The week in the MarenBoBarenReads universe, I spent the vast majority of my weekend crawling out of the pile of schoolwork that had happened when I was sick (although I did manage to take a respite to go to the zoo with my sister and niece which was a blast)! My sister is my original book recommender. Being 10 years older than me, she influence a lot of my early reading tendencies. Which is why it’s unsurprising the first book on this list is thanks to her.

Nancy Drew #37: The Clue in the Old Stagecoach by Carolyn Keene
This was recommended to me (read: shoved into my hand when I was sick and told it was all I was about time I read Nancy Drew at age 7 or 8). I cannot thank my sister enough for that push, it sparked a life long love of this favorite mystery heroine.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Easily one of my all time favorite series, recommended to me by my boss/friend when I worked for Barnes & Noble

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Another recommendation from my sister. She was throwing some good YA Contemporary at me when I was in a YA Fantasy rut.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I swear, I don’t exclusively read books recommended by my sister, but this is another one.

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
I had seen this book alllllllll over Bookstagram and decided to give it a shot!

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson
Kept seeing this book pop up when I was the Teen Lead at Barnes & Noble, quickly fell in love with the world and the story. Is it wrong that this made me want to reread the series again?

Ruined by Amy Tintera
Another book who I kept seeing when working for B&N. Being the Teen Lead was often bad for my wallet….

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I honestly don’t remember what eventually got me to read this book…work, bookstagram, or booktube.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
This was a recommendation from a friend on Bookstagram after I feel head over heels in love with the covers when she posted a photo of the trilogy.
And last but not least!

Paradise Snare by A.C Crispin
This has become my all time favorite Star Wars series in the original EU. My husband felt it was an easy recommend for him to give me based on how in LOVE with the Han Solo character I am. Seriously, he knows I would leave him for Han Solo….or even Harrison Ford.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.