Top Ten Tuesday – 10 Popular Books That Lived Up to the Hype
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Top Ten Tuesday has been one of my favorite memes ever since I started blogging, so huge thanks to Jana for taking over the hosting duties!
This week’s TTT topic is Popular Books That Lived Up to the Hype. Hyped books are always tricky. All of that hype is so exciting and has readers just dying to get their hands on a copy of what sounds like a sure fire fabulous read. But sometimes all of that excitement builds up to unrealistically high expectations and we end up feeling underwhelmed by that super-hyped book. Sometimes it actually leads me to put off reading a book because I’m just so uncertain about whether or not my expectations have become way too high for me to actually enjoy the read. If I’m feeling that way, I usually back off and wait for the hype to die down a bit before I give it a go. That said, however, there are still plenty of hyped books that not only met my expectations, but actually far exceeded them. Below are ten books that really lived up to the hype for me…
10 Popular Books That Lived Up to the Hype
* * * * *
1. TO KILL A KINGDOM by Alexandra Christo
* * * * *
2. THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black
* * * * *
3. SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo
* * * * *
4. A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by V.E. Schwab (the entire series honestly – loved it!)
* * * * *
5. NEVERNIGHT by Jay Kristoff
* * * * *
6. THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee
* * * * *
7. THE HARRY POTTER SERIES by J.K. Rowling
* * * * *
8. STRANGE THE DREAMER by Laini Taylor
* * * * *
9. THE LUNAR CHRONICLES by Marissa Meyer
* * * * *
10. SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli
* * * * *
We shared some this week! I agree that The Cruel Prince, Harry Potter and Cinder all loved up to the hype for me. Great list!
Thanks!
It occurs to me I haven’t read any of these *woops*
LOL!
So happy to hear Strange the Dreamer, and Six of Crows met your expectations!
Strange the Dreamer is such a beautiful read. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book in the series.
YIKES! I need to get on my game! I’ve seen the movie and have the books, but have never read Harry Potter. A lot of these look pretty good. Hugs…RO
I really love the Harry Potter books. It’s one of the few series that I will re-read.
Precious Simon: I loved that book so much! I’m also surprised by how good ADOM is, I still need to read the last book!
OMG, the last book in that series wrecked me so I can’t wait to see what you think of it!
I’m ALMOST done with Winter, but totally agree with the Lunar Chronicles…and Harry Potter…and the Shades of Magic trilogy. And Simon Vs. So many good choices!! LOL I own Strange the Dreamer and still need to read that.
-Lauren
I look forward to seeing what you think of Winter!
Totally agree with Harry Potter – I refused to read that for so long, but I’m so glad I finally did, they are now among my favorite books! I’m planning on reading Six of Crows this year, but I’m nervous because it’s so beloved but not my typical read.
It took me a few chapters to really get hooked on Six of Crows but once I got going, I really fell in love with the story and with all of the characters.
I’ve seen The Cruel Prince and Six of Crows on so many lists today, and I completely agree! And I’m glad to see To Kill a Kingdom, that’s a book that’s been getting tons of hype, and I’m dying to read it😊
I really liked To Kill a Kingdom. It’s so unique and so well written. I hope you enjoy it!
I couldn’t agree with you more on the Harry Potter series. It’s held up well over the years.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
It really has. It’s one of the few series that I love to re-read.
The ones I’ve read here, I’ve loved. So I think you’re onto something here… 🙂
I think so too 🙂
The only one on that list I read when there was hype about it was Simon. I have to say I liked it very much but didn’t looooove like everyone else. I went into HP and the Lunar Chronicles totally clueless and BAM! Total infatuation! I really want to read the other books on your list! Laini Taylor is one of my favorite writers!
I need to read more of Laini’s books. So far I’ve only read Strange the Dreamer but I have Daughter of Smoke and Bone sitting on my shelf waiting for me.
Oh yes for the Harry Potter series! I am looking forward to tucking into Strange the Dreamer as I loved Daughter of Smoke and Bone…
I still need to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone but I bought it as soon as I finished Strange the Dreamer because I thought Taylor’s writing style was so beautiful. I really hope to get to that book soon.
I’m so glad to see To Kill a Kingdom on this list because I’m planning to read it soon. 😉 I also completely agree with literally all of these (except the only one I haven’t read which is Simon & the Homo Sapiens Agend–but I’m sure it’s awesome!)! What a great list!
I really hope you love To Kill a Kingdom as much as I did!
Simon, dear sweet Simon was a hype book, and one I am so, so glad I read.
Me too. It makes me smile every time I think about it.
I have not read any of the books on your list this week. They all look good.
Here’s a link to my TTT post for this week:
http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2018/07/top-ten-tuesday-popular-books-that.html
Happy reading!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Loved the Lunar Chronicles. TO KILL A KINGDOM and THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE are both in my TBR pile. Great list!
I hope you enjoy both of those when you get to them!
Six of Crows is on so many lists I’m seriously doubting myself lol for DNF’ing it. Although I’ve kind of always thought I might go back to it at some point? Clearly I need to! And The Cruel Prince I’m definitely going to read!
I remember it taking me a good 100 pages or so to get really hooked on Six of Crows.
So many of my favorites are on this list. Cruel Prince and Six of Crows are on all the lists this week. I guess that means I should read them.
It’s a sign, lol.
So the only ones I can’t agree with you on are The Cruel Prince, Nevernight and Strange the Dreamer because I haven’t read them yet. 😀 Great list!
LOL! That’s a good reason not to agree with me. If you read those three, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.