10 Amazing Books that Stand Alone. A Top Ten Tuesday List.
Welcome back, readers and friends. It’s Tuesday again, and so we begin our blogging week with Top Ten Tuesday March 12 edition.
That Artsy Reader Girl | March 12: Standalone Books That Need a Sequel
To be honest, initially I wasn’t going to join this Top Ten meme because, honestly, I cannot think of many (if any) standalones I want a sequel to. Don’t misunderstand, I’ve read lots of amazing standalones, but no matter how much I’d like to hang out with the characters in them, most of whom I love, I often feel like the book is “complete” in its journey. Both for the reader, and the characters.
Instead of following the direct prompt, I decided to feature a few of the standalone books on my shelf that I adore – just the way they are.
Top Ten Tuesday March 12
1: The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof | This beautiful story is one of THE best historical novels I’ve ever read. While I’d never say “no” to catching up with Charlie and Ella, their story is perfect as is. Goodreads
2: The Geography of Lost Things by Jessica Brody | Didn’t know what to expect from this one. What I discovered is a delightful road trip story that I’ve since purchased a finished copy of. Goodreads
3: The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron | A time slip novel that’s dazzling all without the agony of waiting on a sequel. Goodreads
4: Pretty in Punxsutawney by Laurie Boyle Crompton | This one is sweet. Sure it’d be fun to see how the leading couple is faring, perhaps in college, but they’re cute as they are, and that’s enough. Goodreads top ten tuesday march 12
5: Gilt Hollow by Lori Langdon | An atmospheric YA mystery that’s perfect autumn reading! Goodreads
Discussion: A Few of the Reasons Why I Support Inspirational Fiction 
Talking about books that don't need a sequel (because they're perfect as is). 10 Amazing Books that Stand Alone | #TopTen Tuesday Share on X
6: Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge | Sisters, tea, swoony guys, and Jane Austen. What more do we need? Goodreads
7: The End of the World by Amy Matayo | Emotional, but so worth the deep end, this story is bittersweet, but also gives us (and these characters!) the end we need. Goodreads
8: Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay | A charming novel inspired by, but not a re-telling, Jane Austen. Goodreads top ten tuesday march 12
9: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner | LOVELOVELOVE this rom-com. It’s unique, and sassy, and… well, did I mention I like it? Goodreads
10: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows | Yes this title was on my list last week. No, I’m not embarrassed by this. *wink* I think it’s safe to say, we’d all love to again meet with this book club, but also, there’s a part of me that’s happy to leave them where they are, which his happy. Goodreads
Additional authors who write great standalones in general are: Jennifer E. Smith (The Geography of You and Me), Nicholas Sparks (The Choice, Safe Haven) or Kasie West (P.S. I Like You, Lucky in Love).
What about you? Are you like me or do you have a long list of books you’d like to discover there’s a sequel to? Comment below with all of your thoughts on the subject of standalone books.
If you joined Top Ten Tuesday – or have a blog, please introduce yourself below. I’d be glad to visit your bookish spaces, too.
Thank you for visiting
ps: please excuse the “disorder.” you can read more about our changes, new follow options and why archive posts are a royal mess in my “Disorder + Feedback” post
Must look around for JANE OF AUSTEN and DEAR MR. KNIGHTLY. Guess you know who is a Austen fan. My TTT list
They are both SO good, Anne. :) Thanks for making a visit here.
I don’t think I know any of these ones but the all sound like great picks!
They sure are!! Thanks so much for the visit, Melanie. :)
I haven’t read any of these books! ?? But I couldn’t think of any standalones that I’d like to have sequels for either. Instead, I listed the sequels I really need to get to this year to continue and/or finish some series I started reading. ?
I totally could have done this too! I have *WAY* too many series I also need to finish. The life of a bookworm, eh!? ;) Thanks so much for the visit.
A very interesting list, Rissi! I’m not overly familiar with these books, but they must be good to want sequels!
Thanks, Chrissi. :)
I’d like to get the Geography of Lost Things. I like a good road trip story and haven’t read one in ages. Plus I’ve seen that book around and seems like it gets good reviews. :)
I really enjoyed this one though I don’t see much hype about it. It’s imperfect as all books can be, but it kept me interested. Let me know if you like this one, Greg – and thanks so much for the visit! :)
I haven’t read any of these books yet, but I read Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody last week, and I LOVED it! So maybe I’ll try The Geography of Lost things one of these days.
SO glad. Reading this contemporary by her certainly makes me curious to read more from her. :) Thanks for visiting, Brooke.
Yes, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society definitely needs a sequel!
My Top Ten Tuesday post.
It’d always be fun to enjoy a cup of tea with these characters, and play catch up on their lives. :) Thanks for the visit, Lydia.
I agree, some standalones just shouldn’t be messed with! More chance of the characters staying happy that way ? The guernsey book wraps up really nicely I think.
Right? Well said, Catherine. Glad to know you feel this way, too. Thanks so much for the visit! :)
I’ve heard good things about The Geography of Lost Things – I really want to give it a read! *_*
I’d love sequels to Nicholas Sparks’ books!
My TTT post!
It’s really a fun read, Kyra. Let me know if you read it someday. :) Thanks so much for the visit!
Dear Mr. Knightly looks really charming. I feel as an Austen fan, I need to pick up more retellings. Great list!
It is all kinds of charming, Alicia; I’d be curious to know what you think if you ever have a chance to read it. :) Thanks, as always, for stopping by.
Jane in Austin made my list this week too. Although I want a sequel because I want to see if Celia finds her happy ever after. She got short shrifted next to Jane. Also, who doesn’t want to re-visit Guernsey!
I remember loving Jane of Austin “as is,” but I may feel differently if I re-read it (which I do want to do SOMEDAY!). SAME. Guernsey is such a lovely place. Also, cannot wait to read/catch up on all of your lists, Brittaney. Thanks, as always, for visiting. :)
I love Guernsey just the way it is. A very lovely standalone :)
Same. It’s perfect in my book. Thanks for visiting, Dani. :)
I had a hard time with this week’s theme for a similar reason that you chose to do a twist it… I really don’t have that many standalones that I felt were super incomplete…
Glad to know I’m not alone in this feeling. In many ways, I’m glad for this. Makes for no waiting, and of course, far less agony because NO CLIFFHANGERS! :) Appreciate your visit, Kelly.
Great twist on this week’s topic! I haven’t read any of these so I’ll have to check them out.
Thanks, Jess; hope you enjoy some of these if you read them. :)
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Shaffer’s book – one of these days!
Hope you enjoy if/when you read it, Lauren. :) Thanks for the visit.
I can’t believe that I haven’t read ANY of these GASP! But I absolutely concur that some standalones, no matter how much we love them, are completely great on their own. A lot of my favorites are, I think! Serpent King, I’ll Meet You There, Four Three Two One, probably a whole bunch more that I can’t remember ? Now, there are some that absolutely required sequels that I will be salty forever and ever about, but… I like your topic MUCH better!
*high five* So true. While I’d love to catch up with any of these characters, sometimes part of what makes a story stand out is that it’s a standalone. :)
Thank you for visiting, Shannon. Always glad to chat all the bookish fun with you! :)