Pleasant Surprises: Books That Exceeded Our Expectations

Description
Our List of the Month this August is devoted to those pleasant surprises that come into our reading lives—books that exceeded our expectations, and ending up providing far more enjoyment than we thought they would. Each participant may vote on ten titles.
Liste de msemmag8LibraryThing404
Profil de msemmag
1
A Brief History of Seven Killings
de Marlon James
2,856 membres
108 critiques
3.8
Rang global 121
Member
msemmag
Explications
msemmag: It was a genuine surprise how much I loved this book. I went into it expecting to DNF it about half-way through (literary fiction set in the 20th century is Not My Favorite), but James's prose and storytelling swept me into the drama and intrigue of Jamaican music, crime, and politics. It's a doorstopper, but definitely in my 'Books You Should Read At Least Once' pile of recommendations. It's beautiful, queer as hell and just...kind of amazing?
2
Une histoire de tout, ou presque
de Bill Bryson
23,198 membres
398 critiques
4.2
Rang global 155
Member
msemmag
Explications
msemmag: Come for the humor, but stay for the realization that science is but the study of Getting Things Wrong, Then Trying Again.
3
Une chambre à soi
de Virginia Woolf
12,397 membres
168 critiques
4.1
Rang global 194
Member
msemmag
Explications
msemmag: It's just...so smart, so witty, and still so relevant to today.
4
The Screwtape Letters / Screwtape Proposes a Toast
de C. S. Lewis
17,361 membres
153 critiques
4.1
Rang global 81
2 Members
hipdeep, msemmag
Explications
hipdeep: Came for the theology, stayed for the clever use of language.
msemmag: Look, I didn't go into this book expecting C. S. Lewis to be funny. But goddamnit, he is in this. I don't agree with a lot of what he espouses, but fuck this was enjoyable to read.
5
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
de Becky Chambers
5,480 membres
360 critiques
4
Rang global 43
3 Members
Her_Royal_Orangeness, msemmag, barefootsong
6
Sans parler du chien ou Comment nous retrouvâmes la potiche de l'évèque
de Connie Willis
6,742 membres
287 critiques
4.1
Rang global 26
5 Members
merrystar, msemmag, Patricia.Ralston, VioletL, RMiller30
7
Trois Soeurcières
de Terry Pratchett
12,474 membres
189 critiques
4
Rang global 58
3 Members
Localhostess, Dilara86, msemmag
8
Le maître des illusions
de Donna Tartt
20,274 membres
554 critiques
4.1
Rang global 69
2 Members
Her_Royal_Orangeness, msemmag