Today is a Top Ten Tuesday on the blog. The great bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish give book bloggers a topic to run wild with each Tuesday. I haven’t had any idea what to write on the last few topics, but I’m jumping back in with Top Ten Sequels. Actually, it will be Top 7 Sequels, because there just aren’t that many sequels worthy of the first book.You know who did not write sequels? Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, George Eliot, Mark Twain, and the list goes on and on of the great writers of classics who knew that a great book is best when it has an ending that is perfect in itself.
There are a few great writers who found a way to write great sequels. Many sequels turn into Book 2 in series (especially these days), so those count as sequels in this list as long as there is a plot that begins and ends in Book #2.
1. The sequels to Little Women: Little Men and Jo’s Boys
There are some characters you consider friends and just want more of their stories. Lousia May Alcott created those characters.
2. Sky Lark, the sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall
3. Prince Caspian, sequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
4. Belong to Me, the sequel to Love Walked In
These are books by Marisa de Los Santos I would put in the category of “Books I really liked for some reason I can’t entirely explain.” I wouldn’t expect most people to like them, but I really enjoyed the characters and the way they developed.
5. All sequels written by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Yes, I am an unabashed fan. If you’ve already read the Anne books, try Emily or Pat. Pat is a bit of a neurotic character, but I still love her.
6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
I think the first three books in this series are marvelous. I like all of them, but the first three are the best. Also, I think they can stand alone as fun books without the rest of the series, though I wouldn’t recommend reading them that way.
7. The House at Pooh Corner
That’s about all I can come up with! What are your favorite sequels?
Anna says:
Yes to Lucy Maud! I love all her books that I’ve read (all the Annes, Emilys and various others). I haven’t read Pat of Silver Bush yet though. Guess I need to, huh? Alcott is wonderful too and Little Men for me is even better than the first in some ways. Great list! 🙂
My TTT:
http://diamondinroughcoal.blogspot.com/2013/09/top-ten-tuesday-10_24.html
Christina says:
Oh my gosh…HOW DID I FORGET about the Anne books?! Anne of the Island was (and is) my absolute favorite of that series. (And I love Emily too!)
Maureen E says:
Oh, Skylark! I haven’t read that one in ages, but it was one of my favorites growing up.