Monday, March 12, 2018

Take ten: books that surprised me


I may actually split this up into 5 books that surprised me in a good way and then 5 books that surprised me in a bad way, just because I started on the first angle, and then decided the second one might be more challenging.;)

1. The Hunger Games

I remember the librarian saying this book was all the rage (back before the movie and the trilogy was even totally out) and thinking I would give it a whirl, just because the title made me curious. It was not at all what I was expecting from first glance. I could not put it down! I went on to buy the books, since I didn't want to wait months to read Mockingjay!

2. Mockingjay

This one would have to be one of the ones that surprised me in a bad way. I mean, come on! After all Katniss goes through? I guess it made the point that you can't trick death.

3. The Chronicles of Narnia

Are you surprised I have this on here?;) It was a series that my uncle and aunt sent me over a series of birthdays and Christmases, starting when I was 9 or 10. I just read them because I knew they were my uncle's favorite when he was a kid and he would ask me how I liked them.;) Somewhere along the line, they became my favorite series and one of the few books I have re-read multiple times.

4. A Court of Thorns and Roses

I wanted to like this one because it's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but I just was surprised by the language and other junk. I just couldn't get passed it.;(

5. Harry Potter

I was late jumping on the Harry Potter bandwagon, since I didn't think it would be a series I would enjoy. So, I was shocked when my boyfriend (now husband) convinced me to pick up the first one and I actually loved it!
(As a side note, I totally need this mug in my life!)


6. Fifty Shades of Grey
I will admit, I didn't even have to pick this one up to be shocked by the poor writing quality and how the abusive relationship is becoming a huge influence on young girls. How can (fill in the blank: feminist, Christians, mothers, etc) people think this is entertaining or a good standard to put before impressionable people?

7. Sense and Sensibility

I was an ambitious 11 year old, picking up this classic! So, my first impression was that it was a bit of a bore, since I felt like I had to look up every other word. I did grow to love the book when I returned to it, so it surprised me.

8. The Silent Planet

I thought I loved everything by C.S. Lewis! Turns out, I was wrong....;)

9. An Inconvenient Beauty

While I love all the other books by Kristi Ann, I was feeling like this one might test that, since it was about a gorgeous woman who I felt like could be annoying. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the story of Griff and Isabella!

10. Book of a Thousand Days

I was so prepared to love this one, but then it flopped for me.

What books were you surprised with? Is it easier to come up with books you surprisingly loved or hated?

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21 comments:

  1. YAY for the Narnia love. Those books are so darn good. I have ZERO respect for the 'Grey' series. I haven't read them, but no enough about the plot to know they're 100% "not okay" stories to be telling. Or that's my opinion. :)

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    1. They are amazing! I can't believe it took me a while to get into them.
      My opinion too. I don't need to read them when I have read snippets and know it goes against what I believe a healthy relationship should be like.

      Delete
  2. I just reread the first Harry Potter book. I still love it.

    (Amanda, I want to tell you how distracted I get by the Amazon monetizing things you add to each choice. it makes it hard to read what you write. Sorry to tell you.)

    My TTT

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    1. I need to re-read them!
      I may have to switch it to just links then. Thanks!

      Delete
  3. I'm rereading Harry Potter this year. I love those books so much! :-)

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    1. I need to take the time to re-read them, now that it has been about ten years.:O

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  4. I had the opposite reaction to Mockingjay, I was actually surprised that I didn't like it because I loved the first two books! And I won't go anywhere near the Fifty Shades series. I had the misfortune of reading some passages from the male POV version and it was awful.

    - louise

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    1. I was trying to subtly say I didn't care for it like I did the first two, since I felt like it was pretty different. I thought the sewer creatures were just strange.

      Delete
  5. Although I grew up with the movies, I`ve read Harry Potter only when I was in my late 20s. And it was amazing! I also agree with ACOTAR. I tried reading it, but it was giving me a bad vibe.

    Carmen`s Reading Corner

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    1. I felt like I was missing out to not have grown up with the HP books.;)
      Exactly!

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  6. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan! I also enjoyed the Hunger Games series, even if it didn't really WOW me.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thanks!

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    1. The might not have been wow, but the Hunger Games books were hard for me to put down!

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  7. I loved Harry Potter and The Hunger Games books, though I was also disappointed by Mockingjay.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/13/top-ten-tuesday-150/

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    1. I was disappointed in Mockingjay too, something I may not of clearly communicated.;)

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  8. Yes! The Hunger Games was definitely a good surprise for me as well. I feel you 100% on Fifty Shades. It made my bad list as well. It's just not something that's good to be reading.

    My TTT

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  9. The Chronicles of Narnia was excellent-I also liked Lemony Snicket!!(My daughter's books!!)
    https://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/03/all-event-tour-host-for-audio-blitz-of.html

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    1. I haven't really gotten into Lemony Snicket's books yet, but I am sure they will be ones we will pick up once the kids are a bit older.;)

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  10. I like how you divided the list between good and bad surprises.

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    1. Thanks! I felt like mixing things up, though perhaps I should of been a bit more specific about which felt into what categories.;)

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  11. Mockingjay broke me as a human being but I take it in a good way. I felt hollow BOTH times I have read it and I just had to go sob in the shower for a bit XD Happy readings :)

    My TTT https://wp.me/p3ftwe-UF

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