Books you "should" love, but just don't

[Anonymous]

Harry potter series. One case where the movies were much better than the books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Harry potter series. One case where the movies were much better than the books.

I haven't see the movies, but I loved the books (and I read them as an adult).

To the topic - I'd say 50 Shades, but I couldn't even make it through the first one, the writing was so bad. I haven't seen the movies either, and I did wonder if whoever wrote the script kept the absolutely appallingly bad dialogue that was in the book, or if they tried to make it somewhat more realistic.

In terms of "real" books, I've hated everything I've ever been forced to read by Hemingway. It's been so long I can't even say my exact criticisms, but I just hated everything about his writing.

[Anonymous]

All the Light We Cannot See

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Add me to the list for The Secret History. I couldn't get into, and never finished it.

Agreed and the Goldfinch was a slog to get through. I think the writing is pretentious, and she needs an editor to help bring her books in under 509 pages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the Light We Cannot See

Was coming here to post this. Although currently reading his new book - cloud cuckoo land - and loving it

[Anonymous]

I've tried multiple times to get through The Satanic Verses but can't get past the first couple chapters, despite liking other Rushdie novels.

I like Salinger, Austen, Vonnegut. Agree with others on Tartt, I kind of liked The Secret History but agree with the critiques and really thought the Goldfinch was a slog.

All the Light we Cannot See was pretty good overall but I found the ending to be unsatisfying.

[Anonymous]

Crossing to Safety. I like other Wallace Stegner, and my book club thought I was nuts, but I hated the people in that book so much (which is fine if the author is trying to write people who are unlikeable, but Stegner clearly wanted the couples to be sympathetic). I suppose my strong reaction means the book isn’t bad, though—I certainly want indifferent to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the Light We Cannot See

I thought this was overpraised. I didn't love it while I was reading it. But I can admit that it stuck with me over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lincoln in the Bardo

I tried to listen to the audio book because it won awards and had great actors narrating it but I fell asleep a few times and just could not get into it.

This was a tough one. Did not love, but I appreciated that it made me feel like I was back in college, slogging through experimental fiction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wheee the crAwdads sing. Completely improbable, and I had no idea it was a romance novel.

I HATED this book. And I feel like I can't tell anyone in real life. Most people I know loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid

YES came here to say this. I read three of her books and still firmly believe she is the most overhyped author.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Educated — Tara Westover

The improbability of the details of the book, particularly the medical issues, coupled with the “he told me I wrote the best thesis ever at Oxford” really undercut the story of the extreme, and abusive, family she was raised in.

Yes, this book was completely annoying in the way of Wild and Million Little Pieces. Just obvious, stupid, self-aggrandizing lies.

I liked this book but definitely felt she was a little shady.

[Anonymous]

I've only read about three or four Jodi Picoult books because I realized I hated her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Add me to the list for The Secret History. I couldn't get into, and never finished it.

Agreed and the Goldfinch was a slog to get through. I think the writing is pretentious, and she needs an editor to help bring her books in under 509 pages.

Yes on The Goldfinch. I got more than half-way through and I just can't pick it back up. It's not that its bad but move it along. I start falling asleep every time I pick it up.

[Anonymous]

Harry Potter - yes! If one more person says "but have you read the books...you won't be able to put it down....I read it in one day..." Okay come one people.