By skyforbes 
Find out which popular books are deserving of all the hype!
I tend to scoff at popular books that show up on EVERY summer reading list or show up all over my bookstagram feed. I assume a certain amount of groupthink is involved. Or maybe these reviewers don’t want to voice a negative opinion when so many others offer praise.
As a result, I often wait until the hype dies down before reading any of these books. If I’m still seeing positive reviews, I’ll give it a shot a while later.
Unfortunately, this practice causes me to miss out on some amazing books! I don’t want the same thing to happen to you, so I put together a list of the popular books that live up to the hype.
These books deserve all of the praise heaped on them! Plus, they stand the test of time. Even if you’re not reading these the year they were released, you’ll STILL hear people talking about them because they’re well-written and engaging.
Without further ado, let’s check out the popular books that deserve all the hype!
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Popular Books That Deserve The Hype
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
This WWII historical fiction novel is a heartwarming journey into the lives of a few residents of the island of Guernsey during and after the German occupation. Juliet is a writer who begins a correspondence with them and slowly gets to know them through their letters. It’s beloved by everyone who reads it and was adeptly turned into a movie on Netflix!
You can also hop over to my list of the best WWII historical fiction for more books like this one!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
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Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
I’m a devoted JoJo Moyes fan, but I still think Me Before You is her best. This is a difficult but beautiful story of a woman who cares for a man struggling with the decision to end his own life. It continues on in a trilogy that’s actually worth reading too!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with this grumpy old man, but he will win over anyone’s heart. Have a box of tissues ready and be prepared for ugly tears. Ove is ready to die, but keeps getting interrupted by his annoying neighbors! As he deals with one issue after another, we learn his life story and discover a kind heart behind all the snarls.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Before reading this, I assumed it was a typical steamy historical fiction romance with no depth. While those elements are certainly present, there’s also a fascinating plot and intriguing characters. This is a lengthy book, but you’ll fly through the pages. It’s been a multi re-read for me!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This story of two sisters surviving in Nazi-occupied France is incredibly eye-opening. It showcases the horrors of civilian day-to-day life during a war and the impossible choices faced by these people. Resilience and bravery both shine through despite the circumstances.
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
The Martian by Andy Weir
Matt Damon is my biggest celebrity crush, so when I heard he was starring in this movie I couldn’t put off reading the book any longer. As it turns out, the book completely captivated me. I’ve reread it once and listened to it on audio since then! For a sci-fi novel about a man stranded on Mars, it felt incredibly realistic. Plus, Matt Damon basically IS Mark Watney! His character is full of dry humor and sarcasm that I love!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
After reading a slew of YA fantasy books that all started to blur together, I was skeptical of this series. However, the plethora of passionate reviews finally convinced me to give it a try. Well, once I started I couldn’t stop! I was actually reading at work trying to find out what happens. This whole series gets better as it goes. Pure reading pleasure!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Gaiman is obviously a respected and beloved author, but I assumed his writing would be too “out-there’ for me. Stardust is the first book of his I read and I was hooked. It’s fantasy, but still felt accessible and simple to read. I actually wish it was twice as long so I could keep reading about these characters!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
For some unknown reason, I picked this as my first ever Book of the Month selection. I normally don’t ever go for the thriller books, but I’m so glad I did!! The twist in the middle literally made my jaw drop. Even if you’re like me and don’t typically enjoy thrillers, give it a shot. If you do already read the genre, this one’s definitely for you!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I think I’ve recommended this book more than any other one! Its a geeky / nerdy story full of 80’s pop culture references and a virtual reality treasure hunt. Regular readers and sci-fi readers alike adore this one for great reason! Both the book and the movie are a ton of fun!
Amazon | Book Depository | Bookshop.org
What popular books have you read that live up to the hype? Are there any that you didn’t like as much as everyone else?