Top 5 Books That Exceeded My Expectations

Last weeks topic was a bit of a downer – sorry about that (not sorry). I’m making up for it this week though as we talk about the books that exceeded our expectations! I normally HATE surprises but, when it comes to books, I love it when you stumble across something that you loved WAY more than you thought you would! I could have made this one a top 10 – there have been so many that have surprised me in the best ways possible! I didn’t have enough time to make a list that long so we’re sticking with just 5 lol!

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme where I explore different topics. If you are interested in participating I would love to have you! Here is a list of my Upcoming topics in February – please remember to ping back a specific post of mine so I get a notification and I will add you to the participants list!

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

When this book came out, everyone was talking about it. I mean everyone!! I thought “Ok, another YA fantasy. Big deal”…. it actually is! LOL! What completely sold me on this was how much fun everyone said they had while reading it. It wasn’t the most original or exciting book out there, but damn it, I had a blast! I still need me some more Silas!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

This book made me question who I was and what I had done with myself lol. I didn’t want to read this because the cover is cringe worthy (judge me all you want, I care not) and I hate books about celebrities – royal, political, or otherwise. But this book…. so freaking good! It took out all the parts of the celebrity culture that I hate and made them as real people with real lives, feelings, pressures, loves, and so much more. Their celebrity was a part of their lives that they wanted to use for the powers of good but they also wanted to separate that part and be real. Love that!

No Exit by Taylor Adams

I want to love thrillers and mysteries, I really do. I just think that I’m choosing the wrong thrillers and mysteries because I haven’t figured out what I like yet. THIS – it’s apparently what I like! It tells you within the first chapter what’s happening and who the kidnapper is….. seriously. I read that and all I could think was “Shit, now what are the next few hundred pages going to be about. Thanks for the spoiler asshole.” There was much more to the story and it was full of action! Loved it!

The Loneliest Girl In The Universe by Lauren James

I went into this one expecting a story of connection…. I don’t say this often but I was so wrong! I knew nothing about this book going into it and that was probably a good thing. The plot twist caught me completely off guard and I got a story that went into a direction I never expected! I stand by my opinion that this needs to be made into a movie……

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

I refused to read this. A historical fiction with magical realism where a man turns into a horse. That sounds so freaking stupid……. So many people were reading this saying that it was absolutely hilarious and they had the best time reading it. You all piqued my curiosity and, here I am, once again, admitting I was wrong. This book WAS hilarious and the horse man scenario weirdly worked!

TOP 5 TUESDAY PARTICIPANTS:

Meeghan Reads ——— The Pine-Scented Chronicles ——— Robyn Reads Books
My Year of Reading Dangerously ——— Comfort Reads ——— Bella
Realms Of My Mind ——— The Secret Library ——— Birdie Bookworm
The Punk Theory ——— Sophril Reads ——— Ace Reader
Feed The Crime ——— Rather Be In The Library ——— Eat Travel Read
Synopses By Sarge ——— Hail & Well Read ——— Book Blurb
Bookishly Rebecca ——— A Lovely Book Affair ——— Evelyn Reads
A Multitude Of Musings ——— Zezee With Books ——— Elysa Reads It All
Hanna Reads ——— Reading At Tea Time ——— Be Frisky
Rae’s Reads and Reviews ——— Beware Of The Reader

As I said in the beginning, I could have made this list at least 10 books long. There are so many that I loved more than I ever expected. Here are just a few more that caught me by surprise:

• With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
• The City Of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
• The Martian by Andy Weir
• Serpent And Dove by Shelby Mahurin
• Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

What books did you end up liking more than you expected?

Until next time, happy reading!