Top Ten Tuesday: Unexpected Books

This week's is Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is the Top Ten Books that Deceived me, or I've interpreted it as books that were Unexpected, either good or bad when I expected the opposite.  I would like to note that often, this expectation was an incorrect assumption on my part, not necessarily the book's fault.  But that happens too.  Here are a smattering of those books:

Drought by Pam Bachorz 
This is one that I expected to be a sort of dystopian society that was dealing with a scarcity of water, but turned into a kind of paranormal something.  A case of me expecting it to be one thing and it being another.

Reckless by Cornelia Funke
I was pretty disappointed by this one, simply because the premise sounded like a fun middle grade fairy tale kind of book.  Turned out to be about an adult and not so fun in the fairy tale department.  A little misleading in its labeling, I think.


It Started with a Dare by Lindsay Faith Rech
This one actually was deceptive in its cover, which gives off a happy fun vibe.  The story is actually really kind of dark and twisted.  Definitely not what I expected, but then again they say not to judge a book by its cover :)

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
I was really excited to read a sci-fi story about this intergalactic society and an elite school for geniuses.  Definitely didn't deliver on that, since there was ridiculously little mention of anything space-like or sci-fi.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I think this book came with so many expectations that it was inevitably doomed to not deliver on them all.  Also, the soft blue of the cover and the free bird seemed to imply a lighter sort of story than it gave. 

Sleepless by Cyn Balog
This book just didn't deliver on an interesting premise.  I thought it would be so cool to read about sandmen and the afterlife.  Instead, it was weird and had not enough detail to make it stand up.

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
This was surprised me with how good it was.  I expected to have the typical paranormal romance that was ridiculously overdone in the genre.  Much to my surprise, the heroine made interesting choices and I was happy to enjoy it.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Just reading that title, doesn't that give you certain ideas about this book?  It's a mobster book, right?  So. Much. More.  Loved it from beginning to end, even if it was totally not what I expected.


Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
This book was also not what I expected from the description and cover.  I thought that it would be a fairy tale through and through.  I mean, it's a fairy tale retelling, right?  So when the first half of the book discussed realistic problems in a real world, I found myself a little let down.  Still a fabulous book, though.


Plain Kate by Erin Bow
This is another that I had an impression of based on the cover and maybe even the description.  It looked kind of like a light-hearted fairy-tale-esque story, featuring a cat.  It had most of those things, but turned out to have a depth and sincerity to it that made me fall madly in love with it.  So happy to report it exceeded my expectations.

What books were unexpected for you?

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Listless Monday: Framed Books

Listless Monday was inspired by both Amanda at A Bookshelf Monstrosity's feature Books by Theme and Court at Once Upon a Bookshelf's Listed feature.  Be sure to check out their lists!

I wanted to do a Name That Book, but I haven't got the time or energy right now for it.  If you are wanting more puzzles like Name That Book, might I suggest you check out Mrs. Stakey's 6th grade class blog.  They decided to do some Name That Book puzzles and they are so awesome!  I love seeing other people's puzzles, so if you decide to do one, let me know and I'll link to yours (do link back to me, please). 

So, I simply decided on a whim today to do a Listless Monday featuring books with frames on the cover.  It's not really a common thing, but one that is unique and can make an interesting display. 

Framed Books



I'm completely open for suggestions!

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Play Hooky With

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is Spring Fever: Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With.  I've decided to interpret this as books I'd like to put my life on hold to read.  Here they are, ones I've been meaning to get to or dying to get to.


Partials by Dan Wells
This one I'm still waiting for from the library, but I've been aching to get my hands on it and start reading!


Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
For my Classic Double Challenge, I've actually been listening to the audio, but it turns out it's abridged and I'd really like to read the whole thing again.  Can't everything just be on hold for a while?


The Agency 3: The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee
I've got this one on my kindle, waiting so patiently for me to devour it.  I'm pretty sure I'll finally get to it this week!  I could use something a little different from my usual, like the previous Agency books have been.


Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Still waiting for this one from the library too!  I can't wait to see where Lena goes next.


Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
This one has been so patient, since I checked it out weeks ago to see why it won the Newbery over my beloved Okay For Now.  It's still waiting...for me to have the time.


The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
I got an ARC of this and I was so excited, since I loved Ship Breaker.  I can't believe I haven't just dropped everything and picked it up yet.


Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull
Another library waiting.  I like this interesting new series by Mull and I want to see what happens next.  If only I had this one waiting in my reading pile already.


For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
I'm pretty sure that when I finally get my hands on this, it will jump to the top of the TBR mountain.  Haven't I already expressed my desire to read it?  If you haven't found your desire, check out Angie's review and you will want it immediately.


Starters by Lissa Price
Another patiently waiting kindle book.  I just love the concept, so I'd really like to get started on it soon!


172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad
This is another ARC waiting for me and I love the cover as well as the concept.  Seriously, I need more reading hours in the day. 

What books do you wish you could drop everything to read?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Listless Monday: Moon Books

Listless Monday was inspired by both Amanda at A Bookshelf Monstrosity's feature Books by Theme and Court at Once Upon a Bookshelf's Listed feature.  Be sure to check out their lists!

In celebration of the upcoming Easter holiday, I decided to do a list of books involving the moon.  How, you ask, is that a celebration of Easter?  Ah, because the date for Easter is decided by picking the first Sunday after the first full moon, after the Spring Equinox.  Follow me?  Either way, it's as good a time as any to pull out a moony list. 

Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson
Blue Moon by Alyson Noel
Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
The Last Survivors series by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Liar's Moon by Elizabeth C. Bunce
The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Moon Shot by Alan Shepard, Deke Slayton, and Jay Barbree
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
The Timekeeper's Moon by Joni Sensel
The Trouble with Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Notably, I didn't delve into the werewolf genre, because every one has a different take on whether the moon is important or not.  Any suggestions? 

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

I Actually Need It 13

I Actually NEED It is an extremely irregular feature where I express my desire, or rather need, for certain books that haven't come out or aren't available at my library yet.  To learn about the reason behind the name, check out my inaugural I Actually NEED It post.

I can't believe I'm already posting about fall books!  Still, here is a selection of books I currently actually NEED to have:


The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary, Queen of Scots by Carolyn Meyer
What this has going for it: it's about Mary, Queen of Scots and it's by a favorite historical fiction author!  Looking forward to June 2012.

 
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
I've been dying to get my hands on this since I heard that it was a Persuasion retelling - my favorite Jane Austen story.  It doesn't hurt that the cover has a gorgeous starry sky and that it's dystopian/futuristic either.  Sounds like the perfect book for me!  Can't wait for June 2012.


This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
Not only is the cover unnervingly creepy, the premise sounds equally disturbing - someone who doesn't want to survive the apocalypse?  Plus, I can't stay away from those end of the world books.  Coming June 2012.


Endlessly by Kiersten White
Ok, admittedly, I haven't yet read Supernaturally.  I know, shoot me now.  But since I really loved the paranormal with a bit of tongue-in-cheek from Paranormalcy, I think it's safe to say, this will be on my reading list come July 2012.


Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
I can't stay away from the smart, complex dystopian fare being churned out.  Plus, this sounds a bit like Ender's Game, so I think I'll plan to read it as soon as possible.  Coming July 2012.


The Kill Order by James Dashner
I enjoyed the Maze Runner series, though the ending wasn't my favorite.  Still, I'll be interested to see what this prequel will tell us about Thomas' past.  All will be revealed coming August 2012.


The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
A sequel for one of my favorite fantasy books of last year, The Girl of Fire and Thorns?  Please, give me more Elisa and her world.  Can't wait for September 2012!



Unspoken: The Lynburn Legacy by Sarah Rees Brennan
I need look no further than the author for a reason to pick this new series up.  But, since the premise involves being in love with an imaginary friend?  I say, bring on September 2012!


Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst
Aside from the gorgeous cover, which you know I admire, the fantasy setting for this book sounds like something I will adore.  I mean, flying glass serpents?  Yes, please.  Coming September 2012.

What books are you actually NEEDing?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
 
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