Welcome to another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by the fabulous people over at The Broke and the Bookish! It’s a day for us to all make lists and read lists and just generally celebrate lists.
Okay, so I know this may be slightly irritating, and I apologize. Especially since I totally cheated last week and next week is a freebie.
Sorry.
Anyway, the assigned topic for this week is:
Top Ten Books For People Who Like X Author (pick an author and give recommendations)
And I wracked my brain trying to come up with 10 books that are all in the style of a certain author, but I couldn’t do it. I even picked big genre-defining authors like J.K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins. But just because you liked Harry Potter doesn’t mean you’re going to like all fantasy, just like enjoying Hunger Games doesn’t mean all dystopians will be for you.
Plus, using books like that is more about a genre than an author, and I can’t think of another author who writes like J.K. Rowling or Suzanne Collins or any of the other amazing authors I love. They each have their own unique voice, and that’s part of the reason I love them.
So. Since I wanted to do a Top Ten list anyway, and I was coming up with a total blank on the topic, I tried to think of what I was into at the moment.
And guys, I’m going to be honest. I’m in a reading slump. I’ve seriously tapered off in my reading (and it’s reflected in my blog. Again, sorry). I know I’ll jump back in soon with both feet, and I’ve actually got a stack of books checked out from the library and sitting on my shelf and my iPad right now that I’m really anxious to read. I just need some time off to regroup.
And you know how I regroup?
I’d like to say exercise, but the answer is TV.
So without any further ado, I give you:
The Top Ten T.V. Shows for When You’re in a Reading Slump
(a.k.a. Shows Bookish People Like)
[p.s. I feel the need to make a disclaimer here that I’m not currently watching all of these shows, nor are all the shows I’m currently watching on this list. Confused yet?]
Where possible, I linked to the show on Netflix, so you can watch it right now if you have Netflix. Otherwise I linked to the Amazon page. (Or, in the case of one show, you can catch up pretty well on YouTube).
These are in no particular order, because I love them all. With great giant disgusting heaps of love.
I maintain that this show has the best character development I’ve ever seen in any TV show, ever.
But I don’t really like football. Or Texas.
You know what? Neither do I. It doesn’t matter.
Do you love fast-paced, intelligent dialogue? Smart characters and complex plots? Then this is the show for you.
But I don’t like politics.
Neither do I. It doesn’t matter.
It was a high school vampire show before high school vampire stories were all the rage. Again, excellent character development, intricate plots, quippy dialogue, and some pretty awesome action. One of the smartest teen shows on TV, ever.
4. Firefly
This one’s only 14 episodes long, so you can easily tear through it in a week on Netflix (if you can make it last that long). Amazing world-building, an original concept, and of course the fabulous characters and dialogue that are a staple for Joss Whedon shows.
Rory is going to be a book blogger when she grows up, she just doesn’t know it yet. She is smart and shy and sassy and sweet, and the cast of characters is quirky and lovable. The best part of this show is the close and loving relationship between Rory and her mother Lorelai. It’s not perfect, but it’s one of the best mother-daughter depictions on TV (or that used to be on TV, anyway).
I’ll be the first to admit, this show went downhill towards the end. It’s like Ronald. D. Moore had a great concept and absolutely no idea what he wanted to do with it (actually, that is what happened. I’ve listened to the commentaries. He pretty much admits it). But the first couple season are out-of-this-world (literally) fantastic. And the acting is absolutely stellar (another space pun! I’m unstoppable!)
I know I keep harping on dialogue and character development, but really, name one great show that doesn’t have great dialogue and character development.
Exactly.
I’ll admit, I waited a few years on Veronica Mars. I didn’t think I’d be into a show about a teen detective with no superpowers. But the thing that finally made me pull the trigger was when I read it was Joss Whedon’s favorite show (including his own shows). That kind of clinched it for me.
And this show is incredible. The only bad thing is that it got canceled after the 3rd season wrapped, so there’s not a satisfying conclusion. But I promise, the rest of the show is worth the disappointment at the end.
8. So You Think You Can Dance
I know, this is a (gasp!) reality show! But it’s amazing and inspiring, and I happen to know for a fact that there are real books floating out there in the world — books that you’ve probably heard of and maybe even read and enjoyed — that take ideas and characters from this show. For example, the above routine inspired Victoria Schwab to write her upcoming novel The Archived. (No, I don’t know how it inspired her to write it, but she promises a post later on how the dance turned into a book).
[Warning: (and this isn’t a joke) This dance is about addiction and has been known to provoke strong emotional reactions]
Say what you will about this show, but I think the overarching plot device of the mysterious titular “mother” appeals to my bookish side. I like the tiny clues and the “future” narration that ties it all together. Plus, I think this is one of the best comedies currently on TV.
10. Dr. Who
I have a confession to make, and that is that I am nowhere close to having finished this series. But the quirky sci-fi plots, the witty banter, and the smart writing leaves no question in my mind as to why so many writers and readers adore this show.
So I’m sorry for cheating, really I am, but maybe if you’re like me and are totally in a rut right now, I’ve given you something to fill the lonely book-less hours.
I’ll start reading again soon. In the meantime, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go watch some more Dr. Who.
I haven’t watched all of these, but the ones I have–Buffy, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars–I loved. And I think How I Met Your Mother is hilarious.
Buffy! Firefly! You seriously listed half my favorite shows right here – I am completely addicted to SYTYCD, and can’t wait for HIMYM to get back on TV this fall!:) Awesome list!
Nina Reads recently posted..Top Ten Books For People Who Like Richelle Mead
Great list, love that you cheated! I love Buffy, HIMYM and SYTYCD!! When I’m in a reading funk I watch The Big Bang Theory or Charmed.
Happy Reading 🙂
My TTT
Helene recently posted..Ten Books For People Who Like Ruth Warburton
Aw, I know what it’s like to hit a reading slump, and I also watch series when I can’t read or write or study. These sound nice, though I haven’t watched most of those. SYTYCD is amazzzzing though.
barefootmeds recently posted..TTT: So you liked Jodi?
How I met your motheris hilarious! that show is so funny! Great list and it probably will help bloggers/readers who are having a reading slump.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS!!! 😀 You have several of my favorites on your list.
Lori recently posted..Top Ten Books For People Who Like John Green
Your list made me smile – terrific idea – although sorry to hear you’re in a reading slump 🙁 I hope all these fantastic tv shows help you get back into it, although for me, it would just make me want to watch more and more tv!
Tanya Patrice recently posted..5 Authors 10 Books The Read-A-Like {Dystopian, Fantasy & Science Fiction Bookishness}
SYTYCD! Friday Night Lights! Buffy! Gilmore Girls! *sigh*
Samantha @ Reading-AndCoffee recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Books for People Who Like X Author
I love all of these shows. Buffy, BSG and The West Wing are my all time favorites, with Firefly not too far behind.
I adored the first season of Veronica Mars, but I felt like 2 and 3 didn’t quite live up to the awesomeness I had been trained to expect.
Seriously, did you raid my dvd shelf to create this list? 😉
Sarah @ Breaking the Binding recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books For People Who Like Kirstin Cashore
S2 of VM was kind of up and down, although I absolutely LOVED the finale and the conclusion of the bus plot. And yeah, S3 wasn’t nearly as good (and the Logan depression went on FOREVER), but even then, I still loved watching the characters.
I have this sneaky suspicion that our DVD shelves look eerily similar…
Great list: I love Gilmore Girls, Firefly, HIMYM, Doctor Who and Buffy. I am currently re-watching Gilmore Girls- it is probably the best show I’ve ever watched. 🙂
Milka@ReadReadRead recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday (2)
Friday Night Lights! I LOVE that show! I thought I was the only one! I started watching it for the football but continued to watch it for the amazing characters. It was an amazing show. I have it all on DVD.
BSG! Another love. I even got my Mother (!!) into it!
Firefly is also a classic. 🙂
Opal @ The Akamai Reader recently posted..Review: Pale Queen’s Courtyard
I recently marathoned Veronica Mars. It got ugly. And AWESOME.
I’d add Downton Abbey! Oooh and what about Sherlock? It’s kind of de facto literary? This is a fun topic.
Mary @ mysistersbookshelf recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Books for People Who Like Meg Cabot or L.M. Montgomery
Two shows I haven’t watched yet, which is why they aren’t on my list, but I WILL watch them. Someday. If only there were more hours in a day! Or if I could justify spending all the hours that are already there in front of the TV.
I love your idea for this list. I love Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls and Doctor Who.
Yay Firefly! Nathan Fillion = WIN! 🙂 LOVE HIM! And How I Met Your Mother is soo funny! Challenge Accepted. And then as I was reading your list thinking it was a good one and I got to the last one, Doctor Who, and about squealed because that is the BEST SHOW ON THE PLANET! 🙂 I’ve seen every single episode and am watching the entire series over again right now. Love it love it love it. I could go on and on about that show but I won’t. Hope you love it and it gets better and better but I will always love Rose as my favorite companion and I swear I’m gonna stop rambling now
Lauren @ Story Bound recently posted..Top Ten Tuesday: Book Recommendations
Great twist on the week’s meme. I had a bit of a problem figuring out how I wanted to do my list, too. I enjoy So You Think You Can Dance, too.
Vikk @ Down the Writer’s Path recently posted..Top ten books on writing by famous authors
Okay Lauren this list pretty much rules! In fact it has inspired me to do this topic next week for the freebie Top Ten. Hope that’s okay. Veronica Mars, FNL and Buffy rule! Plus you already know how much I HEART Doctor Who!!!
Shannon P. recently posted..Cover Reveal: Witch Born (Witch Song #2)
THAT’S NOT OKAY. SHANNON, HOW DARE YOU? I AM HIGHLY OFFENDED.
Obviously, I’m lying.
Can’t believe I forgot to mention SYTYCD. OMG we have had multiple conversations about how awesome and inspiring it is 🙂 Great list and fun topic change. I don’t always like the Top Ten topics either so I usually just don’t end up doing them
Shannon P. recently posted..Cover Reveal: Witch Born (Witch Song #2)
Maybe it’s exaggerated in my head, but it seems like you cheat on your Top Ten list every week. Cracks me up every time.
I just started watching Buffy recently because everyone who loves VM, WW, FNL, etc. also loved Buffy.
I would add Mad Men, Downton Abbey, and Sherlock to your queue. MM’s a bit slow at times, but has GREAT dialogue and character development. You’ll totally dig the other two.
Kelly recently posted..The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
It’s seriously not EVERY week, it’s just been recently. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
But next week is a freebie week, which means I CAN’T cheat. Anything is fair game. Well, I guess I could cheat by doing like, a Top 12 or something…
And all those shows are on my list of shows I’m going to watch someday when I am magically not freakishly busy anymore and have time to watch TV again.
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So many of my favorites. I feel like so many good books remind me of Veronica Mars in a good way. I love everything about that show
marissa
rae gun ramblings
marissa recently posted..8 Posts To Give You A Picture of Me
If you love Veronica Mars you should check out the YA author Rob Thomas. He created the show and write for it, and that snappy dialogue (and those acerbic teens) are exactly his style. I recommend Rats Saw God, Slave Day, and Doing Time.
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