Let's take a break from our regularly scheduled blogging and talk about books! Have you ever read a book that surprised you? A book that drew you in in a way that you never would have expected? A book you had doubts about, but then ending up loving?
Here is a list of books that have suprised me.
The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm, by Nancy Farmer. This book has a really weird, cheesy cover and title. Plus, it's kind of a mystery and I'm not a big mystery fan. But it is also science fiction, which I like, and my daughter loved it. So I read it. And loved it!
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo. This book is about a toy. A china rabbit. That alone kept it off my must-read list. But, again, my daughter bought it with birthday money and she loved it so much that she insisted I read it. It really is a wonderful, moving story. Kate DiCamillo made me care about a china rabbit. Go figure.
The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster. It just struck me as odd, and I finally picked it up one day when I needed something to read. It's funny and clever (and odd).
Princess Academy, by Shannon Hale. I'll admit it. I was judging this book by its title. It just seemed cutesy and juvenile (not that that's a bad thing). But it is very imaginative and has surprising depth. It's just a darn good book. I'm a HUGE Shannon Hale fan now.
Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson. I'm generally not into books about witches, but I had read The Secret of Platform 13 (which I loved) so when we saw Which Witch at a yard sale and my daughter begged me to get it, I couldn't say no. I was surprised by the clever and sweet love story.