Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: It May Surprise You

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is...

It May Surprise You!

Look, I appreciate a good quote, but I don't really keep track of them. So, I am taking a pass on this week's topic. Instead I will share some books I enjoyed, which surprised me. I am well known for my love of romance and contemporary fiction, but every once in a while, a book outside those genres slips through and are big hits for me. Maybe you won't be as surprised as I was was given that some of these are mega hits, but I am not well known for reading NYT best sellers and whatnot, so maybe you will be surprised. Either way, these were a change of pace for me, and I enjoyed them. 

These were unusual for me, because they are all fantasy books. With a LOT of fighting. Not really my thing, but I fell in love with the characters and the worlds and went on to read more books in each series. 

These all fall into the mystery/thriller category, and they were really dark. I sort of didn't like any of the characters in the stories either, which usually affects my enjoyment, but these books were well plotted and kept me captivated. 

What book surprised you and why?
Let us know in the comments!

32 comments:

  1. I always love seeing the books that took readers out of there usual reading comfort zone. It shows that a book could be attention grabbing enough or hyped enough for folks to find. I’m just surprised I’ve not read more of these. I did really enjoy Legend and truthwitch but I don’t know why I never carried on reading that series.

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    1. I feel like all of these were really hyped books (for the most part), but I am known to take chances if I see a book talked about enough or can get it for free from the library. I am behind on the Truthwitch books too. I read the first two, but none since, though I enjoyed both books.

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  2. What a surprise to see fantasy on your list, Sam!! I have become more and more of a contemporary reader and I feel the same about some of the books on your list. There are a few that really pull me in, despite the fact that they have so much fighting. I think it is a testament to some great writing. :)

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    1. My daughter reads a lot of SFF, and she I used to read her books so we had things to talk about when she was younger. My first love is and always will be contemporary. I don't really need a strong plot to enjoy a contemporary, but those last 5 books had strong plots, which I couldn't resist.

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  3. Your list is a surprise, but also filled with some fantastic authors. I’d forgotten about The Good Girl nd how very interesting that blurb is!

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    1. I feel like it's a list of best sellers for the most part (at least the second half).

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  4. I love when I read something outside of my normal genres and I end up really enjoying it! Reconstructing Amelia was a fantastic read!

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    1. I don't always love the books outside my genre, which is why I tend to stay in my lane, but I also have read some fantastic ones.

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  5. The books I read outside my usual genre always seem to stand out to me. I think I tend to remember them more just because they were so different from my norm.

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    1. I sort of think that explanation works in my case too

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  6. I don't keep track of quotes either. I highlight in my Kindle sometimes, but other than that no. I enjoyed Legend but never finished the series. I'll have to try more Mary Kubica. Great alternate subject!

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    1. My kindle highlights are always things I want to remember for a review. I was a bit frustrated with the final Legend book UNTIL we got another one. Now all my loose ends are tied.

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  7. I love when a book outside contemporary romance hits all the right things for me like these did for you. The only one I've read is Gone Girl on your list. I was kind of bored with it until the twist, but then it ramped up for me.

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    1. I found Gone Girl so compelling. Like a train wreck, I couldn't look away

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  8. I really enjoyed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, too, but never picked up the second book. I've been wanting to reread it to finish the series.

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    1. I liked the whole series. I know Carson got a lot of flack for the MC losing weight while she was walking across the desert, but come on!

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  9. I had quite a few surprises recently. Between being off my game reading and testing out audiobooks, I've read a lot of books outside my regulars genres and enjoyed them.

    Fantasy, non fiction...

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. It's not bad to stretch myself every now and then, but I found I didn't enjoy non-contemporary books as much when I was reading more of them. Sounds weird, but true.

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  10. I loved Legend and The Girl of Fire and Thorns!!!

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  11. I need to pick up more fantasy. I usually avoid it because the plots are often too similar for my tastes, but when fantasy is good, it’s REALLY good.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Every now and again I will pick up some fantasy. I have gotten picky though and don't really want to start new series. I do have to finish though.

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  12. I did a double take when I first looked at your post. Was not expecting to see those fantasy covers, lol. You've reminded me that I started the Air Awakens series ages ago, loved the first book and then forgot to continue. I might have to revisit that one. Legend is one I still need to read too.

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    1. I read a lot of fantasy back in the day, because I was reading my daughter's books, and she is a big SFF reader. Legend is still one of my most favorite series. The surprise 4th book made it even more beloved, because I got my closure.

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  13. I just love it when a book surprises me. I guess the last book that surprised me was Brat by Andrew McCarthy because I don't read celebrity memoirs yet I wanted to read this one...and enjoyed it.

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    1. CAROLE! I love your new button and banner. I saw this icon and ran to your site to check it out. Looks great! I have not read a lot of memoirs, but I did like Tina Fey's Bossypants.

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  14. it's been years since I read the Legend trilogy and I'm just here contemplating about rereading it at some point because why not. haha. love to see you enjoy the Truthwitch series. It's been on my list for so long. was just waiting for it to finally end but for some reason they keep on announcing sequels.

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    1. Did you read the 4th Legend book? It was something I really needed. The first Truthwitch book was amazing. The second was good, but the friends were separated most of the book, and it was their friendship I enjoyed so much in the book 1.

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  15. I have to say, I AM quite surprised to see these here, especially the dark fantasy ones! But I loved all the ones I have read that you did (Air Awakens, Three Dark Crowns, and Legend) so that is fun! I really want to read Bad Girls With Perfect Faces, so I am glad to see that here too! Fun topic choice!

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    1. Bad Girls with Perfect Faces was great. Really dark and twisted, but so well written (in my opinion)

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  16. Very nice twist this week! I've only read Gone Girl but Legend is waiting on my shelf. Hopefully I'll get to it someday. ;)

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    1. Before Rebel came out, I am not sure if I would be pushing Legend as much as I will now. There was something beautiful in the ending of the Champion, but it was still so sad and not definitive enough for me. Rebel gave me closure. I hope you get to it at some point.

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