As a bookworm, I have a lot of expectations.
The biggest one, I suppose, is that I expect my TBR not to grow to enormous heights even though (a) I keep adding to it like what the heck is going on here, and (b) and then not reading off it because I got distracted by something new and shiny. This is not an unrealistic expectation!! Don’t look at me like that.
And this is just an example the many types of expectations we bookworms keep. You need more examples? Don’t twist my arm.
- every book ever needs to be amazing
- especially if we spent a lot of money on it, okay??
- someone to gift us a library the size of a small moon with sliding ladders
- when we eat + read snacks = the book not to look like a murder scene afterwards
- our TBR pile not to kill us
- our book reviews to be works of pure artistic and intellectual genius
- our series to freaking match (THIS SHOULDN’T BE AN UNREALISTIC EXPECTATION BUT YET HERE WE ARE)
- there to be more chocolate in our mouths
- authors to never fail at being awesome
- someone to accidentally give us hundreds of free books
Like I said: REALISTIC and LOWKEY expectations!
Now in light of this, I think it’s fair to admit that we bookworms usually start the year with books we are freaking out with excitement over. High expectations! All the hype! So much starry-eyes! I mean I guess there’s like 1 or 3 of you who don’t do this and are rather chill about all books…in which case how do you even function being so calm all the time??? Are you bored without all the hyperbolic panic?? I just…I can’t imagine???
Anyhow, I’d say most bookworms are keen on hyping up books that they’re super highly anticipating.
So today I want to write a list of 10 books I was REALLY excited to read in 2017 and then do my expectations vs reality for them.
This should be fun or an absolute catastrophe! I’m excited! You’re excited! Someone pass around the Christmas gingerbread men and lets get to it!
Also please PAUSE and notice my Christmassy themed banners for this post. I’m confused and shocked too and definitely deserve an award for getting into the spirit or whatever.
1. ALL THE CROOKED SAINTS BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER
EXPECTATIONS: So this will come as a shock to you (HA HAH HAHAHA) but Maggie Stiefvater is my all-time-favourite-author-oh-wow-I’m-dead-with-appreciation-for-her-books-every-single-time-help. I’m a mild fan, okay?!? So I absolutely FREAKED OUT when I heard about her latest book. I expected an absolute feast of glory.
REALITY: DID I MENTION I’M JUST DOOMED TO LOVE EVERYTHING SHE WRITES?! BECAUSE I’M DOOMED. It’s not my favourite Stiefvater novel, because it reads more like an omnipresent fairy tale. Yet it still caught my imagination and fajdkslad…okay so how much do I like Stiefvater books?
Yes this is the answer.
2. TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN BY JOHN GREEN
EXPECTATIONS: Um I was sort of terrified?! I wanted to love this so so bad but TFIOS was published back in 2012 and that’s ONLY A MILLION YEARS AGO. But I’ve never hated a John Green book so I basically decided I would love this. Particularly since I know John Green gets a lot of grief in the book community for being famous and hyped. But this is ownvoices. AND I WANTED TO LOVE IT DANGIT.
REALITY: Why was I even worried. IT WAS SO GOOD. IT WAS SO GOOD IT GAVE ME ANXIETY. (wait) And it’s nothing like TFIOS and so brutally realistic about mental illness I just (!!!!). Thank you for existing, little book.
(Also I’m super nerdy but Turtles and All The Crooked Saints were bestsellers in the same week and BOTH by OCD authors. #SOPROUDTHO)
3. A CONJURING OF LIGHT BY VE SCHWAB
EXPECTATIONS: I WAS SO NERVOUS I LOST MY MIND AT LEAST 98 TIMES AND CAMPED INSIDE MY MAILBOX WHILE WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE. This is like the “First” Schwab finale we got smacked in the face with treated to so like what kind of finale giver is Schwab??? Will everyone die??? Will she sink ships???? Will Kell lose his coat??? (No joke that was my #1 concern.) I thought I’d love it but I’m also 500% scared of authors ruining finales. SO.
REALITY: YESsss I loved it! However I admit it’s not my favourite ADSOM book, because everyone was being tortured (THANKS SCHWAB) and therefore there were less jokes. But heck everything was so good, so satisfying, so brutal, and SO RIGHT. SO PAIN.
4. THE HATE U GIVE BY ANGIE THOMAS
EXPECTATIONS: I think this was THE hyped book of 2017!!! And, oh wow, I admit, I was terrified. Like debut author + massive hype = nearly always equals mild disappointment?!? And everyone was loving it and I’m so often the oddball that I was absolutely losing my mind wanting to love it and being scared I wouldn’t. Plus contemporary and I are like siblings. We do love each other but we fight so fRIKKIN MUCH wow.
REALITY: Whyyyyy was I scared?! THUG deserves the hype SO MUCH. It’s powerful and delivers messages people keep ignoring about #BlackLivesMatter and plus it was funny and also feels shredding?! And Starr’s family was so epic. AND IF ANGIE THOMAS WRITES LIKE THIS FOR HER DEBUT, SHE’S GOING TO SLAY US ALL FOR THE REST OF HER CAREER. I’M SO PLEASED.
5. CARAVAL BY STEPHANIE GRABER
EXPECTATIONS: This book was so hyped?! I assume it’s because the cover is freaking gorgeous and some evil devil genius in publishing said, “HEY LET’S DESIGN 4 DIFFERENT COVERS WITH 4 COOL EMBOSSING PICTURES UNDERNEATH THE DUST JACKET SO PEOPLE HAVE TO BUY 4 COPIES EACH!!!” I hate them. Ugh. (And no, I only bought 1 copy but the agony still stands.) Annnnyway. Reviews came in. Everyone hated it. Haha…let me go eat a brick wall.
REALITY: I honestly thought I’d hate it but it was kind of fun?!? The world is AMAZINGLY MAGICAL and if Scarlett just fell in a well and drowned that’d be awesome and the book would be 50 x better!!
I’m sorry I just spilt salt everywhere. Wow oops let me just go clean that up.
6. GOODBYE DAYS BY JEFF ZENTNER
EXPECTATIONS: So last year The Serpent King was this cute little book that CUT MY HEART OUT AND ATE IT so I figured I was up for that with the author’s sophomore book too. I mean most people open a book and go “Yay! I’m going to have a good time!” I open a book and go: “BUT WILL IT KILL ME NICELY WITH BARBED WIRE AROUND MY HEART BECAUSE PLEASE?????”
REALITY: It actually kind of failed my expectations a little hahaha. Excuse me. But wait I did like it! But it was underwhelming and I felt there was a lot of “justified abuse” towards poor Carver whom I freaking felt for and hE DIDN’T ACTUALLY DESERVE THIS. And the plot felt almost bizarre???
7. THE BONE WITCH BY RIN CHUPECO
EXPECTATIONS: I mean, it’s gorgeous so I just assumed I’d really love it. NO I’M KIDDING, CALM DOWN, I’M NOT THAT SHALLOW. (Complete lie, I totally am that shallow.) I actually rated the author’s debut 5-stars and it had murder ghosts and smol boys who were demon possessed. #BeStillMyBeatingHeart
REALITY: Ummmm, so this was super boring. I mean just imagine a really gorgeous cake, like the kind with the super epic icing and it’s just SO nice to look at — but when you bite it, no. It is those fancy soaps. This is that. I loved the writing! The setting! The lush description! BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I cry. One of my biggest disappointments of this year.
8. OUR DARK DUET BY VICTORIA SCHWAB
EXPECTATIONS: UGHHHHH I WAS EXPECTING TO FRET. Since ACOL went over well, I (a) decided to trust Schwab’s finale abilities, and (b) ignore the first statement and just panic recreationally anyway.
REALITY: It definitely went in a different direction to what I thought?! I mean Kate becomes a monster hunter and August decides to be a heartless badass which doesN’T WORK BECAUSE HE’S A CINNAMON SCONE. He broke my heart with every eye blink, dammit, August. And it was mostly set in a bunker with training and like??? Eh. But the rest was so heart shatteringly brilliant that I lost my mind. TWICE. Ugh Schwab can do no wrong. I’m broken.
ME @ FINISHING A SCHWAB BOOK AND YET WANTING MORE
9. WONDER WOMAN WARBRINGER BY LEIGH BARDUGO
EXPECTATIONS: I actually had nervous expectations for this because I don’t usually like superhero books?? BUT IT’S LEIGH BARDUGO, WHO GAVE US KAZ BREKKER. So I just got solidly more and more excited as the release built up.
REALITY: I’m torn haha. It was far too slow and cliche in places, but it was fUNNY and the characters were epic, and it was such a diverse cast!? This is what I’m here for. But I wouldn’t say it was my favourite Bardugo book…not even close. Excuse me while I throw myself into a puddle of marshmallows and be sad for 4.3 seconds.
10. LORD OF SHADOWS BY CASSANDRA CLARE
EXPECTATIONS: DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU CAN BE SO STRESSED BUT SO EXCITED BUT THE STRESS IS ACTUALLY EATING YOU SO YOU START TO LOSE HAIR AND CHEW THROUGH A WALL LIKE A PUPPY LEFT ALONE TOO LONG?? Me. Least to say, I expected to love. I expected to hurt. I expected to climb on top of the internet and shout for a while.
REALITY: UGH I’M IN SO MUCH PAIN. It was emotional and beautiful and brilliant. Although I was surprised that it was less humorous than I expected and I’m NOT a fan of the Mark x Kieran x Christina triangle. It’s making me want to eat a lizard raw and that just sounds gross, Cait, why are you using metaphors like this please stop. (KIEREN AND MARK ARE THE SHIP.) But otherwise it was so good and I literally had the most bone crushing bookhangover afterwards. No really. I was distraught. I couldn’t even FUNCTION. Auaighlagih why am I so invested in this series it’s my favourite and I hate it and help me and I love it.
ME @ LOVING BLACKTHORN BOYS WHO THEN GO AND MAKE BAD DECISIONS AND NEARLY DIE.
So I finished LORD OF SHADOWS last night, and my heart is BROKEN. I loved it so much…but did it really have to end there?! 😭😭😭 I’m actually the opposite of you, though, because I loved the dynamic between Mark (who is my FAVOURITE character) and Cristina and Kieran. I thought it was super interesting & I can’t wait to see how it all pans out.
I haven’t finished anything else on your list, but I am reading WW (just started) & so far, so good. (Because AMAZONS!!!)
And yes, your Christmas inspired banners are gorgeous. 🎄 ❤️
THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I FELT ABOUT LORD OF SHADOWS. IT IS AN UNFAIR AND VERY RUDE BOOK AND WHO HURT CASSANDRA CLARE THAT SHE HAD TO DO THIS TO US. AJfdksald but I feel like Cristina wouldn’t be interested in Mark except that he’s a faerie?!? That’s why I’m in a puddle. I JUST NEED ANSWERS. Ugh and we have to wait till this time next year for them.
Honestly Diana’s island seems like life goals.😂
The only books off your list I read were Turtles All the Way Down and A Conjuring of Light, both of which I really liked, they were awesome! I don’t read a lot of new releases in the same year they are released, so I don’t know that I had an anticipated new releases thing in the beginning of this year. I much prefer paperbacks over hardcover so I usually have to wait a little while. And I’m very much a mood reader, so some of the books released this year I’ve not read yet, because I wasn’t in the mood (I did buy a lot of them though..). I haven’t read The Hate U Give yet for example. Basically there are lots of books I want to read (new and older) and I can’t read them all (though I try *nods*). Also, I love your Christmassy banners :D!!
I totally understand about the mood reading! I’m a HUGE mood reader too and honestly a ton of books I’m still procrastinating are because I haven’t been in the headspace for them haah. I do hope you get a chance for THUG soon though! It’s really special. <3
(Also thank you about my Christmas banners!😂)
“Wonder Woman” was a pleasant surprise for me, I did not think I`ll like it as much as I did. I was left disappointed by “All The Crooked Saints”, despite the beautiful writing. I just couldn`t with the characters and story. Such a shame because I marked so many beautiful passages.
Noooo I’m so sad you didn’t like ATCS!! I’m glad Wonder Woman was epic for you though. It’s probably my favourite superhero book though.😂
I’m so so on the Bone Witch because I loved the world and the writing and the characters but I was also so confused. Strange the Dreamer totally overwhelmed my expectations in the best way, I thought THUGwas excellent. I didn’t like genuine fraud at all though, and I’ve decided to straight up stay away from renegades
I’m really sad about the Bone Witch. 😭😭 IT WAS GORGEOUS and yet I have no idea what was going on. I’m almost tempted to try the audio and see if it clicks better???? And like the author’s first book was 5 stars for me, so I feel like this is my fault. 😂😂 STRANGE WAS INCREDIBLE AND IT RUINED ME.
You’re not missing anything from Renegades haha. And I liked Genuine Fraud at the time, but in retrospect, not so much? It’s a weird one.
OOoh nice picks!! Caraval and Wonder Woman both made my list this week too! Really enjoyed those two! I still need to read Our Dark Duet! Loved This Savage Song and told myself I should binge read them…but then last year I had the opportunity to meet Victoria and wanted to at least have read one of her books! Lol.
Here’s my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower 🙂
Omg that’s SO COOL YOU MET SCHWAB!! ahhh!!!! And yes ODD is amazing and a totally satisfying conclusion. <3 I already want to reread them.😂
I love the font you used for Other Lowkey Expectations!! The one about our Book Reviews being works of artistic genius is so true, tho! When I started my blog and began writing reviews for the first time, I really thought I had to write LONG manuscripts describing everything. To get to the end of it the person had to scroll for an eternity! I was out of my mind.
Your themed banners are beautiful. Did you do them yourself?
I have high expectations for Turtles All The Way Down too. I have only read ONE John Green book, and it was An Abundance of Katherines. I hated it. But I know that TFIOS is good and that I need to read it soon, and since I LOVE John’s videos and his person, I know that I need to read Turtles All The way Down too. I’m really glad you liked that one, I’m happy to see him right an Own Voices book that is so close to his heart.
Hahaha, Caraval has many mixed reviews. I’m reading Circus books this year, but I have still to get to this one. I’m glad you liked it. Did you enjoy the writing style? I’ve heard that people either loved the synesthesia or hated that everything was described in colors or something like that.
I agree about what you said of Wonder Woman. I loved the characters and the dialogues, but the plot was MEH. Slow and at times a bit boring. But I did love the book anyway! I was super excited about ACOWAR, and although it was a fantastically written book, so complex, and with SHINY BEAUTIFUL CINNAMON ROLL CHARACTERS, the very ending didn’t WOW me. ACOMAF was the best thing ever, but this finale didn’t quite make it for me plotwise.
I was on my way to heaven thinking about how good Stalking Jack the Ripper was going to be… and NO, THANKS mate. I was scared about how Three Dark Crowns would go because of things I’d heard about the pace, BUT NO WORRIES. It was fabulous, and the slowness at some parts didn’t even make me flinch 🙂
Do you have an absolute favorite book of 2017, Cait? CAN YOU MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT? Out of the 30293726 books you read this year, choose ONE! (yes i’m awful).
OMG, I wrote “right” instead of “write”. Apologies.
Aww thanks about the graphics/banners for this post!! I used a graphic pack for the banners so it really was minimal work on my part.😂 But still better than my usual christmas-laziness?!
Honestly John Green’s Katherine’s book was my least favourite too.😂 So IT GETS BETTER. And it’s really encouraging to see so many authors really putting out their minority experiences too. It’s so encouraging?? 💖💖
I actually didn’t notice any synesthesia in Caraval?!? I loved EVERYTHING except for the protagonist haha (she was just really whingey) and the world was gorgeously done and very twisty and imaginative! So I do recommend it although I wouldn’t call it a total favourite or anything. If that makes sense.
Agh sadness you didn’t like Stalking Jack the Ripper! I haven’t read it because it doesn’t *seem* like my thing, but so many people love it that I’m tempted? Still conflicted though.😂
I CAN’T CHOOSE ONE, SOPHIE. DO YOU HATE ME WHAT IS THIS. *screaming* (OK mayyyyyyybe Lord of Shadows?? But but but Our Dark Duet and also Turtles and also *screams into a puddle*)
The majority of these books have been on my tbr for what seems like eons and I literally read none of them. I am ridiculously behind! 😂😂
I’ve had quite a few books that didn’t meet my expectations unfortunately like Strange the Dreamer (really unpopular opinion I know), the Night Circus which I loved but it still wasn’t as good as I was expecting, Daughter of Smoke and Bone was a let down as was Shatter Me but I’ve yet to pick up the second books despite millions of reassurances that the sequels are better.
On the other hand I absolutely adored The Winners Trilogy and a lot of the books I read this year were re reads so I already knew what to expect.
IT is ridiculously hard to keep up, isn’t it?!? I’M DROWNING UNDER BOOKS! I’ve read so many this year and yet I still feel thoroughly behind haha. Noooo I’m so sad you didn’t like Strange the Dreamer! I’m so besotted with it.😂
But YAY for the Winner’s trilogy! Those books are incredible and I feel like rereading them. 😍
I mean I didn’t necessarily read all of my most highly anticipated books this year, because I get the fear that they will disappoint me and instead of reading them straight away, I hide from them? If that makes sense? And I can feel them judging me from my bookcase and then you just get even more nervous and you just can’t win! ACOL was one of my most anticipated and it was beautiful and heartbreaking and evil and wow I am still broken by that series finale. Caraval I was really excited for and loved. I was a bit underwhelmed by The Ship of The Dead, which made me sad as I’ve been waiting very impatiently for that one and am so rarely disappointed by a Riordan book. I enjoyed The Dark Prophecy more though, so not a total loss on the Riordan front this year. Traitor To The Throne was a little underwhelming. I was really excited for it, but it got hugely hit by the middle book syndrome stick. I was also kind of disappointed by the new Skulduggery Pleasant, I still enjoyed it but I was expecting so much more! I’ve hidden from the rest of my most anticipated 2017 books though, so they will be judging me into 2018!
Trust me, it makes 5000% sense.😂I generally procrastinate books until it’s been 45 years and I preordered them and it’s at the stage where I’m too ashamed to read.😂 I’m so so glad ACOL was the perfect finale though. <3 Schwab is a majestic QUEEN and I hope she keeps writing forever!!
I haven't even read The Ship of the Dead and I'm ashamed. *howls* The Dark Prophecy was so hilarious.😂Apollo though. <3
Yay for THUG and Wonder Woman! They were two of my favourites from this year too 😊 I got a copy of All the Crooked Saints recently and I want to read it so badly but I also want to finish The Raven Cycle so I’m forcing myself to wait.
*flails over aaaaall the Stiefvater books* I mean I’m a LITTLE obsess, Louise. It’s probably hard to tell right???😂
i was reallyreallyreallyreallyreallyREALLY looking forward to reading Nightfall, and it didn’t exactly fail my expectations….but there wasn’t enough of my ship in it. just a whooooole lot of ‘maybe’ fuel for the opposing ship team, and they got big enough heads already. *glares* and also it was all “oh! so horrible! this will change the world!” and then it was revealed and I was just like what???? i can see how that would be awful for you, but I’ve seen worse???? come on???? (but it waaaas for younger kids as well…)
I also read the last two harry potter books earlier this year, and I was just like YES DIE YOU GREASY SNIVELING SNAPE. I also had had spoilers for most of the other deaths, but it still broke my heart every time on of them died. but it was also incredibly satisfying when one of the deatheaters died, so. *shrugs* *goes away to cry for precious characters*
Most crazily, ~Olive
Noooo I’m sad it didn’t fully meet your expectations! But at least it wasn’t an agonising flop I guess?! *sends cake to make up for it*
WOULDN’T IT BE NICE IF A FRIDGE FELL ON SNAPE AND HE WAS EXTINGUISHED FOREVER. 😂
I haven’t read any books from your list (I know I’m terribly behind with 2017 release… I’m ancient that way), but I’m glad most of them meet your expectations! I’ve only read a handful of 2017 release, but I know that Flame in the Mist and Geekerella were underwhelming, Noteworthy and The Bear and the Nightingale met my expectations AND MORE, and Alex Approximately definitely met my expectations!
It’s so hard to keep up with all the new releases, right?! I didn’t even get to Flame in the Mist because most people said it was underwhelming. Agh!
I usually don’t read new releases, but I’m reading A Conjuring of Light next, and I’m so excited for it. I loved the first two books. I’m currently rereading A Gathering of Shadows because I have a terrible memory and can’t read the third book until I remember the second book.
AHHHHH good luck with ACOL! And honestly I had to reread before I read ACOL too so you’re not alone.😂
The Bone Witch bored me to tears too, which is the worst becuase it sounded sooo interesting! I really liked Caraval but I don’t think as much as everyone else did. I gave it a solid four stars but everyone acts like it was the best book to come out. Ever. That’s why hyped up books scare me. Although that was NEVER the case with THUG! That book is so important and such a blessing. I can’t wait to devour everything else Angie writes.
Saaaame. And I just thought it was going to be a favourite of the year and I’m like: literally nothing is happening.😂 And omg no I’m the same with Caraval. It was a solid 4-star read for me but I wouldn’t shout it as a favourite or anything.😂
THUG DESERVED THE HYPE AND I’M SO PROUD OF HOW WELL IT WENT. Angie Thomas is like already SUCH an amazing voice in the book community and this is just her first book!? We are in for so so much more good quality books. <3
Love the Christmas themed stuff! Is! Pretty! And because we authors (though technically you’re the only published author around here right now 😂) are shallow I love all the pretty stuff. 😍
Do you think it’s a good idea for me to put on hold This Savage Song on hold from the library? 😛
Pfft, if we write we all get to claim authorship, right?!😂😂 BUT LOOK I WAS FESTIVE I’M SO PROUD. hah *dies laughing at self*
OMGGGG DO I JUST.
YES GO PUT IT ON HOLD AND READ IT IMMEDIATELY.😂
It is now on hold! 😄 Looking forward to getting it!
I think Turtles All the Way Down surpassed most of our expectations, because all of us were thinking, “I know I like John Green books, but it’s been 5+ years and I don’t remember why??????”
It’s been a very good year for me when it comes to YA reads, thank goodness. I’ve had only a few disappointments, one of which was We Know it was You by Maggie Thrash. I LOVED Honor Girl, so I expected this to be just as good. Alas, not so much. It was pretty awful, actually.
Yes exactly! And there’s that underlying fear of “ohhh what if I’ve grown out of his books”?!? CUE TERROR.😂 So I’m so glad I’m still thoroughly in love with his stories and characters!
Aww no I’m sorry the new Maggie Thrash book didn’t live up to expectations! I didn’t quite *get* her first book so I’m sad about that too.
nice one. now i know which one i’ll try to read
ALL OF THEM! *tosses confetti*
Wait but WHICH ONE? Now I’m in suspense, thank you
I felt the same way with The Hate U Give! I was so worried i’d be the oddball or something, but it was amazing!
I also felt the same with The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. I got it from netgally early this year, the first book i’ve ever read by her, and it was soo boring I made it 68% and dnf’d…I could feel it putting me into a slump. I try not to dnf lightly but I just couldn’t anymore. I’ll definitely still give her debut book a chance though! I’ve heard many who didn’t like The Bone Witch but loved her other book 🙂
I’M SO GLAD FOR BOTH OF US! It’s really nice to be on the cheering side of the hyped books right?! 😂😂 And omg I’m sooo sad about The Bone Witch. I mean it wasn’t overhyped or anything, it was just GORGEOUS and I thought it was going to be one of my top reads of the year? But her debut is super different and really great!! I really recommend it!
Victoria Schwab has a talent for going in completely the opposite direction that we expect and ripping our heats out while she does it. I had an EMOTION at the end of Our Dark Duet.
I was really looking forward to The Upside of Unrequited and I did like it! It wasn’t as good as Simon vs. but I still enjoyed it. Molly was a sweetheart and hello the cutest YA moms in existence. I’m all for casually queer families.
I HAD AN EMOTION TOO AND I WAS NOT EXPECTING IT OR R E A D Y FOR IT. *cries* Although it was a good and right ending. I’m just…I’m … *dissolves*
I’m the same with Unrequited! I really liked it, but I thought Simon was better…and a bit more unique in the plot maybe? But ajfdslakj I loved Molly’s family so much!!
I’m glad most of the books MET your expectations! That is SUPER great. I haven’t read Caraval yet but if you count the UK and the Us editions there about 6 or 7 editions in total? WHICH IS CRAZY and I haven’t even bought one so ahahahahha. At first I saw it getting LOADS of love and then it went into the “why-is-this-book-even-hyped-tho” phase and everyone was like ‘DISAPPOINTING AS HELL” and well yeah. I have NO idea if I am going to like it. I HAVE, though, been wanting to read it for simply forever because #peerpressure #hypedbooksthatimustreadbecauseveryoneelsehasreadthembutlookatmyTBR. That needs to become trending on twitter to be honest.
AND DON’T YOU EVEN DARE BRING UP THAT SOUL CRUSHING BOOK. THat…OUR DARK DUET….*shivers* I SHALL NEVER…NEVER…BE OKAY AGAIN.
Turtles All The Way Down was my first Green book…and I liked it! I gave it 4 stars because I felt i was just missing…something and let’s be real IT’S CONTEMPORARY What did you expect. 5 stars? HAHAh..no. Only fantasy + magical realism deserve this. AND OF COURSE SOMETIMES OTHER GENRES LIKE CONTEMPORARY but those books have to fight harder. But it was good! I enjoyed it! And I read a release on time?! LIKE WOW. Normally I’m 67 years late so go me.
I have Goodbye Days just…ON MY SHELF AND AGAHAGHAGAAHA I STILL HAVEN@T READ IT. WHOOPS. Just like All The Crooked Saints. ANd the MOrtal Instruments. GODDAMNIT WHY CANT MY TBR BE JUST A TINY BIT SMALLER.
THUG AHHHH. A four stars. And yes maybe because it was contemporary again. I thought it was really powerful! I loved Starr! I loved the family! I love the messages. I just…I had some problems with how like Hailey and Chris were such 2d characters? eh.
Omg you’re so right.😂So basically there are 938 editions of Caraval and they’re all gorgeous and I hate whoever came up with that evil plan.😂😂 I’m not like “madly” in love with it though so I wouldn’t exactly collect more. BUT I HAVE EYEBALLS OF APPRECIATION! Yes make that hashtag trend.😂I think Caraval is the kind of book you like because you have low expectations (#me) or you hate because it was weirdly overhyped?
THERE IS NO BEING OKAY AFTER A SCHWAB BOOK. THERE IS ONLY PAIN AND WEEPING AND ASKING FOR MORE.
Baahha I love that you have to be seriously convinced about contemporaries.😂That used to be me! And now I have SO many contemporaries that I love. Who even am I.
(Also I totally didn’t ship Starr and Chris.😂)
I JUST GOT ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES AND AM CURRENTLY DEVOURING IT LIKE THE MAGGIE STIEFVATER TRASH I AM.
Ahhh ahaha EVAGNELINE.😂 I’m so confused. Do you mean All The Crooked Saints?😂😂 (All The Bright Places is by Jennifer Niven.😂) EITHER WAY I LOVE BOTH THOSE BOOKS SO I’M FLAILING WITH YOU.
XD This is not the first time I have done that. I keep saying All the Bright Places, BUT I MEAN ALL THE CROOKED SAINTS. In my head I know what I mean.
Hahha I *thought* I knew what you meant but I just wanted to check!😂 It’s these darn books having such similar titles though, right?!
Nice list – sorry about The Bone WItch. I haven’t read it yet but I do have it in my TBR pile. I was super excited about the Six of Crows series and the Shades of Magic series and read them all this year – happy to say they did not disappoint. Great reads!
Eeep, I’m so glad ADSOM and SoC didn’t disappoint! They’re two of my favourites 😍 *flails eternally with you*
So I started A Darker Shade of Magic yesterday because you love and talk about it so much. I’m loving it so far! Super excited about finishing this one because I think it’ll be a favorite!
YAY YOU HAVE JOINED THE ADSOM MADNESS!!! I’m so glad!! And all her books just keep getting better and better. 😍😍
…I haven’t even read A Gathering of Shadows yet. And, whilst I do have a copy of All the Crooked Saints, I haven’t gotten the chance to read it yet. Too many coursebooks. Not enough time. :'(
I can’t think of any books I was desperately planning to read this year…I suppose Rebecca. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but I did enjoy it. 🙂
It seems to have been a really busy uni year for you right?! Honestly I think it’s amazing that you find time to read anything at all! My sister is doing uni and she’s read one book and it was mine because I forced her to.😂😂
This post was great! Also I am in love with the festive graphics. I was excited to read Legend and Shadow and Bone this year (I know, I’m really late to the game lol) but they both fell a little flat for me. They weren’t bad, but I didn’t like them as much as I thought I would.
Aww thank you! And honestly I’m the same with Legend and Shadow & Bone!😂 I think S&B is Leigh Bardugo’s weakest book, but don’t worry, they get SUPER EPIC from there on!!
Great list, Cait! I’ve seen The Hate U Give on SO MANY lists this week, I’m starting to believe I’m the only person left who hasn’t read it. Clearly I need to bump it up my TBR and read it very soon!
Duuuude, you must try it sometime soon!!😍 It’s really worth all the raving and the hype!
TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN WAS SUCH A PLEASANT SURPRISE. I’ve never really LOVED a John Green book before, but this one surpassed all my expectations.
OKAY BUT CARAVAL WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY ENJOYABLE. I guess I liked it so much because I didn’t have any expectations for it in the first place, even before all the bad reviews started coming in. But I was gifted it for my birthday, and I found I actually enjoyed it! I thought Scarlett was pretty interesting in that Garber was unafraid to write from the perspective of a more feminine, cautious, shy heroine.
I didn’t read The Serpent King, so although Goodbye Days didn’t really live up to all the JEFF ZENTNER hype, I wasn’t too disappointed. I think it’s good for what it is, but it’s just not my kind of book.
Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality
I’M SO GLAD YOU LOVED TURTLES TOO!! It was absolutely brilliant and honestly I’ve never read a book that captured anxiety so well.😭😭 And I’m the same with Caraval, like after all the negative reviews, I went in with ZERO expectations and I think that’s why I enjoyed it?😂 I just wish Julian had narrated though haha.
Why do you taunt us with pictures of brownies?
BECAUSE I’M MEAN AND YET YOU LOVE ME ANYWAY.
ok but can i just say that THUG was definitely one of the best books i’ve ever read like holy heck that book hit me hard??
I’M WITH YOU, CELESTE. I AM VERY MUCH WITH YOU!!
(Also just in case you check back to this reply: the email option is private when you enter a comment! So no one else will see it…it’s just there so that you’ll get emailed my responses.)
The Hate U Give has been really popular today, but I’m really happy about that because it was such an amazing book! I was nervous about it too, and for the same reasons, but it is one of the very few books that actually lives up to the hype. I really liked Caraval and Turtles All The Way Down too. I really need to read All The Crooked Saints because it sounds really amazing!
Yessss so much agreement. <3 It deserves all the recognition and love it's getting. I'M SO HAPPY FOR IT. And All The Crooked Saints is ajfdklsad amazingness.
Aargh I SO agree with Caraval, it was out earlier in the Netherlands and a friend of mine LOVED it so much I actually debated reading it in Dutch, but you know, the cover 😉 so I waited (not so) patiently and then was indeed disappointed by it 🙁 Scarlet was so so annoying but I did like the world and Julian and will probably read the second book 😉
Aaaaah the Schwab books <3 loved both of them so much!
I was also anticipating ACOWAR by Sarah J Maas, which was a bit of a disappointing series finale, however she made it more than up with Tower of Dawn, one of my favourite books this year <3 (which I did NOT expect)
So much more anticipated books that I could go on and on but I think I'll leave it here haha
SAME THOUGH! Honestly why wasn’t it narrated by Julian?! The book would’ve been 500 x better with any other narrator than Scarlet.😂
I’m glad you enjoyed the SJM editions of this year! I’m not really a fan of her books so I haven’t read them.😂
I loved ACOWAR though I might be a little biased because I really loved the series since the first book. You should read SJM books, Cait. Haven’t read Throne of Glass yet but then I’m waiting for the series to be completed so that I won’t experience that excruciating year of waiting for the next release.
@Rain: Haha, like I said I’m not a fan.😂 At all. I’ve read the first 4 ToG books and ACOTAR and am happy to never read SJM again.😂 Glad you enjoy them though.
First of all, I LOVE this post idea!! I should go back and check the post I made last year about my most anticipated 2017 releases and see if I even read them all 😐 also, your Christmassy banners are amazing!
I felt the same way about The Hate U Give! I didn’t read it for a while because I was worried I wouldn’t like it and then everyone would hate me, but I actually loved it, so I was super relieved!
Ahh yes, I know we talked about The Bone Witch already, but I couldn’t even finish that one I hated it so much. It was SO BORING, which makes me sad that the cover was so pretty! D:
Aww thank you about my banners! Usually I ignore Christmas entirely so I’m proud of me hahaha. Ahem. And omg THUG was so amazing and I’m so glad they hype didn’t lie at all.😍 I’m in such awe of it only being a debut, though right?!? Angie Thomas is SUCH a good writer!!
WHELL I don’t think i am EVER going to get over Lord of Shadows and what it did to me and you know what HOW DARE IT WHO DOES IT THINK IT IS, ANYWAY?
Sorry.
I
Will
CALM DOWN IT’S FINE. But yeah it totally blew past all my expectations and I think I’m losing a little bit of my mind every day waiting for the next one!
I also got into Sarah J. Maas this year and read basically everything from her, so I was really looking forward to A Court of Wings and Ruin, and that was pretty fine as far as finale books go, so I was pleased!
THERE IS NO CALMING DOWN AFTER LORD OF SHADOWS THERE IS JUST 12+ MONTHS OF PAIN AND SUFFERING FOR US I’M VERY UPSET, CHLOE. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO.
Best course of action is medically induced coma, we pop back up when she releases the next one.
Wake up all “WHAT YEAR IS IT?!?!” our skin looks flawless, we are well rested.
The world goes, it’s 2018, here is your book.
We go to the bathroom.
We read the book.
Everything is better
UNLESS IT’S NOT AND SHE MAKES IT WORSE AND IN THAT CASE THE ANSWER IS LAUNCH OURSELVES INTO SPACE I GUESS?
Because I am a HUGE fail, the only ones I have read are THUG and Goodbye Days. And I agree with both assessments. OH and I read Turtles, which I liked. I am still scared of the Caraval hype, which is probably why I still have not read it despite having been in possession of it since like, 2003. Fine, maybe not that long, shhh.
Okay so. I think *most* of my hyped books let me down dismally? Because it’s 2017, and it’s garbage fire everywhere but like, extra trashy here in the US? I blame he-who-shall-not-be-named (mostly because I don’t want trolls in your comments hah) for ALL of life’s problems because even if he didn’t actually create them, he created some other problems that we haven’t realized yet. Ahem, Anyway, books. My most anticipated were probably…. Into the Bright Unknown (huuuuge letdown), One Dark Throne (good, though I didn’t love as much as book 1), and Thunderhead which let me down by having its publication date pushed back to 2018. So there are allll those things. Sequels are rough.
I waited like 10 months to read Caraval?! 😂 And honestly knowing most people hated it, therefore having REALLY low expectations, made me enjoy it a lot more hahah. Oh dear. Anyway I’m so sad you’ve had a crappy reading year! I really hope next year is better than this…but like I mean I doubt anything’s going to improve in the political aspect? Sometimes books are just a good escape from the rubbish anyway.
(ALSO MY BOOK IS COMING OUT NEXT YEAR SO OBVIOUSLY THAT’S GOING TO BE YOUR FAVOURITE.😇😇😇)
FIRST OF ALL, 100% appreciation for those Christmas headers. 10/10. A++. I must say the Wonder Woman was a complete surprise for me! I haven’t watched any DC movies so I was really surprised by the mythical vibe. Kind of like Percy Jackson with awesome female characters? But I didn’t like the plot twist, so my feelings were mixed. I liked ACOL, but I admit I was a little depressed by all the bloody battle scenes?? HALP. Eliza and Her Monsters was great, although I don’t know that I was anticipating it exactly. Strange the Dreamer was even better than I expected and basically EVERYTHING. The Upside of Unrequited was amazeballs. A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue wasn’t my favourite, but it was amusing? I guess I found Monty annoying and the style a bit jarring. Anyway.
I WAS ACTUALLY CHRISTMASSY!! I’M SO PROUD OF ME. *reverts into being a grinch*
I tried watching Superman likes YEARS ago and fell asleep. 😂 So that was it for DC for me. But Wonder Woman was really fun and I loooved all the female friendships. It’s ridiculous that I feel YA is genuinely starved for epic female friendships but WELL, THERE WE GO. Eliza was also so good!! I liked the author’s debut a bit better but Eliza was so relatable (and I seriously want to read her graphic novel😂).
So I’m never actually hyped for a book (except yours), probably because I ignore any promotional mail that lands in my mailbox, either online or in real life, because I’m a mood shopper and would rather not walk into a bookstore with a formal list of things I’m looking forward to, because if I spot ten other things that look good then I have to make decisions and NO THANK YOU. Sorry everyone can’t make varsity, but hey… (I am looking forward to your book though. no high expectations, hype, or starry eyes, just old fashioned “I’m really looking forward to reading your debut novel because you sound like a cool person.” so no pressure. breathe.)
I was looking forward to All The Crooked Saints though! Mostly because it’s a standalone and I’m still working on my commitment phobia (I count at least three series from where I’m sitting on my bed that are glaring at me because I’ve only read the first book and it’s been MONTHS). I liked it. Ish. With all the fascinating curses people were afflicted with, I was expecting the family to be hit with a curse that just had a little more oomph to it. Also, I felt the rule that you can’t help someone with their curse was stupid. Like, what kind of Saint are you if you just manifest someone’s darkness and then say, “Okay kids, go play?” Maybe a little nudge or a strategic word played during Scrabble. Something. Otherwise, I feel you need a title other than Saint. 10/10 dig where it was set though. Like, if the ranch existed, I could drive there from my mom’s house easy.
NO PRESSURE BUT MY BOOK WILL PROBABLY BE THE BEST OF 2018 I JUST HAVE THIS FEELING. I mean I’ve read it 93898 times and kind of want to murder it but, pfft, I’m sure it’ll be fiiine.
*pauses for momentary breakdown*
I really liked All the Crooked Saints hhahah. 😂 I think it was different and nothing was particularly FAIR but like isn’t that a Stiefvater book?!
I was so excited for Cindy Pon’s Wanted YA novel, but the writing style wasn’t really for me so I didn’t love it. I was really sad though because I was so looking forward to it. Bought the hardcover and everything.
Bummer.
Ugh that really sucks! I really hate when books we’re super looking forward to let us down. HOW DARE THEY THO. 😭😭
A small few out of ten ain’t bad actually, That’s the problem with hyped books for me, they rarely live up to their expectations. Caraval is one that I really enjoyed as well but I think we’re in the minority there. Everyone else really disliked it. I know how much you love Maggie Stiefvater but after trying Crooked Saints I’ve realised that her style of writing really isn’t for me. I know, it’s shameful.
I’ll go sit in the corner and self reflect now.
Oh we are SO in the minority with Caraval.😂😂 I mean I think the fact that everyone hated it and I went in with 0% expectations made me quite enjoy myself?
Nooooo YOU BREAK MY HEART over Stiefvater books!!😭😂 Haha, I’m kidding. I will forgive you, like the beneficial fairy I am.
I was really looking forward to The Love Interest but that one epically failed me ._.
I really preferred A Conjuring of Light over the other two adsom books. I think because with those two I kind of knew what was going to happen. But with a Conjuring of Light it was just such a toss up. And at the point of the third book I was very invested in all the characters.
Nooo I’ve heard The Love Interest basically failed EVERYONE and that totally sucks. 😭😭 Actually maybe that’s why I liked ADSOM more than ACOL? I liked the little bit of predictability but with a twist. And I just love Kell. Always. KELL. That trilogy is beyond perfect ahh!!
I actually haven’t read any of the books on this list, but like, THE HYPE THOUGH. (I actually have Caravel with me on this trip I’m on right now so I’ll have to read it sometime this week so we’ll see how that goes XD) I read about half of Turtles All the Way Down and it’s like 63 times better than TFIOS, so I’m very happy about that and am looking forward to reading the rest of it.
Good luck with Caraval!! Honestly waiting like 10 months after release is a great idea.😂Takes a whole lot of the pressure off hahaha and I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKED TURTLES TOO!!
Omg The Bone Witch, Caraval and Wonder Woman were definitely some of my disappointments too! I was terrified about THUG but it’s one of my favourite books of the year (YASSSSSS!). I actually just put up a YouTube video of my most disappointing books of the year. So salty.
THUG WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL AND I’M EXCITED FOR EVERYTHING ANGIE THOMAS WRITES FOREVER. <3 And yayyy that we have all the salt going. *hi fives* 😂 Someone's gotta.
I’M SO BEHIND ON THE 2017 RELEASES. AND THE 2016 ONES. AND BASICALLY I’M SO BEHIND ON ALL THE BOOKS HAAALP.
*deep breath*
I’m so glad to see you enjoyed All the Crooked Saints and Caraval because I have those two out from the library at the moment! AND AHHH, SCHWAB! She’s such a brilliant writer. I’m hoping I’ll get some of her books for Christmas! I’ve only read one of books but I NEED MORE.
I’m glad most of these lived up to your expectations! 😀
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO CATCH UP, KYRA. I THINK WE CAN JUST ALL GIVE IN TO SHOUTING IN PANIC AND DOING OUR BEST.😂 And ahhh of course I adored All the Crooked Saints. I mean I’m doomed to right?! *favourite author feels* SCHWAB IS AMAZING. (Omg there is so much all caps in this comment but I’m excited.😂)
Okay. So the only book I’ve read in your list is Caraval (hides in the corner in shame and possibly to avoid murder) and to be honest, I enjoyed reading it. But I must admit the book has a lot of flaws and loopholes. The Hate U Give is somewhere at the middle of my endless TBR pile but I really really want to read it.
Do you read Riordan books? I’ve waited for a year for The Dark Prophecy and Ship of the Dead and I must say, they’re both awesome. Though Uncle Rick never fails to amaze me in every book that he writes. If you don’t read Riordan books, you should. Merry Christmas!
Yesss I LOVE Riordan books!! I’ve missed out on reading the latest Magnus Chase but otherwise I read all his books and LOVE them!!
My respect for you just got higher. You should read The Ship of the Dead. It took me a long time before I read the book too so no worries. I’d like to think Riordan books are all fair in my heart but I like Trials of Apollo more than the Magnus series. It’s all because of Apollo. That’s for sure 😉
ugh I love every single one of your posts so freaking much! and this year was SO WEIRD WITH MEETING EXPECTATIONS FOR ME? (this is probs going to be a v. long reply btw, I’m sorry for assaulting your eyes in advance and pls feel NO obligation to read bc I’m sure that, unlike me, you do have important things to do with your life (?!))
um so with your list…. Caraval. Yuck. I was SO DISAPPOINTED because all I’d heard were good reviews? like five star reviews? and it was SO AWFUL. like where was the character development. where was the world building. where was the POINT. ugh. what a disappointment. Six of Crows (PLS DON’T HATE ME BC I KNOW YOU LOVE THEM)- I honestly just cannot do Leigh Bardugo. I don’t know why. but I just. cannot. get. her. writing? like i read and lowkey hated (or maybe strongly disliked bc hate is a v. strong word) Shadow and Bone but everyone loVED SoC, so I read it and…. underwhelmed?? like majorly?? I just can’t connect with any of her characters, and her worlds and…. ick. but then i bought LoT bc its so beautiful, never intending to read it (yes, I realise that I am an awful, vain human) and was SO SUPRISED BECAUSE I LOVED IT??!!!!??! hmmmmhmm i guess it says something that the only book I like of hers is one without an actual plot or developed characters….. AND THEN LORD OF SHADOWS OMFG MY BABIES UGH I don’t even bother trying to withhold joy for her books anymore bc every single one is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G…!!!!! that ending though hahahahah I cried so much hahahha…. oh and WINTERSONG! I HAD SO MANY GOOD EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS BOOK! but I finished it and was just thoroughly underwhelmed?? like what even happened? what was the point? highkey confused by this one and HIGHKEY DISAPPOINTED yuck. and then lastlyyyy Three Dark Crowns? like the blurb sounds so good! and like that’s such a great idea? but execution was 0/10- literally the only tolerable part was the last two pages of the entire book. so yes. many unmet expectations. buT THEN YOU HAVE ABSOLUTE GEMS LIKE ToD, ACOWAR, GEMINA, GODSGRAVE, AVERY, BREATH OF FIRE, ADSOM, TNTGU, RED RISING AND HEARTLESS? I’m praying with all my fingers and toes crossed for 2018 though! thankyou for your blog cait, I LOVE IT SO MUCH ❤️❤️
UGH I’M SO HAPPY YOU DO THAT TRULY MAKES MY DAY. *sends you cupcakes*
Also I love comments so don’t apologise.😂😂
I mean…Caraval wasn’t PERFECT but I really enjoyed the world. Scarlett could just go fall in a bucket though.😂 She was so whiny. And we’ll have to agree to disagree on Leigh Bardugo hahaha she’s my fav.
LORD OF SHADOWS HURTS. THE BOOK HANGOVER FOR THAT WAS UNREAL. I ACTUALLY WAS SO DISTRESSED. But again, I totally loved it haha.😂
Three Dark Crowns was a huge flop for me too though *hi five* I only liked the ending and I totally am not continuing. All the girls were really boring.😂