To learn more about Top Ten Tuesday or see a list of future topics click here!
Ten Books I Almost Didn't Read
The topic that most people taking part in the Top Ten Tuesday meme will be posting on is "Ten Books I Almost Put Down But Didn't". The truth is, though, that I finish almost every book I start (reader's guilt!). So ... I altered the topic slightly to fit me: Ten Books I Almost Didn't Read.
(And amazingly every one of these books ended up being either 4- or 5-star reads for me! How crazy is that?!)
1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
2. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins3. Divergent series by Veronica Roth
I have this "issue" where I resist books that EVERYONE is raving over. I kind of assume that there's no way that the book will really be THAT good. However, with all three of these, I decided I wanted to see the movies, which meant that I MUST read the book first. So very glad I did! These were all amazing.
I have this "issue" where I resist books that EVERYONE is raving over. I kind of assume that there's no way that the book will really be THAT good. However, with all three of these, I decided I wanted to see the movies, which meant that I MUST read the book first. So very glad I did! These were all amazing.
4. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson
As someone who is not a huge fan of non-fiction books, I resisted this one. However, I'm a huge fan of Sophie Hudson's hilarious blog, so I had to give it a shot. And thank goodness! One of the most hilarious books ... ever!
5. City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell
This book was totally different, and I couldn't decide if it was something that I would enjoy or not. Plus, the cover isn't totally awesome. BUT this book ended up being my favorite book I read that entire year. Good thing I gave something different/new-to-me a chance, huh?
This book was totally different, and I couldn't decide if it was something that I would enjoy or not. Plus, the cover isn't totally awesome. BUT this book ended up being my favorite book I read that entire year. Good thing I gave something different/new-to-me a chance, huh?
6. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
I had the hardest time getting into this book and almost set it aside multiple times. BUT I pushed through and then fell in love with the book. Such a beautiful story and one I am so glad I didn't miss out on!
I had the hardest time getting into this book and almost set it aside multiple times. BUT I pushed through and then fell in love with the book. Such a beautiful story and one I am so glad I didn't miss out on!
7. The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund
I wasn't sure how this book would turn out. It's based on the life of John Bunyan's wife, but it's totally fictitious. So I just wasn't sure what to expect. I held off for ages, but really enjoyed it when I finally read it!
8. Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes
Amber is a blogger friend, so you would think I would jump at the chance to read her books. Somewhat stupidly, I was nervous about reviewing this book ... because what if I didn't like it? And then that would be awkward. I shouldn't have feared, though, because Amber is super-talented. And her books are so good! Great western romances. (Sorry it took me so long to get on board, Amber!)
Amber is a blogger friend, so you would think I would jump at the chance to read her books. Somewhat stupidly, I was nervous about reviewing this book ... because what if I didn't like it? And then that would be awkward. I shouldn't have feared, though, because Amber is super-talented. And her books are so good! Great western romances. (Sorry it took me so long to get on board, Amber!)
9. Unspoken by Dee Henderson
I was a huge fan of Henderson's O'Malley series but was pretty disappointed with Full Disclosure, her first new book after a long sabbatical. I was understandably a little gun-shy to read Unspoken. It was surprisingly good, though!
10. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
I received this book as a gift for my birthday one year. I started it and hated it. I started it twice more and still hated it! Until I moved to Africa with only one book in my suitcase and was desperate for a book. Long story short, I fell in love with Redeeming Love while working night shifts at the orphanage and read it in a week's time. So good ... and SO glad I kept going back to this book!
10. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
I received this book as a gift for my birthday one year. I started it and hated it. I started it twice more and still hated it! Until I moved to Africa with only one book in my suitcase and was desperate for a book. Long story short, I fell in love with Redeeming Love while working night shifts at the orphanage and read it in a week's time. So good ... and SO glad I kept going back to this book!
Are there any books that you almost didn't read or perhaps pushed through and really loved? Tell me about them!
Aww! I'm grateful you gave Forget Me Not a chance. ;) And I'm so touched by your words! No worries at all about waiting a while - it's never too late to read a book, right? I totally understand what you're saying, too... If you know the author, it is a little nerve-wracking to think that you might not end up loving their book(s). Again, thank you so much for still giving my books a try! ♥
ReplyDelete~Amber
I'm SO glad I did! And I'm glad you understand what I was trying to say. The rest of your books are on my "summer reading list." :) I WILL get to them!
DeleteI did the exact same thing with The Preacher's Bride! It took me forever to read it but I ended up loving it! And it makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed Unspoken more than Full Disclosure! I too was a huge fan of her previous books and then I was so disappointed with FD. My mom got me Unspoken for Christmas but I have been avoiding it in fear that it will be as bad as FD!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your fear about Unspoken. It's definitely a different type of book, but I really enjoyed it.
DeleteThree cheers for DMK. :)
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for FMN. :)
My mother is reading Undetected now but I've not asked her what she thinks. Glad you like Unspoken - my favorites of hers (haven't read any of her "new" titles) are the O'Malley gang and my mom agrees (who did read all her more recent novels).
Isn't it fun when a book we have low expectations of winds up being awesome!?
I'm so curious about Undetected. I hope to read it soon. The O'Malley books are still my favorites of Dee's, but I'm learning to enjoy her new style as well.
DeleteAnd YES, I was surprised when I realized how much I LOVED all of these books that I put off reading for one reason for another.