This week’s TTT topic is books I enjoyed that are outside of my comfort zone. These books could be genres I’m not typically interested in, subject matter I’m not usually drawn to, etc. I don’t push myself much since I insist that reading be a fun and pleasurable experience for me, and not a growing or learning experience (at least not all the time) so I only have five picks this week.
1. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
I went in to this thinking it’s bookish and it could be fun, but I didn’t have very high hopes. It’s a memoir and I’m super selective of which ones I read, so I wasn’t entirely sure it’d be a win for me. But it ended up being very fun! I’m actually reading the sequel right now, and it’s delightful. Helene is very funny.
2. Three Mages and a Margarita by Annette Marie
This is adult urban fantasy, which I seriously never read. It wads an Audible Daily Deal one day, and my friend sent it to me because he thought I might like it. Guys, I’ve binged the entire series since. And it’s weird because there’s no romance! That’s another thing that makes it a very non-Jana book. The audio is fun, and I like the fantasy elements and the banter between characters. I’m looking forward to the release of the next book in October. It must be noted that I hate the book cover so much.
3. The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
I read this only because I heard the audio was really good. There’s pretty much no romance and I’m not usually a steampunk fan, but the audio was amazing and I ended up loving this book!
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
This one was out of my comfort zone because I hate crying. lol. As such, I tend to avoid WWII fiction. It’s also narrated by Death, which worried me. But it’s such a beautiful story.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
I’m not a fantasy for fantasy’s sake kind of person. I don’t love magic on its own. Either one of these story elements require romance, and there’s none in this. lol. I’m also not so much a middle grade fan right now, but I knew I had to give Harry Potter a shot. I really loved it! Now I just have to read the rest of the series.
Which books have you really enjoyed that were outside your comfort zone?
I’ve never read anything by Sharon, but have heard good things about her books. For me, I don’t mind steampunk (and/or sci-fi), but I find my exposure to it is in films rather than books.
Rissi JC recently posted…To Be Outside of my Happy Comfort Zone Reads
I find steampunk in books more than on the screen. lol. Definitely check out Sharon’s books! I really like her writing style.
I love The Book Thief. It surprised me, too. In fact, I started it and suspended it before picking it up again several months later.
I did the exact same thing. I think I finished about a year and a half after I started it. lol
There is a movie from the ’80s based on 84 Charing Cross Road starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft, and I highly recommend it. I got to the book that way rather than the other way around.
I had no idea there was a movie, but it looks very sweet! I’ve added it to my watch list. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
I love The Book Thief, too. I found it hard to read at first but when the story started progressing, I couldn’t stop reading. I also have Harry Potter on my list. I’m not a fan of fantasy either.
The Book Thief was slow going for me as well, but then I got so immersed in the story.
Harry Potter is the only one I know on this list!
Here’s my Tuesday Post
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Great list! I love The Book Thief. :) I keep meaning to check Annette Marie’s work out – I’ve heard really good things.
Jess @ Jessticulates recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday | Giving Romance a chance
I’ve never met anyone whose even heard of Annette Marie, so this is cool! I’ve only listened to her books, but I like the narrator for this particular series quite a bit. They’re very entertaining stories!
I had the same reaction to The Book Thief!
My TTT.
Lydia recently posted…Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Harry Potter Characters and Socks
I’m hearing that from multiple people, actually! We’re not alone!
I loved all of Helene Hanff’s books!
I’ve loved everything I’ve read of hers so far. I’ll have to keep making my way through her list, it seems!
I’m not a big fan of steampunk either. I have yet to meet a steampunk I enjoyed.
Nish recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books outside my comfort zone
The Book Thief was such a surprise. I generally don’t read WWII fiction either, because it guts me, but this was such an amazing surprise.
I loved The Dark Unwinding! I enjoyed the sequel too (A Spark Unseen) though not quite as much.
Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday ~ Books I Enjoyed That Are Outside of My Comfort Zone
I liked the sequel as well, but not as much as the first one. Still worth the read, though!
My husband (London born) made me read 84 Charing Cross Road, and our copy has the sequel. Loved it. I’ve read several interesting memoirs now, so I don’t think they’re out of my comfort zone anymore,.
Which other memoirs have you read and enjoyed?
Most recently, “I am, I am, I am: Seventeen Brushes with Death” by Maggie O’Farrell, and “Not Quite Lost: Travels without a Sense of Direction” by Roz Morris. I have reviews for those on my blog. I also read a few travel books, which are also types of memoirs.
I wasn’t too sure about Harry Potter at first. My daughter insisted we get the book on audio tape as we were traveling to visit my son at basic training. A thousand mile trip. We listened to all the books on audio tape and she has read them numerous times. We’ve also watched the movies more times than I can count.
A true Harry Potter family! I’m not allowing myself to watch the movies until I’ve read the books. Incentive!
Sorry to be linking my post late, I wasn’t available earlier today to do that. So glad you discovered 84 Charing Cross Road, what a beautiful book, and yes, the sequel as well. AND, there’s a movie, totally worth watching as well.
It’s never too late to link-up! That’s why I leave the Linky open for an entire week. :)
I had no idea there was a movie until this week, and I’m so glad to know it’s good! I’ve added it to my watch list. :)
that’s the beauty of our book blogging community, we discover so much through each other!
Fantasy isn’t my favorite genre either and I am a total Harry Potter fan. There’s just something special about them!
They’re really such sweet books. :)
I’m glad you found books outside your typical comfort zone that you loved! I am going to add some of these to my TBR so thanks so much for sharing!
Jamie @ Books and Ladders recently posted…#BlogTour: RED SKIES FALLING by Alex London
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!