Books I Almost Didn't Read

by Blythe

I read a lot of books that are comfortable to me.  They're written by familiar authors or contain characters and settings and storylines I have enjoyed before (Hello, Maeve Binchy!).  Sometimes I love them and most of the time they're just fine.

But as I scroll through my GoodReads list, I see a few books that I read somewhat reluctantly and that reached out, grabbed me, and made me think differently about a topic or about writing or about life.  They books below were outside my normal reading comfort zone when I picked them up, and now they are among my favorites.  These books snuck up on me and surprised me in the best possible way.  They're a good reminder to get out of my reading rut and remember that good ideas and good writing can be succesfully and entertainingly applied to just about any topic.

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman

I don't like medical books, knew nothing about the Hmong culture, and uplifting true family stories normally seem kind of manipulative to me.  HOWEVER.  This story made me think differently about immigrants, families, health care, and, well, uplifting true family stories.

The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

I'm a huge snob about reading the book of the moment, and sports stories normally bore me to tears.  HOWEVER.  The characters, the story, and the setting hooked me right away, and reminded me that well-written baseball players can be just as interesting as post-war British aristrocrats and teenage vampires.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

The latest woo-woo spiritual advice books drive me up the wall.  I almost quit my book group when we had to read The Celestine Prophecy.  HOWEVER.  This one speaks to me.  It contains a handful of practical tenets that I find myself applying to my everyday life, even though I had to put up with some goofiness to get to them.

Your turn, readers.  Is there a book you expected to hate and ended up loving in spite of yourself?

{Photo credits: amazon.com}

Comments

[A.]

In full agreement about Spirit Catches Me. Wonderful book that I picked up after a recommendation and didn't realize I would enjoy as much as I did.

I want to read the Art of Fielding, too, but have heard mixed reviews. You're pushing me toward 'yes' though!

[MauraLessa]

My Sister in Law just recommended The Four Agreements to me! She said she has read it a number of times. I'm looking forward to reading it!