GUEST POST: Patti from Book Addict

The Book Vixen is pleased to welcome Patti from Book Addict to the blog today.

 

Thanks so much Book Vixen, for having me over! I love visiting my bloggy friends, and today I thought I'd talk about one of the reasons why: One thing I love about blogging is all the great book recs I find. Sometimes if I just look at a book blurb, I might pass it up, but then if I see another blogger rave about the book and it piques my interest, I'll usually write it down in a notebook for when I'm book shopping. Sometimes, I'll see another blogger rave about a book and think "that's not for me". But then, I'll see another squee-fest review, and another, and another. And I start to wonder, what is it about this book that's got everyone's panties aflutter? Could it really be that good? I'm finding that usually the answer is yes. Here's my top 10 list of books I didn't think I'd like that I ended up loving (the order changes daily, LOL):

10. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater: I didn't even realize this was a werewolf book until this year, and while I occasionally read YA, it's not my top choice. When Ms. Stiefvater came to New Orleans I bought a copy and STILL waited several months to read it - I'm so glad I finally did - I loved it!!!

9. Rachel Gibson's Chinooks Hockey Series: I'd read some of her other books and liked them, so when I saw this at my local used bookstore I picked it up. Then, when I got home and saw it was about hockey, it went straight onto my TBR pile. I think I was in a reading funk when I finally picked it up (I was desperate!) and ended up loving it - it doesn't matter that I've never seen a hockey game (I didn't even know the US had a hockey team, let alone several), I love these guys and am always excited when another Chinooks book is coming out! This series led me to look for other sports-themed books.

8. Addicted by Charlotte Featherstone: An erotic historical romance with a heroin addicted hero? Really? Yes, really, and it was so well-written and so sensual - I couldn't put this one down. It's one of my favorite reads from last year. (Thanks Vamp Fan Girl!)

7. Saving Francesca by Marlina Marchetta: Danielle at Alpha Reader recommended this book to me, and her review was stellar. It focuses on a teenage girl who's attending a former all-boy's high school as one of the first groups of girls to be admitted. Even after she sent me the book, I put off reading it because I was afraid I was going to hate it and didn't want to have to tell her "thanks but it sucked". Luckily, I loved, loved, loved this book!

6. Comfort Foot by Kitty Thomas: I saw a review of this book over at Cecile's place and I thought that while it wasn't something I would normally read, her enthusiasm of the book was catching. So I bought it, and it sat on my kindle for awhile. Then I read it, and read it again. I'm still wowed by this book just thinking about it. And I'm planning to buy the hardcover version when it comes out in the Fall.

5. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews: I don't remember how I came to hear about this book. I know I picked it up and put it down several times - I was pretty sure there was no sexin' in this book and therefore wasn't sure I wanted to put my hard-earned money down for a book I wouldn't like. It took a few pages, but I fell right into the I Heart Curran Club (Rowr!).

4. Touched by an Alien: You know, although I love watching Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation, that's about as far as my sci-fi love goes. Or so I thought. I had absolutely no intention of picking up this book. This is another book Danielle at Alpha Reader put on my radar, but it was the fact that my son bought it for me as a birthday gift that made me read it. Now I am anxiously awaiting her next release and dreaming of Jeff Martini :)

 

3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: Say it with me ladies: "Jamie Frasier" *collective sigh* My aunt actually recommended this book, and I thought okay, sure. Then when I saw the size of it I thought, WTH - it's a doorstop! It took me a bit to get into the book, the beginning is slow going, but I'm so glad I stayed with it. This is one of my comfort reads when I'm feeling sick or down.

2. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward: If I knew then what I know now.... I saw these Black Dagger Brotherhood books mentioned on Charlaine Harris' reader discussion boards. I looked them up on Amazon and thought - a blind vampire king and his brothers who fight dead guys? No thanks. But a co-worker's mother had read them and she lent me Dark Lover. I don't think I need to say anything else, except maybe "John Matthew is mine."

1. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead: I mentioned above that YA is not my first choice for reading material, but sometimes it surprises me. I read and loved Twilight, then I read the House of Night series and thought it was just okay. I thought Vampire Academy would be more of the same - oh, was I wrong. I don't remember why I picked up the first book, but once I started reading I went back for the next 3 all at once. Not only is this my favorite YA series, but one of my favorite series in general. Last Sacrifice, the last book in this series, will be out December 7, and while I'm excited to read it I'm also sorry that this series is ending. I believe Ms. Mead has said there will be a spin-off series though, so I'm looking forward to that.

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I've still got a few books in my TBR that I hear great things about that I just haven't been able to start: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley, Grimspace by Ann Aguirre, The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, and Rachel Caine's Weather Warden Series to name a few...

Does anyone else do this - give books a try that you don't think you'll like based on other blogger recommendations? If so, what books did you surprise yourself with?

Feel free to stop by my blog and say hi: www.bookaddictpatti.com - I've got a little football challenge set up for any bloggers who are also football fans - Can your team beat the Saints? Put your Blog where your mouth is!!!

 

 

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