28 Comments
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ART BREAK's avatar

Ooh I need to come up with a list!

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

Yes! Share it with me once you make it!

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MINKY WORDEN's avatar

Ruthie, I have discovered SO MANY of these fabulous 📕 and writers through you—gratitude for consolidating in one list, so I can revisit!

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

Aww Minky! Thank you – let me know which one becomes your next read!

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Emily Plumb's avatar

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza is a 10/10 book for me

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

Ooooh adding it to my list!

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Rookie Season's avatar

I came here to say this! My first true 10/10 book as an adult. It wrecked me in the way only beautiful, honest literature can. It’s been 5 or so years since I read it and now I’m pondering a re-read

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Emily Plumb's avatar

Oh, I love that! Not a lot of people know that book. I agree- it wrecked me too!

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Lucy Hearne Keane's avatar

I have read three from your list. I think I would have a lot of trouble trying to pick my top 10 books. And trying to organize my bookshelves. Well done 👍

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Lisa Majeska's avatar

Obsessed with the glass castle, SO good

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Lizziebeth's avatar

Loved Heartburn!

Water for Elephants is on my list.

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Delia Lloyd's avatar

So glad to see Hidden Valley Road there. What a gem

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

The only book that came at all close to HVR in my mind is The Best Minds by Jonathan Rosen <3

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Delia Lloyd's avatar

OOO don't know that one. Will investigate.

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Becci Phasey's avatar

Agree with so much on this list!

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

<3 <3 <3

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Christi Hegstad, PhD, PCC's avatar

What a great idea! I bet looking at this shelf brings you so much joy. I love the variety in your picks, too - thank you for sharing!

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

SO MUCH JOY! Thank you <3

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Kim Peek's avatar

We have so many in common!! I haven’t read Hidden Valley Road (though I immediately added it to my TBR), but if you like well researched books that also tell a very human story, Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe is sooooo good.

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

Oh good one! I'll add it to my list. I keep being told to read it.

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Pamela Matthews's avatar

I share #s 5, 10, 23. My others in no order: Toni Morrison’s Beloved, Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo, Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad, Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady, Helen MacDonald’s H is for Hawk, Robert Putnam’s Our Kids, Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto, Ann Lamott’s Bird by Bird, Maira Kalman’s The Principles of Uncertainty, Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, and almost anything by Elizabeth Strout. Way more than 10!

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

What a great list of books! It felt nearly impossible for me to pick 36, but I had to stop somewhere!

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Pamela Matthews's avatar

I know! If you asked me tomorrow… 😂

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Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

just shared this post with all of my reader friends!

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Ruthie Ackerman's avatar

Thank you, Samantha!! <3

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Ani 🪻's avatar

Love this- I share 10 of the same 10/10 books with you! So saving this post for new reads bc I obviously trust your judgment 😊

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Shelly's avatar

A couple of these are on my list as well! I can't believe I left out Dave Eggers, though - that book ruined me (just like Fleabag, to be honest). https://shellshocked.substack.com/p/10-books-ive-given-5-stars-which

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Jessie V.A.'s avatar

I started the [audio]book of All Fours last year. I loved it so much until I had to abruptly stop listening because I was so uncomfortable at the precipice of her getting caught in her lies. I hate confrontation in my media as much as I hate it in my real life.

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