Pleasant Surprises: Books That Exceeded Our Expectations

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?

msemmag: Come for the humor, but stay for the realization that science is but the study of Getting Things Wrong, Then Trying Again.

msemmag: It's just...so smart, so witty, and still so relevant to today.

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.