Hyped Books Worth The Hype

 

I am majorly influenced by other readers' suggestions and recommendations. If it's on display, talked about on a podcast, or written about in a blog, chances are it's going on my never-ending TBR.  While this has led me to some excellent reads, it's definitely been the source of some reading slumps.  It's important to know yourself and your reading taste when you approach hyped books.  Just because everyone is loving it...doesn't mean you will be.  With that being said, here are a couple of ultra popular books I read at the height of their popularity that I still adore!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath is at the cusp of adulthood.  She's graduating high school and everything is changing: her relationships, her schooling, and her love life.  This novel is a coming of age story full of life and emotion.  

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Mallory Blessing has a long and complicated life and love history, which her son is about to discover.  This novel is full of secrets, forbidden love, and complicated relationships.  I loved every twist and turn of this novel, but will warn it is not for everyone.  There is a lot of adultery and there can be some frustrating choices made by each character.

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Olive Smith really just wants to finish her PhD.  When life gets complicated and she starts fake dating the coldest professor at the university, her education becomes more than she bargained for.  This trope filled, feel good, spicy romance will have you glued to it.  The characters are loveable and you will be rooting for the main characters the entire way.  I absolutely adored this novel, but will warn you that it is very trope-y and filled with miscommunication.

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover grew up in a fundamentalist sect of the Mormon Church.  She was homeschooled by her doomsday obsessed parents and forbidden from much contact with the outside world.  This harrowing and shocking non-fiction novel is worth every minute.  While difficult to take in at times, I find it's importance to be very high.  

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Set in the world of Grisha, following her Shadow and Bone series, this heist novel follows multiple point of views and is filled with magic, thrills, and deception.  This book and its sequel Crooked Kingdom is pretty much perfect.  No, seriously...I have nothing bad to say about them.  You do not have to read Shadow and Bone prior to the Six of Crows duology, but it definitely helps understand the world a little better.  RUN, don't walk to this one.

Circe by Madeline Miller

Wrap yourself in the Greek mythology following Circe, a goddess that I admittedly knew nothing about.  Her story is winding and involves many other major players in Greek history and mythology.  A strong feminine main character, Circe will have you under her spell from page one.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Ove is the village curmudgeon.  If you're doing something incorrectly, he will let you know.  He is often perceived as mean and spiteful, but he is really just an older particular man who has been through a lot in his life.  This book is heavy and full of emotion, but worth every second.  You will laugh and cry your way through this heartwarming novel.