Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 17:12     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:Fun thread! I read over a hundred books a year and enjoy most so my dislikes stand out. Just thinking of some that have been mentioned here...

I hated The Goldfinch. I rarely abandon books but this was a DNF about halfway through.

I actually thought the Crawdads book was pretty good until the end. The end was HORRIBLE. Way to resolve everything - it felt like amateur hour.

The Orphan Master's Son and Kite Runner... they were brilliantly written in some ways but just too much for me. I don't know how else to describe it. Even worse along those lines, irredeemable in my mind, was The Sparrow.

What else? I think Colleen Hoover is absolutely awful. I don't know what's wrong with me that I read two of her books.

On the other hand, I loved Great Expectations. I love all Dickens especially David Copperfield. I also pretty much love all of Elizabeth Strout (I think I have read all her books) and Ann Patchett.

Different strokes for different folks!


Agree on The Goldfinch - hated it. Almost as much as the Nightingale (UGH Kristin Hannah). LOVED The Sparrow though.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 10:00     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:Fun thread! I read over a hundred books a year and enjoy most so my dislikes stand out. Just thinking of some that have been mentioned here...

I hated The Goldfinch. I rarely abandon books but this was a DNF about halfway through.

I actually thought the Crawdads book was pretty good until the end. The end was HORRIBLE. Way to resolve everything - it felt like amateur hour.

The Orphan Master's Son and Kite Runner... they were brilliantly written in some ways but just too much for me. I don't know how else to describe it. Even worse along those lines, irredeemable in my mind, was The Sparrow.

What else? I think Colleen Hoover is absolutely awful. I don't know what's wrong with me that I read two of her books.

On the other hand, I loved Great Expectations. I love all Dickens especially David Copperfield. I also pretty much love all of Elizabeth Strout (I think I have read all her books) and Ann Patchett.

Different strokes for different folks!



I found the Kite Runner to be incredibly impactful! It haunted me for weeks. However I understand what you mean about being too much. I felt that way about his next book, 1000 Splendid Suns. The Kite Runner was educating and the storyline drew me in in ways I didn’t expect. 1000 Splendid Suns was just too depressing and I wanted to stop reading.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 09:50     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
A Gentleman in Moscow. I did love how it came together at the end, but the writing was just… I don’t know. Not his best.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 08:37     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
agree with crawdads, hugo and tom lake. not sure if it's been said but also lessons in chemistry was very meh for me.

I loved heartburn on audiobook, but I was going through a similar situation so it really hit home for me.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2026 08:31     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Fun thread! I read over a hundred books a year and enjoy most so my dislikes stand out. Just thinking of some that have been mentioned here...

I hated The Goldfinch. I rarely abandon books but this was a DNF about halfway through.

I actually thought the Crawdads book was pretty good until the end. The end was HORRIBLE. Way to resolve everything - it felt like amateur hour.

The Orphan Master's Son and Kite Runner... they were brilliantly written in some ways but just too much for me. I don't know how else to describe it. Even worse along those lines, irredeemable in my mind, was The Sparrow.

What else? I think Colleen Hoover is absolutely awful. I don't know what's wrong with me that I read two of her books.

On the other hand, I loved Great Expectations. I love all Dickens especially David Copperfield. I also pretty much love all of Elizabeth Strout (I think I have read all her books) and Ann Patchett.

Different strokes for different folks!
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 19:25     Subject: Re:Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Alchemist

Just read this and HATED IT. So trite.


I didn't get 30 pages in before quitting. The writing is downright bad. Really, really bad. It's like the book is some kind of imitation of "deep" for people who are at the top of the bell and think they are to the right of it.


The Alchemist was originally written in Portuguese and translated into various languages. It’s not Paulo Coelho’s writing that’s bad, it’s the translation. The book is great in the original.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 19:06     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Poisonwood Bible
Eat Pray Love
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 17:52     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:A Sarah J Mass book, the first in the crescent city one. I just couldn't with all the lightning coming from the main character which was supposed to be part of his hot alpha appeal. So weird. oh and it's poorly written, ha.


Oh man, I hate Maas. And here's the thing--I say this as a huge fantasy/sci fi reader, who is fine with romantasy (though it isn't my favorite sub-genre).

I started the Court of Thorn & Roses series and only got through the second book (and may be the only reader ever pulling for the protagonist's ex-Fae lover (who was awful) because her second Fae lover was also insufferable, but also supposedly secretly noble, which made him worse**)

Anyway many folks recommended I try the Crescent City series, claiming it was more plot-driven, but thanks for reaffirming that I should stay away!

**I suppose if you want a two-line reason why not to read this series, this parenthetical is a good summary!
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 17:41     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I just…couldn’t. Maybe I gave up too early, idk.


Same


Hated seven husbands of Evelyn hugo


Me too. I found my reaction inexplicable because it was so popular and came so recommended. Guess I've found my slice of DCUM readers here!
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 15:22     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The Women by Kristin Hannah. I won't read anything by her ever again.


What is the appeal of Kristin Hannah.

Is she a good writer?
Are historical facts accurate?


She’s an awful writer and I don’t get the hype. In fact, if you like her books I judge you harshly.
Anonymous
Post 02/19/2026 14:57     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
The Kite Runner
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 04:53     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
I hate Dr. Seuss books! Every.single.one!
Anonymous
Post 05/24/2025 01:59     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Goldfinch, Overstory, My Brilliant Friend were all DNFs for me. Maybe they eventually became amazing but I just could not get into them after at least 100 pages (and over 200 for Overstory). Thought Man Named Ove was treacly crap. Station 11 was not bad but way overhyped. If the apocalypse ever comes I will definitely shoot any survivors doing Shakespeare in the park.
Anonymous
Post 05/18/2025 11:21     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Heartburn by Nora Ephron. Insufferable characters, totally unreadable.


You know when she wrote that and about whom, right ? That explains a lot


DP! No, do tell!


you read Heartburn with none of the historical background?


Are you going to tell us or not?


it's not quite a secret! https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/02/23/nora-ephron-heartburn-anniversary/
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 14:04     Subject: Name a popular book you didn't like
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Heartburn by Nora Ephron. Insufferable characters, totally unreadable.


You know when she wrote that and about whom, right ? That explains a lot


DP! No, do tell!


you read Heartburn with none of the historical background?


Are you going to tell us or not?