THE TEN BOOKS THAT SURPRISED ME (GOOD AND BAD)
In our reading life, we all discover books that surprise, some are good and some bad. Featuring these isn’t something I often do though. I think I’m the type of reader who reads a book, I enjoy or dislike it, perhaps think about it some, and then… move on. I don’t have the inclination (as of now) to reread a book (no matter how much I adore it). So, in short, I think I’m the kind of reader who loves and loathes books, yes, but they don’t consume my life. As a result, I don’t always remember what books surprise me whether it’s good or bad.
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THE TEN BOOKS THAT SURPRISED ME (GOOD AND BAD). It's another #TopTenTuesday with another book list feature! How many did you love? What books were bad surprises for you? #TopTen #BookList Share on XStill, today, there’s a challenge in play and so I’m looking at what titles fit this category. Here we go.
BOOKS that SURPRISE GOOD or BAD
I’m going to look at a few that surprise in good ways and books that are bad surprises
note; even the books I’m saying were bad surprises aren’t books I loathe. they just didn’t work for me and were sadly, letdowns
HAPPINESS for BEGINNERS, KATHERINE CENTER (good surprise)
I loved this book way more than ever I thought. It’s the first I read by Katherine Center and while I did hope to enjoy it, I didn’t realize I’d like this one as well as I did. I didn’t love the next I read by her as much, but I still plan to discover more of her novels. Goodreads
THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, SOPHIE COUSENS (good surprise)
Really enjoyed this one. Way more than I thought. It was fun and enjoyable. Goodreads
TEXT for YOU, SOFIE CRAMER, (good surprise)
This book is surprisingly sweet though slow moving. It’s about two people who end up texting each other after an old number is assigned to a new owner. Goodreads
JO and LAURIE, MELISSA de la CRUZ (good surprise)
I’ve over-gushed about this novel, but it did surprise me in good ways. Like most novels I read and enjoy, this won’t be one I’ll reread, but it was exactly what I needed when I needed it. Goodreads
BEACH READ, EMILY HENRY (bad surprise)
I wanted to adore Emily’s books. They seem precisely like my kind of novels, but mostly I don’t think I enjoyed Beach Read. Still, maybe I’ll give another of her books a chance. Goodreads
FIRST LOVE, SECOND DRAFT, BECCA KINZER (bad, sadly)
Ok, so the truth is, I don’t hate this novel – at all. It has its strengths and is mostly a charming kind of novel about, well, writer’s block… because, yes, this book is basically a 300-some page novel all about that. Goodreads
ALL the RIGHT REASONS, BETHANY MANGLE (bad, sadly)
This is one I anticipated loving. It is cute, but not an ultimate favorite. It’s a kind of reality TV type contemporary situation. Goodreads
THE BLUE CASTLE, L.M. MONTGOMERY, (bad, sadly)
I would reread this one again. I read it because so many hyped it, but it just didn’t really “fit” my reader tastes. Still, I would give it a chance again because I feel like the hype influence may have been strong. Goodreads
HADLEY BECKETT’S NEXT DISH, BETHANY TURNER (bad sadly)
I wanted to love this book after loving Turner’s The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck. This one isn’t bad, but it wasn’t memorable in the way I anticipated. Goodreads
JUST go with IT, MADISON WRIGHT, (bad sadly)
This one is cute, and there is really nothing wrong with it as a cute contemporary, but it wasn’t an always remember favorite. Goodreads
Have you read any of these? Which ones did you like? Which were books that surprise you? Tell me all about which books surprised – good or bad, you? Comment all of your thoughts below. Let’s talk.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl April 22: Books that Surprised Me (in a good or bad way)
It’s interesting that you never reread!
Weird, I know. I think I reread Love Comes Softly (because it was adapted) and maybe one other novel by Denise Hunter. It’s just not something I’ve done. Maybe someday I will though. :)
aww I’m sad you didn’t love First Love, Second Draft. I thought it was hilarious! But I totally agree about The Blue Castle (shhh… don’t tell anyone lol)
I am SO glad you liked First Love, Second Draft, Carrie. It’s awesome when one book doesn’t work for one reader, it does for lots of others. :) Great to not be alone in regards to The Blue Castle. ;)
I don’t typically reread books either! However, I have reread a few because I read them with my children. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you.
How fun! It’s fun to discover (or in the case of a re-read, to rediscover) a book with someone else. :)
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy Beach Read – I hope you’ll have better luck with her other books if you ever decide to give them another chance though. I want to try Happiness for Beginners, so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I am too, Lindsey! Beach Read is one of those I maybe should have just let everyone else love on. :) Hope you enjoy this one by Katherine if you read it.
Oh no, I am sorry to hear that about FIRST LOVE, SECOND DRAFT, I have not read it yet, I am waiting on my turn to get it from the library. I have enjoyed her other books and I hope to enjoy this one as well. I started out not liking The Blue Castle, but when I switched to Audio, I enjoyed it so much more. Have a great week!
Based off what I see on Goodreads, I think you’ll enjoy Becca’s new books as a fan of her other releases. I still plan to read her debut (that’s one I own I think) so I’m hoping that one suits. :) Oh, cool! Good to know about The Blue Castle. Maybe I should try that.
I recommend it, it made the story so much better (and understandable!).
That’s awesome! I’ll have to add it to my things-to-check-out list. ;)
First Love, Second Draft was a struggle for me. Once Noah and Gracie started talking about their relationship, did I find it getting better. I was so annoyed with her behavior at the beginning of the book.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-ks-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-k/
I found the whole book was too much about writer’s block (I mean I get that’s the concept but it dragged on and I wanted more from the connections). Bummer when a book disappoints. :/
Happiness for Beginners was fantastic
Yay! Glad to meet another fan. :)
A great list. I read Book Lovers by Emily Henry and it was average for me. I wanted to love it but something was missing. I have got a couple of her other books to see if it was just that one so we shall see!
I have only read one Katherine Center book (The Bodyguard) and enjoyed it.
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/04/22/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-surprised-me/
I’m sorry you didn’t love Book Lovers by Emily. I haven’t read that one or anything else by her. I wanted to love Beach Read and feel like I’m missing something there because SO many loved it. May be I need to try something else by her. :)
Emily Henry’s books are usually a hit or miss for me. I love her earlier works more than her recent ones. I adore Katherine Center’s books. Have a good day!
Glad to not be totally alone in my Emily Henry thoughts… but maybe I just need to find the “right one” to suit. :) I’ve enjoyed Katherine’s so far too. Hoping to enjoy more of hers.
Great post! I only reread on rare occasions, such as a major comfort read or a favorite book, but I love being surprised in a good way when reading a new author. I keep seeing Sophie Cousens on everyone’s lists, so maybe it is time to check her writing out.
I have only read a few books a second time. It’s worked well, but sometimes I’m “too worried” That a reread will change my love of a novel. Guess I like to preserve that. ;)
Hope you enjoy Sophie’s if you read one! :)