by Sharlene

#AMonthofFaves – 5 Popular Books Worth the Hype

amonthoffaves

I’m taking part in A Month of Favorites (hosted by Traveling with T, Estella’s Revenge, and GirlXOXO) this December

Today’s topic is books worth the hype. Now, I don’t usually read a lot of recently published books, so not all of these were published in 2015.

Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

Ok so when I was about a fifth or so into this book I was wondering, really? Why is this book so talked about when Lotto (the husband) is rather annoying? But I decided to persevere and when it came to Mathilde’s turn at the story, I was blown away. So is it worth the hype? I kind of think so (even with an annoying beginning).

Eleanor and Park – Rainbow Rowell

Normally I wouldn’t go for a book like this, the pale peach-coloured cover being a big uh-uh no thanks. But it seemed at that time (in 2013!) that lots of bloggers were gushing about this, and so I took a chance and it was just right, the right amount of sweetness, the right decade even (hello! 80s kid right here!). And the fact that Park is half-Asian, specifically Korean, made me like this book even more.

Sorcerer to the Crown – Zen Cho

I was a bit on the fence about this one, not the “worth” part but more of the “hype” part. I’m guessing if you don’t really follow book bloggers, or at least those I do follow, you may not have come across this book. But I did see this book mentioned more than just a few times, and it was such a fun read. A funny, charming and whimsical read that touches on race and gender in the fantasy genre.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks – E. Lockhart

Well I guess with over 31,000 ratings on Goodreads, this counts as a ‘hyped’ book. The truth is, I didn’t really know much about it, so I was pleasantly surprised to find a strong female character, a boarding school setting, and a fondness for words. I suppose that should be enough to get some of you interested in it. It was, quite simply, a fun read.

H is for Hawk – Helen MacDonald

Now nonfiction isn’t for everyone I know. But this book, which has won all kinds of awards and is on so many ‘best of’ lists, is incredibly moving. I mean, did I ever want to read a book in which a goshawk was the star? I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as a goshawk before I picked up this book. But this book isn’t just for nature lovers, H is for Hawk is about grief and bereavement, about coping with the death of a loved one.

 

What are some hyped books you’ve enjoyed?

 

 

17 Comments

  2. Great list! I hope Santa brings me Sorcerer ) Loved Frankie so much and the Groff and Fangirl are in my tbr gir next year. I’m doing #monthoffaves, too!

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  5. I not much of a YA reader, but was surprised at how much I enjoyed the audio version of Eleanor & Park! I borrowed Fates and Furies from the library, but only read a chapter or two before it was due. Didn’t get into it, but am convinced I need to try again. H is for Hawk is near the top of my wish list…several trusted bloggers have recommended the audio version. Great list!!

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  7. I’ve not read any of these and in fact have heard of only one of them (H for Hawk) so either I am not as in tune with book buzz as I thought I was OR I have an in built filter against hype. I did however listen to an audio version of The Girl on the Train and enjoyed it

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    1. Ok I really have to give The Girl on the Train a try. It seems to be a hyped book that people actually liked

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  8. I have gone back and forth and back and forth about Fates and Furies!! I now have a copy, via the library, so I’m going to get through the beginning so that I can read the second half that all of you have raved about – ha! Thanks for sharing your list!

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  9. I enjoyed the way the present day story in H is for Hawk was twisted in with the research on the guy who wrote about hawks. It made it really memorable. I also enjoyed that it seemed an unhyped book that accidentally became hyped just because of how good it was.

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