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Monday, March 12, 2018

Top Ten Books That Surprised Me (Good or Bad)

 

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Artsy reader Girl. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted. Everyone is welcome to join. Link back so everyone can check out other bloggers' lists. It's a fun way to get to know fellow bloggers.

This week we are looking at books that surprised us (good or bad). This was fun who doesn't love a good (or shocking) surprise?     


A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)

Actually this whole series is full of surprises, but so much happens in this one. 

The Woman in the Window

I did not see the twist in this one coming. 

The Blue

An absolutely chilling development at the end. 

The Girl from the Sea

This is another one with a killer twist. 

The Incident on the Bridge

I remember being a little surprised by this one also.

The Passenger

While I didn't love this one it did surprise me once or twice. 

The Secret History of Us

I remember being moved by how real the protags struggle to find herself was. 

The Shark Club

This one surprised me by being one of my top reads of last year.  

Alex + Ada: The Complete Collection

This story about an AI love affair was deeper than I expected, and the ending threw me a bit. 

How Will I Know You?

I remember with this one being shocked at the end. Did that just really happen? 

63 comments:

  1. Despite seeing her books on cover reveal posts (like Epic Reads) or on Goodreads or on blogger's lists, I've never read a novel by Jessi Kirby. That said, if I'm thinking of the right book, one of her earlier books did sound cute and the cover of 'History' looks really intriguing! Makes me think I should give her books more than a cursory glance.

    Happy Top Ten Tuesday, Greg.

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    1. This was my first Jessi Kirby book, but I really liked it.

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  2. I love a book with a twist. Oh yes! :-) I should check out some of these books!

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  3. Oh yeah A Dance with Dragons has so much going on. I like when a book can surprise me with a twist but that doesn't happen that often anymore. ._.

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    1. Same here. The nice thing about Game of Thrones is it seems like you always find anew twist!

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  4. I've never read, nor will I ever read, the GOT books but I do know they're full of twists. But then again, they're like bricks of books so of course there'll be some twists here and there.

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    1. They are chunksters, for sure, and yes they have a TON of twists.

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  5. Ooooh, Greg, awesome list -- and the lat one -- *must know more* *hurries off to read*

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  6. I haven't read any of the books on your list yet, but I have The Woman in the Window on my TBR. I'm glad to know there's a surprising twist, because most of the reviews I've seen have said it was quite predictable - hopefully I won't see it coming!

    Here's my TTT.

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  7. Ohhhhh, three thriller/suspense novels to add to my list. Thank you! And yes, GOT is up there with all the twists and turns and deaths.

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  8. These are all totally new to me ones! A growing trend with today's topic! Lol!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  9. "A dance with dragons" is so exciting. Despite the terrifying size, you can`t put it down.

    Carmen`s Reading Corner

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  10. I love a good twist!! I really want to read some of these-- like Incident on the Bridge. And The Woman in the Window.

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  11. So most of these I don’t know and I am going to have to make note of most of them. I love when books surprise me. I do know the secret history of us and did enjoy that one very much.

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  12. I've read the first part of A Dance With Dragons and hope to read the rest of it when my reading mojo returns!

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  13. Love that so many of these are mysteries or thrillers! So have been loving reading those lately. I'll have to look these up!

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  14. Definitely lots of twists in all the Game of Thrones books - so much happens, it's hard to keep track of sometimes!

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  15. I am not shocked to see a couple on this list. I can recall from past reviews how much you loved them. The Woman in the Window has been kind if hit and miss with bloggers I follow. I've decided to skip out on it.

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  16. I've not read the Game of Thrones books, but my husband read the first 4 or so. He finally stopped because (well, is this a spoiler? A lot of people -_-_-_-.) I'll let you figure out the word - starts with 'd' and ends with 'd'. I like a good shocking ending and did like The Woman in the Window.

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  17. I just got The Woman in the Window from the library. Glad to hear it was a good one!

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  18. I need to pick up the Woman in the Window, but even more than that, I really really need to start the GoT books since I haven't read any yet.

    My Top Ten

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  19. I've never read any of these, but I do like when a book can surprise me - in a good way! :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  20. I didn't love the Passenger either but I agree there were some surprises that got me.

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  21. How Will I Know You sounds like an intriguing read.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.

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  22. What can I say about Game of Thrones? I haven't read the books but the TV show is my all time favourite. I am a bit overwhelmed by the books though. they are so big :P

    My TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/03/ten-books-with-strong-social-messages-that-impacted-me/

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  23. Game of Thrones - great choice. Has to be one of the most surprising series ever.
    Lynn :D

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  24. Great set of thriller books. I love twists in books.

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  25. I love when books surprise you. Nice list!

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  26. Nice list! I love some good surprises, so since I haven't read any of these, I'll have to pick up a few!

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  27. It I’ve feedback about Alex + Ada. Makes me wish graphic novels clicked better with me. And The Girl from the Sea looks interesting!

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  28. I love surprise endings or twists at the end especially if I think I know it...Then I go - didn't see that coming! =)

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  29. You've listed some really good ones Greg. Any book that has a twist at the end is always a great read. Hugs...RO

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  30. I really need to read The Woman in the Window! I keep hearing such good things about that one! Plus, I think I need a twist I don't see coming. :D Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  31. SO many surprises in ASoIaF. As a reader, I love all of them. For the characters, they can really suck sometimes.

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  32. I really want to try Alex + Ada - it sounds like a good one.

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  33. I'll have to give these a look because I haven't read any of them.

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  34. Game of Thrones is a great choice in terms of surprises. I actually need to get moving on this series again so thanks for the nudge.

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  35. Sounds like you've read a lot of books with twists and shocking endings lol. Those can be fun, but only if they're done well. I still haven't read Alex+Ada but prob will at some point!

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  36. these sounds like mystery books though I have not read them. I suppose the surprises in these books are good surprises then?

    have a lovely day.

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  37. Nice take on the topic. I actually like the mix of books up there. Sadly, I have only read The Secret History of Us, but I have a few of those on my TBR, and YES, I love being surprised by a book (good way).

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  38. I like the look of The Blue by L.Clarke- I would read that one.
    https://justmeandmyblogreviews.blogspot.com/2018/03/all-event-tour-host-for-audio-blitz-of.html

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  39. Alex + Ada sounds really weird, but I'm glad you enjoyed.

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  40. Alex + Ada sounds kinda cool! Glad that it surprised you. :)

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  41. I love a book with a few surprises to keep things interesting. I have only read The Passenger from your list which was not a favorite. I will have to check out some of the others.

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  42. Oh I love a twisty book! And Alex + Ada, they were great. I now want to read all of these just so I know what the twists are- or I guess I could look up the twists but that seems like cheating hah. (I ummm also seriously considered saying "great books, here's my list!" bwhah but I didn't have a list, so... missed opportunity right there.)

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  43. Twisty books are AMAZING - the more there are, the twistier it is, the better (though not being confusing is a must as well).

    Not too keen on reading Game of Thrones... ever. (I think they'll take up most of my year because I'm a slow reader, haha.)

    Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts

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  44. I still need to read a lot of these! I have The Secret History of Us and I love the cover for The Girl From the Sea.

    Do You Dog-ear?

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  45. Definitely a lot of surprises in A Dance With Dragons. When the show is over, I'm glad there's still reason to pick up the books (if he ever manages to complete them, that is) just so I can find out where he's going with all these new developments he introduced in this installment.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

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  46. I haven't read any of the books you mentioned, but most sound interesting! I don't think I will ever read Game of Thrones considering what I hear what sort of goes on in the series.
    I also love a good shocking ending. I never loved a predictable ending!

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  47. I'm still working on The Song of Ice and Fire. It certainly has so many surprises that I'm not even surprised anymore. However, I'm only on Storm of Swords. I think I'm going to move to audiobook, though, because I do better on long books on audio.

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  48. I have THe WOman in the Window on my TBR and am so excited by it! I love a good thriller - especially when there's a twist I didn't see it coming!

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  49. I love it when books give a good plot twist that I don't see coming. Nice list with lots of potential reads for me.

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  50. Ah! The Woman in the Window's twist was so awesome!! I love when I don't see twists coming! :)

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  51. I don't think I've read any of the books you've listed but I may have to check out a few of them - I love a good twist too!

    - louise ☆

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  52. Your sentence regarding The Woman in the Window makes me want to pick up this title even more - I love when a book plot can surprise me!

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  53. I'm still interested in reading ALEX⚫ADA!

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  54. I love Song of Ice and Fire. GRRM sure is good and throwing in constant game changers. The rest I have not read, but really need to check out. I am a sucker for unexpected plot twists!

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  55. Ohhh my brother said the same thing about A Dance With Dragons. And always harasses me to pick up that series lol! Someday! :)
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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