issues of teen dating abuse and how traumatic and devastating it is. This was the second book by Dessen that I had ever read and I would have loved to have seen a follow up novel. Just to see how the characters were adjusting. I know perfectly well that this sort of story doesn't warrant sequels. But I was very invested in this book and didn't want to let it go.
2) Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher- This book was CRAZY. A girl gets kidnapped from an airport in Asia and is taken to Australia. This wasn't a very long book and as you can imagine it ends. Without giving away to much (or anything really). But it would have been interesting to see a response letter. Maybe.
3) Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma- I once asked Tabitha if we would be getting a book from the perspective of one of the brothers in the story. She said she couldn't possibly imagine writing his story. This character of whom I speak made a rather grave decision that had dire consequences I was very curious to see how he coped. This book made me ugly cry though. So it would have been pretty painful.
4) After by Amy Efaw- This again is an issues novel about a girl who gets pregnant as a teenager and throws her baby in the garbage. She was in a lot of denial and could not remember if she had ever been pregnant. Once she realizes what she has done and surrenders. I would like to have seen what happens after she remembers and what happens to her baby. It just sort of ends.
5) What Happens Next- I've been finding that a lot of contemporary novels kind of just end. With this one I would like to have seen what happened to the villain. We don't get to see much healing in this novel and I would like to see that process. Especially in this situation.
6) The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding- This book was just hysterical. I loved it. I could have gone on and on reading this book. I loved the characters and the banter was witty and clever and the relationships were genuine and authentic. I just really enjoyed reading this book.
7) My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick- I don't think that I wish to see a sequel specifically but a companion. I loved the Garrett family and I want to see more of them. There is also the friend (Tim?), I would love to see his story.
8) Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser- Again this book sort of just ends and I wanted more. Don't get me
9) The Summer of Skinning Dipping by Amanda Howells- I am not sure why I feel like I need a sequel to this book. I guess I feel like whenever a book breaks my heart it needs to redeem itself somehow. This was a great story but it definitely hurt my heart.
10) Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta- Need I say more? I could never get enough of Taylor and Jonah.
Yes a sequel to My Life Next Door! I wasn't satisfied with the ending. I, too wanted more Tim.
ReplyDeleteI want to read so many books on your list this week! Great choices.
ReplyDeleteSarah Dessen books seems to be a popular choice for many :D I've only read one of her books but I've heard AMAZING things about Sarah Dessem and her books!
ReplyDeleteI had been approved to review The Reece Malcolm List but I didn't get to it on time :( So disappointed about it now.
My Life Next Door is also another popular choice :D
My TTT
Great list! I have the last 2 on mine and never thought about a sequel to Forbidden, but I like your way of thinking. That would be painful to read but beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT List
Well. This list is going to be keeping me busy, as I've not read a single of your selections. This must be remedied. Onto the library!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of After, but it sounds like it's a powerful read. I'll check this one out!
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
I second your selection of After! I love that book to death just the way it is and every page is genius in the way it makes readers feel sympathetic toward the protagonist, but I would like to know more about what happens next. I grew to understand the main character so much that I hate not knowing her fate.
ReplyDeleteForbidden made it onto my list too. I understand why it's a stand alone, but I'm just not done with that story yet.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
Dreamland is one of Dessen's that I still need to read! I put Lock and Key from Dessen on my list.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT
I'd love to see how Caitlin adjusts after the end of Dreamland too. That was a hard, but important book to read. I'm intrigued by After and Forbidden now. Great list!
ReplyDeleteThat After book sounds crazy.... I'm pretty sure I'd want a sequel for that too, geeze! Way to leave ya hanging.
ReplyDeleteYay for My Life Next Door!! Huntley Fitzpatrick told us on twitter the other day that she is currently writing Tim's story!! I am so excited!!
Yeah, like you said, a lot of these books don't warrant sequels. But that doesn't mean you wouldn't take a chance to read more about the story and the characters if you loved them. And I do feel the same way about contemporaries... sometimes they end abruptly, but you're not done with them yet. I find I often want something a bit more from contemporaries, but I am kind of tired of seeing so many sequels when it comes to speculative fiction. A balance would be good.
ReplyDeleteSuch great picks! I would also like a sequel to The Summer of Skinny Dipping; it just ended and crushed my heart! According to Goodreads, there is/was a second 'Summer' book, but it seems to have disappeared into thin air.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my TTT earlier this week :)