Top Ten Tuesday: I just picked it up

Look at this! I am back on for Top Ten Tuesday this week! Hoping that I am exiting this blogging slump (though don’t be shocked if it’s a slow start! Husband gets back from training and next week finally and then our schedules seem to go a little crazy sooo yea).

This week we are all talking about books we picked up on a whim. My interpretation of this…books that I read without really knowing much going into it. Sometimes I was just told it was good as the book was handed to me and I said “ok,” other times it’s just something I grabbed because I thought “I could like this.” So…here we go:

23395680

Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman
- I would be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified of this book. The hype was intense and all I really understood was that it was science fiction, which is not exactly my thing. But I was looking around the library or some Spring Break reads and there it sat. So after deciding I really had nothing to lose because those days I had nothing to do I went for it. I am definitely glad I did. I was blown away by this book and the unique way it was written. It was definitely worth the hype, though I get if you are hesitant to read it. The hype is intense.
How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
- Honestly, this was a book I kind of just heard about. Like it was briefly mentioned somewhere and that was it. I think the title was kind of ridiculous, so when I saw it at the library I figured why not. I must say, it was worth grabbing. It was an entertaining read that did not go the way I had expected it to. I liked the friendship it portrayed and how it wasn’t romance at all. It was a really solid read, and something I probably would never had picked for myself.
Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White
- This book just happened to be one that I had no clue existed. I had heard absolutely nothing about this book and then I saw it, read the summary, and immediately put it in my pile of books to check out (it’s always a pile to check out at the library isn’t it?). I fell in love with this standalone fantasy and was kind of sad it was over so quickly. Definitely a good book to get lost in without the worry of having tons of books to follow. I am a serial series reader, but I do enjoy a good standalone.
Scarlet by AC Gaughen
- Can you believe that one of my FAVORITE SERIES EVER started as something I just picked up on a whim? I remember looking through books for my nook and seeing it. I kind of went back and forth, because the description did sound awesome, and I did love a good Robin Hood tale…but what if it was a crappy retelling? HAHAHA NOT SO MY FRIEND! I devoured this book only to cry once I realized how long it would be until book two. I laughed, I sobbed, I was very emotionally invested. This book was phenomenal. And started a love for a series that I just cannot describe. Pick this series up friends if you have not already.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
- This is a book I picked up on a whim that did not end so happily. I had just finished TFiOS and was itching for another one like it. I picked this one up, hoping to fall in love. Sadly, I did not. I had some issues with how things were handled, and I just found I didn’t care. I know some people love this book, but it was not for me. Sadly, picking up a book on a whim is not ALWAYS successful, but I was glad I read this book even so.
In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke
- This book was placed in my hands by my mother in law, and I was told it was such a wonderful story. This is complete and total truth. I devoured this book. I don’t know why WWII an the Holocaust are some of my favorite time periods to read about, but they are. I think I like to see people fight for what is right and do what they can to help others. This story is no different. It is a true story of a woman, non-Jewish, helping to keep others safe. It was incredible and I am so glad I read it. If you are into history I would highly recommend this book.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
- This was another book that came from my mother in law. She worked in a high school library and had gotten a bunch of book orders in before we left for vacation, so she had me choose a few. I kind of randomly grabbed this one and the finished it within 24 hours. It was another WWII story that I just devoured. I honestly can’t even explain it. So glad to have randomly selected this book.
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
- Oh look, another WWII story. This is a book I remember ordering, but I don’t remember my exact reasoning for it. I looked at the title. I looked at the description. I looked at the book cover. I decided I had to have it. I did not realize I had just bought a book by one of my soon to be favorite historical fiction authors. I love the way she writes and the way she brings history to life. I am currently diving into her new book and so incredibly excited. This is definitely an author I highly recommend if you like historical fiction.
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
- I pulled this book from the shelves at the library. I kind of looked it over and decided “sure, why not.” Little did I know this book would be the one to really paint a picture of grief that I understood and that I needed to hear. I sobbed through this book. It broke my heart and it gave me something that I felt I could really relate to. As stupid as it sounds, this was the first time I really and truly felt like I wasn’t completely alone in grieving over the loss of a loved one. I think the author did a fantastic job, and I think that if you want to gain some sort of understanding or want to find something you can relate to in the process…read this book.
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
- I was just getting into The Hunger Games at this point. I had just decided to buy it and decided if that was a mistake later (IT WAS NOT A MISTAKE FRIENDS) and then I saw this book. It looked intriguing, and the plot sounded kind of cool. So I though “eh, why not” and bought it. So glad I did because this was a series I was totally sucked in to. It was stress relief for my husband and I in college. It was a book series we talked about constantly and sat..hoping there would be a movie. Sadly…no movie was made (which is maybe ok). I was so glad to buy this book at random.