Tuesday Tea: What's a book you were skeptical about reading but ended up loving?

'Fess up, friends.

photo: Lisa Fotios/Pexels

It’s very satisfying when a book you think you’re going to love turns out to be a favorite. And/but it’s also really fun when a book you’re sure isn’t for you is a surprise hit in your reading life.

Spill the tea: What's a book you were skeptical about reading but ended up loving?

Dave says…
The last book I remember being a little wary of was Travis Baldree's Legends and Lattes.

It's a cozy (?) fantasy book about an orc woman who wants to open a coffee shop (?) with a dash of romance (?). A lot of reviewers whom I followed were saying nice things, but I was unconvinced. Then one day, while I was nursing a cold, I picked it up, and loved it.

Mel says…
I feel a little embarrassed to admit this, but among us friends: When Circe by Madeline Miller was released, it seemed like everyone was raving about it. I have a big hole in my education where Greek mythology is meant to be, and I couldn’t get myself excited about this retelling.

Then it was time to choose books for the Greece episode of our podcast and I thought, ‘Sure, fine. I’ll read the beginning and see if it takes.’ I was hooked! I loved Circe so much, and I would happily pick it up right now and read it again. It’s an epic adventure story filled with thrills, romance, sea monsters, and magic, all centered around a woman/witch I came to love. Love to be proven wrong this way. (Pssst… the audiobook is fantastic.)

Your turn!