Top Ten Books I Liked/Disliked More Than I Thought I Would
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every Tuesday, the lovely folks over at The Broke and the Bookish post a top ten list topic so that book lovers like you and me can pour over our shelves and make our own lists. You can check out all the other Top Ten Tuesday’s on their site!
I can’t lie: I like that this week’s Top Ten Tuesday gives us the option of going halvesies, so that’s what I’ve done. I get five books that I liked more than I thought I would, and five that I thought I would like more than I did. I feel like it was easier to come up with books for the latter, but only because I was unsure of where the line between “this book surprised me in a good way” and “I liked this book more than I thought I would” was. I’m somewhere in the middle, I think. So without further ado, THE LIST!
Five Books I Thought I Would Like More Than I Did
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
SIGH. I finally got around to reading this book earlier this year and it was a bit of a letdown for me, as much a victim of overhyping as anything else. I had such high hopes for this book, friends. Alas. It couldn’t come back up from the depths of boredom in the beginning for me.
Requiem by Lauren Oliver
This one was a pretty legit disappointment, friends. I stand by my thought that this was a pretty tough way to end a series. It made me angry, that’s how much I was looking forward to enjoying it as much as I enjoyed the first two books. Not to be. Also, still kind of angry about that ending.
Every Day by David Levithan
I liked this book, guys. It was well-written and I liked the big ideas it puts out there. But I had some big issues with A, and those issues really kept me from loving this one like I anticipated.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Do you guys remember the buzz before this book came out? I do. I remember people saying that it was the best fantasy they’ve ever read with an INSANE triangle between Celaena, Chaol, and Dorian. This book was good, don’t get me wrong, but another one that fell prey to the HYPEMONSTER. For me, anyway.
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Ooof. This one seemed so intriguing to me, friends. It had that creepy Bluebeard vibe to it. I managed to finish it, but haven’t read any of the rest. The world-building gave me fits.
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
I just finished this a few weeks ago, and I was completely prepared to be overcome with the “mehs” based on a seemingly general consensus. But I blew through it and actually really enjoyed it. I’d read more about this world and these characters forever, but I was satisfied.
This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
Zombies are SO not usually my thing. In fact, this book remains the only zombie book I’ve ever read. I was pretty anxious over reading this one, but I wound up REALLY enjoying myself. It was full of legit creeps and fear and danger.
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
I wasn’t sure what I expected from this book–the cheesy cover and the cover copy that hinted (to me, anyway) of something paranormal–but it wasn’t what I got. I thought the science could’ve been so much twistier and more confusing than it was.
Sean Griswold’s Head by Lindsey Leavitt
I’ve got a soft spot for this book because of the MS angle (my aunt has it), so I appreciated that very much. But that’s only part of the reason why I still think of how much I really flat-out enjoyed this book. So much more than I thought it would be.
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
When I read historical romances, I’m usually reading them mostly because I’m enamored of that time period, but also for the sexytimes. This book has no sexytimes, but I’m telling you: the FEELS and the chemistry are beyond legit. I was worried that I wouldn’t like it as much because I’d find it unsatisfying, but that wasn’t the case.
Code Name Verity had a very rough start for me as well, but I felt like it redeemed itself in the end. Throne of Glass almost made my list, but I’ve ranted about that one long enough.. I thought it was less than good and way overhyped.
I couldn’t get through Bitterblue myself, but I’m not sure why. I have to try that one again.
Great list!
My Top Ten
aww… i can see how code name verity can easily be a hit or miss. i was shocked that it was a hit for me because 1. i don’t generally love historical or books on war and 2. i like my kissing… but it stuck with me! happy to see bitterblue come out on top. i haven’t started the series yet, but own the first 2 books, so i would have been pretty sad to see the final book on the crap list!
I haven’t read Requiem yet. Sorry to read you didn’t enjoy it that much. Great list! Here’s my TTT list: http://chrissireads.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/top-ten-books-i-thought-id-like-moreless-than-i-did/
Throne of Glass is on my “meh” list, too. I really wanted to love that one. And I really enjoyed Unraveling!
My TTT post 🙂
Nice list, Amy! I need to read SGH because I loved Lindsay’s Going Vintage recently. And I am glad you liked Bitterblue – I really want to get into that series at some point.
Oh, TOG. I love all the varied reactions I’ve seen to it. I loved it but I thankfully avoided the hype on it – I just knew it was a fantasy I wanted to read that looked kick-a, and then it WAS. I didn’t really GET the love triangle, since I was all about Chaol from the start. 🙂
I was fully prepared to love Throne Of Glass when I first started it. Sadly, though, I found the heroine extremely annoying, and just couldn’t get past that.
I don’t know if we can be friends anymore after that “miss” list you listed missy (like what I did there?). 🙂
Only kidding. I’ve accepted that not everyone fangirled like I did over Throne of Glass. The only book I’ve read on your “hit” list is Bitterblue. I really did enjoy it, but not nearly as much as the other two. I would, however, read just about anything set in this world and involving the characters! 🙂
I know a few people have already commented on this, but I’m sad too that you didn’t like Throne of Glass as much as you thought you would. I totally understand though! I really enjoyed it, in spite of a lot of things, and I’m looking forward to continuing with the series 🙂
Soooo, I haven’t read any of these books. I do want to read Unraveling (I have it from the library right now) and I’ve actually seen it on a few TTTs this week where people were surprised by how much they liked it.
I’m hoping to give it some time soon. Hopefully 🙂
Oh! Good one with This is Not a Test. So not my kind of read either and I loved it so much. Still so so so so tempted to finally pick up Every Day after your minimal thoughts on it (I haven’t read your review because I didn’t want it to affect my reading). EEE. I hope I can find a moment before like June to read it. 🙂 Have I ever told you how your background makes me feel so bright and cheery? xo