This is an interesting topic. It manages to sum up both the best and worst parts of being a reader. Worst, because when you’re super excited to read a book, particularly if it’s one that has come highly recommended to you, and then it’s a let-down, the disappointment can be a physical sensation. On the other hand, if you pick up a book on a whim with no expectations or if you’re pretty sure a book is going to be just okay, or if it’s a genre you don’t really enjoy usually so your expectations are low, but then it BLOWS YOUR MIND that is one of the absolute best feelings in the world, hands down. I’ve also added a third category – one for books that did something unique. Either their format stood out or they were written from an unusual perspective – something about them felt fresh and interesting and left me feeling like I’d discovered a new literary idea.
Books that were better than expected:
Books I thought I’d love that I…. well, didn’t:
Books that were uniquely formatted or otherwise stood out:
What about you guys? Which books either exceeded or didn’t measure up to your expectations? Have there been any that were completely unique or that otherwise stood out in style or format?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
The Girl with All the Gifts surprised me, too, in a good way.
I read many zombie books, and this was a truly different take on zombies.
I don’t read many, but I ended up loving that one! Just such a great story!
I loved A Man Called Ove and The Reading List. Daisy Jones & the Six and One Day in December were DNFs for me.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/books-ive-stopped-reading-recent-reads/
Ove and The Reading List were both such great surprises! I get the DNFs. Daisy was hit or miss for me until about halfway – I ended up liking it, but I can understand why not every reaser would! And December…. meh.
I resisted reading A MAN CALLED OVE for a long time because the hype was SOOOO crazy. So many people loved it and I STILL resisted. Then, I saw the Tom Hanks movie, which I adore. Since it was my book club’s pick for August, I FINALLY read the book. Even though, by that time, I knew I would enjoy it, I actually LOVED it. It might be one of my all-time favorite books, in fact. LOL. I’m glad it defied your expectations in a good way, too!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I approached it exactly the same way. Figured it wouldn’t live up, but ended up loving it so much I immediately picked up another of Backman’s books as soon as I had finished it and have two more on my TBR!
I always love seeing Daisy Jones on lists like this. I loved that book!
Me too! I just listened to the audiobook version and it held up!
There’s a new televised version of Daisy Jones & the Six, which I’m really looking forward to watch. Except that I hope it doesn’t end on one of those semi-tragic notes, gah!
I have watched the show, but I won’t say anything about it that might spoil – only that I’d recommend giving it a try if you enjoyed the book!