I decided to use this post to share 10 books I wouldn't have read if not for blogging:
1. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley ~ I kept seeing Kearsley around the blogosphere, but I thought she was too 'romancey' for me. Reviews convinced me to get her from the library, though, and I found a new favourite author.
2. The Black Flower by Howard Bahr ~ I have to admit that I don't pay a lot of attention to the American Civil War, but, because of a read-along I read a book set during it. It was a good book, too. It is also basically out-of-print in Canada, so it is not like I would have came across it often.
3. Pantomime by Laura Lam ~ It was only when I started hearing about this book before the release of
Shadowplay that I finally got curious to read it. People were really excited. Somehow I missed all the excitement when the first book was released.
4. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight ~ At first glance, not really my thing. I am still surprised I liked it as much as I did. It was a page-turner and well-worth checking out. But, I only got it because of blog posts leading me in that direction!
5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare ~ Let's face it... I didn't even know what this book was about because I just didn't think I was going to like it. But, with the movie, it sort of made the rounds everywhere. I obviously had to see what I thought and surprisingly liked it!
6. Lottery by Patricia Wood ~ This gets blogged about here and there... I don't read a lot of contemporary-type stuff and I just did not think this book would be for me. I know I never would have grabbed it from the shelf if not for bloggers. Somewhere along the line it finally clicked with me that I have to check this book out and I liked it more than I expected to.
7. Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold ~ I might have read this series without book bloggers, but it is book bloggers that put it on my radar and lead me to starting it. And I really like this series so far!
8. Julie Anne Peters ~ So, a contemporary type young adult author that tackles teen issues. I hated books like this when I was a teen... Frankly, I think the only reason I have read a lot of the young adult authors I have over the years is because of blogging. I just sort of figured if they were not for me when I was in the actual age group... Why would they be now?
9. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell ~ A contemporary-like (well, the 80's) teen romance. Yep, why would I ever pick this up if not the for the explosion around the sphere last year? And, wow, so glad I did! Love Rainbow Rowell.
10. Night Film by Marisha Pessl ~ Horror? Um, nope. For whatever reason I don't read horror-type books. Not even because I scare easy or anything... Just because I have to draw a line somewhere or I would own every book in existence. But, this made the blogging rounds and sounded really good. Plus, it's a pretty book and even if I hated it I would have keep it for looks alone. (Thankfully, I didn't hate it!)
And many more...
Those are really awesome points! I totally agree with you :D
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten this week!
Oh I loved the way you looked at this! I'm with you on YA adults. They never appealed to me when I was actually in that age group but I have enjoyed some fo them now.
ReplyDeleteI love your answer too. Blogging has made me more open minded in my reading and helped me discover so many books as well.
ReplyDeleteYay for book bloggers! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about both City of Bones for a long time!
ReplyDeleteYou've reminded me that I need to read Night Film!!! Most of the books I've read the past 6 years have been because of blogging. Love it.
ReplyDeleteBlogging has definitely "forced" me to read books I wouldn't have picked up otherwise, and I am SO GLAD I DID! =) I completely agree with your interpretation of this topic!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week!
I like your take on this week's topic, Kelly! What a great list of books. There are so many books I never would have come across had it not been for blogging. I admit too there's fun in giving books out as gifts or making recommendations to friends and family outside of the blogosphere--books they've never heard of or might not have read otherwise all thanks to my being a blogger.
ReplyDeleteSome great books to have been introduced to! I wouldn't have read E&P either if not for blogging and you yourself have convinced me about Pantomime.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you kept it to only 10!! ;)
ReplyDeleteLike you, I only started reading horror because of bloggers and blogging. Imagine my surprise when it is now one of my favorite genres. Strange things happen when you step outside your comfort zone!
:) Hard to imagine how I chose books before blogging. The Bujold series looks like something I might like.
ReplyDeleteI love this kind of post! There are so many books I'd never have considered picking up without bloggers shrieking repeatedly that I must. It makes me happy -- I feel like I'm expanding my horizons.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I know what you mean about reading books you wouldn't normally read because you've seen them around the blogs.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Thank you to the blogosphere my reading choices have really expanded. I may not read a lot of YAs or Sci/Fi but at least I give them a chance now you know.
ReplyDeleteSome great choices here!
ReplyDeleteI loved Patricia Wood's Lottery so much! I still think about the characters and hope to read it again someday.
ReplyDeleteI read Reconstructing Amelia earlier this year (actually, I listened to the audio) and I thought it was quite good!
And, of course, Eleanor & Park was the darling of the blogosphere this past year, wasn't it? I loved it and just recently finished Rowell's Attachments, which I might have enjoyed even more than E&P. Can't wait to read Fangirl!