Category: Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday – Books That Surprised Me

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In today’s Top Ten Tuesday post, I’m sharing the ten books that surprised me. Most are for good reasons, although there are a couple of exceptions to that rule.

Very often we go into books with a preconception of what we’re going to make of it. The books in today’s Top Ten Tuesday post are featured today because they didn’t live up to this preconception, for one reason or another. I’ll explain why for each book below.

Books That Surprised Me

A Promised Land

I had my doubts about whether I’d enjoy the A Promised Land and a book with a heavy emphasis on politics. It’s not a topic I’ve ever really taken much interest in before.

I think it helped that the book was written by (and the audiobook narrated by) Barack Obama. I quite like him as a person and I already had an idea of the family history through reading Becoming by his wife, Michelle.

Don’t expect me to be reading books by any and all politicians now. But this was a pleasant surprise.


Ship of Magic

In contrast to Assassin’s Apprentice, I didn’t take to Ship of Magic straight away. Having read three books in the wider series so far and then changing to something set in a world seemingly completely different, it took some time for me to adjust.

I confess I also wasn’t sure initially of how I felt about the magic around the ships. It was a bit of an odd concept, but I came to love it over the course of the trilogy.


Empire of the Damned

Empire of the Damned surprised me in a good way. Having loved the first book of the series as much as I did, I had very high expectations, and therefore doubts, that the second instalment could live up to the first. I’m pleased to say that I was very wrong!

I really enjoyed the further character development and seeing where the plot is starting to go. If there’s one thing I like in my books, it’s feeling a little bit of worry or concern for characters. I never know if they’re going to make it out of a sticky situation or not. It adds tension to an already action-packed and exciting narrative, and I’m looking forward to continuing this series!


The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

I confess The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a book that surprised me in a less positive way.

After watching the film at the cinema when it came out, I decided to pick up the book pretty much straight after. However, I struggled a little with motivation to finish the book despite loving the series.

I expect this is because I’d watched the film and didn’t have the anticipation of ‘discovering’ the ending. Still, I got there in the end!


Wizard and Glass

Wizard and Glass surprised me as the vast majority of the book isn’t set in the present day. In contrast to the earlier books in the series, this one largely recounts how characters have ended up where they are to date.

This didn’t really fit with the rest of the series to my mind. Earlier info drops (albeit on the lighter side, admittedly) were interspersed with the present-day action. However, Wizard and Glass provided important context, and in hindsight, this probably couldn’t have been covered in any depth in any other way.


A Brief History of Time

I went into reading A Brief History of Time with the worry that it would be too technical a book for me to understand. That proved not to be the case, though!

I’m by no means a scientific brain, so I’d say this is largely approachable to anyone with an interest in the subject. Whilst there is a good level of detail in the book if you wish to delve that far, it’s not essential to complete the book or understand the topics within.


Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine surprised me because I allowed myself to be disarmed by the main character.  I trusted her perspective more than I think I would and should have in hindsight.

It made for good reading though, and when the twist came I felt a little daft for not seeing it for myself.


The Lost Metal

The Lost Metal finds itself on the list of books that surprised me because I didn’t expect the ending. I both enjoyed and railed at its ending; only a handful of books make me cry. The Lost Metal reduced me to tears at the very end.

The Lost Metal is a fantastic series and one I’ll read again. As much as a part of me was sad it was the end, the way it ended was the icing on the cake.


As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow

The book As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow surprised me because it’s a very different contemporary fiction to what I normally listen to/read. Still, I was captivated by the story and the cultural aspect of the book. I loved this book so much that it made my list of debut novels I enjoyed.

Also, as a bonus, I didn’t anticipate an unreliable narrator in this story. It’s a favourite element of mine.


Golden Son

Sadly, I have to end this Top Ten Tuesday post with a book that surprised me in a bad way.

I loved the first book of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series. However, the sequel Golden Son fell very flat for me. The book did not live up to my expectations. It felt like us readers were barely given a moment to breathe before characters jumped from one catastrophe to the next. The pacing felt very off and sacrificed time for world-building. My disappointment in this sequel is strong enough that I doubt I’ll continue the series.


Summary

Thanks for reading today’s Top Ten Tuesday post. Today I’ve enjoyed bringing to you the ten books that surprised me (and why)!

What was the latest book that surprised you – in a good or bad way? I’d love to hear from you!

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Top Ten Tuesday – Books I’ve Never Reviewed

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If there’s one thing that’s apparent on this Top Ten Tuesday – Books I’ve Never Reviewed post, it’s that the books fall into one of two categories.

I’m proud to say that in the grand scheme of things, I review the vast majority of books I read. There are some I haven’t reviewed dating back to pre-blog days. Maybe I’ll re-read and review some of those whilst they are fresh in my memory. It wouldn’t feel fair to it now when it’s been over 10 years since I picked the books up.

The two categories the remaining books fall into are either those I feel indifferent over, or those I’m intimidated to even try to review!

Shall we take a look at what falls where?

 

Books I’m Indifferent About


Empress of All Seasons

My overall recollection on this book is one of general enjoyment, but nothing stands out In my head as to why I liked this book.


The Ruby in the Smoke

Nothing smacks harder of indifference than not actually being able to remember a single thing about this book or anything that happened in it.

Yikes.


Vox

On a different note, I do remember the plot and premise of Vox. I did enjoy the book, but as a feminist fiction, I feel it could have leant a little harder into the subject than it did. 


Jack the Ripper: Case Closed

I like Jack the Ripper books and stories, but this audiobook just felt a bit ‘meh’. It’s very hard to write a review and talk about a book when you really don’t have a lot to say about it.

Scouse Gothic


If I recall correctly, the author sent me a copy of this book after I read another of his. It was a book I read at my own leisure rather than for review. It was an okay read, if a bit out of my comfort zone. I didn’t have anything especially to say about it then and neither do I now.

 

You Are Not so Smart

You are not so smart

All I recall from this book is a bunch of surprising facts, interlaced with humour. It was a good and informative read, but I certainly don’t have enough to say about it to be able to draft a post dedicated to it.

It’s interestingly the only non-fiction to feature in this Top Ten Tuesday.

 

The Cockroach

This political satire is a short book I was recommended by someone I used to work for. It was an interesting and different short story to read. Again, there’s no way I’d be able to justify a review for it.

 

Books I’m Intimidated to Review

Blackwing

Blackwing

I’ve read and reviewed both Ravencry and Crowfall as part of blog tours. I read the first book in the series, Blackwing, to catch up on the book ready to review Ravencry.

Since I’ve loved the books so much (that I’ve already re-read them within just a few years), any future review has very big shoes to fill.

 


Godsgrave

In a bit of an admin oversight, I reviewed the first and final book of this trilogy on my blog, but not Godsgrave. I’m not sure how I managed that, but there we go!

Like Blackwing, I’m intimidated at the prospect of approaching this review. I adored this series – it’s what got me into Jay Kristoff’s books in the first place. Can I do the book justice and convince readers it lives up to the hype?


The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

I’m intimidated to review The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time because it’s such a well-known classic! The truth is, I’m probably missing a trick here. Reviews on my blog for classic or popular books, including The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are why my blog gets as many views as it does nowadays (over 71,000 in 2024).

Maybe I need to just bite the bullet and have a go!

 Summary

Thanks for reading today’s Top Ten Tuesday post. Have you read and reviewed any of the books I feature in this Top Ten Tuesday instalment? I’d love to read your thoughts if you have!

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Top Ten Tuesday – The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection

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In today’s Top Ten Tuesday post, I share my ten most recent additions to my book collection. Between Christmas and my own wanderings into the book store (always dangerous for my bank account), I’ve not had to look far for the features in this post.

Hopefully this Top Ten Tuesday will give you some bookish inspiration for future reads. It certainly won’t do anything to make me feel better about my bank account balance, but that’s my own problem 😅

Just kidding, I have no remorse!

 

The Ten Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection


The Earth Transformed

I recently went on a bit of a spending spree in Waterstones, and purchased a copy of The Earth Transformed. It’s not because I’ve discovered the book before; rather, the premise of the book caught my attention there and then. It’s fair to say it was a bit of a ‘whim’ purchase.


A Man Called Ove

Although not officially on my TBR at the point I purchased a copy, I have been eyeing up A Man Called Ove for some time. In fact, I suggested it as one of our work book club’s first reads mid-last year. Having heard what I have about the book, I have high expectations. I love the idea of the character and if the introduction I featured in last week’s First Lines Friday is anything to go by, it should be a cracker.


Ultra-Processed People

I’ve looked at Ultra-Processed People a few times as well before getting my copy a few weeks ago. It seems especially relevant this year as I’m trying to be more mindful of the food I eat.

It’s easier to make better choices when you’re more informed about what is good and what is not, right?

 

This Book May Save Your Life

The book that’s been the longest on my TBR in this Top Ten Tuesday is This Book May Save Your Life.

I actually added this to the TBR in September 2023. The author has created a lot of short-form content on the likes of Facebook and it was through those I discovered the book.

My expectation is that the author’s humour and quirky fact finding fill make for a fun read. I’m sure the book will also be somewhat useful, but it’s for the humour I’m looking forward to reading it.

 

The Anxious Generation

I had added The Anxious Generation to my reading list a few weeks before picking up a copy. It just happens that Waterstones were doing a buy one get one half price feature and included this particular book.

Thankfully, I’m of an age where I just missed out on technology and social media dominating my childhood. I’m glad that it didn’t! I would’ve hated to grow up in today’s society. It’s going to be interesting to read about the impact that’s had on children today.


Julia

I received a copy of Julia for Christmas. I had asked for a clothbound classic edition of 1984 by George Orwell. I also received a copy of this book as a companion to that.

I’m looking forward to reading Julia as it presents a more modern take on the story with a different perspective on events.


1984

As I mentioned above, I received a copy of 1984 by George Orwell for Christmas I have read this book a couple of times before school (with admittedly not a great rating from me then. However, I re-read the book as an adult and in the context of not having to study it for an assignment. The experience was a completely different one and I loved the book!

I expect this is a classic I will re-read time and again. Now I have a fancy edition to pick up…


Shuggie Bain

Shuggie Bain is not the type of book I would have picked up of my own volition. Rather, our book club at work are reading Shuggie Bain at the moment. So, I purchased my copy secondhand ahead of the club meet next week.

It’s been good to pick up something different. One of the reading resolutions I set myself this year is to read out of my comfort zone. This book definitely fits into that category!

It’s a shame that children such a Shuggie have to grow up in the way they do. As a young child, he is far too aware of the unsavoury side of life. He is bullied at the age of 8+ because he is gay. I’m not even sure he knows it yet, but other kids do. He is also aware of his mother‘s depression and dependency on alcohol. It’s proving a difficult read for this reason, but it will also make great discussion in book club.


Eve

I bought Eve, again opportunistically, because I like the sound of the book. There’s quite a lot of these in this Top Ten Tuesday. That fact hasn’t escaped me.

I’m sure readers are all too aware that the impact women have had on society historically has been… downplayed.

Eve sets to set the score straight. Even if the impact of women has been written out of the history books, it cannot be excluded from our biology. The human body has a lot to thank women for. From how the female body helps provide immunisation (and thus survival) to infants to why we’re more likely to get Alzheimer’s, I’m looking forward to this scientific angle on why women are who we are today.


Orbital

Orbital was featured in Waterstones (you can tell where I do a lot of my physical book shopping…) as the Booker Prize winner for 2024. I liked the sound of it, so I bought myself a copy.

I also like that it’s a shorter book. I regularly pick up large fantasy novels. When I need something shorter to break up that reading, Orbital will be perfect.


Summary

Thanks for reading today’s Top Ten Tuesday feature. Have you purchased or received any new books lately?

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Belated Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my 2024-2025 Winter TBR

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The topic of today’s Top Ten Tuesday post is my 2024-2025 Winter TBR. I regret this post is coming out a day late just because it ended up a lot longer than I expected. Clearly I’m passionate about the upcoming books and why I want to read them!

I quite enjoy taking part in these quarterly seasonal reading lists. They give me a great opportunity to look ahead and get a feel for the books I want to pick up over the next few months. Next year, I’m going to make an effort to read a little bit more around topical themes and that reflects in this reading list.

So, what’s on my radar for the beginning of 2025? Let’s take a look!


January

With no special theme prevalent in January, my main aim for the books I want to pick up as part of this Winter TBR is to read what I’ve been intending to for a little while. That way I set myself up with some quality reads to kickstart my yearly reading list.


Firefight

Whilst I haven’t officially decided to set myself a goal of continuing series again in 2025, it’s always something I’ll look to do. As a big fan of Brandon Sanderson, it also makes sense to pick up one of his books to really get 2025 and this Winter TBR off to a good start.

Firefight is the second book of his Reckoner series. I really enjoyed the first instalment of the book, Steelheart, when I read it back in September 2020. Maybe considering the length of time it’s taken me to get to this sequel, prioritising started series does need to be a reading goal of 2025. For the third year running…


Rose Under Fire

I recently featured Rose Under Fire in a Shelf Control post. Since then, I knew I wanted to pick this book up soon.

I first experimented with Elizabeth Wein’s writing when reading Code Name Verity. It’s also been a good while since I picked that book up (editing Rebecca here – that was in December 2017! I’m really not good at carrying on series, am I?!)

It’s finally time to continue with this series, albeit I’m reading it out of order. I don’t think it’s the kind of series that has to be read in order though, so in the grand scheme of things that shouldn’t matter. Either way, this is an author I’ve really enjoyed to date, and the book is World War II fiction. It should be a 5 star candidate.


The Bone Collector

I’m embarrassed to admit that my sister got a copy of this book for me as I expressed an interest in it when she was back studying at university. I added this book to my Goodreads reading list in 2017. It seems I have a backlog, wouldn’t you agree? That makes The Bone Collector the perfect candidate for this Winter TBR. 

Although The Bone Collector is the first book of a series, I don’t know if I’m going to continue with the series after reading the first book. It’s only really this one story I’m interested in. I suppose it depends on how good it is. That probably sounds like a very weird thing to say, and normally I would be questioning myself on this decision. However, that is my intention at this time. I have a lot on the reading list already without adding more.


February

February is Black History month, and I have added a number of reads on my Winter TBR that fit in with this theme:


In Every Mirror She’s Black

By the time I pick up In Every Mirror She’s Black, I’ll have had this book on my reading list for just over two years. I don’t really have much of fiction fitting the black history theme, but this book is one of a few.

In Every Mirror She’s Black is the book I picked up in the spur of the moment when shopping after Christmas sales a couple of years ago. I really like the sound of the synopsis and how three seemingly very different characters ultimately have similar experiences based on their race.


Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia

I wanted to pick up Fearing the Black Body for a couple of reasons. Obviously, this looks at the racial themes behind fat phobia. Whilst I can’t say for sure if this is the exclusive reason those of us of a bigger size are judged, it’s a unique and topical perspective. I can also see it in a way.

As a not so skinny person myself, I have some interest in subject for other reasons. Thankfully, I’m beyond the most vulnerable age of giving a monkeys what people think of how I look. Frankly, I care far more about my health than my appearance. If anyone wants to judge me, they’re welcome to do so; I don’t care.

That being said, I would stand up for anybody being picked on for the same reason in a heartbeat. That’s why I also think it’s important to read this book and generally make myself better informed on the subject and society.

You’ll see another theme on this Winter TBR of continuing with non-fiction. Again, I don’t know if this will be a goal for next year, but they are definitely a greater part of my reading than they ever were.


Children of Virtue and Vengeance

The second fictional book I have that I plan to read during Black History month as part of this Winter TBR is Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi.

I fair only slightly better with this book in that I read the first book of the series in 2018 as opposed to 2017. It’s still been a good six years. I really enjoyed Children of Blood and Bone, that first book of the series, and I’m looking forward to continuing with it. We also have a third book in the series to date which was published in June this year. It’ll be good to get a wriggle on and get more up-to-date with this series. And hey, that’ll be another completion once I’ve finished the trilogy!


A Promised Land

An unusual selection for my TBR is A Promised Land by Barack Obama. I next to never pick up political reads. I’m just not that kind of person. Broadly speaking, my approach to politicians is one of skepticism.

However, I do think Barack enacted some good changes during his time as President in America. I also think he has a unique perspective on historic events that it will be interesting to read about.

It’s important to read out of your comfort zone now and then, and A Promised Land is going to be that for me. Will I enjoy all the political elements to the book? Probably not. Am I determined to get as much out of it as I can, though? Yes!


March

March is the month in which Women’s History is the prevalent theme. I’m looking forward to reading books in and around this genre. I have no qualms about saying that I am a feminist. I do believe women‘s rights should be bettered to make us equal to men.

Technically March is bordering into my Spring TBR as opposed to this Winter TBR, but I want to cover topics across the whole period up to the next Spring TBR post, which will be mid to late March.


Normal Women

I picked up a copy of Philippa Gregory’s Normal Women comparatively recently to some books on this TBR. Having read some of her historical fiction books in the past, I’m looking forward to this non-fiction where history is told through the lives of everyday women.

So often throughout history, the lives of women do not feature at all or in some cases have been erased completely. That’s the theme for a couple of the books I’ve got on this reading list. I’m especially looking forward to picking up this book as I especially enjoyed listening to a podcast in which Philippa discusses some of her research around one of the chapters in this book. Therefore, I’ve already had a feel for the content of some of the book and I can’t wait!


Narratives: The Stories that Hold Women Back at Work

It’s well documented that women have come across numerous setbacks at work. From being sidelined for promotions to getting less pay per hour for the same work, it’s a real problem.

I want to read some of these experiences for myself so I can educate myself and others about it.  Not only that, but I can recognise any signs of these things happening and advocate for change for myself!


Eve

Eve was a recent discovery in the bookshop, and it fits the theme of Women’s History perfectly. That’s why it’s on my Winter TBR. 

Much like Normal Women, the purpose of Eve is to highlight how women have shaped humanity today. Even when we’ve been suppressed, we’ve played a vital role that can’t be scrubbed from the records.

Where Eve differs from Normal Women is that the book takes a more biological lens. Whilst society is touched upon, the focus of the book is on the biological evolution of the female body and how that has contributed towards change in unexpected ways.


Summary

Today’s post is quite a long one (nearly twice the length of my average posts!), but I think you’ll agree I’ve got some great books coming up early next year.

What are you planning to read in the near future?

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