Top Ten Tuesdays (books I read because of hype)

This week's topic: Top Ten Books People Have Been Telling You That You MUST Read

Well, I didn't have ten recent books that folks were telling me to read, so I made a list of 10 books I read because of all the hype.

 

 

The Martian, Andy Weir

It was everywhere this spring, I liked the cover, and I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and read a sci fi book. I know others loved it, but I’d call it average.

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

My brother hounded me for years to read Austen’s great novel. When I finally did, I loved it with an all-consuming love.

Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand

This one sat on my shelf for over two years. I read Seabiscuit and fell so hard for it that I knew I’d love Unbroken, too. And I did. Hillenbrand is one of the best writers writing today.

 

Quiet, Susan Cain

Everyone told me I had to read Quiet. I knew I’d like it, but I hoped I’d like it more than I did.

Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg

I had no interest in it when it came out, but I finally decided it was so short, I could bite the bullet and see what all the fuss was about. I was pleasantly surprised at how approachable and non-preachy it was.

Five Days at Memorial, Sheri Fink

I don’t generally read about health, medicine, doctors, etc., so I dismissed this one as something I wouldn’t read. But something made me take a second look, and it was one of my favorite reads this year.

 

 

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage, Ann Patchett

I couldn’t even finish this one. Patchett seems decidedly unhappy, and I don’t give authors that come off like that much time.

Wild, Cheryl Strayed

I loved the cover. And the cover was everywhere. I enjoyed the book, but I don’t think Strayed and I would be friends if we met.

Killing Kennedy, Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard

Given my love of history and respect for O’Reilly, it’s odd that I have very little interest in reading any of his history books. But I geeked out over his announcement that his fourth “Killing…” book would be about Patton, so I decided to read at least one previous book before its release. I enjoyed it immensely.

The Astronaut Wives Club, Lily Koppel

The cover both compelled me and repelled me. And I heard it was hard to keep all the wives straight. While I enjoyed the book, it could have been so much better had an editor made some tough decisions.