I'm in the middle of a blizzard here in Chicagoland so I hope this blog post posts. I apologize in advance if I can't read your comments and posts right away. I do hope to catch up when the weather is better and my DSL connection isn't finicky. As you know the Top 10 Tuesday weekly feature is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where bloggers get together and discuss their lists. This week's topic is our top 10 author debut novels.

1. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte- Hands down my favorite book of all time. A ghost story/ tragic love story/revenge story set upon the English Moors. I try to read this book every year and with every reread I always find something new.
 
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelly- The first gothic, horror novel that I've ever read. While not gory or violent, the very idea of a human trying to play God is frightening.

3.  The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde- Incredibly witty yet disturbing at the same time. A critical look at our obsession with youth and beauty.

4. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy- A beautifully and masterfully told tale about contemporary India through the eyes of young twins Rahel and Estha and the rest of their family.

5.  Brick Lane by Monica Ali - We watch Nazneen grow and evolve from a passive Bangladeshi woman who has been taught to let fate take her course into a strong, confident, and determined woman who decides to make her own life.

6. Looking for Alaska by John Green- This was my first YA book that I picked up when I started library school. Green's fabulous writing, honest characters, and the right touch of humor with provocative questions made me a Green groupie. I loved everything he has written so far and I credit him for changing my perception of YA literature.

7. Graceling by Kristin Cashore- A phenomenal feminist fantasy story with terrific world building and characters. I have been recommending this book constantly ever since I finished its last page. Looking forward to reading other books by Cashore.

8. 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher- A tragic story of a girl detailing thirteen reasons why she committed suicide and those responsible for her death. Gritty, provocative, and hard to put down. This book is always checked out both at my high school and public library.

9. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver- I never had a book that made me experience a wide range of emotions. I went from hating the main character to feeling sympthatic towards her and then finally cheering her on as she learns from her mistake by living the same day that she dies over and over again.

10. Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan- One of my favorite books from 2010 pre-blogging. A pitch perfect teenage boy voice that has humor, insecurity, and introspection all rolled into one. A story of friendship and the different shades of love made this book an enjoyable read.