Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme is Books that Surprised Me (in a good or bad way)
I wasn't sure how I was going to go about this topic, but in the end I found ten books which surprised me in different ways
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The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley - I was recently looking through the reviews that I have written for Susanna Kearsley books, and I came across this review for The Rose Garden where I said that I gasped in surprised when I read the big twist!
My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult - This was a surprise in a bad way. That ending made me want to throw the book against the wall. And I have never read another one of her books in the 20 years since.
White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton - The surprised for me in this one was that I didn't know that Japan had occupied Korea for so long! I knew that they had invaded Manchuria in the years before WWII but not Korea.
The Lost Love Song by Minnie Darke - I searched my blog for the word surprise and this is one of the books that came up. I do love this book! (my review)
Undercover Billionaire by Amy Andrews - The surprise for this one was that I forgot to add it to my blog tours list and suddenly realised I had to read and review it in the space of a couple of day! Surprise! (my review)
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Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr - I was surprised that this book was released 8 years after the previous book in the series. Still haven't read it!
The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson - I am a bit surprised I haven't read any more of Helen Simonson's books given how much I loved Major Pettrigrew's Last Stand which I reviewed here. I will be reading this one soon!
A Christmas Surprise in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen - I was surprised I had so few books with the word surprise in the title! (my review)
Midnight in Paris by Gillian Harvey - I am a bit surprised I have had so many 5 star reads so far this year. Normally I have two or three but so far this year I have had 6! This was the first. (my review)
Pictures of You by Emma Grey - And this was the most recent!
I agree with you about Helen Simonson -- I also loved Major Pettigrew's Last Stand long ago ... but I haven't read her since then. I still want to read her novel The Summer Before the War, so I need to get to it sometime. I have not tried Susanna Kearsley yet but I want to. Good list.
ReplyDeleteSusanna Kearsley is one of my all time favourite historical fiction authors!
DeleteI remember being surprised by the twist in The Rose Garden too. I've read all three of Helen Simonson's books and can definitely recommend all of them!
ReplyDeleteI am very much looking forward to Hazelbourne!
DeleteI enjoyed Midnight In Paris and the Jodie Picoult book as well. I love being pleasantly surprised by a book.
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI loved The Rose Garden and The Hazelbourne Ladies!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it!
DeleteThe end of My Sister's Keeper destroyed me! I hope to read The Hazelbourne Motorcycle Club this year, I didn't realize it was the same author as Major Pettigrew.
ReplyDeletePam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-ks-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-k/
I was reading the end of My Sisters Keeper on the train. If I had of been at home I am pretty sure it would have been thrown at the wall!
Delete(scribbling down title) I must remember to look for Midnight in Paris this summer during Paris in July.
ReplyDeleteI have really liked all of the Gillian Harvey books I have read but that was one was her best so far!
DeleteThat turned out to be a fun list to read!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Joy!
DeleteI haven't gotten to White Mulberry as yet. I know the Korean population in monocultural Japan were not fully integrated but maybe modern times have changed that somewhat.
ReplyDeleteNot sure, but the story covers how separately the Koreans were kept and about trying to pretend to be Japanese to get better jobs.
DeleteIt’s always fun to be surprised by a book!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is Lydia!
Deleteoh I didn't know about Return to Virgin River - will have to read that one! My TTT
ReplyDeleteI must read it myself MeezCarrie
DeleteI haven't read these, but several of them sound interesting. I'll have to look them up! Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Poinsettia!
DeleteThe only one I read was My Sister's Keeper, it was very well-written.
ReplyDeleteDid you like the ending Cindy?
DeleteLove your list, Marg. I also searched for surprise on my blog. Interesting what you said about My Sister's Keeper. I've never read anything by this author, though I think I have one book here. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteShe's very popular! And I did go to an event once to listen to her talk but still not sure if I will pick up her books again.
DeleteHazelbourne Ladies s a fun read! Enjoy! ~Carol @ ReadingLadies
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to the book!
DeleteOh, I love your take on this theme Marg, and saving it for another day!!! Seeing the 'surprise' element for Carr's book reminded me that I keep waiting for Vikram Seth to finish his "upcoming" sequel to A Suitable Boy (which released over 30 years ago now!!)
ReplyDeleteIt will be a real surprise if that sequel ever comes out! Then again, it has happened before
DeleteAn interesting list. I don't like sad books so that Jodi Picoult one I would avoid 😂
ReplyDeleteI do like a twist that takes me by surprise. Gone Girl got me 😂
I tend to have a few 5 star reads. I do sometimes wonder if I am being too generous, but if I genuinely enjoyed it then why not give it the high rating?!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/04/22/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-surprised-me/