Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme
created by The Broke and the Bookish.
Ever feel like the odd man woman out in the book world? You love a book that everyone else is trashing? Or you hated a book that everyone else is raving about as the Next Big Thing? Yeah, me too. Here are my picks for the books that I liked (or disliked) more than everyone else.
The Infinite Moment of Us - Lauren Myracle
This one has a rather dismal 3.22 rating on GoodReads and I'm not sure why. I really enjoyed this YA contemporary.
99 Days - Katie Cotugno
This one proved to be incredibly polarizing and many readers slammed the book for a main character that cheated, but I loved it for presenting a flawed character who made mistakes and struggled to find her way.
I Want It That Way - Ann Aguirre
I feel like this one is more overlooked than disliked. But this was a new adult gem for me.
Changing Tides - Sarah Darlington
Some recent troll activity and attacking of the author (be people who probably have not even read the book) has driven this GoodReads rating down to 3.14, which is absurd.
The Summer I Found You - Jolene Perry
Another case of maybe not disliked by others (it has a GR rating of 3.71) but just overlooked. I loved this contemporary YA and it became an instant favorite.
I'll Give You the Sun - Jandy Nelson
This book is practically revered in YA contemporary. And I really, truly disliked it.
A Thousand Boy Kisses - Tillie Cole
I just recently reviewed this one so I won't go into specifics. But the schmaltz and cheese that had me rolling my eyes were apparently loved by most everyone else.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before - Jenny Han
A hugely popular book that just didn't do it for me. The main character came across as a naive 12 year old instead of a teenager and I couldn't take it.
Dreamology - Lucy Keating
A great premise that didn't deliver. It has mostly good reviews but I thought it was just silly and pointless.
Looking for Alaska - John Green
It took three books to finally realize that John Green's writing just isn't for me. I didn't like Alaska, I didn't care much about Miles/Pudge, and I was on pretentiousness overload.
What book do you seem to love
more than everyone else?
The Infinite Moment of Us - Lauren Myracle
This one has a rather dismal 3.22 rating on GoodReads and I'm not sure why. I really enjoyed this YA contemporary.
99 Days - Katie Cotugno
This one proved to be incredibly polarizing and many readers slammed the book for a main character that cheated, but I loved it for presenting a flawed character who made mistakes and struggled to find her way.
I Want It That Way - Ann Aguirre
I feel like this one is more overlooked than disliked. But this was a new adult gem for me.
Changing Tides - Sarah Darlington
Some recent troll activity and attacking of the author (be people who probably have not even read the book) has driven this GoodReads rating down to 3.14, which is absurd.
The Summer I Found You - Jolene Perry
Another case of maybe not disliked by others (it has a GR rating of 3.71) but just overlooked. I loved this contemporary YA and it became an instant favorite.
This book is practically revered in YA contemporary. And I really, truly disliked it.
A Thousand Boy Kisses - Tillie Cole
I just recently reviewed this one so I won't go into specifics. But the schmaltz and cheese that had me rolling my eyes were apparently loved by most everyone else.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before - Jenny Han
A hugely popular book that just didn't do it for me. The main character came across as a naive 12 year old instead of a teenager and I couldn't take it.
Dreamology - Lucy Keating
A great premise that didn't deliver. It has mostly good reviews but I thought it was just silly and pointless.
Looking for Alaska - John Green
It took three books to finally realize that John Green's writing just isn't for me. I didn't like Alaska, I didn't care much about Miles/Pudge, and I was on pretentiousness overload.
What book do you seem to love
more than everyone else?
I loved 99 Days!! So many people hated it but I I was ok with her making mistakes. I do like a lot of the ones you like less lol!!! Great lists!
ReplyDeleteHooray for 99 Days! I swear, I'm not sure I ever saw a single positive review for it - just much ranting and raving over cheating. It happens! People (of all ages) makes mistakes and suffer the consequences and stumble as they figure things out. It just felt so realistic to me.
DeleteOh great list but I have I Want It That Way on my not so liked books list! I agree it was a good book but I just didn't get into it at the time I read it. I wanted to but didn't end up reading Dreamology, To All the Boys I Have Loved Before and I'll Give You the Sun cause I thought I wouldn't like them.
ReplyDeleteHere's My TTT
I know several people that just weren't that impressed with I Want It That Way but for some reason it really clicked with me. Dreamology wasn't bad... just didn't seem to deliver much.
DeleteYes! I loved 99 Days. It was ripped apart in so many reviews, but I loved that it highlighted a character who made a decision and is forced to deal with the consequences. I also didn't like I'll Give You the Sun. I actually ending up DNF'ing it. The writing was too flowery for me.
ReplyDeleteWait just a minute... you loved 99 Days and didn't like I'll Give You the Sun?! I didn't know another such creature existed! LOL I'm off to send you a friend request on GR because obviously we were separated at birth. ;-)
DeleteOut of these:
ReplyDeleteInfinite Moment - I gave this one away without reading it because I read so many negative reviews and wasn't excited enough to read it. :-(
99 Days - I kind of hated this book. I totally get what you're saying about the cheating being something that really happens, but at some point I want my characters to grow up and learn from their mistakes, and I didn't see that happening in this book. To each his own, though, right? LOL!
I Want It That Way - Loved this book!
I'll Give You the Sun - I really loved this one, but I can definitely see why it might not be for everyone.
To All the Boys - I didn't love this one either. Glad I'm not the only one!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Aw, poor Infinite Moment being given away like that. So unloved. *wink*
Delete99 Days - I get it, I really do. A friend and I read it about the same time and she kept texting me how much she was hating it, at the same time I was texting what I liked about it. Different strokes, for sure!
Did you read the other two books after I Want It That Way? Both were enjoyable but IWITW was my favorite.
I know I'm waaay in the minority with I'll Give You the Sun. It happens. :)
I was one of those people who didn't like infinite moment, but thats okay just as it is okay to love a book that most people didn't :) I look at it this way,everyone has different tastes right so it doesn't really matter. If it makes you happy at the end of the day? awesome :D I've read books people hated AND loved. I also read books people loved and hated >.< I think its harder for me if it came from trusted bloggers, heh
ReplyDeleteExactly! Not every person is going to love every book the same. Thank goodness there's something out there for everyone. :)
DeleteNot read any on your list. :)
ReplyDeleteGah! I love I'll Give You the Sun and Looking for Alaska! It's alright...we all have different tastes. hah
ReplyDeleteLOL No worries, I know I'm definitely in the minority with those two books. Just a matter of not every book being for every person. :)
DeleteDang...I'm singing "I Want it that way" I have that book on my shelf so I'll have to make sure it gets pulled down sooner than later. I also have Changing Tides to read because I loved Kill Devil Hills. The others I haven't read - in the "Like" category anyway - but I have read and enjoyed Jolene Perry.
ReplyDeleteAs for the "Dislike" category...you know I'm going to disagree with you on I'll Give You the Sun. I loved it. That's the only one I've read on that list although Looking for Alaska is on my nightstand because my son wants me to read it. :)
LOL All three of those book had Backstreet Boys titles which I find hilarious. I didn't connect it at first (the Backstreet Boys were about a decade or so past my boy band days) but I love that Ann Aguirre did that. :) The whole trilogy was good but I Want It That Way was my favorite. (Confession: there was a scene in it that actually got me choked up.) I LOVED Kill Devil Hills! That one just spoke to me big time. I didn't love Changing Tides quite as much but it was still really good. I hate that some trolls were hassling Sarah on GoodReads. Grrr.
DeleteYeah, I know you loved I'll Give You the Sun. And I wish I had, too! I'm definitely in the minority with that one, but the writing just wasn't for me. *shrugs*
I've heard a lot of mixed things about John Green and so far I have stayed away. 99 Days looks cute and while I can see it being maybe polarizing, I'm glad it was good. :)
ReplyDeleteI finally just had to realize that John Green's writing isn't for me. I love his vlogbrothers videos, I love the work that he does (charitable/humanitarian), but his writing? Not so much. :)
DeleteI think I would have hated the cheating character too but then LOVE him too for being real :). I'll check out The Infinite Moment of Us :)
ReplyDeleteIt was actually a girl that cheated! And yeah, it was with the guy's brother, so... a lot of people jumped all over that. But, not that I condone cheating, but the main character made mistakes and definitely had to deal with the consequences. I hope you'll enjoy The Infinite Moment if you decide to give it a try!
DeleteI get like that with both books and TV shows. Case in point: Outlander--meh. I haven't read the books you mentioned, but I totally understand how you feel. ~Aleen
ReplyDeleteDid you dislike the Outlander book or the Outlander TV show? Or both? I loved the books but haven't watched the show (I'm not a TV watcher).
DeleteI just did not enjoy the show and I'm not really interested in the books. I just don't know why, I love time travel romance, but I just could not get into the story.
DeleteI expected horrible things from 99 Days based on the reviews but I actually liked it. I love when books surprise me like that.
ReplyDeleteNereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist
I know, right? I actually feel bad for that poor book. LOL It gets trashed but I enjoyed it so much.
DeleteOOOH I loved 99 Days! And I Want It That Way is one of the few NA books I actually liked hahah. But I also loved most of the books on your hated list too, so maybe I am just too easy to please? ;) And I DO know what you mean about Lara Jean but.. I was definitely Lara Jean, maybe even worse, so I felt connected to her on like, a spiritual level ;)
ReplyDeleteHm, now that I think about it, I was probably Lara Jean, too. Except she was totally annoying and naturally I was not. I mean, obviously. :)
DeleteOh, some gorgeous covers there on your list. I haven't read any but I'll check them out :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Olivia. Hope you might find something that appeals to you. :)
DeleteI'm often the odd one out too :) I haven't read any of the books, but several of them are on my TBR. To all the boys I've loved before is one I've heard so many good things about, so I've been hopeful. But when I hear a lot of raving, I get nervous, because I end up like you... disappointed.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of why I've started shying away from all they hyped books and "the next big thing." I often end up disappointed. I'm been loving reading a lot of backlist titles from my bookshelves. :)
DeleteI absolutely adored I Want It That Way - the whole trilogy, tbh. The characters were well-written and I adored all the couples. Also, the friendships were FANTASTIC. I've read preview of To All the Boys I've Loved Before and I really didn't like it, so I never bought it.
ReplyDeleteGreat list!
Veronika @ The Regal Critiques
Yay! I love hearing that you loved the 2B trilogy, too! I really enjoyed all three but I Want It That Way was my favorite. I just loved Nadia and Ty. ♥
DeleteI didn't care for Looking For Alaska either. I think it was the main character that I wasn't to crazy about. I do love the cover for The Infinite Moment of Us. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I just never connected with *anyone* in Looking for Alaska. And what's worse is that I found myself not caring. Not a good sign. LOL
Delete