March is known for being “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” This monthly mantra can also be applied to some of the books we read!

I’m pretty good at picking up books that I know I’ll like before even reading, but there of course have been that have put my ‘book choosing’ to the test. Today’s Top Five Wednesday is all about books I was nervous about or wasn’t enjoying in the beginning, but by the end, I was so glad to have added them to my ‘read’ shelf.

 

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid- I read One True Loves pre-The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo taking over the book community and becoming Taylor Jenkins Reids’ most recognized book. One True Loves actually remains to be my favorite TJR book! Even after almost two years of finishing it, it’s a story I can easily recall in my mind and I love its uniqueness (not to mention the fact that the protagonist and her family own a bookstore).

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman- Despite the massive amount of hype and positive, I almost DNF’ed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine around the seventy page mark. It took me quite a while to adjust to Eleanor and her narration, but this book is seriously worth sticking out those first seventy pages or so. By page 100, you’re completely sucked in to this heart-warming tearjerker.

A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti- A Heart in a Body in the World is a case example of me being nervous about reading a book over my fear that I won’t like it because everyone’s loved this book (now say that sentence five times fast!). However, after adjusting to its unique narrative style (present third person perspective meets stream of consciousness), I was hooked. A Heart in a Body in the World is truly a book everyone needs to read.

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden- While I’ve grown to reach for middle grade more and more, it’s a pretty hit or miss genre for me. Even as a fan of Katherine Arden’s adult fantasy, The Bear and the Nightingale, I was nervous about going into her first middle grade, Small Spaces. However, much like the Winternight trilogy, I was entranced by her atmospheric writing and Halloween-esque story.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus- One of Us is Lying is a tremendously hyped book across book communities and platforms. Despite the hype, I though this book wouldn’t be brining anything too new to the YA thriller world. However, I found myself hooked to One of Us is Lying much more than expected. While I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite book ever, I definitely see what the hype is about.

Top 5 Wednesday is a collaborative group of book bloggers from various platforms who love sharing lists on Wednesdays. The T5W group can be found here on Goodreads.

What books did you end up loving by their end ? Share in the comments!