Day 9: A Book You Thought You Wouldn't Like But Ended Up Loving

I'm taking part of the 30 Day Book Challenge.  Click the link to do it too (and add your blog to my meme)! 


You're not going to believe this one.  I don't know anyone who actually assumed they wouldn't like this series...but I did. 

I had several reasons for thinking I wouldn't like Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series.  First, I am a religious studies snob.  I have a degree in religious studies and I am very well versed in mythology.  I was fully convinced Riordan was going to destroy my most beloved myths (he didn't) and change things I didn't think he should (he did, but the books were still awesome).  Second, these are kid books.  I wasn't sure they would actually amuse me.  Boy was I wrong!  The whole series is fabulous.  I've now read every Riordan book that's out there.  He's a fabulous writer. 

I have to add one more book to this post:

I really didn't think I would like Brunonia Barry's The Lace Reader.  It sounded like some tragic offshoot of Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells to me (it wasn't).  From page one this book was not at all what I expected it to be.  There are twists and turns you don't see coming.  It's hard to surprise me, but this book surprised me.  It's dark and gritty with just a touch of magic.  You should read it.