10 of the Books I Did Think I *Really* Wanted to Read
Hey readers and fellow bookworms. It’s Tuesday. This means, we here at Finding Wonderland again join the popular weekly meme that is Top Ten Tuesday. As That Artsy Reader Girl shares on this February 20, today I talk books I thought I wanted to read 2018 edition.
As the years go by, one of the things that changes is us, as individuals. Hopefully, always for the better, having learned from past
mistakes. One of the things that changes within the bigger picture are our tastes whether this be in style, music, or as is the topic for today, books!
This is where we’re at today: talking about the books we thought we really wanted to read, but now don’t think we do. For some of these books, it’s no reflection on them, the story or the talent behind the pages. Sometimes it’s simply because we “grew” out of them or maybe, as is so often the case with me, it’s because we don’t have the time. For example, some of these titles are books I read the first novel in the series, but as it was so long ago, I’ve forgotten the first book. Ergo, I don’t feel that same “tug” to complete the series.
Let’s take a look at some of the books that fall into this field for this reader.
Books I Thought I Wanted to Read 2018 Edition
1: Lightning by Bonnie Calhoun | Ah, Thunder! Book one in this series, I don’t remember specifics about the novel with exception to the fact that I did seem to enjoy it. It’s been so long however, at this point, I don’t see myself revisiting this world. Goodreads
2: Atlantia by Ally Condie | This is one I think I was really excited about reading once upon a time. Especially so since I don’t read many “mermaid” or ocean-esque stories. That said, I just don’t think I “feel” that same interest in it as once I did. Have you read Atlantia? Goodreads
3: Windwitch and Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard | Despite the fact that I feel like I enjoyed Truthwitch at the time I read it, I just don’t think I’ll pick up its sequels. The strong female friendship is a nice part of the story, but as I’m again trying to hone in on the books/genres I prefer (because a. TIME and b. reading should be about enjoyment – and it’s not fun if you have to “push” through a book), these might end up on the list of books I don’t end up making time for. Windwitch: Goodreads ▪ Bloodwitch (due 2019): Goodreads
4: Fair Play by Deanne Gist | I read the first book (through Litfuse) in this duo and remember really liking it. But, nowadays, despite it being on my “to-read” Goodreads shelf, it no longer seems like a “me read.” Plus I’m so odd when it comes to favorite historical books. Goodreads
5: Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins | After reading Rebel Belle, which is fun, I had every intention to read this follow up. But time passed, new books snagged my attention, and I’ve not returned to these books. To be honest, I don’t see this changing. Should I re-think this? Goodreads books I thought i wanted to read 2018
6: Crimson Bound and Cruel Beauty by Rosamond Hodge | Initially, Cruel Beauty’s plot and cover art hooked the reader in me before I knew anything else. But after reading ‘Bright Smoke,’ which wasn’t a “me book,” I have to admit, these novels no longer hold the same appeal. Crimson Bound: Goodreads ￪ Cruel Beauty: Goodreads
7: Dark Road Home and Tide and Tempest by Elizabeth Ludwig | I adored the first book in this series No Safe Harbor, but for some reason I haven’t returned to the world via its sequel or book three.
Dark Road Home: Goodreads ￪ Tide and Tempest: Goodreads
8: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead | After reading Soundless, the only I’ve read from Mead, I think I was curious to pick up ‘Glittering,’ plus it doesn’t hurt to eye that gorgeous cover art. At this point though, I don’t have much motivation to read this one. Goodreads
9: Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows | Though this is one of the few (on this list) that I don’t own a copy of, it was one I was super interested in at its publication. At this point, I just don’t see myself picking it up. Primarily because I don’t really see myself as much of a fantasy genre reader; a genre that I do like in in films. Goodreads
10: Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth | I know, I totally featured this one on a list a couple of weeks ago, but it also fits perfectly with today’s question. Because of this, I simply had to feature it. Goodreads books I thought I wanted to read 2018
This brings another edition of the Top Ten bookish meme to its close. Your turn: tell me about the books on your list that have sat (patiently) on your shelf for months, years or beyond. I look forward to chatting all the bookish thoughts and things with you – down below, and in a return visit to your Top Ten Tuesday posts.
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I listened to Carve the Mark on audio, and while it wasn't much to write home about the production was decent.
I'm glad! Perhaps for some of these I'm so-so about, I should give them a chance on audio, and then I could always pick them up if the start is compelling. :)
Thanks so much for visiting, Lauren.
I read Cruel Beauty and enjoyed it, but I'm yet to get around to Crimson Bound. It's just not on my radar anymore!
Good to know, Chrissi. Once upon a time I was so excited about Cruel Beauty, and who knows! Perhaps I'll give it a chance yet. :)
Appreciate you stopping by.
I have copies of Atlantia and Before She Ignites, but I haven't bothered reading either of them yet. I've heard amazing things about the latter so I'm going to give it a try eventually… Might skip Atlantia, though!
Personally, I enjoyed Carve the Mark. There was a lot of controversy surrounding it when it was released so I can understand why you'd want to put it off, but I was pleasantly surprised.
You can find my Top Ten Tuesday here.
I've heard Jodi's is good too, Alyce. Who knows! We'd best not ever say "never," right?! ;)
I'm so glad to know you liked 'Mark.' Again… who knows! Maybe someday I'll give it a chance.
Appreciate you visiting. :)
Atlantia is one that I was kind of interested in, for the undersea element, but never got to. I think I saw a bad review or two also, although I admit I'm still a little interested? And I've gone back and forth on whether I want to read the Truthwitch series…
Who knows! I may eventually give Atlantia a chance too, Greg. It's not really that I've seen much bad (so-so I'd say) about it, it's just I feel like I've "moved on" from it? Or something. If you read it, hope you enjoy!
Same does with Truthwitch. Hope you enjoy if you read that one.
Appreciate you stopping by!
I feel that way about Veronica Roth and Ally Condie's books in general… I'm just not that interested in those genres anymore!
Nothing wrong with this! Our reading tastes simply change. :)
Appreciate you visiting, Holly.
Yeahhh I really didn't like Crimson Bound (I was in the minority, though), therefore I never picked up Cruel Beauty as well. Great post!
Good to know! I didn't care for Rosamund's 'Bright Smoke' novel, so that, I am sure, is playing into my disinterest of her other books. But perhaps (someday) I'll give Cruel Beauty a chance since I've heard good things.
Glad you stopped by.
Rosamond Hodge's book covers are stunning but she does have a really distinctive writing voice that, I think, just has to 'work' for you. Even though I mostly enjoyed it, Cruel Beuaty took me a while to read and Crimson Bound is still on my bookcase.
My TTT this week.
Well said, Louise. I'd agree. I think her writing style is very distinct, and yes, it does have to reach the "right" kind of reader. :)
Glad you liked Cruel Beauty! I do hear good things about it.
Appreciate you visiting.
I really liked Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy and LOVED Bloodlines, but Soundless was just good, and I really didn't love The Glittering Court, so the sequel made it onto my list of books I once assumed I'd want to read. Time is definitely not on our side, so why waste it reading books we aren't all that into?
Well said, Kate! That's my mentality too. Reading is first and foremost about enjoyment, so if I don't love a genre or author's style, I'm going to skip over those books. Time IS too short, and I'd rather read books I'm going to enjoy. :)
Appreciate you stopping by!
I often lose interest in subsequent books in a series if I don't get straight on them after I read the first one too!
So true for any reader, I'd say. Plus it doesn't help that the books releases multiple years apart.
Thanks for visiting, Bron! :)
I have heard some great things about "Rebel Belle", but everyone says that the trilogy goes downhill after the first book. So I think you made the right decision, as there`s nothing worse than investing time in a bad series.
Carmen`s Reading Corner
Very true – and thanks for that perspective. Investing in a series that goes downhill is never fun.
Appreciate you visiting. :)
I had always thought about reading Crimson Bound but heard so many bad reviews, I just couldn't do it. I go through reading phases and I still like reading YA but have kicked into my horror mood again so it might be a while before some of my YA reads get read. I did just finish Cruel Prince though so at least I'm current with the new hyped book.
I've heard really good things about Cruel Prince, Barb, but haven't really given it a second glance. Glad to know it's good. I don't know that I've heard much about Crimson Bound, but did hear Cruel Beauty is good. That said, because of my didn't-care-for reaction to Rosamund's 'Bright Smoke,' I just don't have the interest in trying another of her books. At least not right now.
Thanks so much for visiting! :)
I ran into the same issue with Elizabeth Ludwig's books. Read the first one and took to long to finish the series to the point I lost interest. Deeanne Gist is always a must read for me. Her stories are long, but always so worth it.
I really liked Elizabeth's first book, but as I haven't read books 2 and 3, and don't remember the particular's of the first novel, I just don't have the interest in reading the rest of the series. At least not now.
Glad you're a fan of Deeanne's books. Those I've read have been fun. :)
Appreciate you visiting, Brittaney.
Sorry to hear you've lost interest in the Edge of Freedom series. I actually found book 2, was better than the first book. I've yet to read the third yet though.
Good to know, Melissa! Appreciate you sharing your thoughts of the 'Freedom' series. Never say never, right!? :) Hop[e you enjoy book three.
Thanks for stopping by.
I haven't read any of your books above, but I totally agree that our tastes change, we change, etc., etc. We're just all so lucky that there are so many books to try!
We are lucky, Kay. It's fabulous to have SO many authors who release so many different and varying stories for us to discover. :)
Appreciate you stopping by.
Great list! I keep telling myself I'll get around to Cruel Beauty but then I never do, and I'm starting to get the feeling I never will, either.
This is a feeling I know all too well, Jess. Glad I'm not alone regarding Cruel Beauty. :)
Appreciate you stopping by.
I once wanted to read Rebel Belle and even came close to buying it, but there are too many books to consider picking up one I'm pretty sure I'll feel eh about.
I feel the same, Alicia. I mean, I liked Rebel Belle well enough, but am not sure I liked it SO well that I want to keep on with the series. Thanks so much for visiting! :)
I remember once upon a time wanting to read the sequels to Rebel Belle, but have since lost interest. I read Crimson Bound last year and really loved it though!
Good to know you liked Crimson Bound, Kay. Who knows perhaps I will give it a chance… someday! :)
Thanks so much for visiting.
Nice list! I haven't read The Glittering Court, but I did read the Vampire Academy series and Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead and enjoyed them both. Of the two I liked Bloodlines better. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
I've heard lots of good praise for Richelle's earlier series. Neither are ones I've picked up because I'm not a vampire fangirl. ;)
Thanks so much for visiting!
Truthwitch has been on my self since its release. I'm still holding out hope I'll actually read it, though. As for the Glittering Court, I was disappointed. So much so that I discontinued the series, even though I am a fan of Richelle Mead's work.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on 'Glittering.' Despite its beautiful cover, it just doesn't sound like one I'd have an easy time with. Hope you enjoy Truthwitch if you read it. :)
Thanks for visiting, Tiffany.
I haven’t read any of these. But yes, Carve the Mark and Truthwitch series are the ones I wanted to read. I even have a physical copy of Carve the Mark :D I am not sure though, when that time will come that I pick up these :P
My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/02/ten-books-want-read-beautiful-covers-featuring-black-women/
I own Carve the Mark (hardcover) too. But reading it… yeah, I just don't see myself picking it up. But then, who knows! Never say never, right?? :)
Thanks so much for visiting.
I haven't read any of the books on your list but I did love Vampire Academy and Bloodlines by Richelle Mead. I've heard from a few people that they liked Vampire Academy and Bloodlines a lot more than Glittering Court.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday
~Elena@The Novelistics
P.S. Can I just say your website is beautiful?
I never read Richelle's vampire books (despite all the hype) because I'm not a vampire fangirl. That said, I was looking at the film adaptation the other day, so… who knows! :D
Thanks so much for visiting – and for the kind words, Elena. :)
I add more books to my Goodreads want-to-read shelf than I can possibly read, and I've been pretty bad at pruning them. I'm starting to work on it, though… along with pruning my TBR shelves, both physical and virtual (Kindle.) It's really true that our tastes change, and also that books that appealed greatly when I read a review (or reviews) no longer hold as much interest now that the review isn't fresh in my mind.
You can see what I've deleted from my TBR pile here.
Every May (or June), I do an "unhaul" on my actual bookshelf, Lark and it feels SO good. I love that I am able to get rid of books and so far, I haven't pulled any back. It's the best feeling plus I don't mind the reorganization aspect so it's actually kind of a "fun" project. :)
Thanks so much for visiting.