1. Six of Crows
So I know the entire bookish community was OBSESSED with this book so I picked it up and read it... and I gave up. I just was not into it. But then my friend read the whole thing and was so in love with the characters that I knew I had to give it a second chance. And my mood had completely changed! Whatever bothered me the first time was gone and I actually ened up rating the book 4 stars.
2. Illuminae
I'd seen the internet obsession with Illuminae but I didn't really plan to read it unless a copy wound up in my possession. I guess I wasn't that excited. But my friend was mega excited to read it so I bought a copy too, and after her glowing review I was officially excited. But I didn't like it. I'm sorry! No one is more sorry than me. The unique concept and aesthetic were brilliant and the Sci-Fi is like of the stuff I'm really into, but the story itself didn't feel too special. Which is so so sad because I really want more Sci-Fi books in my life.
3. The Land of Stories
My friend didn't exaclty encourage me to read this as such, but she introduced me to Glee and by extention Chris Colfer and by extention is books so I think that counts. Plus it really helped that I'm super into fairytales and retellings and like to read a few kids books every year when I'm feeling down. And that's what this series has become for me - a light but fun one to read whenever I'm stressed and don't want my reading habits to add to that pressure.
4. Throne of Glass
My friend let me borrow her copy of TOG when we went on a school trip. She read it in practically a day whereas it took me a few weeks to finally get through it. But I ended up becoming super invested in this series! Literally one of my favourite things she's recommended me.
5. Percy Jackson
This series was also a rec from 2 friends. Now that I look back, the two of them might have been my original book squad (before I decided I would start raving about my all-time-favourite books to anyone who'd listen). I enjoyed the first book a lot, but it wasn't until a lot later where I ended up reading the rest along with the Heroes of Olympus series.
6. Ultraviolet
A member of my Glee Club solidified my decision to read Ultraviolet. I found it in my school library and that day when I went home I finished it in one sitting! It exceeded my expectations for it and was pretty creepy. I liked it so much that when said Glee Club friend bought the sequel I demanded she lend it to me and I ended up loving it even more than book 1!
7. Red Queen
When my friend Iram found out that we were both obsessed with Throne of Glass she suggested I read Red Queen, and I took her word. Sadly, I really didn't enjoy it. I thought it was super generic as a YA fantasy and added nothing new to the game. But I guess not all recommendations can be winners.
8. Chaos Walking
Honestly I don't know which of my friends rec'ed this to me. But whoever it was, let me say a big fat thank you! The Chaos Walking series is now one of my all time favourites and made me an offical Patrick Ness fan.
9. Atrtemis Fowl
If it weren't for this one friend, I would have never heard of the Artemis Fowl books. And what a travesty that would've been. This series was my childhood and I carried one of the books with me wherever I went.
10. The Infernal Devices
The same friend who told me to read Artemis Fowl also suggested I read Clockwork Angel years later. I knew nothing about this series, let alone the fact it was a prequel to another series set in the same world. BUT THESE BOOKS CONSUMED MY LIFE. That friend never even read books 2 and 3, but everyone else I've known since has been forced to read it by yours truly.
OMG I don't think I've met someone who's read Ultraviolet before, yay :D I don't remember much of it anymore, but it was gooooood. And I remember the ending was a cliffhanger I think? If not... I don't know what happened, but I just remember wanting to read the sequel! Is the sequel as good as it? I might have to reread Ultraviolet to get to the sequel haha :')
ReplyDeleteAND THE INFERNAL DEVICES = MY FAVOURITE SERIES OF ALL TIME :D Have you read Lady Midnight and if so, what do you think of it compared to TID??
Ultraviolet is awesome! I really loved it and finished the whole thing in one day. The sequel, Quicksilver, is absolutely worth it - I loved it even more than book 1!
DeleteI adored The Infernal Devices. I read it before I even knew The Mortal Instruments existed and before I was really part of the bookish community so the series is quite special to me. The Shadowhunter Chronicles were definitely my first true rabid fangirl obsession! But I haven't read Lady Midnight and I'm not certain I ever will. I think I'm at a point where there isn't much more about the Shadowhunter universe I want to know about, plus there are so many other bookish universes I want to explore aside from the one Cassandra Clare created. But I've heard positive things so we shall see :)
Isn't it funny how our mood can determine how much we like a book? Because I've done what you did with Six of Crows, disliked something only to find on a second look that I actually loved it. ;) It pays to listen to our friends!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Weird moods are the worst when they end up impacting your reading. I'm glad I gave Six of Crows a second chance though - I needed to know what it was that everyone else was hyped about that I seemed to miss the 1st time around!
DeleteThe Chaos Walking trilogy! Oh Patrick Ness, I love him but his books sometimes do a number on my heart! :'(
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful series - one of my all time favourites. Patrick Ness is wonderful but sometimes his books get too painfully real!
DeleteBummer you didn't enjoy Illuminae, I loved that book so much but I suppose we can't all like the same books and that's good we can get a discussion going!
ReplyDeleteI am very happy that you like the Percy Jackson books though, Rick Riordan is the absolute best!
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Yeah not liking Illuminae was a shame because Sci-Fi + Artificial Intelligence + Unique Artsy Structre = means I've got to love it. And I definitely see why other people did like it, the story just fell flat for me.
DeleteThe Percy Jackson books are fab, and I thought the Heroes of Olympus books were even better. I've yet to decide if I'll give Magnus Chase and The Trials of Apollo a try but I do miss Riordan's light humour.
AHH so many fabulous books! <3 The Percy Jackson series is one of my favorite series of all time, so I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. And I absolutely loved Six of Crows as well so I'm so glad you gave it a second try and were able to enjoy it as much as I did the second time around. Illuminae is one of my favorite sci-fi books so I'm really sad you didn't quite enjoy it as much as I did, but I can definitely understand where you're coming from. It's definitely not the book for everyone. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous choices! <3
ReplyDelete~ Zoe @ Stories on Stage
Percy Jackson and Six of Crows are fantastic - both solid 4 star series for me (but I'm picky and 4 stars for me basically = a inch away from supreme perfection so I still absolutely adore them). I definitely understand the love for Illuminae - I just wanted a little more uniqueness in terms of sci-fi and a lot more AIDEN.
DeleteThanks!