Teaser Tuesday & Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Hyped Books I’ve Never Read
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Page 11: "Vasher had always found it interesting that the men who watched dungeons tended to be as bad as, or worse than, the men they guarded [...] Society didn’t seem to care if such men were outside the cells or in them, so long as they were kept away from more honest men." Brandon Sanderson, Warbreaker
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. They created the meme because they love lists. Who doesn’t love lists? They wanted to share these list with fellow book lovers and ask that we share in return to connect with our fellow book lovers. To learn more about participating in the challenge, stop by their page dedicated to it and dive in!
This week’s topic: Top Ten Hyped Books I’ve Never Read
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not the one to really keep up with books that are all the rage, so my list is mainly compiled of books that I’ve run across pretty often in my reading circles. All speculative with one exception.
Thrones of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
I’ve heard mostly good things about this one from people I trust who have read this book, but there’s this thing that happens with me and young adult books that even my trusted friends can’t help–I usually end up hating the book. It happens more often than not and seeing some of the reaction to later books in this series, which aren’t so favorable, made me keep pushing this book just a tad bit further down the list even though I said I was trying with YA. You can read great reviews from Mogsy and Wendy here and here, respectively.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
At least now, thanks to Loot Crate, I own the book. I keep saying that I’m going to read it soon and then I get caught up in the millions of other books that seem to take up my reading time. I figure if I put it right by the bed where I can see it, I’ll eventually pick it up and start reading it. You can read a review from Wendy here.
The Bone Season by Samatha Shannon
I’ve seen many favorable reviews from various blogs and people I follow. This book and audiobook is available through Kindle Unlimited, so I’m hoping that will prompt me to actually get on this. Kindle Unlimited has been a great catalyst for getting me to read books such as The Palace Job and Disenchanted. Ready Mogsy’s review here.
I keep promising I’m going to read this or A Darker Shade of Magic every time I see a review cross my dash and I still haven’t done it. I promised myself that my next audiobook purchase would be one of Schwab’s books. In fact, I just purchased this ebook and the audiobook (whispersync loving fool that I am) as I was typing this. SOON! Read Wendy’s review and Mogsy’s of Vicious here and here, respectively.
I finally got around to watching the movie for this not too long ago, and while it certainly wasn’t the worst movie, it made me curious. I felt like it was missing something, something that I’m sure the book can clear up for me when I get around to reading it. I actually like these unreliable narrator thrillers/mysteries a great deal. I’m really curious to see if they end up making The Girl on the Train into a movie because I actually think I’d like to see that. It’s basically movie ready.
I’m supposed to be buddy reading this with a pal soonish when I clear off more my TBR pile and she’s done with all her work traveling. Then, we’re going to venture into the television series together to see how it goes. I’ve had this book on my shelf for years. A little longer to wait and read it won’t hurt.
I’m very intrigued by this book, but I just haven’t made the effort to pick it up. I think I was turned off because at one point it seemed like EVERYONE was reading it and it was just a constant flood of reviews on my dashboard for it. However, this is another book that is available through Kindle Unlimited that I will likely get around to sooner than later since I can easily access it. Read reviews for this book by Mogsy and Wendy here and here, respectively.
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
I’m actually reading/listening to my first Sanderson book right now, which is Warbreaker. I debated whether to start that one or to start this one. The magic system in that one is what made me choose it over this one, but I do have plans to read this one, too. It’ll depend on how much I like Warbreaker on whether or not I’ll stumble into that book sooner rather than later. Read Wendy’s review here.
The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
I almost typed that as The Girl with All the “Gifs.” That would’ve been so meta since everyone knows I love my gifs. I acquired this not too long ago as an audiobook, so I’m finding that I’m actually more likely to get around to books if I own them as an audiobook. For some reason I have suddenly became an audiobook junkie after years of not being into them that much. Ready Mogsy’s review here.
I think this was on my TBR pile or at least it was. I might’ve gotten rid of it during The Great TBR Pile Purging earlier this year (for what good it did me), but now, after having to endure the first movie at my husbands behest, I don’t even know if I want to read it now. While I’m sure the book is probably better than the movie, I think I’ve had my fill just from watching that first movie, which I wasn’t overly impressed by.
The BiblioSanctum 
READY PLAYER ONE is one of my all-time favorites! You’ve got to make time for it. It is so quirky and fun, too.
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Since I’m such a big geek, people keep telling me that I’ll love it for all the references it makes. I’m getting there. I’m almost caught up on my reading, so I’ll slip it in there.
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The Bone Season is definitely one to pick up! 🙂
Check out my TTT and my current giveaway.
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I’ve put it on my Kindle Unlimited book list with the audiobook. This should make me read it sooner rather than later since it’ll be right there in my face ready to be read.
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I really liked Divergent, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you weren’t a fan of the movie. I adore Throne of Glass though. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did!
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It may turn out that I really like the book. There’s something about words that can bring out a better reaction than just watching it on the screen, but I’ll admit that it’ll probably be a while *if* I ever get around to it because that movie sort of soured me on the book because it turned out not being really what I was expecting. And that’s probably my fault.
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My TTT only overlapped yours a tiny bit, however, nearly every book here that I have not read is on my TBR pile! Such a fan of Vicious and Throne of Glass. 🙂
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I really need to get to Vicious. I have taken the first step and acquired it at least. I’m so on the fence with Throne of Glass, especially now that I see the varied response it’s brought out in people. I’m going to give it a chance when I can, but it won’t be high priority.
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Do not read Thrones of Glass, worse Mary Sue has never been seen
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I thought I was alone, agreed! Celaena annoys me something fierce.
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Nope. Not alone. I tolerated her in the first book because there were other cool things going on, but I hated her by the second and hate read the third.
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Agreed. Well, I liked the first book, but after that. Ugh.
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I liked the first and the third book, but second book was pretty big dip in between.
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LOL! Yeah, that was a common complaint I saw for her after the first book, but if it’s just as bad in the first book. I’ll have to give this some thought.
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I read 3, I thought it was a trilogy. And then I was all hell no. I refuse to read more, this is just so *headdesk*
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So many favourites here, I LOVE Brandon Sanderson, Girl with all the Gifts & Gone Girl. I also need to get onto reading Wicked and The Bone Season, though!
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I am reading Warbreaker now, and so far, I’ve found the magic system interesting, so I’ll probably check out Mistborn soon. I’ve heard tons of good things about Girl with all the Gifts and Gone Girl, too. I especially need to get on Gone Girl, now that I’ve watched the movie.
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I haven’t read any either but I really should try, I have some in fact.
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Nice teaser! Totally new to me read!
Nice list too! Only recognize a few! I enjoyed the Divergent trilogy and Angelfall!
Couldn’t get into ToG or Bone Season. Though I am curious about the Girl with all the Gifts!
Here’s my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
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I’m kind of reluctant to read Throne Of Glass. I’ve read reviews by people who enjoyed it (including Mogsy and Wendy), and also a lot of mixed or negative reviews. The protagonist sounds like a “love-her-or-hate-her” kind of character… But since I’m writing a YA fantasy, I really should give it a shot at some point.
Divergent is an OK series. Divergent and Insurgent were pretty good, but Allegiant was a nightmare. One of the most poorly written books I’ve ever read, to be honest. So, you’re not missing out on much if you choose not to read that trilogy.
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I see that now with Throne of Glass. Most of the reviews I initially read were positive for the first book, the subsequent books not so much. But definitely as a writer I think it’s important to see what’s out there in your genre and what others are doing with it–good or bad.
I think after the movie I have lost all interest in even *maybe* reading Divergent. The description of it and the movie’s version of events were different than I was expecting from the story and in not in a good way. So, I think this will probably end up on my pass list.
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I’ve read a lot of these — I was the oddball pit and hated TOG so I DNFd it at like 20%. Ready player one is fun escapism and is a fast read. The bone season was fine, kind of messy but I will continue with the series despite that. Gone girl is good, but not sure if it is worth reading after seeing the movie. I think the movie was as equally good as the book, which makes sense since the author wrote the screenplay. Outlander is a YES from me. I adore Claire. Angelfall was unexpected and grim and addictive. But it is YA and the MC is similar to Katniss. Like, a lot. Divergent was….. Meh. Easy to read, but like eating cardboard. I’m not sure that makes sense haha.
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It sounds like you were actually in good company if I have to go by just the comments here on ToG. That is not encouraging, especially considering I have such a troubled relationship with YA. LOL. I am looking forward to RPO for the geekiness, just so can fangirl over all the things. With Gone Girl, the movie had something missing for me, and I’m trying to see if the book will fill in whatever I was missing. I’m pretty sure I won’t be reading Divergent. The movie just kind of… did me in. I didn’t like it that much and was expecting something totally different.
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Of all of these I recommend The Girl With All the Gifts, Vicious and RPO. Those were all 5 star reads for me. I didn’t enjoy The Bone Season very much, but lots of people love it.
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You absolutely need to read RPO and Girl with All the Gifts. I’m going to recommend that one for your zombie bender too.
I didn’t like Divergent at all. I read book two only because I believe in second chances, but got burned for it even worse. And then to borrow Wendy’s phrase, I hate read the third. Which ironically turned out to be the best book of the trilogy, and even then I didn’t love it.
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I just found out like yesterday there were zombies in The Girl with All the Gifts. Then, I had to pretty much wallslide while in tears because how did I miss there were zombies? That is almost always the first thing I look for when I start investigating. LOL.
I understand giving books a second chance. That’s what I did with The Shadow Master and I still don’t know what the hell is going on. I don’t think I can do Divergent, not after watching that movie. I’m pretty sure I culled it from my TBR pile.
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Well, I think the zombie part of it was supposed to be a surprise for the reader, but the book having been out a while, it’s become like one of those worst kept secrets that makes it okay for everyone to know now. So it’s not in the description, but reviews will talk about it 🙂
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I really did not know, as I hadn’t read anyone’s reviews just the description of the book and added it. I seriously just recently noticed that Zombies was one of its top shelves on Goodreads and I was like, “Dear Lord…” Can’t turn back now. I already have the audiobook, and then, I read the reviews and I think I can tolerate it. If not, everyone will hear me caterwauling about it.
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So many books I haven’t read here as well… I have been similarly hesitant about some of the YA on this list.
The characters in Mistborn can fall a bit flat at times, but turned out to be an exceptionally memorable read for me because it really messes with the ‘chosen one’ trope, and has some really exciting and well-plotted twists and turns. Unfortunately, none of this is obvious at all until the second book… but for what it’s worth, the series as a whole is definitely the best Sanderson I’ve read.
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As I mentioned, I’m reading Warbreaker now. I’m finding that he seems to be a fairly straightforward writer–at least in the case of this book. There haven’t been many surprises, but I’m enjoying it because of the unique magic system and many of the characters are starting to show some potential. I think I have an official book crush on Lightsong and he’s just been introduced. I’m so easy. LOL.
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His magic systems (all of the ones I’ve read) are so unique! He always comes up with an interesting concept for them. And often super cinematic… someone really needs to start making movies out of them, stat. I think it’s a fair assessment to say he’s a straightforward writer… particularly in the clarity of his writing, if that makes sense? Like, no matter what, he always communicates in a very straightforward way.
I have the hardest time keeping Warbreaker and Elantris straight and now I can’t remember who Lightsong is… I will obviously have to read your review so I can remember!
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Throne of Glass was really good! MyTTT
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We’re in the same boat when it comes to Vicious. I keep promising people that I’ll read it – and I know I’ll like it – but for some reason I can’t seem to make it happen. I’m gonna agree with everyone else and say that you should definitely try to make time for RPO! 🙂
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I moved RPO to my bedside now where I keep all my book essentials. It will make its way to my hands soon, especially now that I have the ARCs I was supposed to read under control.
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You mention your ‘dashboard’ twice here. What is that?
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Usually I mean, my Goodreads, Tumblr, and WordPress dashboards where the stuff shows up from people I follow.
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Oh! Some great books your list! Ready Player One and The Girl With All the Gifts! 🙂 And then there’s some on here I own but haven’t read either (Bone Season and Vicious)
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I love Throne of Glass although I think I may be an oddball in that I wasn’t so keen on the first book but loved the second and third. You should give it a try, see if you like it and if you don’t, the worst that will happen is you have to DNF it. Gone Girl is great, you should definitely give that one a try. Divergent….not the best book I’ve ever read, but not the worst either.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/top-ten-tuesday-12/
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I’m going to give ToG a try for sure, but I think I’m going to pass on Divergent. I am very eager to read Gone Girl and now that I have my reading mostly under control after hammering down on my books these past couple of months.
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I can’t imagine the Divergent book being better than the movie. Not because I have high hopes for the movie but because the Divergent book was HORRIBLE.
I enjoyed Mistborn and I am not a huge Sanderson fan. But the first Mistborn book was pretty damn good.
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The movie was pretty terrible, too. I ended up with headache pretty early in, but my husband enjoyed it. My husband is also known as the king of picking out terrible crappy movies, so I guess there’s just no getting around it not being terrible book or movie
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I read Gone Girl and while it was good, it was not deserving of the massive amount of hype and press that it received. You are the second person I’ve come across with Sanderson on their list today.
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I felt like I was missing something with the movie that the book might clear up. It definitely wasn’t a bad movie, but certainly surrounded by a ton of hype. I’m reading a Sanderson book now, so I blame it for reminding me I need to read Mistborn.
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I right there with you; still haven’t read Ready Player One yet. I do plan on reading the Mistborn trilogy later this year. I’ve read 4 other books by Sanderson this year, and have loved them all.
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I think I’m going to be making time later for the Mistborn books, too. Another friend just finished them and she’s over the moon in love with Sanderson now.
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Hm, lots of interesting titles on your list this week! I’d skip Divergent if I were you – I recently dragged myself though Allegiant because I wanted to finish the series and it was *such* a let-down. I loved Angelfall, liked World After and then was – again – disappointed by End of Days by Susan Ee. (It’s not a good year for finishing series for me, apparently…)
But I’d definitely recommend Vicious as your next read! 🙂
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If I’m completely honest with myself, I thought Divergent was a terrible movie, and I definitely think that I’m going to skip that. But I do have plans to read Vicious soon. I have no more excuses now that I bought it.
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