Hello and welcome to my Top 5 Wednesday post!
T5W is a weekly meme is hosted by Sam @ThoughtsOnTomes. You can visit the Goodreads T5W group for more info.
This week’s theme is…
July 6th: Favorite Books Outside Your Comfort Zone
» The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
Genre: High Fantasy
I don’t read much fantasy in general, let alone HIGH fantasy. I read this book back in high school MANY years ago. I loved it so much. I am long overdue for a re-read.
» The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Genre: Inspirational
I am not one for inspirational books. They always feel too “preachy” to me. The Alchemist was unlike anything I had read before. This book was beautiful and profound. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and even more surprised with the lessons this book taught be about life. You can read more here → 5 Things The Alchemist Taught Me About Life
» A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy
Again, not much for fantasy, but this book blew me away. Schwab is an absolutely brilliant writer. Definitely one of my new found favorite authors! You can read my review here → Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
» The Orchard: A Memoir by Theresa Weir
Genre: Nonfiction > Memoir
I rarely read nonfiction because it usually bores me to tears. I actually picked this book up on accident during a thrift store excursion. I failed to notice that instead of the fictional book I thought it was, that it was actually a memoir. I decided to give it a try anyways and am glad I did! You can read my review here → Book Review: The Orchard by Theresa Weir
» The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA Science Fiction > Dystopia
When I read the book synopsis for this book I literally thought to myself “this isn’t my type of book at all!” I am so happy that I gave this series a chance.
The Hobbit was one of my first experiences reading Fantasy and it was absolutely delightful. That’s why it will always hold a special place in my heart.
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Did you ever read The Lord of the Rings trilogy? I tried The Fellowship of the Ring, but was disappointed…
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I finished book 1, but was honestly not that impressed! haha. It made me sleepy…I read it as an adult, after having read countless other Fantasy stories and epics. So yeah, I probably won’t ever read the books themselves. The movies were enough.
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Exact same thing for me! The movies though ❤️
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I tried The Hobbit but didn’t enjoy it…I wonder if I might enjoy The Lord Of The Rings trilogy more than The Hobbit💭
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Ahhhhh!!! I thought it was awesome! I tried the first book of TLOTR trilogy but thought it was dull in comparison.
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Lol I may just give it another shot 🙂🙃🙂
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Watch me re-read it as an adult and hate it lol
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I haven’t read the Hobbit in years, but the main LOTR trilogy is definitely something you have to commit to slogging through. I quit for a whole month in the middle of the Council of Elrond chapter because I thought it was never going to end. Hunger Games didn’t make my list but I was definitely apprehensive about the premise at first. Hmm…child murder fest…hmm. Ended up being great, though!
Here’s my list! https://bookfreakout.wordpress.com/2016/07/06/t5w-a-lack-of-comforts/#more-5045
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I know I need to revisit them. Maybe it was just bad timing?! Regardless it’s one of those series I NEED to finish to be able to say I at least gave it a shot!
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The biggest hurdle I had to get over with reading LOTR was being ok with not comprehending every detail. I like to savor words and will re-read a page sometimes 5 or 6 times before I move on, but you just can’t do that with Tolkien or you’ll get bogged down and never go anywhere. It took me a while to realize that it would be ok and I wouldn’t miss something key if I skimmed through lengthy descriptions and overly-detailed histories, of which there are a HUGE amount.
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Aha! So that’s the secret! Skimming for the win 😂
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Have you read anything else by V.E Schwab – I’d say Vicious is my favourite by her 🙂 I’d recommend.
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Not yet! A Gathering of Shadows is next on the list then trying to get to Vicious! Have heard very good things about it!!! Have you read This Savage Song yet?
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Yeah, I got a review copy back in May it’s a really good read if you like her writing style, I gave it 5stars
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What?? No Lie Tree? Okay, okay, after this I’m done. No more teasing ;D I just finished rereading A Darker Shade of Magic and it was even better than the first time around! I started A Gathering of Shadows and WOWW.
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Hahahaha ACTUALLY I thought of you when I made this list and made a point NOT to include The Lie Tree on it 😜
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I’m really keen to read A Darker Shade of Magic!
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I insist that you do!
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