Ten Books I Need More People to Love

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature at The Broke and Bookish. This week's theme: Top Ten Underrated/Hidden Gem Books You've Read in the Past Year or So.

One of my favorite things to do is get other people to read books I love. That way, I can discuss the books with them, and if I know their tastes well enough, I know I'm giving them something that they'll love!

Unfortunately, I can't do this with the entire world. And that means that there are books that I've really enjoyed that just aren't widely loved. Why? I don't know. And that's why I spend so much time trying to get other people to read them. Here are ten books I've read somewhat recently that I think really deserve some more love.

IRON CAST by Destiny Soria: I'll never get tired of diverse books, I'll never get tired of historical fiction, and I'll never get tired of positive female friendships. When you put those all together, they make a book that I pretty much have to love. It's such a great twist on the time, with a little bit of added magic, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. (full review here)

VIVIAN APPLE AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Katie Coyle (Vivian Apple #1): I'll admit that this book was a lot more fun before the past election. But it's still a great book! Just picture a slightly shy but still brave girl fighting her way across an America in chaos with a sledgehammer, plus hilarious narration, and it's this book.

EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR by E.K. Johnston: This is such an important, honest book (with a great cover and perfect title to boot). I haven't read a lot of YA that tackles the tricky subject of rape/sexual assault, and certainly nothing that handles it as well as this. I'm so glad that I read this.

ON THE EDGE OF GONE by Corinne Duyvis: This is a book that I feel like a lot of people are looking for without knowing it. It literally takes place during the apocalypse, which is an interesting difference from a lot of existing post-apocalyptic/dystopian books already out there. And it's one of the most diverse books I've ever read!

THE STEEP & THORNY WAY by Cat Winters: I really like Cat Winters books, but the premise alone would have pulled me in: Hamlet, but set in 1920s Oregon with a biracial female protagonist. Yes please. And the book didn't disappoint. (full review here)

THE GAME OF LOVE AND DEATH by Martha Brockenbrough: In my underrated books gift guide last year, I recommended this for fans of THE BOOK THIEF, and I think that's what really gets to the essence of why I love it. It's gorgeously written and it has a fascinating take on concepts like love and death.

WILLFUL MACHINES by Tim Floreen: This is an absolutely fascinating book that explores the question of robots and artificial intelligence being considered human. It definitely gives you a lot to think about, but it doesn't sacrifice any of the elements of a good story in order to make you think about it.

A MADNESS SO DISCREET by Mindy McGinnis: I've barely been able to stop thinking about this book since I read it over a year ago. It's fantastically dark, but not in the ways you might be expecting from the premise. It's one of those books that I don't like to say too much about before I recommend it, so you'll have to pick it up for yourself to learn more.

LABYRINTH LOST by Zoraida Córdova (Brooklyn Brujas #1): I want more books like this! Diverse fantasy set (at least partially) in the modern world that really focuses on characters and the relationships between them. Fortunately, we're getting two more books in this world, and I'm really excited to read them! (full review here)

A TYRANNY OF PETTICOATS: 15 STORIES OF BELLES, BANK ROBBERS, AND OTHER BADASS GIRLS by Jessica Spotswood: This was like all anthologies for me in that the stories were pretty hit or miss, but I liked most of the stories and there are a handful that I absolutely adored. And there's going to be a sequel anthology next year!

What are some of your favorite underrated books? Have you read any of these? Tell me in the comments!