Anonymous
Post 06/20/2023 22:03     Subject: Re:Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:A Little Life wasn't quite my tempo


Pretty sure that book isn't anyone's tempo. Did critics promise something different?? Honestly haven't read any reviews of it but thought it was widely considered exactly what it is- a long, long book that is the most depressing , trauma-porn book you'll ever pick up. Totally gratuitous trauma porn.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2023 22:01     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:Klara and the Sun. So extraordinarily dull.


Agree. And I loved that author's other books (or, the two I've read at least). This one just didn't reach me in the same way I guess.
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2023 21:48     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Crawdads
Anything by Nora Ephron
Anonymous
Post 06/20/2023 17:47     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Fleishman is in Trouble. I wondered if the author hadn’t been in the industry, it never would have gotten published let alone received rave reviewed from industry insiders.


This was DNF for me. I love her profiles and was genuinely sorry I couldn’t cope with Toby.


I actually really liked the show (never read the book) but it was because of Claire Danes and Lizzy Caplan.
Anonymous
Post 01/01/2023 12:59     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:Where the Crawdads sing. I’m a huge reader, but I just couldn’t make myself read it.


The Crawdad book just screamed Oprah, and seemed directed toward people who generally don't read. Loved Goon Squad but could not get into Egan's recent Candy House. Agree with The Sellout hater - I just didn't see it.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2022 19:31     Subject: Re:Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Hated Crawdads. And just finished Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. I was so excited to read it but it really came up short for me. I found it slow and generally not very compelling.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2022 11:35     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Where the Crawdads sing. I’m a huge reader, but I just couldn’t make myself read it.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2022 11:34     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Fleishman is in Trouble. I wondered if the author hadn’t been in the industry, it never would have gotten published let alone received rave reviewed from industry insiders.


This was DNF for me. I love her profiles and was genuinely sorry I couldn’t cope with Toby.


Maybe the balance was off? Most of the book was about Toby, and it was also kind of pointless. What did Toby want, what was the big motivation? Hot sex, to get Rachel back, to settle into his new life--I couldn't make myself care about any of these, as a divorced woman whose teenager chose to live with her, it was a big BTDT. The Rachel section was an interesting twist, but it was maybe 1/4 of the book and the way she stuck Toby with the kids undermined any sympathy I felt for her. I get it, the big climax is supposed to happen 3/4 of the way through. But then you're supposed to head down the path of a satisfactory denouement, and this wasn't it.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2022 07:57     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:Fleishman is in Trouble. I wondered if the author hadn’t been in the industry, it never would have gotten published let alone received rave reviewed from industry insiders.


This was DNF for me. I love her profiles and was genuinely sorry I couldn’t cope with Toby.
Anonymous
Post 12/24/2022 09:19     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:There are so many. For some reason, people think that books that are depressing or full of trauma are "important" and more worthy than books that give a positive ending or make you feel good.

I'm not saying I demand a fairy tale ending (though I don't object to happily ever after), but "happy for now" works.


Pachinko was in this category for me. Too long too depressing didn’t finish.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 12:35     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
There are so many. For some reason, people think that books that are depressing or full of trauma are "important" and more worthy than books that give a positive ending or make you feel good.

I'm not saying I demand a fairy tale ending (though I don't object to happily ever after), but "happy for now" works.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2022 08:56     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:A Visit From the Good squad


Same!

I will add "Weather" by Jenny Olfill. I really liked "Dept. of Speculation" though.
Anonymous
Post 12/16/2022 11:04     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:OP here. I also really disliked “Little Fires Everywhere.” I really don’t get what critics see in that one.


Agree. I also didn't care for "Everything I Never Told You." I guess Celeste Ng isn't for me.



Anonymous
Post 12/15/2022 21:37     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
A Visit From the Good squad
Anonymous
Post 12/15/2022 21:29     Subject: Name a book critic favorite that you didn’t like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Secret History

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Thank you! Finally someone can join me in not liking Tomorrow.


Here you go. I found it very interesting.
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1092779.page