Top Ten Tuesday: Books with ‘House’ in the Title

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme created by The Broke and the Bookish blog, and now hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl.

I’m doing a slight twist on this week’s topic (Frequently Used Words In [Insert Genre/Age Group] Titles), to talk about Books with ‘House’ in the Title.

 

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

This is one of my favorite novels, and one I’ve been longing to re-read lately. The title comes from a verse in the Old Testament: “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” Lily Bart’s struggle to stay true to herself and gain freedom and happiness in the midst of the rigid and constricting society of Old New York, is just as infuriating and heartbreaking today, as it was when the novel was first published in 1905.

 

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

This is my second favorite Shirley Jackson novel, following closely behind We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It’s also one of my favorite haunted house novels, and is a deliciously chilling read. The ending is perfect, and yet another reminder that Jackson was brilliant and unmatched when it comes to writing psychological horror.

 

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

I can’t get enough of books set in English country estates, and Kate Morton certainly has a knack for writing them. I especially enjoyed the 1920’s setting of The House at Riverton, and the unfolding secrets, romance, and tragedy. It’s an escapist read that is perfect for fans of Downton Abbey.

 

The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine

Muirlan, the “House” in question, serves as a secondary character in this atmospheric, dual timeline novel. I loved the vivid Scottish Hebrides setting and the surrounding mystery, and sped through the book over a weekend. I’ll definitely be reading more of Sarah Maine’s work in the future.

 

The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons 

This is an engaging example of WWII era historical fiction, set at an English country estate. The protagonist Elise is a well-to-do young Jewish woman who flees Vienna for the safety of a maid position at the Tyneford estate. It’s a novel of love, loss, family, and fate; and one I think would make for an excellent period film.

 

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros 

The House on Mango Street is a powerful coming-of-age story about a young Latina woman growing up in Chicago. I need to revisit this classic, as I don’t remember many details from when I read it in Elementary/Middle School. I do remember adoring Esperanza and the vignette writing style however.

 

This House is Haunted by John Boyne

This is such a good example of a gothic ghost story set in the Victorian era. I went into This House is Haunted without any expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised by how gripping and well-written it was. I fully intend to re-read it in the future when I’m craving a spooky read with a feisty Victorian heroine.

 

And Three Books on my TBR:

 

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

I look forward to reading this beloved and epic novel about an orphanage, an abortionist, rural society, love, and prejudice. It sounds almost Dickensian in scope and seems to feature vibrant characters and lyrical writing.

 

Bleak House by Charles Dickens

I love the BBC miniseries of Bleak House, and have been meaning to read the novel for ages. I don’t have any plans to pick up this doorstopper anytime soon, but hope it will live up to my expectations when I finally do.

 

The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier 

I adore Daphne du Maurier’s works, and The House on the Strand sounds like an unusual and unputdownable read. It features magic potions, time travel, a love story, and a house in Cornwall; yes please!

 

 

Do you have a favorite “House” book? 

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