If you know me and my blog, you (probably) know two things: I hate romance and I love The Selection. Weird, I know, but this series is just so cute and addictive. It's just the right kind of pick me up for when you're feeling down as it's not too serious and is full of pretty dresses. Completely the opposite of what I usually go for, but who doesn't have a book like that? At the end of the day, it's just a bit of fun that I can't help but enjoy.
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee WilliamsAs someone who doesn't get on with classics and has never really given a thought to reading plays, this might seem like another odd choice, and believe me, it kind of is. In the brief time I studied AS English Literature at college I studied A Streetcar Named Desire. Originally, I didn't really think much to it, but when I started looking deeper into it I realised how richly detailed it is and how much you can infer from so little. I distinctly remember chatting nonstop about it on a car journey up north (and the north is a few hours away from us here in the midlands...), which is just such a bizarre thing for someone who doesn't like classic literature.
I owe all my thanks to my friend Lucy (thanks, Lucy!) for recommending me this little gem. I don't think I ever would have picked it up had I not started talking to her but I'm so glad I did. There's just the right amount of whimsy weaved into this mysterious tale that follows the unreliable Merricat and it's just so intensely gripping it couldn't not make it onto this list.
Okay, so it's not unexpected for at least one Stephen King book to pop up in my favourite books, but perhaps what is unexpected is that this one made it onto an unexpected favourites list. I honestly didn't expect to love this short story as much as I did, and I can't even put my finger on what it was that made me feel so strongly. I just do. And I urge everyone - whether you're new to King or not - to give this a chance.
Turns out my love for vampires is immortal and I can stomach dystopian - when it's done correctly, that is. This entire trilogy is probably the best vampire series I've ever read. And I've read a fair amount of vampire stuff in my time. I was hesitant going into it, what with the history young adult has with vampire stories, but Allison Sekemoto is one of the most badass characters I've ever come across and the story is plenty dark enough to keep you hooked. It even raises some deeper questions surrounding humanity and religion which were very nicely tied into the 'monster' side of things which gave it so much more depth.
Which books ended up being your unexpected favourites?
I feel like everybody whose read The Selection can’t help but love it!! It’s so great. My unexpected novel pick would be Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel! I had to read it for school and was so expecting to hate it, and now it’s one of my favourite books!
ReplyDeleteThat's very true! It's just such a heart-warming story :) Ooh, that's been on my list for ages and then I kind of went off wanting to read it. I'll definitely give it another look and see if I change my mind.
DeleteThe Selection is just one of those things. I feel slightly ashamed every time I talk about how much I love it. I definitely thought it would be way too swoony for me, it would have to be one of my unexpected favourites too.
ReplyDeleteI felt that way too but there's something about it that I couldn't help but love!
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