Because They Said So
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Every week they post a new topic/top ten list and invite everyone to share their own answers. I'm so obsessed with lists - so it makes perfect sense that I'd love this feature!
I decided to make a minor edit to the name of the list this week because I don't think I've ever really been forced to read a book. Plus, I kind of hate the connotation that comes with those words. So, in the spirit of the topic, here are ten books I bought and read because of bloggers.
Top Ten Books I Was Forced To Read Because of Bloggers
1. Dare You To by Katie McGarry - Technically, Cassie and Betty convinced me to read Pushing the Limits and then I read Dare You To of my own desire... But who cares about a technicality plus I liked this book better so there you go!
2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo - I haven't read this one yet, but I bought it last month because a) Cassie did basically make me and b) I knew Betty panicked when the babies hid this book while she was in the middle of reading it. Two good reasons to read Shadow and Bone!
Asheley from Into the Hall of Books
3. Gap Creek by Robert Morgan - This is the only other book on this list that I have yet to read, but I can't wait to discover this story and these characters. I know Asheley adores this book, and I knew I had to read it after she specifically recommended it to me. That was all I needed to hear - it was on my Kindle a few days later!
4. Pivot Point by Kasie West - I had passed over every review of this book before finally reading Asheley's one day. And in that single review she had me convinced that I needed to give this book a chance. I'm so glad I did because it was such an interesting, unique read that has me dying for book two!
Magan + Estelle from Rather Be Reading
5. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - I was somewhat intrigued by this book, but I wasn't sure that it was really up my alley. A really wonderful review from Magan helped me take the plunge! And when I got confused in the beginning of it, I knew I just had to keep pushing through. I'm so glad I did, too, because this series is AMAZING.
6. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell - I'm soooo glad that Estelle raved about this book because I absolutely fell in love with it when I read it earlier this year. There's just something about this book that wormed its way into my heart and now I can't stop recommending it to others. Such a delight!
Mandee from VeganYANerds
7. Holier Than Thou by Laura Buzo - I did a book swap with Mandee earlier this year and, if I remember correctly, asked her for some Australian author suggestions. At the time, everyone was buzzing about Buzo's other novel (Good Oil in Australia and Love & Other Perishable Items in the U.S.) but I knew Mandee thought this one was better. I'm so glad I got a copy of this one and have her for Aussie recommendations!
8. Friday Never Leaving by Vikki Wakefield - So, I actually found this in the bookstore and hadn't heard anything about it. After reading the prologue, I was really intrigued but wanted to see if I could find another opinion before buying a hardcover copy. I took a quick look on Goodreads and saw a five-star review from Mandee. I didn't even read the rest of what she wrote - that was enough. I finished it this weekend and it solidified her place my go-to Aussie lit expert.
Beth from Bookworm Meets Bookworm
9. Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple - Beth is one of my favorite sources for adult reads. She's got great taste in books, and I love seeing what's on her radar. I'd seen this book in stores and around the blogosphere, but I wasn't interested until I found out Beth loved it. It was such a fun, smart read. I loved that it was so different from what I'd been reading at the time, and I'm so glad I'd found it through Beth!
10. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - Beth wrote a really lovely review of this book last year, and I'd had it on my wishlist ever since. So, I bought it with a gift card I got for my birthday and saved it until the weather started getting cooler. I finally got to it this past weekend and really enjoyed this slow, enchanting read. It was definitely unlike anything I've ever read before, and I fell under its spell.
Don't tell Cassie but I haven't read Shadow & Bone yet. She bought it for me for my birthday and guess what, I suck a lot. I'm glad I'm not writing this in a public space. Love so many of the titles you posted here. I really want to read Pivot Point and I also have Bernadette on my Nook for... safe keeping? Five years from now when I have time? Seriously. This book thing is out of control. :) Happy reading!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Love that you haven't read Shadow & Bone yet either :) And Pivot Point really surprised me - I so enjoyed it! And hahaha to safe keeping for Bernadette! You can take her out for a spin one of these days.
DeleteI have you to thank for my love of Under the Never Sky, but didn't realize until now that thanks is also due to Magan! I love your list, and learning where you discovered some of your favourite reads! I did a school related spin on this week's topic, but will be sharing blogger love and thanks on new-to-me authors later this year -- and you're on the list!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Magan ended up helping us both read Under the Never Sky! And yay for blogger love :)
DeleteAttachments!! Love that book. I own Bernadette but had to stop 'cause I wanted to slap the people who were being mean to her. I need to pick it back up soon.
ReplyDeleteAttachments was SO good! And yes, the people were so mean to her. It was ridiculous!
Deletelooks like some fun reading for you. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteThese were all fun reads!
DeleteI'm pretty sure Betty and Cassie also made me reading Pushing the Limits. I also loved Dare You To so much more. I mean, I'd probably read anything if it meant I could get to Dare You To. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteI've also read/am going to read a couple of these books because of blogger excitement. But that's part of what's so great about blogging, I think. I mean, it's also not great because sometimes it's overwhelming. But I'd say it's mostly great.
Haha! Betty and Cassie can be so bossy :) I love it!
DeleteYES to it being great but also not great. It definitely gets overwhelming, but then there are those books you love that you never would have read without other bloggers & you remember the great parts again!
Thank you so much for including me! & for taking my word on books! Ha. I'm always cautious, even after blogging for 3 years, because I'm so afraid someone will absolutely hate a recommedation. It's bound to happen, and hey, I still love bloggers who have suggested something I didn't necessarily get into. It's all apart of the blogging process.
ReplyDeleteI want to also thank you for introducing me to some new bloggers! I'm trying to get back in the game and this post is just what I needed! Happy reading :)
I'm always excited to see what you've been reading! Recommendations make me nervous, too. Both giving them and receiving them! I get more nervous about specific recommendations - where the blogger tells me personally that I need to read X book. But, like you said, I still love bloggers who have recommended books I didn't like.
DeleteYay to getting back in the game! I know you've been so busy lately, but I've definitely missed seeing book thoughts from you :)
I love, love, love Shadow and Bone! Such an amazing book -- I hope you like it! But that's the only one from here that I've read. I do, however, have a few of your books on my to-read list: The Snow Child, Attachments, and Where'd You Go Bernadette?
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited to read Shadow and Bone! Hope you enjoy those three if you end up reading them :) Attachments was my favorite of that group!
DeleteLove how you set this one up! I love this blogging community precisely because it has widened my knowledge of the books around me. And a personal recommendation from a friend who knows the books I like to read means so much more than an general starred review in a publication. I've LOVED Cassie, Betty, Magan and Estelle's recommendations too! I haven't read the ones Mandee swapped with you, but I am thankful that she shares her Aussie titles with us. They are always so enchanting. I haven't read either of the books that Asheley recommended but I know how much she loves the first especially. I wish I had infinite time to read!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on what you said about the blogging community! A personal recommendation really does mean more than a starred review in a publication. And, to be honest, even just reviews from my trusted bloggers mean more. I feel like I know their taste better and have a better idea of whether or not I'll like the book.
DeleteI love that Mandee keeps me in the Aussie loop! There are so many awesome books that aren't available in the US - we're totally missing out :)
You certainly have had some great blogger recommendations! There are quite a few titles on here that I too am very excited about (Dare You To! Shadow and Bone!), and a few that I'd like to check out too. Glad you ended up liking most of these reads!
ReplyDeleteYes, bloggers have helped me find some incredible reads :) So thankful for this community!
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