Top Ten Tuesday is hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.
This week's topic is Top Ten Books Which Feature Characters Who ____. I think I'm going to fill in that blank with... "Are (or Have Been) Dead". Post-mortem characterization has the potential to be really interesting, if it's done right. For the sake of this post, I'm going to include ghosts, reincarnated characters, and those caught between life and death.
Top Ten Books Which Feature Characters Who Are (or Have Been) Dead:
by M. G. Buehrlen
So... since this is basically a story about reincarnation, our heroine has been dead before. Fifty-six times, actually. I thought this book's take on reincarnation, where Alex can "descend" into her past lives to relive parts of them, was really interesting and unique.
by Katie Williams
This short little book was one of my pleasant-surprise finds at the library. It's basically a ghost story... but told from the point of view of the ghost. Paige can't stand the fact that people are saying she killed herself... so she finds a way to do something about those rumours!
by Mary E. Pearson
While the bulk of this story is told by Jenna while she's alive and breathing, there are other parts where she's... well, not. This book introduces some poignant questions about consciousness and what makes us human.
by Lauren Oliver
This book is sort of like Groundhog Day for young adults... but it's written so well that I am willing to forgive the fact that the plot isn't 100% original. Sam is such an interesting character to watch as she navigates one very weird week of life and death, and changes herself in the process.
by Laini Taylor
If you've got a list that includes books involving reincarnation, you really have to include this one. This whole series delves into life, death, and the concept of surviving consciousness... all set in a fantastically crafted world of fantasy.
by A. S. King
The main character in this book is reincarnated many times... and not just as a human! The historical fiction aspects of this tale make it kind of unique.
by Lisa Schroeder
This is one of those "love can survive death" books, featuring a living heroine and a ghostly boyfriend. It's one of the best verse novels I've read (though I can usually count on enjoying myself if I'm reading Lisa Schroeder's books).
by S. M. Beiko
The flashbacks in this book tell a parallel story of the past with characters who are, obviously, long dead. But the way that the author incorporates both stories into one amazing whole is a treat; I thought about the characters in this one long after I'd finished it.
by Lauren Oliver
Po and Bundle (Po's pet) are my favourite characters in this charming middle-grade fantasy. I actually wouldn't mind reading their story. If Oliver ever decides to write it, I'll read it!
by Ann Brashares
This adult novel about reincarnation is one of the best that I've read with that theme. Daniel is unique, though, in that he can remember all of his past lives. This gives him an interesting perspective on life and death that we don't often see.
What are some of your favourite books with characters who may have experienced death?
Cool choice! I love your list! You are so-o right about including Daughter of Smoke and Bone! There are a few here I need to check out. Thanks!
ReplyDeletebrenda
I love that whole series. It's just so... magical.
DeleteI really want to read The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare. I also think I own The Dust of 100 Dogs somewhere. Great list and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI quite enjoyed The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare. I was so disappointed that the sequel got pushed back to next year. I hate waiting!
DeleteThis is a great topic for a list! I definitely think that Thirteen Reasons Why should be on here--that book is chilling. Oh, and The Book Thief--it's not every day that Death is actually the narrator.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Thirteen Reasons Why... but I am reading The Book Thief right now! If I'd read a little faster, I probably could've included that one on this list, too...
DeleteI haven't read any of these but Before I Fall is on my TBR list. For books like these, I would recommend Second Glance by Jodi Picoult, the main character Ross Wakeman has been pronounced legally dead several times and there are a lot of ghosts in it because he's a ghost hunter.
ReplyDeleteHere's my TTT for this week: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/top-ten-tuesdays-2/
Thanks for the recommendation! It sounds interesting. :)
DeleteWow. This is a cool list. I haven't heard of any of these books, but I'm gonna have to check them out. They sound good. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I hope I've given you some potential books to add to your TBR pile. :)
DeleteThis is such a good idea! Why didn't I think of it :) I loved the Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and have also like Before I fall and Jenna Fox. Another good one is Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini
ReplyDeleteI've actually got Touching the Surface on my want-to-read list. It looks good!
DeleteI've read only 2 of these, but one of them is one of my favorite books! I actually picked up My Name is Memory because I thought it was a YA book, but it didn't matter because I loved it so much (and I actually really want to read it again!). As a rule I don't like reincarnation books, but I also think I haven't had the best of luck with them -- but his one was so different for me! Only complaint was that by the end I was just starting to get a little peeved with how long Brashares was dragging out the romance.
ReplyDeleteYeah, reincarnation books are usually really good... or really bad (at least, in my experience, anyway). One of the first ones I read was so awful; it ended with the main character taking a swan-dive off his balcony because he wanted to be reincarnated. So, so stupid.
DeleteI wish Brashares would get around to writing a sequel to My Name Is Memory. I want more of that story!
OMG, I HAVEN'T READ ANY OF THES. *hyperventilates for a moment because what is this* I want to read Alex Wayfare though and also Leisel and Po because I quite love Lauren Oliver. x)
ReplyDeleteI love Lauren Oliver, too. Two of her books made this list, so...
DeleteIf you haven't read any of these, I'd recommend... um... all of them. Ha. You really haven't read the Daughter of Smoke & Bone series yet? Get to it! It's epic.
Oh gosh I've only read two from this list! Time to get that fixed up. I really loved that you included Before I Fall here, it's such an amazing contemporary!
ReplyDeleteThat one's one of my favourites. I guess it is sort of a contemporary, although it does have some paranormal elements to it. (Maybe that's why I like it so much.)
DeleteI hope you enjoy some of the other books on this list!
Oh I LOVE this idea! I have only read Before I Fall, but I must read DoSaB, and Alex Wayfare. OH and Jenna Fox! I own them all, so I really should get on it! Fabulous list!
ReplyDeleteShannon @ It Starts At Midnight
Thanks. :) I hope you enjoy those books if you get a chance to read them!
DeleteWow, what a great topic you picked! I'm added Dust of 100 Dogs and My Name is Memory to the ol' TBR list. For another title -- well, series really -- that fits this list, I'd add the Chrestomanci Chronicles by Diana Wynne Jones, which is about a multi-lifed mage.
ReplyDeleteI've read quite a bit of Diana Wynne Jones, but I haven't read that series yet. I really should try it! Thanks for the recommendation. :)
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