This week over at The Broke and Bookish the Top Ten Tuesday topic is:

Ten Books I Almost Put Down But Didn’t:

I actually found this harder than I’d imagined.  I’ve gone for books that I struggled with at some point but ending up either liking or loving.

1. We Need to Talk About Kevin – this is a very dark read indeed, it took me about 80/90 pages to get into the book but once it took hold it was a compelling read.  A book that you read with a mounting sense of dread that you can’t tear your eyes away from!
2. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence – when I first started reading I found the age of Jorg a little off putting.  Thankfully this was a very short lived feeling and I became hooked fairly quickly which is a good thing as it’s become one of my favourite fantasy series.  Grimdark at its grimmest and darkest.
3. The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher – I actually didn’t really enjoy the first book in the series – it was okay but not absolutely amazing, however, I pressed on because other bloggers told me to persist and I’m so glad I did.  The second was great and the series has just gained in momentum and each new edition seems even better than the last.  Thank you to all you lovely bloggers for encouraging me to continue!
4. I am Legend by Richard Matheson – again, a very bleak read, however, one that is worth the perseverance as the ending is brilliant.
5. Feed by Mira Grant – this book wasn’t what I was expecting really and that left me a little bit disappointed, plus there was quite a bit of repetition which slowed the read down somewhat – however the ending redeems it.
6. The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo – this is another simple example of the book not being what I thought it would be – however, I don’t regret reading this as the writing is beautiful and evocative.
7. The Mercedes Thompson series by Patricia Briggs – I really wasn’t taken with the first book at all – however, I completed it because I’d bought the first three in one buy and I then carried on with the second which greatly improved.  I now really enjoy this series so I’m glad I stuck with it.
8. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch – the author uses a style that jumps backwards and forwards which at first I found a little confusing and threw me out of the story a little – again, this has turned into one of my favourite series so I’m really pleased I got over the initial feelings and definitely recommend this.
9. Sunshine by Robin McKinley – I really like this book however the author did use a bit of repetition and also a way of reflecting on past events that came across as info dumping – however that was a short lived feeling and I did really enjoy the story.  I would definitely read more.
10. Witch Light by Susan Fletcher – when I first picked this book up I felt the narration was a little difficult to get along with.  It probably took me about 40 or so pages to become hooked but when I did I absolutely fell in love with the author’s writing style and have read most of her other books as a result.