POPULAR BOOKS I DIDN’T CARE FOR
This week, I’m breaking the rules for our feature. The reason for this is simple. I haven’t been reading, at least not much, recently (I have finished a few books which feels like progress). Because of this, asking me to remember what I decided to DNF, well, that’s a stretch. If I do remember any while creating this, I’ll mention them and denote them with the “DNF” tag. In the meantime, we’re going to talk popular books I didn’t care for.
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📚POPULAR BOOKS I DIDN’T CARE FOR📚 Taking a look at the popular books social media loves, but I didn't love. #TopTen #TopTenList #TopTenTuesday #BookList #Reading #Readers Share on XThis does and doesn’t fit with this week’s theme. It fits because it’s talking about something we didn’t love, even those that are popular and still saying, nope, it doesn’t work for me. So I don’t necessarily loathe all of these, they just aren’t my cup of tea despite the Internet telling me I am crazy. Regardless, we’re going to soldier on and still share these… all in the hopes now one is too upset if their favorite is here. *grin*
Let’s take a closer look.
POPULAR BOOKS I DIDN’T CARE FOR
THE SIREN, KIERA CASS
Didn’t really love this one by Kiera Cass though I do enjoy The Selection. Goodreads
THE HUNGER GAMES, SUZANNE COLLINS
Didn’t hate this novel, but the idea of kids killing each other at the whim and fancy of people who think its sport is, well, disturbing. I did like the adaptation better in that I felt like Jennifer Lawrence helped me like or “connect” with Katniss a bit more. Goodreads
RUBY RED, KERSTIN GIER
Again, didn’t hate this one, but just not a favorite. I also don’t remember it and I have had zero inclination to pick up book two. Goodreads
THROW LIKE A GIRL (DNF), SARAH HENNING
I don’t think I didn’t not like this one, but it also just wasn’t something I cared about so it was very “meh” for me. I read some, and it’s been sitting in my book stack for… weeks? Months? Have you read this one? If so, is it worth reading in full? Goodreads
BEACH READ, EMILY HENRY
I didn’t like this one nearly as well as I wanted to. There were elements I enjoyed, and I even did like the first section of the novel in a way that made me want to keep reading. In the end, the book didn’t work for me. Goodreads
THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY, NATALIE JENNER
The Internet loves this novel and I think Natalie’s subsequent novels as well. I just couldn’t get into this one so that I loved it. It has its moments but overall, it’s not a me read. Goodreads
CRAZY RICH ASIANS (DNF), KEVIN KWAN
Wanted to love this novel and tried reading it prior to the movie. Just couldn’t get into it (there was SO much detail and history for each character switch off). The movie is really fun though. Goodreads
ONE DAY IN DECEMBER, JOSIE SILVER
Really not too sure why I did finish that one. I think it’s, for me, the mental mindset of “if you start something, don’t just quit. See it through.” I’m trying to teach myself this doesn’t apply to fiction, but still… sometimes it doesn’t ring true. Either way, I really didn’t root for the people we’re supposed to. Goodreads
THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, M.L. STEDMAN
The characters made mistake after mistake (which can be ok, but I want them to learn) which in turn made them miserable and living an existence that just didn’t make anyone happy. Asking myself WHY did I finish this one? Goodreads
ALWAYS NEVER YOURS, EMILY WIBBERLEY and AUSTIN SIEGEMUND-BROKA
Another one I didn’t loathe by any means, but it doesn’t sparkle in the way I anticipated it would. Goodreads
Have you read any of these? Are they on your favorites list? Which ones would you still read? Let’s hear all of the things! The comments are now yours.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl July 25: Ten Most Recent Books I Did Not Finish (Feel free to tell us why if you want, but if you do please be nice to the authors and don’t tag them when you mention your post on social media!)
I struggled with that aspect of The Hunger Games as well. I’ve never reread them.
Congratulations on your new theme, and thanks for stopping by so early today!
I never re-read them either and in fact, for some reason, I don’t think I’ve ever read book two. Probably won’t at this point. :) Thanks for visiting, Lydia.
It was a lot easier for me to keep track of all the characters in the movie so I could match a face to the name and voice.
Movies are “easier” sometimes that way. For me, I think it’s more the visualization but then also, depending on the story or its author, sometimes the book doesn’t affect me in that way. :) Just depends I guess. Thanks for visiting, Lauren.
I loved The Hunger Games but yes, it is a disturbing premise haha
I liked the film more (weird I know ;D). Mainly because I actually LIKED Katniss more. I mean she’s still standoff-ish and impersonal in many ways, but that’s also because of her circumstances, which has been to survive. So I cannot fault her too much. Thanks for visiting, Molly!!
I completely agree that The Hunger Games has a super disturbing theme. I thought the movie handled it really well, though, and it’s one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I can think of.
I also read Ruby Red and didn’t care for it! I don’t remember much of anything about it, though, so I have no recollection of why I didn’t like it. I think I tried to read book two, but DNFed it… though again, I don’t remember what was the final straw.
Happy reading!
I agree. THG movie is a good adaptation. I did like it better (weird, I know) than the book. I cannot remember much about “Ruby Red” either. But it just wasn’t soemthign that really stands out or a book that I remember loving. Still, I know SO many love these, so they’ve found their readers. :) Thanks for visiting, Nicole.
I loved Throw Like a Girl! Maybe give it another try. I didn’t dislike Beach Read, but it was totally mis marketed. The Light Between Oceans was kind of boring at times, but overall I liked it.
I feel like I did like SOME aspects of “The Light Between Oceans” (I seemed to like how it was written when I read it),but overall, it wasn’t a “me” book. I’ll maybe have to pick up “Throw Like a Girl” again! I don’t think I was “hating” it or anything, I just haven’t finished it. ;) Thanks for sharing, Deanna.
I felt the same way about Crazy Rich Asians – too much detail. I loved the movie though, but I don’t think I’ll pick up the second book.
I’m glad I wasn’t alone about Crazy Rich Asians. Sometimes I feel like it’s always me when these popular books do well and I just cannot get into them. Like you, I did really enjoy the film and have been thinking I need to re-watch it! Glad you stopped by, Lindsey. :)
The only one off your list I’ve read is HG. I loved it when I read it, even though the subject is disturbing, of course. It was so unique, though, and it kept me racing through the pages. I get why it’s not everyone’s thing, though.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I agree. I think THG is a unique story. And I did read it and book three PLUS see all of the films, so… there’s something I do like well enough about the world. ;) I think in the film’s, it’s the connections between the characters I like best. Thanks for visiting, Susan.
I really like this post idea! I haven’t read any of these books, but now I’m curious about them. It’s never a good feeling to finish a book and then think back and wonder why you bothered finishing though. Hopefully you’ll enjoy your future reads a lot more!
Thanks, and me too, Leah! I’m striving to be more selective so by the time you finish a book I’ve enjoyed it far more than my quibbles. ;)
I’ll be checking in to make sure you find an enjoyable one. Don’t let me down! 😂
Thanks, Leah!! I hope so too… and I’m sure I will, right?? There’s so many to choose from. ;)
Beach Read is one that didn’t work for me either. It looked and sounded like it would be a fun read…I hope you have a great week!
It looked that way to me as well, Cindy! I so wanted to like it and many readers adore Emily Henry in general. I’ve even been tempted to try another of her books because they do look fun/cute, but haven’t. Yet. Thanks for visiting!
I agree with on The Hunger Games.
I’ll also add, that while I so wanted to like The Lost Girls of Willowbrook. One of the few books I’ve resorted to a one-star review.
I like elements of the film… but for some reason I wasn’t a fangirl for the book. :/ Thanks so much for visiting – and sometimes it’s good to revisit a book we read in the past. :)
I think Ruby Red, is a fun read, quite simple, with potential but not amazing. And people sold me one day in December, as romance and in reality, it is pure drama, not my favorite
I don’t think I didn’t not like Ruby Red, I just don’t have memories of it which usually means it’s not an out-of-this-world favorite for me. But I’d agree in categorizing it as simple… but fun! :)
I really loved The Hunger Games but it is super disturbing so I totally get that, and I understand what you mean about Katniss too, I loved her in the book but I can definitely understand how Jennifer Lawrence’s performance might have made it easier to connect with her. I’ve not read The Jane Austen Society but I did read Natalie Jenner’s most recent release, Bloomsbury Girls and I felt the same way about it as you did about that one, I liked it well enough but I didn’t LOVE it.
Ah, no! I’m sad that Natalie’s books “feel” the same in regards to readers. I was thinking about trying another of hers eventually, and I still may, but I think, she’s an author that won’t be for me. Which is fine and I know MANY readers love her books so that’s awesome! I don’t think I can say any of these books on this list are books I “loathe” as a reader, but they aren’t favorites. When it comes to THG, I don’t consider myself “squeamish” so I think for me, it’s more the “emotional” aspects. As always glad you stopped by!
Ah, I also DNF-ed the Jane Austen Society, I totally forgot about that one. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/10-books-i-recently-marked-as-did-not-finish/
It just isn’t a me book. But I know MANY readers love it so that’s great. :)
The only one of these I have tried is The Hunger Games, and I DNFed it pretty quickly. Just not for me.
I read THG and “Mockingjay” (because it’s kind of a “rule” for me if I see the film or I *try* to read the book first) but the whole lets-watch-this-for-entertainment aspect isn’t something I loved. Still, I did think the film’s expanded the world/characters for me.