Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'm Not Sure I Want To Read




Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by the Brooke and the Bookish. This week's list is of books I'm not sure I want to read. I ranked them in terms of how conflicted I am about reading them.  


10. "Magnolia" by Kristi Cook. My first thought upon reading the blurb and upon seeing that cover was yeah, right... no. And then I started reading the reviews. Everybody seems to have liked this book. I started seeing it everywhere. 
Will I give in to the adorableness? Who knows! (I don't know, that's for sure). 














9. "Underworld" by Meg Cabot. I read the first book in this series, "Abadon", and I liked it. In fact, I was hyped for the second book. It just so happened that it was released the same day as "City of Lost Souls" by Cassandra Clare. And priorities are priorities, so I read that one first. And then I just wasn't in the mood for "Underworld". And then it's been two years, and I still haven't got around to reading it.













8. "The Ghost and the Goth" by Stacey Kade. I'm not sure what to think of this setup. It certainly sounds silly, but I don't mind that. I think that it could be either spectacularly bad or hilariously good, so I'm really on the fence about reading this one. 
















7. "Hunger" by Jackie Morse Kessler. The premise is fascinating, but it sounds a bit depressing. Also, it has received mixed reviews, and the consensus seems to be that the premise is badly-executed. 

















6. "The Beautiful and the Cursed" by Page Morgan. I have read some glowing praise for this book, but there's something about it that doesn't convince me. I can't quite put my fingers on what it is, though. 
















5. "The Gathering Storm" by Robin Bridges. Late eighteenth-century. Russia, which is a new and intriguing setting for a paranormal book. An aristocratic heroine that can raise the dead. Courtly intrigue. This book should be right up my alley.
But then I read the final paragraph of the blurb, and I could practically hear the pop of my bubble breaking. Now, I'm afraid that this book will be all about the love triangle, with some necromancing thrown in just to spice the romance up a bit. 
  










4. "Alanna: The First Adventure" by Tamora Pierce. I was so hyped by this book. I just couldn't wait to read it. And then I downloaded the free sample. And the writing was bad. Not atrocious, mind you, but there definitely was something off about it. If the author keeps it up for the rest of the book, I know I won't be able to enjoy it fully. 














3. "The Winter Sea" by Susanna Kearsley. This one is another of those book where I fear that the romance will creep in to take over the plot. No romance is mentioned in the blurb, so I should be in the clear, but it's been shelved a lot of time as romance on goodreads, so maybe I am not. Or maybe the romance will be well-done and I won't mind that it takes over the plot. 














2. "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas. My first reaction upon seeing this book for the first time was hell yeah! And so many people loved it. But many people hated it, too. 
I have heard that the main character is an idiot and that she falls in insta-love, two things I really can't stand. 
But the premise looks so cool! But too-stupid-to-live heroine! But assassins! But insta-love!
As you can see, I'm really conflicted about this one.  
1. "The Iron Trial" by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare. I liked Clare's Shadowhunter's series. A lot. So I was sure I would read this. Until I read the blurb and looked at the cover. 
Does this setup sound familiar to you? A young boy goes to a magic school. There, he befriends another boy and a girl.
Plus, look at that cover. That's a freaking death eater.
I'm not saying that this is necessarily a Harry Potter rip-off. The book isn't even out yet, so there's no way to tell. But who the hell thought that matching that premise to that cover was a good idea?   











What do you think I should do? Which of these books should I read and which books are best left alone? And what are the books you're not sure you want to read? Let me know in the comments!  

27 comments:

  1. I'm really unsure about Throne of Glass too. I know so many people love it and I'm worried it'll be a major let down. I keep wondering about Magnolia. It seems very cute!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh I really love Throne of Glass! I would definitely not say it had insta-love though...mmm, it has a kind of love-triangle though, but not really insta-love. So, hehe, I definitely recommend that one, actually! I haven't heard of many of your other ones but I'm worried about The Iron Trials too. I've only JUST started reading books by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare and I love them both, buuuuut...I'm nervous. I really want to like that one!
    Here's my TTT!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ugh, don't you hate it when a book has a love triangle and it looks like it might take over the plot? Most of the time those books aren't worth even trying, though I was pleasantly surprised recently by one book (only one though). I hate to sound like a downer, but I've read several of Tamora Pierce's books, and the writing style is the same in all of them. Personally I didn't enjoy her books so much, despite other people loving them, but I think I have strange tastes sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Throne of Glass is definitely something I would recommend. Definitely. Okay, so perhaps opinions of the novel are divided -- some love it, some hater it, and some are just "meh" about it, but personally, I thought it was amazing. I also loved the main character -- though yeah, I can understand why some people wouldn't like her. As for the love triangle in that novel... Usually it would have bothered me but I thought it was done well. There was plenty of witty banter between the characters and it wasn't the main focus of the book or anything.

    I thought The Ghost and the Goth was a pretty fun novel. Not amazing, mind you, but fun and light and humours. Perhaps check it out sometime, but don't be expecting an amazing novel.

    I, too, am unsure about The Iron Trial, though I know I'll probably end up reading it anyway.

    Great list!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I loved the Ghost and the Goth series. It is fun to read and really enjoyable. Even I'm conflicted about the Throne of Glass series. Plus love triangle. Mehh

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm really surprised that some people thought the main character in Throne of Glass was an idiot. I mean, I can understand her not being for everyone, but I always thought she was such a badass (which is what I've read in most other reviews). The love triangle is there, but after the first book, it's not much of a focus. It's clear who she really wants to be with, and by the end of the second book, the love triangle is pretty much gone. I'm super excited about Magnolia. I was hesitant at first, but then someone compared it to The Swan Princess movies, and I was like, Must Read Now! lol.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Ghost and the Goth series is definitely really light in tone, but since it deals with death, it couldn't be TOO light, you know? I didn't think the books were awesome, but they were enjoyable.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've read The Beautiful and the Cursed and, while I wouldn't say I loved it, I did really like it. It was a completely different type of book for me to read and I don't regret reading it at all.

    Throne of Glass was a book that I actually loved. I wouldn't really recommend it if you're looking for a 'gritty assassin' read. But if you are willing to take an assassin that likes shopping for clothes and being girly, I did think it was a very fun book.

    My TTT

    ReplyDelete
  9. Throne of Glass isn't a great book by itself, but if you read the novellas first (I really suggest doing so!) you'll 1) Get your introduction with Celaena 2) Find out her back story 3) Not "waste" as much time reading the full first book if you don't end up liking Celaena. I think people saying that she has insta-love are completely over exaggerating or have never read actual insta-love before.

    Also I'm really biased because it's my favorite series.

    I haven't read any of the others, so I can't say much! But Meg Cabot was one of my favorite authors when I was in middle school. I hope to re-read her Mediator series, but the rating on the Underworld books are not great, so I'm iffy with them too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have to agree on the cover of Magnolia being a turn off of the book. I am not sure I want to read that either! I totally see what you are saying about The Iron Trial too, it is very reminiscent of HP!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So I just put my hand over my mouth, like OH! THRONE OF GLASS is a serious must read. Thanks for stopping by!

    Rachel @ Beauty and the Bookshelf

    ReplyDelete
  12. Soo Tamora Pierce is pretty much my favorite author, and while I really enjoyed the Song of the Lioness, I recently reread them alongside Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen and you can definitely see a difference in her writing. So, I'd definitely give some of her newer books/series a chance even if Alanna wasn't your thing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Throne Of Glass is a really great book! I wouldn't say the main character is an idiot. More of a kickass with a thing for pretty things & books. Also the romance isn't insta-love & I actually really like both guys. Also there is A LOT of plot (especially in the second book). So I would 100 % recommend that.
    Ugh The Iron Trial sound familiar yeah. I hope it's not TOO SIMILIAR. Cause at the moment it sounds exactly like HP. Let's hope for the best :)
    Thanks for stopping by :P

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think you should really give Throne of Glass a try and see for yourself! In my opinion I don't think it was instalove and the main character was just very girly so I wouldn't call her an idiot. Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

    Eileen @ BookCatPin

    ReplyDelete
  15. I read The Ghost and the Goth a little while ago. Originally I picked it up because I wanted silly fun escapism but actually I enjoyed it a whole lot more than I though - so much I want to read the rest of the serious at some point.

    Wouldn't say it's amazing but yep it is fun. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Throne of Glass is a great read, the second book is better though. If you have a say when you can't figure out what to read and want an easy read (this is an easy read, I finished it in a day and it is not too strenuous) then pick it up and hopefully you'll enjoy. It is a fun book anyway.

    I am with you with Tamora Pierce and the Alanna book, I've heard so many good things. It's a series everyone loves and I just can't bring myself to read it. It's terrible how many books I do that with

    ReplyDelete
  17. Though it didn't make my list, I feel the same way about Throne of Glass, too! Just not sure...

    ReplyDelete
  18. LOL. I'll probably try out Throne of Glass--mostly because I already have it on my kindle. If the heroine's an idiot, I probably won't like it, but we'll see. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Happy Tuesday! :D

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm totally with you. I don't really have a desire to read any of these books. At all. :(

    TTT
    Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know

    ReplyDelete
  20. I think that you should give the Throne of Glass series a try just because I have heard good things about it. And I love Holly Black she is such a great writer so you should give her book a try as well.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Aww, I still hope you'll give Magnolia a try, maybe if you have down time. It isn't perfect but it's still enjoyable. Loved the bit on knowing your priorities when it comes to books coming out at the same time. It was against Cassandra Clare so I completely understand. I actually gave Throne of Glass a try. But the sequel is on my list this week too because I wasn't really fascinated by the first book. Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my TTT :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Throne of Glass is one of those hyped up books that I was unsure about. But I've heard so many amazing things about this series, especially Heir of Fire. And it just makes me want to read the series that much more. :)

    Thanks for stopping by My TTT

    ReplyDelete
  23. I feel exactly the same way about Throne of Glass. I'm not sure if I want to read it. It looks like a good book and I've heard nothing but good things about it but I'm still hesitant in picking it up :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I don't know if I'll read Magnolia either but I do plan on reading The Ghost and The Goth. There is NO insta-love in Throne of Glass, I can assure you of it. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. The Beautiful and the Cursed! I saw that book on a list somewhere and got really excited about it and then . . . sadly forgot about it. XD

    Alanna as well. I read the prologue one day last week and was a bit underwhelmed, especially since the series is SO hyped.

    I, ah, didn't like Throne of Glass.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I've heard nothing but good things about Throne of Glass, and I'm about to start reading the novellas. Huh, I guess I should keep an eye out for that pesky insta love.
    I don't usually read contemporary, so I wouldn't normally pick up Magnolia, but I've been seeing a lot of raving reviews about it so I'm kind of tempted haha

    - Kritika @ Snowflakes & Spider silk

    ReplyDelete
  27. I really liked " The Winter Sea". There is definite romance in both time periods presented, and I can see why it would be classified as a romance, but I liked the historic/present time duel timelines of the plot and the plot itself. I would highly recommend it. This was the first book I read by Susanna Kearsley, and having read a couple more since then, this is to date still my favorite. I also read Throne of Glass, which was pretty good, but I started but did not finish the second book of that series, and doubt I will go back to it, for what it is worth... :)

    ReplyDelete