Top Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

It's time for Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. 

This week's theme: Top Ten Books I've Read So Far This Year

So far this year, I have read 50 books (whoo hoo!).  I am attempting to read 50 classics in 5 years and all the Pulitzer Prize fiction winners in 2 years, so a lot of my book choices come from those lists. I have found a few gems (and a few stinkers). But here's the ones I have liked best so far:

1. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides: I read this one because it was a Pulitzer Prize winner and loved it. It is the tale of a hermaphrodite and his/her struggle through life, including a family history. The story was well told and very very interesting, considering the topic is rather taboo with many people, yet something that is very real. 

2. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien:  I know, I know.  It took me forever to finally read this.  I am not a huge fan of fantasy, but I figured I needed to read some Tolkien.  It was very good.

3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy: This is read also because it won a Pulitzer Prize.  It was fantastic.

4. Runaway Jury by John Grisham: I love Grisham!

5. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson: This is a classic I felt I needed to read and I am really glad I did.  This may become a Halloween regular.

6. It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini: I read this because the author committed suicide at the end of 2013 and I had been meaning to read it forever.  As someone who suffers from depression (although mine is under control and has been for years), this one just hit a home run with me.

7. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara: This is another Pulitzer Prize winner. I would have never read it otherwise.  While it's fictional, it's a very historically accurate representation of the Battle of Gettysburg, something I knew little about. It was fascinating!

8. A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan: This is yet another Pulitzer Prize winner.  It is several tales of different people throughout their lives.  Some stories are good, some are bad.  But it was well told and a fun read.

9. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: This is one of the most evil stories I have ever read.  But the author did a phenomenal job.

10. Carlos Ruiz Zafon by The Prisoner of Heaven:  I can't get enough of this author. He's absolutely incredible.