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THE EIGHT BOOKS THAT DEFIED MY READER EXPECTATIONS


It’s rare, but sometimes the impossible does happen: you find a book to defy reader expectations. When this happens, I think I tend to be the reader that talks about that book to an excess. But when you discover a book you maybe don’t expect to like and then do, well, we know it’s a bit of a deal.

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📕📔THE EIGHT BOOKS THAT DEFIED MY READER EXPECTATIONS📔📕 Talking the books that surprise (aka the books I've already talked about a *lot*) #Books #Reader #Reading #Readers #GoodBooks #BookList #List #TopTen #TopTenList #TopTenTuesday Share on X

Today we get to talk about these books more. Which means my list below is likely all books I’ve been talking quite a lot about. However that’s all good because good books deserve to be celebrated so one cannot complain. Or at least I hope we don’t too much.


EIGHT BOOKS to DEFY READER EXPECTATIONS


REBECCA, DAPHNE DU MAURIER

I started this one back before the Netflix adaptation aired. I don’t think I finished it (are we surprised?) but what I read I did, surprisingly, like. Goodreads

IN A FAR-OFF LAND, STEPHANIE LANDSEM

This isn’t an all time favorite in the “big picture” of my reading, but it did surprise me. Goodreads

WARCROSS, MARIE LU

Pretty sure I just had this one on another book list not long ago, but we’re re-sharing because it too meets the list requirements of this week. Goodreads

ANNA and THE FRENCH KISS, STEPHANIE PERKINS

I’d wanted to read this one for a long time and when I finally did, it didn’t disappoint. Sometimes I wonder if loving this so much was a fluke (like it was just the right kind of read at the right time) or if I’d read it today and I’d still enjoy. No matter the answer, for now it lives in my memory as a good read. Goodreads

ONE TRUE LOVES, TAYLOR JENKINS REID

Don’t think Taylor will become an author I read all the time or love every one of her books, but the ways I did enjoy this novel surprise, and so it earns its place on this list. Goodreads

THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, MARY ANN SHAFFER and ANNIE BARROWS

I’m not sure what I wanted or expected going into this. But how I enjoyed it wasn’t at the top of my mind. I’m so glad I did though since I rarely enjoy a good historical novel. Goodreads

GEEK GIRL, HOLLY SMALE

This isn’t a stranger to features here. But really, this is true of most if not all of the titles on this list. Still when you talk about books that defy expectations, chances are, you’re going to have already shared all of these, right? Goodreads

JO and LAURIE, MARGARET STOHL and MELISSA DE LA CRUZ

This is definitely one of those “I needed this book” kind of reads. I really didn’t think much of it going in nor have I felt cheated ab out this fictional ship before, but this story was just so delightful and charming that it earns its place here. Goodreads

Ok, it’s your turn! What books did you read that surprise you? Are any of these on your list or did any not suit you? Which ones make your list today? Let’s talk all about those books that defy expectations in the comments.


Thank you for visiting; please come back soon

Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl September 5: Books That Defied My Expectations (books you thought you would didn’t like that you loved, books you thought you’d love but didn’t, books that were not the genres they seemed to be, or in any other way subverted your expectations!) (Submitted by Sia @ everybookadoorway.com)

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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28 Comments

    1. For me, it was one of those “right time, right book” kind of reads. Sometimes I do think if I’d re-read something I’d have a TOTALLY different viewpoint on it. But then I’m usually too “scared” to test the theory and would rather live in my memory. ;)

  1. I remember that reading …Guernsey… made me smile so much, which had been totally unexpected. And as for Rebecca, definitely one of those best plot twists out there!

  2. I only picked up The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society from the library because the title made me laugh, I ended up loving it which really surprised me because war-based books are not my historical read of choise

    Geek Girl sounds like I need to add it to my TBR!

    1. I tend to (weirdly) like historical fiction set during WWII. Why I don’t know because that is such a tumultuous time in history full of so much sorrow. But I read Sarah Sundin novels (always good) and I read ‘Guernsey’ too which is good. And like you, that title always makes me smile. ;) Geek Girl is like a Princess Diaries type concept only minus the royalty. :) Thanks so much for visiting!

  3. The Guernsey book was one that I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I read it, either, but my sister highly recommended it (and even gave me a copy of it), and I ended up loving it! Jo & Laurie I read only to check it out for my 10-year-old daughter, who struggled with the relationship that she thought should have happened. Like you, I wasn’t bothered by the way the original book turned out, but that wasn’t the reason that I found the book only okay.

    1. I am 99% sure “Jo & Laurie” was just one of those “right books, right time” reads for me. It was the book I “needed” to read at that time and because of that, I loved it. :) Guernsey was just so fun and charming. Makes me want to re-read it just talking about it. :)

  4. I’m glad you enjoyed One True Loves. I have that book but have yet to read it. I have loved her last 4 books, though. TJR is on now on my auto-read list. Even though you don’t think she will make yours, I kind of hope she blows that expectation away as well.

    1. I know the feeling of not loving the topic. Sometimes I almost scrap it, but lately I’ve been trying to stick with it even if just to “challenge” myself. :)

        1. Sometimes it’s just simpler to scrap it and move on, too. I just find myself not wanting to let myself off the hook. But like a book, life’s too short to waste it on a hobby we’re not enjoying. ;)

    1. I can understand that perspective, Susan. I find it interesting (mostly the film since I didn’t complete the novel) but trust me, I know about feeling bored with a story. That’s never a pro. ;)

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