Today’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt was a freebie, so I decided to do Top Ten Boarding School Books since I’m starting at a boarding school this year!
Harry Potter
This was a no-brainer for this list because who doesn’t want to go to Hogwarts and learn magic? I’d probably have the same problem as Hermione and try to take all of the classes.
Truly Devious
Ellingham Academy is another school I would want to go to, sans murders of course. Everybody there is so passionate and you get to explore your specific interests and it just sounds lovely. Truly Devious is definitely my favorite book I’ve read so far this year.
Anna and the French Kiss
I wouldn’t say this is one of the best books I’ve ever read , but it is cute, and the boarding school aspect sounds amazing. Going to an American boarding school in Paris would be so fun, and I take French, so I wouldn’t have to be as concerned as Anna about communication issues.
A Study in Charlotte
I really liked A Study in Charlotte, though I didn’t like the second book in the series much at all, so I don’t know if I’ll ever finish it. I don’t remember much of the specifics of the boarding school aspect, but it didn’t seem like a bad place to attend if you ignore the murder.
Carry On
I love Carry On, but I don’t really have much to say about Watford, especially since some of it was at least a little ripped off of Hogwarts. Rainbow Rowell also probably didn’t have as much time to flesh it out in the book since only one book in the series takes place at school. However, it is a magic boarding school, which means I would definitely go there if given the chance.
On a Sunbeam
I love On A Sunbeam, but I don’t know if I would want to go to space boarding school. It does look gorgeous, but I don’t know if I’d ever get used to the void outside the window. Still, the artwork is beautiful and I adore this book.
The Austere Academy
Prufrock Prep is a boarding school I definitely would not want to attend. Even though my parents are alive and I wouldn’t have to live in the Orphan Shack or broom cupboard, who wants to sit through those classes, where you either memorize the measurements of different objects or memorize a teacher’s boring and relatively nonsensical anecdotes?
The Raven Boys
The boarding school aspect of this series is not very fleshed out, particularly since none of the main characters live on campus, but it is still a boarding school book, so it gets to go on this list because I really like it!
The Mysterious Benedict Society
This is probably the only school on this list worse then the one in The Austere Academy. When you aren’t being brainwashed or helping brainwash other people, you’re memorizing weird poems to assist in future brainwashing. I love the book though, and I think the plot and design of the school was really clever.
Tales from Shadowhunter Academy
Shadowhunter Academy is a boarding school, though not one I would want to go to. I don’t think I’d be able to handle the general violence of being a Shadowhunter, unfortunately. Still, it definitely ranks above some of the other books on this list in terms of not being a terrible place, so it has that going for it. Cassandra Clare has yet to write a book I dislike, so it gets to go on this list!
I feel the same way about space boarding schools. I’d at least visit for a weekend, though!
My TTT .
Yeah, I think a couple of days might be my limit as well.
One of my favorite boarding school books was the one by E. Lockart. It has Frankie Landou Banks in the title. I can’t remember the rest of it. It was a long title. Good book, though. One of my favorites by her.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks? I’ve had that recommended to me before, but I’m waiting to see if I like We Were Liars, which has been on my TBR for ages, before committing to it.
I haven’t read many books set in boarding schools, but Harry Potter is a classic “school” book. I love Hogwarts. I’d go there just for the food. 🙂
The food is definitely a valid reason to want to go to Hogwarts; I get hungry just reading the feast scenes.
Thank you for sharing your list. Although I haven’t read many books set in boarding schools lately, I love this setting. There are always so many mysteries behind these school walls.
The idea of a boarding school on space sounds quite interesting. I will have to take a look at On a Sunbeam.
Happy readings!
I would definitely recommend reading On A Sunbeam! It’s a graphic novel that’s told in two timelines. The artwork is gorgeous and the plot and characters are enthralling.