Top Ten Tuesday is hosted weekly by the lovely ladies at The Broke and The Bookish.
I decided to split this list into two categories for ease of reading. Yes, there are less than ten, but apparently I am not all that easily surprised. By books.
Books I Expected to Like But Hated (aka The Controversial Ones!)
Books I Expected to Dislike But Loved
I love a lot of the books I read, but most of them are not a surprise! These, however, were unexpectedly enjoyable.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
I decided to split this list into two categories for ease of reading. Yes, there are less than ten, but apparently I am not all that easily surprised. By books.
Books I Expected to Like But Hated (aka The Controversial Ones!)
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
I know a lot of people really like this book, but I definitely didn't. It was just too simplistic, and I thought the characters were obnoxious.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Zombies should be exciting and tense, but for me, this one was just dull.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
I think it may be that I just don't like YA traditional fantasy in general. In this one, I really couldn't connect with the characters or the story.
Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson
Normally I love epic fantasy (look at the name of my blog!), so I expected to at least moderately enjoy this one. Unfortunately, I couldn't even finish it. I don't always have to like the main character, but despising him utterly is kind of a turn-off.
Books I Expected to Dislike But Loved
I love a lot of the books I read, but most of them are not a surprise! These, however, were unexpectedly enjoyable.
I don't read much (or really any) contemporary YA, so even though I had friends who told me how amazing it was, I was convinced enough to pick it up but not enough to think I would enjoy it much. But it was fantastic: emotional and real.
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
I actually found this one for free on Amazon a few years ago, and the cover/description/author's other works didn't really sound like my kind of thing, since I don't do romance. But this series is absolutely the most addictive I've ever read, and I'm so glad I stumbled across the first book and tried it.
What books surprised you? Do you have different opinions of any of these?
Hello,
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Floreria en chile
Totally agree with you about The Forest of Hands and Teeth! I expected to really love that one but I found it incredibly bland and dull. And the main character was too irritating for words.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad you were disappointed about 'Graceling' and 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth'. Both look so good!
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: http://www.pocketfulofbooks.com/2012/04/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-were-totally.html
I completely agree about Darkfever! I started that series back when I read mostly adult UF/PR but I avoided it for awhile because I didn't like the original covers. When I finally read it...WOW! It's the only adult series I've really kept up with over the years.
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten Tuesday
I really loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns! I've had The Forest of Hands and Teeth on my list for a while, but I have high hopes for it, so maybe I should wait until I forget. :) And If I Stay was a great book!
ReplyDeleteFantastic list! If I Stay sounds like a great read, I've had to add to my ever-growing TBR list. New follower via GFC :)
ReplyDeletehttp://ajarndtbooks.blogspot.com/
Great list. I have a couple of the books you've listed on my shelf but haven't read them yet (Graceling, Lord Foul's Bane and DarkFever). I wonder what I'll think of them?
ReplyDeleteI don't tend to read adult fiction much, but I know a lot of bloggers love the Darkfever series. I'm thinking perhaps at some point I should give in and try the first one... Also, just wanted to say: love your blog name! I'm a chocoholic :D
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