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Hosted by Estella's Revenge,
Girlxoxo, and Traveling with T
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I read over 200 books in 2014. I gave more than half of them four or five Goodreads stars. I'm not going to attempt to pick ten "best."
Instead, I've selected ten that stood out as surprises.
Some of these blew my mind because they were so good, but several blew my mind because they delivered so much more than I expected.
1. I don't like vampire novels...but.... In February my library had this thing called "Blind Date with a Book here's what I got ---->
I loved it!
It blew my mind!
I started it and I could barely put it down. I read it pretty much straight through.
It blew my mind!
3. Hunger Games and books of that ilk? Nope. Then my daughter handed me a big fat book. "Uh, it's not your usual thing; but it's translated from the Japanese...and you were looking for things for Japanese Lit Month. For such a big [608 pages] book it's a surprisingly fast read."
So I took her advice and read it, not only was it a "surprisingly fast read" it was also a surprisingly good read. In fact:
It blew my mind!
4. Paranormal mythical creatures? Ah come on, I'm a grownup. But this was on one of those eBook specials. You know $2.99 or less. Eh? Give it a go, why not?
It was so much fun! Well worth the price.
It blew my mind!
5. Another World War II story? Sigh. Do I need this? But it is partly set in St. Malo and remember how much I liked - loved - St Malo? And Doerr is such a good writer. This became a must read. I expected a lot from this book and it did not disappoint.
It was one of the best books I read this year.
It blew my mind!
6. Dystopian fiction? Well, maybe, once in a while, The Dog Stars [Peter Heller] was pretty good, but maybe it was enough for one year. Then this was shortlisted for the National Book Award, I watched a video of the author reading an excerpt and I was impressed.
So I read it. Was it better than the Heller book? I liked them both but this one was a bit better.
It blew my mind!
7. This next one drew a lot of praise, inspired a movie, was about an author I like, dealt with a subject (Viennese exiles) that fascinates me, and published by a press I trust.
I expected it to be a mind-blowing reading experience...and
It blew my mind!
8. Here's another that I had high hopes for. Set in I place I know (or, rather, knew), recommended by a blogger I trust, published by another trusted small press, and it was something to read for German Lit Month. Right up my alley.
This better be good.
It was.
It blew my mind!
9. This one I was pretty sure I'd like: Translated lit? Check.
Quirky subject? Check.
Immigration and/or exile? Check.
Trusted small press? Check.
Want to read? Check!
This was a fantastic story!
It blew my mind!
10. This collection of short stories by prisoners and former prisoners was edited by Joyce Carol Oates who has taught creative writing in prisons. It is a troubling look at a community most of us hope never to experience first hand. Most of stories are set in maximum security prisons and seem autobiographical.
It was dark. It was disturbing. It was intense.
It blew my mind!
I read so many great books this year, many more of them could be called "mind blowing." Or perhaps "mind expanding" would be a better term. To go places I've never been, to visit worlds I can never know, and to see places I know in a different light--all of these are mind stretching reasons to read.
I've read none of these books but I could have written your six first prompts ;) I've laughed, as often when I come on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit embarrassed by Station Eleven. I'm tempted but until now I told myself: 'You know you have different tastes than the majority and, anyway, it's not the kind of books you read and you're broke' (it's not at the library: too recent and, anyway, my libray has her other books only in French and this publisher seems to be specialized in awful translations)
But now, I've got a problem because we seem to have the same reservation concerning some genres or topics and Station Eleven is on your list... My only relief, if I can say, is that I'm not a fan of Anthony Doerr (I've tried to read a short stories collection rec. by a friend and loved by a lot of people and I've failed to read more than two stories). But still, seeing Mandel's novel here is not good for my purchases' resolutions ;p
the Doerr book and the Mandel book are so different from one another it's hard to say which I liked more. Both were shortlisted for the National Book Award and neither won. Actually another shortlisted book that didn't win was one I liked better than either of these -- An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine.
DeleteI know it's impossible to compare books and I was trying to find an exit to escape the temptation ;)
DeleteI'm currently reading Station Eleven and have been relieved to see it on 2 lists so far. I also have All the Lights We Cannot See sitting on my bookshelf. I'll have to make more of an effort with those 2 specifically. Great list!
ReplyDeleteI'm in a reading slump today. I have been trying to read The Paying Guests and finding it a little tedious. Just finished Tempest-Tossed: The Spirit of Isabella Beecher Hooker (a biography of one of Harriet Beecher Stowe's sisters). Isabella is far more interesting than either of the women in the paying Guest.
DeleteI've heard great things about Shorter Days, so I'm glad you rate it too. I'm on a book-buying ban at the mo, otherwise I'd be tempted! I haven't read the book, but the film of Battle Royale is excellent, albeit very disturbing. Worth a look if you haven't seen it.
ReplyDeleteYour descriptions made me want to read every book on your list. I laready had Station Eleven planned - and I've been meaning to read Batle Royale forever too - have you seen he movie?
ReplyDeleteAll the Light We Cannot See is my next Bookclub read.
ReplyDelete