Top 5 Wednesday: A Blogger Made Me Read It


Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey at GingerReadsLainey.
Click HERE for a complete list of participants and future topics.
This week's Top 5 Wednesday topic:
Books You've Read Because of Blogging


The Serpent King | Jeff Zentner
Shannon at It Starts at Midnight gets the blame credit for this one. She luuuurves this book and seeing her mention it in every other post (LOL) convinced me to give it a try. While I didn't love it as much as Shannon, and had a couple issues with it, I will say this was a story that made an impact on me and had a heart-wrenching scene that has stuck with me and haunted me ever since.

I was aware of Him when it released but it wasn't really on my radar until my friend Brittany at This is the Story of My (Reading) Life started DM'ing me on Twitter insisting that I HAD to read this book. I think she was days away from showing up on my doorstep and forcing me to read it when I finally picked it up. And so began my love for Wes and Jamie. This has become one of my favorite books and I've read (and listened to) it multiple times.  

I was visiting a blog that was part of the blog tour for this one. I liked the sound of it and decided to enter the giveaway. Color me surprised when the author contacted me that I had won! I ended up loving this book, and the rest of the trilogy, and as an unexpected bonus made a friend in Samatha. :)

I have followed Katy's blog for several years and I remember her going through the process of finding an agent, of sending out query letters and the excitement when she sold Kissing Max Holden. Finally being able to read this wonderful YA novel was so exciting! Had I not followed Katy's blog all those years ago I might not ever have known about this one.

I can't recall on which blog I saw A List of Cages. I wish I could so I could say thank you! I was intrigued enough by the review to pick this one up and, while this wasn't a particularly happy read, it held me completely in its thrall and I was an emotional mess. This one hurt my heart and is one I won't forget.


What book have you read because of blogging?

22 comments

  1. I have three in mind. The Hating Game keeps popping up on these lists, and I also read it because of all the raves I was reading. Also, Dairy Queen and Dangerous Girls. I read both this year, though they are older books, because I saw them on a bunch of TTT lists. I was intrigued, and was glad I read them. Starfish seems to be the next book bloggers are making me read, because I really feel like it will be a good fit for me from all the reviews I am reading.

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    1. Ah, The Hating Game. There's been no escaping that one. TBH, I was going to pass on it until a friend gifted me a copy. It looked too slapstick/silly for my taste but I think it was you that told me it's actually deeper that it appears. I've been seeing Dangerous Girls around for so long but just haven't picked it up yet.

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  2. I love this topic! I've read a few books because of Shannon as well!

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  3. Oh, I get so many book ideas from bloggers. HIM was probably seen on another blog too - I Know I read some reviews of it before I read it at least!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Him was definitely getting some hype before I finally picked it up. Now I kick myself for waiting so long to fall in love with those guys! :)

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  4. I get so many suggestions from bloggers. It is the main reason my wishlist is so huge.

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    1. We do love to enable one another when it comes to books. LOL

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  5. I definitely read Him because of bloggers. I also have Serpent King and just need to read it. A List f Cages is on m TBR too. Great list!

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    1. The Serpent Kind and A List of Cages are both so worth reading. Tough at times... but worth it.

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  6. Gosh, it would be hard to make this list because there are a lot. The Hating Game and Geekerella are two that come to mind.
    Jen Ryland

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    1. I feel like The Hating Game is *everywhere.* And Geekerella is one I need to pick up SOON!

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  7. It actually seems to me that these book are all in the contemporary genre. I wonder why that is. Is it because of the environment that you discovered from? Or is it just because contemporary is your favorite genre or something like that?

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    1. I read contemporary almost exclusively so it's no real surprise that all 5 of these are contemporaries. :)

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  8. Awesome topic, Tanya. I'm curious about HIM. It's been on my radar for a while but I haven't bought it yet. Now you've convinced me to. Thanks for sharing! 😁❤️

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    1. After I finally read Him I was kicking myself for not reading it sooner. I totally fell in love with Jamie and Wes. <3

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  9. I'm glad you loved Him! Such a great book. I love that writing duo! I'd heard great things about The Serpent King, I need to check it out! Great list!

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    1. I swear, Bowen and Kennedy together are magic!
      The Serpent King is definitely worth reading.

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  10. WELL, this post was a boost for my self-esteem, all the love in the comments. Thanks!! I wish you'd loved it as much as I did though! There are soooo many books that bloggers made me read. In fact, pretty sure The Serpent King was one of them hahah. At least, I wouldn't have known about it otherwise!

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    1. You talk (wee, write), people listen. How's that for a coolness factor? :)
      I definitely appreciated The Serpent King and it made an impact - just wasn't the same experience for me that it was for you. Doesn't mean it wasn't great, though! :)

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  11. oh this sounds like my new PPP [Pure Peer Pressure] feature! Funny List of Cages and The Scorpion king are on my night stand now and because of that! Because a book blogger convinced me to read it [I need to see my notes to remember which one] I wonder how I'm going to like The Serpent King!

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    1. It does, doesn't it?! The Serpent King was definitely a moving, thought-provoking read. And yeah, I might have got teary at one part. A List of Cages just hurt my heart. I still want to hug Julian.

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